Another dream vacation...this time, in the making!!

[jaycns]

The Table of Contents...a cheat sheet to the "meat of it" posts
Post 1 (page 1)How it all started (the very early stages of planning)
Post 9 (page 1) What would we get out of the Platinum Plan???
Post 17 (page 2)An important update...dh changes things up
Post 34 (page 3)The ressies have been made!! AAA Tip Alert!
Post 36 (page 3)Pins, eBay and saving some more money
Post 37 (page 3)The cast of characters (with pictures)
Post 46 (page 4)Vacation counters are added!!
Post 59 (page4)The What Ifs set in big time
Post 64 (page 5)Oops...this changes things.
Post 81 (page 6)The tentative plans for our September trip.
Post 86 (page 6)The surprise is set! Some trip shopping is done!!
Post 97 (page 7) Some great photography tips posted by MouseTriper
Post 108 (page 8) A bump in the AAA road. :sad2:
Post 116 (page 8) The bump is removed...I hope!!
Post 119 (page 8) The surprise is refined to perfection! :thumbsup2
Post 144 (page 10) Plans that are way more refined to fit in with what Disney offers when ;)
Post 176 (page 12)Day One Final Plans...Ressies Made!!
Post 178 (page 12)Day Two Final Plans
Post 181 (page 13)Personalized (and FREE) park maps from Disney.com
Post 183 (page 13)Day Three Final Plans
Post 184 (page 13)Day Four Final Plans
Post 194 (page 13)Day Five Final Plans
Post 195 (page 13)Day Six Final Plans
Post 205 (page 14)Day Seven Final Plans
Post 206 (page 14)Day Eight Final Plans
Post 207 (page 14)Day Nine Final Plans *departure day...sniff sniff*
Welcome to my pretrip report! I am excited that you have come to join in the fun and excited energy that comes with planning our TWO (woo hoo) upcoming 2007 WDW vacations. If you would like to read about our last two WDW vacations...I have inserted the links below.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1130447 The Pick Me, Read Me TR -Sept. 2005

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1246511 The Trip of Dreams (with pix) -Sept. 2006




Hello trip boarders...and welcome to my pre trip report. I promise it will be (at sometime in the very near future) a flutter with activity. I will introduce our travel crew (or reintroduce as it may be for those who have stuck by me for my trip report BOOK...err...umm...sorry about the length...but guess what??? THIS WILL BE LONG TOO! ;) ). I will share our plans and decisions. Our packing nightmares (you know I will have those;) ) and the fun and excitement unique to this trip...we are doing something we have NEVER done before...we are going to SURPRISE the kids with this vacation.

WHO IS GOING? Dh and myself...young 30 somethings with three sweet boys. I am the Disney nut. Dh is the Disney grump. We even each other out. Without him I would have moved into the castle (and probably be in jail right now for trespassing) long ago and without me dh would never go *GASP*. Also along for the ride is "Aladdin". He is 10 years old right now and loves all things Disney (as well as soccer, animals, reading, biking and sports in general). Next up is "Goofy". He is 7 years old right now and one funny little guy. I am proud to say he is another Disney lover (and also another soccer nut, animal lover, bike riding fool, artist and all around curious guy). Last but most certainly not least is "Stitch". He is 5 years old right now and our stubborn yet sweet baby of the family. He is shaping up to be a fine Disney loving child (and also likes soccer, turtles, being outside, hiking, running and playing tag).

But for now...a brief overview of our trip's status:
We usually tell the kids on New Year's Day what our travel plans for the year are. Almost every year, they include at least a week at Disney. This year, we told them we were spending two weeks with family at a lake in GA (umm...not really SSHHH) and to their credit...they took it well. YES, they asked about Disney and YES it almost killed me to try and make up excuses (enter dh who told them that it would be fun to hang out with their cousins and water ski and go tubing etc for two weeks). So...that tidbit given to the kids instead of our real plans IT IS ON!!

As of yet, I am not really having that much trouble keeping my mouth shut because I am not really sure what we are doing. :lmao: I know it will be Disney...but I don't know what sort of Disney it will be. I think we have it down to five or six top choices. Good decision making skills, hey??!! :lmao: ;)

As such, I am going to post a poll. Here are the top contenders right now...vote and let me know what you think!! :) *Thanks!!*

Up first...

10 days at WDW in September on the Platinum Plan. Ultra inclusive, Cirque tickets, behind the scenes tours, water sports, carriage rides, child care, spa services, three full meals a day (plus snacks)....just about everything you could dream of doing at Disney thrown in....VERY appealing...but if we do Disney this way...we would be giving up a LOAD of park time. We wouldn't pay the extra for the extra and then not do them. So....it's something to think about. Post #9 explores option 1 in detail.

10 days at WDW doing the regular dining plan and staying at a concierge level room at either the Contemporary (our new all time favorite resort and on the monorail...we LOVE the monorail), the Grand Floridian ("Aladdin" wants to try this one as does his mom and once again, on the monorail) or maybe Wilderness Lodge(dh wants to try this one) or the Beach Club(I am keen on this one for the pool as are the younger boys)....????

6 days land (regular room at one of the above resorts) and then 4 days on the Wonder.

Or one of the above three options in late November/early December (after the Thanksgiving crowds leave).

Lastly, driving out west to California and doing DL (we have never been) for a week. Most likely in September.


HELP!!!! I am a bit confused. I am using others trip reports to help me and also starting to do a bit of research on my own via the internet and phone calls to Disney.

I am looking to "live another dream". After our last vacation...it will take some doing...but I know I can create a vacation option that will have just as much of a chance for magic moments as the one we took this past year. Heck, we could go to a cabin in the middle of the woods and find magic...but if we are going to spend "Disney" priced dollars I want the most bang for our buck! And I want to fit our family's interests...including dh, the grumpy vacationer.

MORE TO COME!!

[PrincessAlways]

Disney during the Christmas season is just so special! The decorations, music, holiday storytellers, MVMCP, Osborne Lights, Candlelight Processional -- it's always a beautiful way to usher in the holidays! Since your last Disney vacation was such a wonderful time, this would be Disney with a difference. Good luck with your decision!

[MouseTriper]

Ohhh I am soo excited you have already started another pre-trip report. As I said in my last reply to your latest TR, I was sad to see it end and was hoping for a quick return. So.....thank you!

Okay, now to toss in my vote or rather opinions. We just took our first very family vacation ever and it was to WDW. We were there from the 6th of December through the 13th. (Much shorter than yours and just way too short in general). Anyway, the first 3 nights we stayed at the Dolphin due to our having enough Starwood points to make the room free. After that we moved to the Wilderness Lodge. Now, seeing this was our first time staying at Disney I have nothing to really compare it to BUT we LOVED the Wilderness Lodge. We had a room that overlooked the center of the lobby, up on the 4th floor. That lobby was decorated so cool for the holidays, it truly was breathtaking. I love Christmas time and I must say that Disney does Christmas right. If you have never been to Disney during the holidays than I suggest you give it a try. Magical does not even begin to describe it for me.....!

Anyway, another thing to note. I grew up in California and if I were you I would definitely stick to Walt Disney World and not Disneyland. There is so much more to do at WDW than at Disneyland, it is much bigger and the whole area is much nicer, in my opinion anyway. Don't get me wrong though, if I had a choice of doing Disneyland for a week or nothing at all, I would definitely choose Disneyland. I guess I am just in love with WDW right now...lol, however, I have not been to Disneyland since I was a kid.

Now for land and sea...I have never been on a cruise in my life so I can't help you there. I do know the days we spent at the parks in WDW, we did not seem to have enough time to do it all. If we planned all the "extras", we would barely have touched the surface of the parks. I wish I could just afford to go for a month...heck, I would settle for 2 weeks!!! Laughing...!

Ohh and I think keeping this as a surprise for the boys is awesome. Let's just hope you last!! Hahahaha.

Beth

[MouseTriper]

OMG, I forgot to mention that my number one choice would be the ten days at WDW on the Platinum plan!!! That sounds sooo magical and wonderful...I could only wish! Hahaha. Can't wait to read all about your decision-making and re-making, if you are anything like me. Hahaha.

[SoonerGirl]

Well, I chose 6 nights, followed by 4 on the Wonder, but I've never been on a cruise and am dying to try one after reading your TR! Since you just got back from a fabulous cruise, you might want to go a different route. Maybe since DH isn't all that into Disney and goes just to humor his Disney loving family (what a guy!!), you should go for option #1, it would be something different that he may enjoy more, of course you have to be sure your kids would go for the reduced park time! Tough choice! At least you get to pick a Disney vacation though, my DH said he was 'Disneyed out' and doesn't want to go this year - it's so sad! :confused3 I'm thinking I'll trick him and plan a vacation to San Diego (with a little stop over in Disneyland) :laughing:

[MomofCKJ]

I chose the land/sea but in December.

I just went in December and it is a really wonderful time to go and see all the decorations and Christmas spirit (just watch out for those Pop Warner kids). I think you would love this time to go and you could do MVMCP! Since you cruised last time and seemed to love it that is why I went for the land/sea again. I think it is such a nice combination and I hope we get to do it someday too! I love cruising! DH and I went on one alone for our 10th anniversary (Norwegian Dawn) and it was fabulous!

Allyson

[Blaynexox]

Yay!! Your doing another trippie ALREADY! :yay: That just made my day! .. I picked Option 1 but in end of Nov. beginning of Dec. I've heard that this is an awesome time to go and I just think the platinum plan sounds AMAZING!! .. But any trip you decide to go on .. im totally along for the ride!!:woohoo:

[tommygirl79]

Yahoo!!! Another trippie right away!!! Way to go!!! :thumbsup2

I picked the land/sea option, but mainly because I've never been on a cruise and the DCL is my dream! But staying in a deluxe is a dream for me too since Moderate level is all my family has ever been able to afford so any of your options are a dream to me!

Having said that, going to WDW in December is PURE magic!!! The decorations both in the parks and in the resorts are beyond compare and there are so many extra things to do that it can't be beat. Of course, it's busier but you all have the luxury of having been a bunch so you can maximize your time how you need to. You definitely have the knowledge to do so.

Also, since DH is such a doll to continue "doing" Disney, I would COMPLETELY humor him and go to Wilderness Lodge (it's MY dream resort). I can also see a non-Disney person really liking the extras like Cirque and Hoop Dee Doo, that kind of thing thrown in along with the parks. Half day park, half day other activity is not too bad depending on the busyness of the parks at the time you go.

Can't wait to read along and see what you decide.

As for us, I think we are planning an October trip because your MNSSHP pics and description sounds great for the girls to experience this year and then, DFIL is hoping to take us all crusing on the DCL the year after when the girls are 7 and 5ish. I'm trying to decide now if we can maybe push for a deluxe resort is we get free dining. Wonder what the difference in $$$ would be for about 6 or 7 nights.

Enough about me - this is about you....it's great you are surprising the kiddos!!! Can't wait to relive this vacation through you - even through the planning stages (that's so much fun too isn't it???)

[jaycns]

I have heard it said that the Platinum Plan is just perfect for those who have more money then sense...UM....doesn't really sound appealing when put that way...the way I do see it having GREAT appeal is if it converts dh to a Disney lover. No more having to "talk" my way into our next Disney trip. No more long suffering husband being "pushed" into WDW...how sweet would and could this be??!!

Also, I think para sailing, wave runners, a fireworks cruise and having reserved seating at the fireworks/Fantasmic being right up dh's alley. No wasting his time waiting (if anyone is more impatient then me...it's dh). I also think he would love a romantic carriage ride. And doing La Nouba has long been on his list of "I would like it" (which when it comes to Disney is very short).

That's dh...for me...oh the magic of the tours!! I would LOVE to do the tours. The Mickey tour at MK (with "Aladdin" and I having more special time together...it's only for ages 10 and up). I would love to do the dolphin interaction tour thing at Epcot with dh. Also the Segway tour at Epcot with dh. I think dh would highly enjoy both of those as well. And, with the platinum plan...we would have unlimited use of the kid's clubs as well as in room babysitting...so that would bode well for us as far as having the time out by ourselves a few times to enjoy the above activities. I also REALLY would love to do the wave runner guided tour of the natural sights on Bay Lake. That sounds like so much fun. Also...horseback riding. We would all like that. And do NOT let me forget the included spa treatment! My trouble would be picking the one I want...full manicure/pedicure, massage or a facial. HMMMM...:confused3 ;) I would also eat up the time on the fireworks cruise and having priority seating at the fireworks (I don't care if it's not "special seating"...just knowing I will have it after a long day is good enough for me).

As far as the kids. "Aladdin" has LONG wanted to do every Disney tour he hears about. He is not old enough for most of them...but we would be sure to hit the ones he was old enough for. He would enjoy para sailing (with dh or myself of course!!) and he would like to spend a morning fishing or holding on to daddy as they zipped around on a waverunner...so...yep, even he would like the package. "Goofy" and "Stitch" might be harder sells...they are still at the age where the parks are more then enough to keep them busy...but they are also very much go with the flow kids and they have had the parks done OVER and OVER and OVER for years...it might make it okay to do no more then a few park only days but to really make it about taking in everything else Disney has to offer.:confused3

And as far as the eating thing...we did Disney dining last time and we actually had to change our eating style. We LIKE having two to three sit down meals a day. We still had WAY to much food on the dining plan...don't get me wrong, a CS meal fills your stomach the same way a TS meal would...but for our family it would be a great day if we started out with Breakfast at Chef Mickey's. Followed by lunch at Cindy's and then dinner at the Liberty Tree Tavern. We have done those days in the past out of pocket...and they do add up. Now...we couldn't eat all Disney would offer at every meal...but we could and would enjoy sampling and eating sensible portions of the stuff they set before us each meal...and the meals themselves...we just like sit down meals. Could we do three a day everyday? NO...it just wouldn't work out for us. Could we do it half the time??? YEP. We are that kind of family. Then again, we don't take breaks...we use our meal times as our break time and we enjoy the time sitting around the table together much the same way others enjoy going back to their room for an afternoon of slow time. So...grand scheme of things would we, could we use three full meals a day no. Not even our dining loving family would be able to get that done...but would we, could we get our money's worth...I think so.

I also like that I would have access to an itinerary planner at whatever resort we chose to do the legwork on the reservations. That would be nice. To tell one person all of the ressies (dining, special seating, recreation, spa, etc) I wanted and then to have them secure them...leaving me free to hunt down more hints and tips in that time (via the DIS of course ;) ).

If we did Disney this way...here is a VERY VERY early guesstimate of what our time might look like:

DAY 1 (plan to arrive by 9:00 AM)- Check in and get a bit settled then head over to MK (my boys LOVE this to be their first park of every vacation...that doesn't always work out...but we could make it work out this time). Have an early lunch in the castle with Cindy. I LOVE doing this and gosh golly...I may be the only girl...but I am gonna live it up once in a while! ;) Also, my boys did love our last visit Sept. 2005. This time I wouldn't have to worry about credits. No credits on the premium plan...it's all equal. So only one meal each for one meal each at the castle. After that we would love to be able to use another premium feature and do the family tour at WDW. That takes about 2 and 1/2 hours. After that...free roaming through the park. Hit our very favorite attractions. Dinner at the Liberty Tree Tavern. We love that place. It's on all of the boys must do lists. After that...more free time in the park until it is time to go and park ourselves in the reserved seating for Wishes. That sounds like a very busy but fun first day to me.


Day 2-We could spend the entire day at AK starting off with breakfast with Donald before the park opens. We love doing that at least once per trip. Then spend the entire day there. CS lunch. Upon finishing...head over and have dinner at the California Grill...watch the fireworks of course!! After this...a late night EMH at MK with only "Aladdin" would be nice. (Yes, these are very early dream plans and days might have to be shuttled around to fit the real offering days of certain items).

Day 3-While dh and the younger two enjoy a "lateish" breakfast at Chef Mickey's followed by a swim in the resort pool. I would be happily doing the Mickey tour first thing in the morning with "Aladdin". Before our tour we might just have to eat with at Chef Mickey's ourselves (although much earlier)!! Then upon the completion of our tour we would head over and meet them at the resort. We could grab room service for lunch (in room dining is divine!!).Then this seems like a good time to fit in a guided tour of the lake on wave runners (you can have up to three on each wave runner...so it would work out great for us to go out as a family). After that maybe "rent" them again for some free exploring (I love saying rent when it would already be paid for ;) ). After that we could go para sailing. WOO HOO! Dh would LOVE that. We almost went while we were at Paradise Beach in Cozumel...but we ran out of time. He would be very happy to partake of it here. After a full afternoon of water sports it would be time to watch someone else do the moving. We could take in La Nouba on this night and then do a small bit of shopping at DTD before heading back for some much needed sleep.

Day 4-On this day we could get in room babysitting for the boys in the early morning (they could order their meals from in room dining for breakfast) and then dh and I could head over and do the Dolphins in Depth tour at Epcot. After which we would pick up the kids and then head back to EPCOT for the rest of the day. We would dine at the Garden Grill for lunch and at Le Cellier for dinner. We would take advantage of the plan's reserved seating for Illuminations. After this it would be once again time for some well earned sleep!

Day 5-We could spend the morning at the Magic Kingdom together. Breakfast at the Crystal Palace before the park opened. Lunch again at Cindy's. During the afternoon I would grab "Stitch" and take him to the park of his choice (or remain at MK) for some mom and me time...dh and the other two boys could chose the water sport they wanted (maybe they would like to ski then) and have at it. We could all meet for a family carriage ride at Fort Wilderness and then do the Hoop De Doo show for dinner. Maybe we feel like doing a bit of min golfing afterwards...maybe we don't...either way. A lot of fun!


Day 6-MGM...Start the day with breakfast at Hollywood and Vine (if they still do that) and follow it up with a day at MGM. Have lunch at Sci-Fi or Mama Melrose. Eat dinner at the Brown Derby. Use the plan's Fantasmic seating.

Day 7- After eating breakfast at the Concourse Steakhouse (YUM)...Spend the day at a water park. Most likely BB (lunch would be a CS meal). Drop the kid's off at the kid's club in the late afternoon and then head over to Victoria and Albert's for a romantic dinner. After our dinner (we would try to eat at the earliest time available) we could pick up the boys and then enjoy our Wishes fireworks cruise! Oh what a fun and romantic day that would be!!

Day 8Epcot for the morning...kicked off with a Princess Breakfast (again, I may be the only girl...but they are stuck with letting me have some fun too! ;) ). A late lunch at the Coral Reef and then return to the resort and spend the afternoon tubing (fun!). Dinner Ohana (we love this place). After dinner maybe we would drop off the kids at the kid's club and head over for a romantic carriage ride. Ahhh...I would enjoy that.

Day 9 Dh and I could head to the spa (come on, it's a massage...he has to like that!!) while the kid's had a sitter. Then we could pick them up and head to lunch at the Crystal Palace. Dinner that night would be with Cindy again (we like the food their lots...Major Domo..YUM). They would get a lot of MK time this day as well.

Day 10 Eat breakfast in the room. "Goofy" and I could head over and do the Epcot Aqua Seas tour (notice I have worked in alone time with each boy this trip...something I did with "Goofy" (we did the sting ray snorkel together at Castaway Cay) and "Aladdin" (late night EMH at MK) last trip. This trip I wanted to have that with them again and add some time with "Stitch" as well. Dh often gets one on one time with the boys (sports stuff...shudder) but I don't...I have a lot of time with them together...but not one on one. Dh and the other boys could relax or do a tubing repeat. We could meet at Whispering Canyon Café for lunch and then head over and take a private golf lesson and then a round of golf as a family. That night either MK or Epcot.

Day 11This would be our last day...so start it with breakfast in the room again and then follow it up with time spent tubing or para sailing or maybe we would want to do wave runners again. Lunch at whatever park we want to head to for the afternoon. A sit down lunch if we can work it out. After that...say goodbye to the wonders of the Disney Platinum Plan...EXCEPT...I would be smart and have two extra nights tacked on at the Nick Suites hotel. Our Disney stuff would not expire until midnight the day of departure...so we would drop the kids off at a kid's club and do Victoria and Albert's one last time.

Then back to the Nick Suites that night. Not Disney...but fun! The next day we would head to Sea World (yep, we like Sea World and we try to go once every other year or so...and we didn't go last year...SO...). That night would be all about enjoying the Nick Suites pools and water park features. As would the next morning until it was time to depart Orlando and finally head home.

So..if we chose option number one...those would be along the lines of the plans I would have. Surely we would end up adding something else or skipping something...but that would be a rough plan in my head of what to aim for. Very active...yet with the long sit down meals and the fun time on the water it might just not kill us to do it all! ;)

YES...I have the rest of the options in my little head! Dream option 2 will be explored soon. :) This pre dream is to be continued...


**LATE JAN. UPDATE: This plan was "thrown out" after careful consideration...we would be so dead tired that we would need a two week vacation at home to recover from it!! However, wouldn't it be fun to get that tired!!??**

[jaycns]

Disney during the Christmas season is just so special! The decorations, music, holiday storytellers, MVMCP, Osborne Lights, Candlelight Processional -- it's always a beautiful way to usher in the holidays! Since your last Disney vacation was such a wonderful time, this would be Disney with a difference. Good luck with your decision! I so want to see the lights. The Candlelight Processional...MVMCP...all of the decorations...I REALLY do want this...but I have two hitches...first...I have to wait longer :rolleyes: ;) And second...if we do the Platinum Plan dh might not want to do the water sports stuff due to the temps.

????? But I REALLY want to do the Christmas stuff. I haven't been to Disney at Christmas since I was a child!!!

Thanks for reminding me about all of the great things about the season!! I like the thought of "Disney with a difference" though...hmmmm...see my problem??? I just cannot figure what I want!! ;)

[jaycns]

Ohhh I am soo excited you have already started another pre-trip report. As I said in my last reply to your latest TR, I was sad to see it end and was hoping for a quick return. So.....thank you!

Okay, now to toss in my vote or rather opinions. We just took our first very family vacation ever and it was to WDW. We were there from the 6th of December through the 13th. (Much shorter than yours and just way too short in general). Anyway, the first 3 nights we stayed at the Dolphin due to our having enough Starwood points to make the room free. After that we moved to the Wilderness Lodge. Now, seeing this was our first time staying at Disney I have nothing to really compare it to BUT we LOVED the Wilderness Lodge. We had a room that overlooked the center of the lobby, up on the 4th floor. That lobby was decorated so cool for the holidays, it truly was breathtaking. I love Christmas time and I must say that Disney does Christmas right. If you have never been to Disney during the holidays than I suggest you give it a try. Magical does not even begin to describe it for me.....!

Anyway, another thing to note. I grew up in California and if I were you I would definitely stick to Walt Disney World and not Disneyland. There is so much more to do at WDW than at Disneyland, it is much bigger and the whole area is much nicer, in my opinion anyway. Don't get me wrong though, if I had a choice of doing Disneyland for a week or nothing at all, I would definitely choose Disneyland. I guess I am just in love with WDW right now...lol, however, I have not been to Disneyland since I was a kid.

Now for land and sea...I have never been on a cruise in my life so I can't help you there. I do know the days we spent at the parks in WDW, we did not seem to have enough time to do it all. If we planned all the "extras", we would barely have touched the surface of the parks. I wish I could just afford to go for a month...heck, I would settle for 2 weeks!!! Laughing...!

Ohh and I think keeping this as a surprise for the boys is awesome. Let's just hope you last!! Hahahaha.

Beth
Oh my goodness...PLEASE (if you don't mind) I need to hear about the WL. ;) How was transportation? Would it have been easy to scoot over to the Contemp. via a boat and then monorail it? How about the views?

Dh really does like the idea of WL...however, I am thinking (Oh I am the mean wife aren't I) that I could still stay at the Contemp. (it was his favorite too...he just wants to try WL cause he likes national parks) I could promise dh that we would stay in a nice lodge when we head out west as the boys get older...or we could just go back to WDW and do WL. ;) If the Contemp. is going to be undergoing major construction I don't want to be there. Next on my list would be the Grand Floridian...on the monorail and on "Aladdin's" list of want to try resorts. The Beach Club is also high on my list for the pool stuff...however, it's not on the monorail. Funny, that NEVER mattered to me before. Now after the Contemp. and the Poly...the monorail is a big time deal to me. :rolleyes: I just liked hopping on and no parking. Also, I hate the thought of being a bus...I don't like buses...they are not my favorite mode of transport. Way back when I was in college I took a bus trip of 6 hours to go and visit a boyfriend who went to a different college. I sat next to a smelly woman and a man with the worst nasal drip ever....it was HORRID. And oh so very cold and just terrible. I know...:lmao: Disney buses are NOT that...but I get the willies thinking of PLANNING to use a bus now...:lmao: I surely am a peice of work! :rolleyes:

What you said about DL is just what I am worried about. I do really want to go there though...but I was thinking. We have plans for this big trip "OUT WEST" ( ;) in caps cause dh says it all excited and almost screaming every time he says it) in about five years. All of the kids will be old enough for serious hiking and rafting and stuff then. Why not work in a little Disney via DL then too? ;) BUT...I think dh would really like a mini "OUT WEST" trip now as well. We could and would have fun...but I want to be at WDW during the YoMD. One can always dream of being wisked away for a night in Cindy's castle!! ;)

I am giving myself two weeks...at the end of that time I will have chosen an option...*gulp* ;)

THANKS for jumping right in to our next trip with me!! I am so excited to be planning it! I think I might like the planning ALMOST as much as the trip itself!

[jaycns]

Good trick (the whole DL thing). All three boys are chomping at the bit to do another cruise...however, I just (as in minutes ago) talked with the family we cruised with last time and they are willing to look into going on another cruise with us in 2008 or 2009 and doing it over Christmas! WOO HOO!:cool1: So...I may save dh's "cruise tolerence" for that vacation...then again...I would love to spend some time on the Wonder and the boys really do want to get back to those kid's clubs! They had such an amazing time. Also, the thought of being treated like royalty by our servers again doesn't hurt! :confused3 Still confuzled here!! Thanks again for following me over!! Well, I chose 6 nights, followed by 4 on the Wonder, but I've never been on a cruise and am dying to try one after reading your TR! Since you just got back from a fabulous cruise, you might want to go a different route. Maybe since DH isn't all that into Disney and goes just to humor his Disney loving family (what a guy!!), you should go for option #1, it would be something different that he may enjoy more, of course you have to be sure your kids would go for the reduced park time! Tough choice! At least you get to pick a Disney vacation though, my DH said he was 'Disneyed out' and doesn't want to go this year - it's so sad! :confused3 I'm thinking I'll trick him and plan a vacation to San Diego (with a little stop over in Disneyland) :laughing:

[jaycns]

OH an alone cruise with dh! What a special time that must have been! I would love to do that sometime in the future...maybe for our 20th (only 8.5 more years). MVMCP is a huge attraction to me in December (or late November). I know the boys would love it. And I am drooling over the prospect of getting to see Disney decked out for Christmas...???? This is SO not an easy choice!!I chose the land/sea but in December.

I just went in December and it is a really wonderful time to go and see all the decorations and Christmas spirit (just watch out for those Pop Warner kids). I think you would love this time to go and you could do MVMCP! Since you cruised last time and seemed to love it that is why I went for the land/sea again. I think it is such a nice combination and I hope we get to do it someday too! I love cruising! DH and I went on one alone for our 10th anniversary (Norwegian Dawn) and it was fabulous!

Allyson

[kimwim8]

Wow! You really put a lot of thought into option #1 already! You blow me away with all of your planning! :goodvibes

I chose option #1 in September. What a wonderful, magical experience that would be (I thought I knew a lot, but I had no idea that even existed - maybe because I'm DVC and it wouldn't be offered to us :rolleyes: ). I agree that if you're going platinum, I'd do it in September to get enough water time in. November-December weather can be VERY iffy. You'd have to pack both warm and cold weather clothes and every day you just don't know what you'll get (we were just there in Nov this year, Dec in 05).

I've never been on the DCL (I'm dying to try it) but I would think weighing the choice of platinum vs. cruising and a "regular" stay....I'd go platinum! :thumbsup2

I can't wait to hear what you've decided. And I LOVE that you're surprising the boys. I really want to do that some time with my kids.

[momoftriplets]

Hi, Jay!!! (I kind of feel like a stalker, following you all over the place!!:rotfl: ) Too many options! OMG! My head would explode! You're just like me, though. The ultimate planner. "If we do this, we could do this, but if we did THIS, then we could do This...." Drives DH nuts. So I plan it all & let him in on the "Major" decisions. I don't even have an opinion on which of your options to chose because any one of them would be fabulous. My first time to the World was just after Christmas 1995. Loved the decorations, HATED the crowds. Can't wait to hear your decision! Good luck.
Barb

[MouseTriper]

Oh my goodness...PLEASE (if you don't mind) I need to hear about the WL. ;) How was transportation? Would it have been easy to scoot over to the Contemp. via a boat and then monorail it? How about the views?

Dh really does like the idea of WL...however, I am thinking (Oh I am the mean wife aren't I) that I could still stay at the Contemp. (it was his favorite too...he just wants to try WL cause he likes national parks) I could promise dh that we would stay in a nice lodge when we head out west as the boys get older...or we could just go back to WDW and do WL. ;) If the Contemp. is going to be undergoing major construction I don't want to be there. Next on my list would be the Grand Floridian...on the monorail and on "Aladdin's" list of want to try resorts. The Beach Club is also high on my list for the pool stuff...however, it's not on the monorail. Funny, that NEVER mattered to me before. Now after the Contemp. and the Poly...the monorail is a big time deal to me. :rolleyes: I just liked hopping on and no parking. Also, I hate the thought of being a bus...I don't like buses...they are not my favorite mode of transport. Way back when I was in college I took a bus trip of 6 hours to go and visit a boyfriend who went to a different college. I sat next to a smelly woman and a man with the worst nasal drip ever....it was HORRID. And oh so very cold and just terrible. I know...:lmao: Disney buses are NOT that...but I get the willies thinking of PLANNING to use a bus now...:lmao: I surely am a peice of work! :rolleyes:

What you said about DL is just what I am worried about. I do really want to go there though...but I was thinking. We have plans for this big trip "OUT WEST" ( ;) in caps cause dh says it all excited and almost screaming every time he says it) in about five years. All of the kids will be old enough for serious hiking and rafting and stuff then. Why not work in a little Disney via DL then too? ;) BUT...I think dh would really like a mini "OUT WEST" trip now as well. We could and would have fun...but I want to be at WDW during the YoMD. One can always dream of being wisked away for a night in Cindy's castle!! ;)

I am giving myself two weeks...at the end of that time I will have chosen an option...*gulp* ;)

THANKS for jumping right in to our next trip with me!! I am so excited to be planning it! I think I might like the planning ALMOST as much as the trip itself!

I LOVED the Wilderness Lodge!!! It had such a cozy and comfortable feel to it. It is a beautiful resort with some great pools and the geyser of course. They have a cool boat dock which is not far away at all, really just passed the pools. We easily took the boat directly from the WL to the Contemporary and ate at Chef Mickey's for our very 1st Character meal. We didn't have to wait very long at all for the boats. Like you said, from there you can easily take the monorail to the MK. One night we watched the water parade on the WL dock and were it felt so magical. Now remember, I have never stayed at other WDW resort so I can't say if I would like another resort better. I can tell you this...my DH who is **not** that into Disney either but knows that I am now in love with it said he may be inclined to go back again if we stay at the WL and not the Dolphin...hahaha. :cool1:

If I could afford it, I would definitely stay at one of the hotels that had the monorail running through it. Like you, I feel the monorail is the best way to travel through the World...too bad the monorail doesn't go to all the WDW resorts and parks. Just imagine if the monorail went to AK!!! Whoooohooo!

I had to laugh about your "bus horror" adventure while you were in college. I had a horrible experience on a public bus when I was a little freshman in high school. I went to a strict Catholic high school and wore a uniform. So this one day, for the 1st time, my twin sister and I had to take a public bus home. My sister and I been arguing and so I refused to sit next to her on the bus. I, still in my Catholic school uniform, take a seat by a window and my sister who has on gym clothes takes a seat away from me. Before I know it I have this really creepy religious freak sitting next to me, talking to me and creeping me out for the entire 20 minutes ride home. I could hear my sister laughing in the back. Uggg...the horrors, your story made me relive my horrid story... thanks alot! Hahahaha...just kidding. Laughing, so I know what you mean. We still took the buses around WDW but we had to wait quite awhile for some of them and they are a pain when you have a stroller!

Have you ever thought about splitting up your Disney time? Perhaps one week in Sept and then another week in early Dec? Good luck on the decision making, I know it is hard. Ohh and by the way, I never knew there was an actual "premium" Disney plan, I thought that was just something you called going all out. Hahahahaha.

[jaycns]

UPDATE!!!

Dh is a prince...or maybe a poo...not sure which one...I will probably go with prince. Dh has totally poo pooed my dreams of a 12 day vacation in either September or December... BOO HISS DH. :sad2: :sad1:

HOWEVER...He has agreed to either a 7 day cruise (with 2 days before hand at the parks) in September OR 7-8 days at WDW in September on the Platinum Plan....and the prince part (as if that is not enough...yes, I am too spoiled for my own good I know)....IF I DON'T BUG HIM about staying longer in September or him going in December (he said with work it would be a huge headache to get off then)....DRUM ROLL PLEASE...I can go back!!!! I can take the boys the Sunday after Thanksgiving until that next Sunday and enjoy WDW then too!! WOO HOO!!!:cool1:


So...my long vacation dreams are now gone...but I have replaced them with something just a good...a year with TWO Disney vacations!!:banana: :cool1: :banana: :cool1:

Dh also nixed the idea of a split vacation land and sea....he said it's either long on land and then go home or long on sea (ie the 7 days) although I did talk him into spending 2 days before the cruise at WDW. I think he would be leaning towards the idea of doing the land part...

So now I am busy trying to readjust my thinking...Now the question is...with a shorter vacation...is the platinum plan the way to go or would it be more cost effective to stay concierge (thus still get the pre arrival person to help arrange things) and then pay out of pocket for stuff like wave runners, parasailing and the fireworks cruise. I just want this year to be different...something he will love. I am so hoping that this will be the year that I convert dh from the Disney grump he currently is to the Disney lover I know he has hidden somewhere inside of him (buried WAY deep down!).

ALL of that said....I have new choices for resorts. For our September stay I am thinking WL (for dh) or the Beach Club (again, dh would like that and the kids would LOVE the water features) or AKL (our second favorite deluxe).

For December...that is easy, either the Grand Floridian or the Contemporary. Without dh to do the driving...I want to be on the monorail for the ease of it all. I am a bit nervous about taking the boys by myself...but I know it will all be good!!

Tonight I am going to call and get a quote from Disney. I have put in for a quote from Dreams Unlimited and I am also going to try AAA on Monday.

I guess I have had my decision made for me.

Just a few more "big" things to settle and then I am on to other aspects of planning...so much fun!! ;)

[Vivsmom]

I am so excited that although the last TR ended you haven't left us in the dust. I so enjoyed your last trip report and am looking forward to going through the decisions and then finally the trip with you again.

I live with a Disney Grump and guess what he has never been. We are going for 11 days in just 26 days. :banana: :banana: He is all worried that there isn't going to be enough to do.:rotfl2: Oh the ignorance!:rotfl:

I hope to convert him with just one trip. DD and I love to go and I already have thoughts of a quick girl trip in September?/Oct.:woohoo:

Sorry to ramble, am looking forward to going through this trip with you. Your family is precious.

Happy planning!:cloud9:

[SoonerGirl]

:woohoo: :cool1: :woohoo: WOO HOO!! Two trips in one year - you are a lucky girl!! Have fun planning!

[jaycns]

Yay!! Your doing another trippie ALREADY! :yay: That just made my day! .. I picked Option 1 but in end of Nov. beginning of Dec. I've heard that this is an awesome time to go and I just think the platinum plan sounds AMAZING!! .. But any trip you decide to go on .. im totally along for the ride!!:woohoo: Hiya Blayne and thanks for joining in this pre trip so soon! I look forward to SOON seeing your trip report! Just a little over a month for you to go!! Have fun and make sure you let us in on all of the fun you guys have!!

[jaycns]

Yahoo!!! Another trippie right away!!! Way to go!!! :thumbsup2

I picked the land/sea option, but mainly because I've never been on a cruise and the DCL is my dream! But staying in a deluxe is a dream for me too since Moderate level is all my family has ever been able to afford so any of your options are a dream to me!

Having said that, going to WDW in December is PURE magic!!! The decorations both in the parks and in the resorts are beyond compare and there are so many extra things to do that it can't be beat. Of course, it's busier but you all have the luxury of having been a bunch so you can maximize your time how you need to. You definitely have the knowledge to do so.

Also, since DH is such a doll to continue "doing" Disney, I would COMPLETELY humor him and go to Wilderness Lodge (it's MY dream resort). I can also see a non-Disney person really liking the extras like Cirque and Hoop Dee Doo, that kind of thing thrown in along with the parks. Half day park, half day other activity is not too bad depending on the busyness of the parks at the time you go.

Can't wait to read along and see what you decide.

As for us, I think we are planning an October trip because your MNSSHP pics and description sounds great for the girls to experience this year and then, DFIL is hoping to take us all crusing on the DCL the year after when the girls are 7 and 5ish. I'm trying to decide now if we can maybe push for a deluxe resort is we get free dining. Wonder what the difference in $$$ would be for about 6 or 7 nights.

Enough about me - this is about you....it's great you are surprising the kiddos!!! Can't wait to relive this vacation through you - even through the planning stages (that's so much fun too isn't it???)


We just joined AAA on line. I am going in to find out about discounts on Monday (I think you have to get vacation quotes from thier TA on site). Maybe with a discount like that though...a deluxe might be priced right? I am all for skimping on other things during the year to do it up big at Disney. ;)

As far as surprising the kiddos...this is already getting so hard. I want to share it with "Aladdin" most. He is so helpful with planning and I think I may have to trick him and tell him we are planning one for Sept. 2008 and let him help me thinking that it is for a whole year away. Tricky, sneaky! ;)

My kids are asking me all of the time if we can do Disney again. When we will do Disney again. And why we are not doing Disney again (I guess I have them trained!!). So....it is hard not to spill the beans. BUT...I am inspired by others I have seen on this board. I am inspired by their unique reveals and the joy and disbelief on their kids faces.

I would love to see our kids look like that. I would LOVE to get them to the point where we are driving under the WELCOME TO WDW sign BEFORE they figure it out...which would be hard but not impossible...if we tried to arrive VERY early in the morning (and took the last part of our journey while it was still dark) and told them we were aiming for S. GA....they would be none of the wiser if we could keep them asleep....and if they woke up...well...the younger two might not figure it out. And if "Aladdin" woke up and figured it out...he is game enough not to ruin it for the younger two and he would be head over heels for an extra hour! ;)

I would also like to surprise them the second trip as well. Just tell them that we are going to ????? AND then bam once again be at Disney when they wake up. That is our current version of our very foggy at this point certain to change plan. Will it work????:confused3 Don't know! Will it be fun to try?:rotfl: YES INDEED!!!

Thanks for reading along (again!).

[jaycns]

Wow! You really put a lot of thought into option #1 already! You blow me away with all of your planning! :goodvibes

I chose option #1 in September. What a wonderful, magical experience that would be (I thought I knew a lot, but I had no idea that even existed - maybe because I'm DVC and it wouldn't be offered to us :rolleyes: ). I agree that if you're going platinum, I'd do it in September to get enough water time in. November-December weather can be VERY iffy. You'd have to pack both warm and cold weather clothes and every day you just don't know what you'll get (we were just there in Nov this year, Dec in 05).

I've never been on the DCL (I'm dying to try it) but I would think weighing the choice of platinum vs. cruising and a "regular" stay....I'd go platinum! :thumbsup2

I can't wait to hear what you've decided. And I LOVE that you're surprising the boys. I really want to do that some time with my kids.

Thanks for following along! I am so excited about this! It's great to see all of my "old friends" here. I was really starting to wonder what I would do without "seeing" everyone once my last trip report ended!! :confused: I am so glad to see so many freindly faces here!!:goodvibes

NEXT UP...
Pictures of the cast of characters
Ressies made (by next Wednesday)
Final plans announced
THEN...how to surprise the boys...a fun problem to work out!!

[jaycns]

Hi, Jay!!! (I kind of feel like a stalker, following you all over the place!!:rotfl: ) Too many options! OMG! My head would explode! You're just like me, though. The ultimate planner. "If we do this, we could do this, but if we did THIS, then we could do This...." Drives DH nuts. So I plan it all & let him in on the "Major" decisions. I don't even have an opinion on which of your options to chose because any one of them would be fabulous. My first time to the World was just after Christmas 1995. Loved the decorations, HATED the crowds. Can't wait to hear your decision! Good luck.
Barb

Here are our dates (as of right now...they may change slightly)

9/2-9/9 and then 11/28-12/3

Will you be there either time? I only travel during LOW times...I am a wimp when it comes to crowds.

Any info you have on WDW at Christmas time would be very helpful!! :):):)

And as far as the stalker thing....not a chance...part of the reason I had to start a pre trip report was I was gonna miss you and a lot of others I had come to know through the trip report. I didn't want to have to say goodbye. :goodvibes

Hopefully the pre trip will serve that purpose and we can all discover some neat Disney tips and tricks together in the process of me sharing the planning of our next trip (s)!!

[jaycns]

I LOVED the Wilderness Lodge!!! It had such a cozy and comfortable feel to it. It is a beautiful resort with some great pools and the geyser of course. They have a cool boat dock which is not far away at all, really just passed the pools. We easily took the boat directly from the WL to the Contemporary and ate at Chef Mickey's for our very 1st Character meal. We didn't have to wait very long at all for the boats. Like you said, from there you can easily take the monorail to the MK. One night we watched the water parade on the WL dock and were it felt so magical. Now remember, I have never stayed at other WDW resort so I can't say if I would like another resort better. I can tell you this...my DH who is **not** that into Disney either but knows that I am now in love with it said he may be inclined to go back again if we stay at the WL and not the Dolphin...hahaha. :cool1:

If I could afford it, I would definitely stay at one of the hotels that had the monorail running through it. Like you, I feel the monorail is the best way to travel through the World...too bad the monorail doesn't go to all the WDW resorts and parks. Just imagine if the monorail went to AK!!! Whoooohooo!

I had to laugh about your "bus horror" adventure while you were in college. I had a horrible experience on a public bus when I was a little freshman in high school. I went to a strict Catholic high school and wore a uniform. So this one day, for the 1st time, my twin sister and I had to take a public bus home. My sister and I been arguing and so I refused to sit next to her on the bus. I, still in my Catholic school uniform, take a seat by a window and my sister who has on gym clothes takes a seat away from me. Before I know it I have this really creepy religious freak sitting next to me, talking to me and creeping me out for the entire 20 minutes ride home. I could hear my sister laughing in the back. Uggg...the horrors, your story made me relive my horrid story... thanks alot! Hahahaha...just kidding. Laughing, so I know what you mean. We still took the buses around WDW but we had to wait quite awhile for some of them and they are a pain when you have a stroller!

Have you ever thought about splitting up your Disney time? Perhaps one week in Sept and then another week in early Dec? Good luck on the decision making, I know it is hard. Ohh and by the way, I never knew there was an actual "premium" Disney plan, I thought that was just something you called going all out. Hahahahaha.


See...I knew buses were evil! lol and your story just proves it!

As to your suggestion...after talking with dh last night I didn't see it until after I had posted what he insists we do...split it up...but with him not having to come to the second week. So...GREAT suggestion!! That is just what we are doing!! :):):)

[Quacktatty]

Loving your pre-trippie!!! I just started one of my own.

I am all for Concierge. For me personally, Platinum plan would be overkill. I love to spend my time in the parks and all that recreation would take away from it! Plus, I think your boys might enjoy the platinum plan when they are older and can take more advantage of all the tours. Lots of fun stuff to do when you are 16 (okay, so that's like 11 years for you guys!!!) I would totally pick AKL as well...that's my dream resort if I am ever willing to splurge.

[kimwim8]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Well, I'd say (in choosing between platinum or concierge)....I'd do the platinum. That sounds like your DH would love a lot of the stuff on that plan. And then since you're going back within a few months...you could do a lot more of the park attractions that he might not be thrilled with.

How awesome! AND...you're gonna do BOTH as a surprise!! There's no way I could hold it all in! I think I could maybe keep the first trip as a surprise and tell my kids about the second one. Then when the first one happened, I'm sure they'd still be totally excited that they were going BACK!! But that's just me. If you can keep both a secret...you're kids are gonna freak out!:rotfl:

[MouseTriper]

See...I knew buses were evil! lol and your story just proves it!

As to your suggestion...after talking with dh last night I didn't see it until after I had posted what he insists we do...split it up...but with him not having to come to the second week. So...GREAT suggestion!! That is just what we are doing!! :):):)

Yeah...I am so excited for you!!!!! What a great idea!!! Hahaha. Ohh and I think that would be cool if you let "Aladdin" in on one of the secrets. I bet he would be grinning from ear to ear.

Can't wait to hear what is next!!!

[momoftriplets]

Here are our dates (as of right now...they may change slightly)

9/2-9/9 and then 11/28-12/3

Will you be there either time? I only travel during LOW times...I am a wimp when it comes to crowds.

Any info you have on WDW at Christmas time would be very helpful!! :):):)

And as far as the stalker thing....not a chance...part of the reason I had to start a pre trip report was I was gonna miss you and a lot of others I had come to know through the trip report. I didn't want to have to say goodbye. :goodvibes

Hopefully the pre trip will serve that purpose and we can all discover some neat Disney tips and tricks together in the process of me sharing the planning of our next trip (s)!!

The September dates won't work for us. That public school thing will get in the way. :teacher: End of November???? Now there's an idea. We had thought of those dates as an option, too. I can just see DH's face now. "Honey, we have to go to WDW the Sunday after Thanksgiving & stay the week so I can meet Jaycns. You know, the DIS'er I met online... Oh, I'm sure she's perfectly harmless.... No, honey, I'M the stalker... not her!" Too funny! :rotfl: Anyway, we've haven't gotten that far yet.

As far as hitting the World at Christmas time - I went Dec 30, 1995 - Jan 8, 1996 with a friend & her extended family. Here's what I remember - This was before FastPass, so we waited in line FOREVER. Generally an hour each time. Extremely crowded. It was so busy that week, I vowed I would never go back at that time again. Now, I'd love to take the kids there for Christmas because their birthdays are December 26. How fun to celebrate there. See how being a Mom can change your outlook? I did love the decorations. This was before I knew anything about DIS, so I was a total novice. Did learn enough while I was there to know that I absolutely had to go back. Took me another 7 years, but I made it with DH & three kiddos in tow. :dance3: Now DH & I look forward to it as much (if not more) than the kiddos do.

As for surprising the kids - I have mixed feelings on this one. I know I love to plan things & anticipation is half the fun. I don't know that I would want to take that away from them. :confused3 Also, I'm almost certain I couldn't keep it a secret. I'd have to blab - but that's just me...

I do like your options, though. Go platinum with DH & kiddos & then hit the parks hard when you go back in November.

Great to "see" you again. Thanks for the kind words. :flower3: Looking forward to the final decisions.
Barb

[jaycns]

Loving your pre-trippie!!! I just started one of my own.

I am all for Concierge. For me personally, Platinum plan would be overkill. I love to spend my time in the parks and all that recreation would take away from it! Plus, I think your boys might enjoy the platinum plan when they are older and can take more advantage of all the tours. Lots of fun stuff to do when you are 16 (okay, so that's like 11 years for you guys!!!) I would totally pick AKL as well...that's my dream resort if I am ever willing to splurge.
The Platinum Plan is to induce my grumpy dh. The kids and I would be content with day after park after day in the park after day in the park.
;) However, dh is not quite as into it as all of that:rolleyes: :sad2: . He could quite happily live without ever stepping foot in any theme park ever again (or so he claims...but I wonder...:snooty: ). However, we took a look at the ins and outs of balancing what dh would like to do with what I would like to do with what we know the kids would love to do and we came up with a compromise. First 3 days start out on the PP...for the last three days drop the PP but continue to stay at the concierge level. That way we can enjoy all that we want of the PP without depriving the kids of their "park time" or wasting money on the plan when we would rather be in the parks!!

THANKS for joining in! Do you have a link to your pre trippie?

[jaycns]

I am so excited that although the last TR ended you haven't left us in the dust. I so enjoyed your last trip report and am looking forward to going through the decisions and then finally the trip with you again.

I live with a Disney Grump and guess what he has never been. We are going for 11 days in just 26 days. :banana: :banana: He is all worried that there isn't going to be enough to do.:rotfl2: Oh the ignorance!:rotfl:

I hope to convert him with just one trip. DD and I love to go and I already have thoughts of a quick girl trip in September?/Oct.:woohoo:

Sorry to ramble, am looking forward to going through this trip with you. Your family is precious.

Happy planning!:cloud9: HOW did you talk him into 11 days? GOOD WORK!!

I think we need to start a support group...

"HELP MY SPOUSE IS A DISNEY GRUMP":rotfl: could be our motto:rotfl:

If you will be there in September from the 2-9...make sure to say hello! :)

[jaycns]

:woohoo: :cool1: :woohoo: WOO HOO!! Two trips in one year - you are a lucky girl!! Have fun planning! Lucky girl I am!! I am so excited!! However, dh is such a schmooze...getting out of a long Disney vacation by dangling another one in front of me like a carrot....and notice....I jumped right up and ran after it!!:lmao: :rotfl: :rotfl2:

[jaycns]

The September dates won't work for us. That public school thing will get in the way. :teacher: End of November???? Now there's an idea. We had thought of those dates as an option, too. I can just see DH's face now. "Honey, we have to go to WDW the Sunday after Thanksgiving & stay the week so I can meet Jaycns. You know, the DIS'er I met online... Oh, I'm sure she's perfectly harmless.... No, honey, I'M the stalker... not her!" Too funny! :rotfl: Anyway, we've haven't gotten that far yet.

As far as hitting the World at Christmas time - I went Dec 30, 1995 - Jan 8, 1996 with a friend & her extended family. Here's what I remember - This was before FastPass, so we waited in line FOREVER. Generally an hour each time. Extremely crowded. It was so busy that week, I vowed I would never go back at that time again. Now, I'd love to take the kids there for Christmas because their birthdays are December 26. How fun to celebrate there. See how being a Mom can change your outlook? I did love the decorations. This was before I knew anything about DIS, so I was a total novice. Did learn enough while I was there to know that I absolutely had to go back. Took me another 7 years, but I made it with DH & three kiddos in tow. :dance3: Now DH & I look forward to it as much (if not more) than the kiddos do.

As for surprising the kids - I have mixed feelings on this one. I know I love to plan things & anticipation is half the fun. I don't know that I would want to take that away from them. :confused3 Also, I'm almost certain I couldn't keep it a secret. I'd have to blab - but that's just me...

I do like your options, though. Go platinum with DH & kiddos & then hit the parks hard when you go back in November.

Great to "see" you again. Thanks for the kind words. :flower3: Looking forward to the final decisions.
Barb

OH MY GOODNESS! If you would...if you could...if we could say hello at WDW I would be over the moon! Sadly (according to my dh who thinks planning a trip "with a bunch of Disney crazed strangers" is a somewhat unbalanced thing for me to do) I have grown to consider many of those on the trip reports boards friends...:grouphug: I would love to meet up with you if it would be possible! I saw that a few trip report writers did a meet up for tea at the GF.....WOO HOO what a neat idea. Wouldn't it be great to do something along those lines??!! WOO HOO! :cool1: (Doesn't it look like this little guy is saying "WOO HOO" as he dances?!) :upsidedow :thumbsup2

[SoonerGirl]

I think we need to start a support group...

"HELP MY SPOUSE IS A DISNEY GRUMP":rotfl: could be our motto:rotfl:



:rotfl2: I would definately become a member of this group! DH has got to be one of the biggest Disney grumps of all time - he enjoys seeing the kids have fun, but unrealistically believes we could have just as much fun doing something else :scared1: It's crazy I tell ya, just crazy!

[jaycns]

THE RESSIES HAVE BEEN MADE!!!!

As you can tell by the size and color of my statement I am very excited.

Still on the fence about a few things (but that is what penalty free cancellation periods are for!! ;) ).

Before I go into the details of the arrangements let me clarify...this report will chronicle planning for BOTH of our upcoming 2007 trips. I will write a separate trip report for each of those...of course links will be provided! ;)

Now...back to the exciting news...

TRIP NUMBER 1: Ressies are made for 9/2-9/9 at AKL concierge level. We will have our own car so the location won't really "hurt" us very much. The first three days of this stay will be on the Platinum Plan (forever more known as PP). We will do all sorts of extras those first few days followed up by enjoying the parks in the later half of the week. Hopefully that balance works out for our entire family (update very shortly with photos and bios of said traveling fools). * The only worry I have about this ressie is the fact about the whole DVC thing at AKL. Construction and them taking over the concierge facilities....what will our stay be like? BUT....the worry was taken over by two things...first, I know Disney will have proper plans in order to make sure our stay is perfect construction or not and they will have a new concierge lounge open before they close the old one. Second, if they don't...I am more then ready to insist on switching to a resort where we will be able to enjoy a peaceful vacation full of all of the extras we are paying for (not being nit picky, but if we pay for it...I want it. ;) ).

Trip Number 2: Ressies are made from 11/25-12/3 at the Contemporary to stay in the Atrium Club (which is no longer concierge light...but rather a full concierge offering now) for a mom and boys trip. Now...that said, dh may be joining us for the last three days!! :):) Or so he claims...I will not hold my breath...but have made two ressies (vs. just one) so that we can add him (or not) later to the second half if he is available (and just as importantly...willing) to come. I am so excited to see WDW at Christmas time!! * My worry with this ressie is as follows, I made it with Disney directly...in doing so I may have "taken up" the last available concierge room on that level. AHHHH....now I thought I was being "smart" when I booked it so that I would know for sure I had the room we wanted no matter what. However, upon talking with our new AAA travel agent I came to find out that I could have saved HUNDREDS of dollars by booking through them (which is why I canceled our AKL ressies for trip number 1 through Disney and rebooked using AAA). I am hopeful that a solution will present itself...otherwise, I am one of those people who is eaten alive by the thought of missing out on a chance to save money. I may change resorts and allow our AAA agent to book us at the Poly in a concierge room. GRRR...the Poly is not my favorite resort. The CONTEMPORARY is...however...it is only a monorail ride away...but I wanted the Contemporary. It may be worth the extra money. I have a hold on the Poly. room (I didn't ask the AAA agent to do this...she just did...guess she is trying hard to convince me to switch and book through them). Bottom line is I could save hundreds if another room opens up. I am terrified to let mine go and then have someone else scoop it up before the AAA agent can pick it up for us using a AAA rate. I am going to be the annoying person who calls her AAA agent every day this week to see if one opens up. If not...I guess I will have a hard decision to make. Get the AAA discount or stick with the resort I love so dearly.:confused3 :confused: :confused3 :confused:

TIP ALERT If you are going to travel to WDW look into joining AAA!! WOWSERS!! I paid $59 for a year long membership. I saved (on the AKL trip alone) over $850!!!! WELL worth becoming a AAA member!! I guess this month is also "Disney month" at AAA. So maybe check it out this month if you are planning....just saying...CHA CHING!!!:rolleyes1 :idea:

**Sidenote...why did I not ever even consider AAA before this?!** :headache:

TO BE CONTINUED...

[Quacktatty]

THANKS for joining in! Do you have a link to your pre trippie?

Splitting seems like a good idea!

The link to my report is in my siggy!

[jaycns]

The ressies are made...so, of course, I had to eBay!!

Um...why you may ask...well my good friends...a handy dandy DIS board tip I picked up way back when is the reason...

I had to buy pins!! I ordered ONE HUNDRED pins....:lmao: I know, I know...overboard...but see ummm...well....it's like this...okay....flat out, I am as addicted as my kids to pin trading...so, they each get 22 pins to trade on our first trip and I get 34. That is more then fair, right?!! ;) :confused3 :thumbsup2

For those 100 pins I paid only (only yeah right...dh would stroke out if I told him how much..but come on all you Disney lovers, you know this is a GREAT deal) $199!! Okay a TON of money to "waste" on little metal pins...but I could only get about 25 pins at Disney for that money and we are getting triple that. No Sedsma pins. No fake ones. I only buy from people with lots of good feedback and who advertise no Sedsma or fakes. I have not been burned yet (although watch me have to do foot in mouth for saying that before the pins actually get here).

Also, pin trading is SO MUCH FUN! The boys and I love it!! It saves us TONS of money once at WDW to have my kids into trading pins vs. looking for things to buy. I am so excited to get the pins and sort them out (this time in secret). Another hint...I put the ones that I like or think my boys might really like (not to be greedy honest...this move really does have the good mom stamp of approval) on my own lanyard. This way my boys don't trade away ones they actually like. See my boys have this disease...if they walk up to a CM they MUST trade pins. Not so much "Aladdin" anymore, he has turned into this little pin hunter...he looks for hidden Mickey/cast lanyard pins and also has a few other types he likes so he collects (anything with Walt Disney himself on it is a HUGE hit with "Aladdin"). But the two younger ones...well, I have seen "Stitch" trade away a perfectly good Chip pin that he only has one of for another Chip pin that he already has "only" three of already on his lanyard. This would be no biggie in the grand scheme of things if he didn't then wish he had the other pins at the end of the night. :rolleyes: So, if I ever get a pin via buying off of eBay that I think they would really like, I put it on my lanyard and only trade for another pin I think they might like more.

"So what do you do with all those pins when you get back home?":confused3 :confused:

GEE, I thought you would never ask...;) Well, I am actually proud of this idea. A few years ago I noticed we had tons of pins we had traded for at WDW just sitting around. We would get them out and look at them every once in a while but then back to the drawer they would go. So...three years ago after our trip I went to Micheal's and bought art canvases on a wooden frame. We took those plain canvases and I let the kids each paint something abstract on theirs. On mine, I just left it as is. Right then and there we started adding pins to it. We would add them around the outside and left the picture showing in the middle. As the years passed and we collected more and more pins we worked our way in and eventually (just this past trip) all of the boys ended up with their canvas being "finished" and full of pins. For each of the boys I got a mounted canvas that was about 8X10. If I had to guess I would say that each boy has somewhere between 35-65 pins (that is a wide guesstimate but I am too lazy to get up and go and count their pin collections and I can only imagine the explanations I would have to think up for that one if they saw me)on their completed piece. I will have to sneak off to buy new ones before this trip...and let them paint them upon our return.

My canvas was a lot bigger then theirs. About 24 inches square. Mine is still WAY far away from being completed...as of right now it is sitting in a closet. When I am finally finished with it, I will let myself hang it and not before. It's a work in progress and will take many more visits to finish...but I like it and it's a nice thing to be able to pull it out and look at it every now and again. I thought about painting mine too and hanging it up before mine was finished...but I do have to admit, that type of artwork looks better in a children's bedroom then on another wall of our home. Of course, once my canvas is covered with pins it will be worthy of display anywhere!!;) :lmao: I think I may end up hanging it in our walk in closet (where I can start every day seeing reminders of fun times as I pick out the days clothes) or in our library (yep, we are geeks, we like to read, we have loads of books, so instead of a den, it's a library ;) ).

That is my Disney tip of the day...well my third one actually. 1.CHECK AAA rates before booking with anyone else (WOW...big savings). 2. Pre buy your Disney pins (WOW...big savings again) on eBay. :woohoo: 3. If you collect pins...find a use for them, don't just let them gather dust in a drawer!

TO BE CONTINUED...

[jaycns]

First up in my run down of our cast of characters? Well....me of course! ;)

I am a 30 something Disney lovin' mom of 3 boys....that sums it up. Okay, there is more to it then that. On top of being the mom of my boys, I am also their teacher. Our family has chosen to home school the boys. We started in order to make sure they got a great education and one of the best "side notes" to our undertaking has been getting to take our vacations in the off season! You will find us "doing school" in June, July to ensure we have a September free for travel and then some early autumn fun on those beautiful fall days.

My first trip to WDW took place when I was five years old. From the moment I walked up Main Street at MK holding a Mickey head balloon in one hand and my dad's hand in the other, I was sold! WDW is my "happy place" and I hope to return many, MANY, M-A-N-Y more times!!

Here is a picture of me with my very own little "Goofy". He is my sweet middle son. We were at one of my favorite places...AKL.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n14/jaycns/aftercruise071.jpg

Next up is the Disney Grump, aka my dh. He doesn't "hate" Disney...but he is far from loving it either. The following picture is proof that even Disney grumps can be happy at WDW. I arranged for a personalized menu and a diver with a sign at the Coral Reef...that actually DID have dh smiling from ear to ear!!
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n14/jaycns/sept06disneydisc3004.jpg

Following Grumpy is our eldest, "Aladdin". He is currently 10 years old and in LOVE with Disney:
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n14/jaycns/sept06disneydisc3097.jpg

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n14/jaycns/cruisedis06grandcayman289.jpg

His other love is soccer (in a BIG way). In the next photo he is the one in the middle. I couldn't find any "clean" pictures of him playing soccer (yep, I had to wash that WHITE uniform) or any of him alone. He is the tall one in the middle. All of my boys are tall. Helps with getting on to rides younger at WDW. :lmao:
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n14/jaycns/soccer093.jpg

He is also a great big brother. He is of course, the tallest one in this picture (in the red hat).
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n14/jaycns/soccer108.jpg

The second tallest boy in that picture (in the gray coat) is our 7 year old, "Goofy".

He too is a Disney lover (his favorite character being Pluto) I have nicknamed him "Goofy" since he acts more like Goofy then Pluto! Here he is all "Goofed" up on our last cruise.

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n14/jaycns/cruisedisney2006100.jpg

Not only is he nicknamed after a dog and is his favorite character of all time a dog...but he loves them in real life as well!!
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n14/jaycns/Puppycomeshome107.jpg

Last, but never least is our very own sweeter then sugar cane (but often as sticky ;) ), "Stitch". "Stitch" is now 5 years old. He loves Disney also (good job mom, three for three there!!).
Two pictures of "Stitch" from our last Disney vacation:

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n14/jaycns/sept06disneydisc1022-1.jpg

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n14/jaycns/sept06disneydisc3037.jpg


Here is "Stitch" with his favorite animal (he LOVES turtles) taken last year in Grand Cayman.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n14/jaycns/cruisedis06grandcayman059.jpg

So...that's us...the cast of characters that will be taking the planned trips.

TO BE CONTINUED...

[Vivsmom]

I am so excited for you and your family. I was wondering if you wouldn't mind sending me a PM with the name of who you have bought from on ebay. I was just looking at this the other day and would like to order some quickly before our trip in 24 days.:cool1: I am always nervous that I'm not going to get the "real" things.

[jaycns]

I am so excited for you and your family. I was wondering if you wouldn't mind sending me a PM with the name of who you have bought from on ebay. I was just looking at this the other day and would like to order some quickly before our trip in 24 days.:cool1: I am always nervous that I'm not going to get the "real" things. How about I post as soon as I actually get the pins? Like I said, every other time it has worked out GREAT (but I don't know which sellers in my feedback were the pin sellers (I didn't add them to my favorite seller list...shame). I ordered bought them today via Buy It Now and paid via PayPal so they should come shortly. I have PMed you the name of the seller I felt comfortable using...but again, I don't have the pins yet...hopefully by the end of the week.:)

[disneyloverforchrist]

okay, totally obsessed :surfweb: with everything you post now, so i will live through you for the next year as you plan your trip!!! I picked the concierge room with dining but in late november/december.:santa:

Me and my (now) husband went December 10th-19th and absolutely LOVED it! :yay: :bride: :yay: I had only been in July before that...and waiting an hour and a half for IASM seemed normal! This time was perfect because the crowds were minimal :banana: but the festivity :santa: was at a maximum!!!

I'm not sure if you have ever had the chance to go around Christmas but I think every child should have a Disney Christmas experience!!!:santa:

[SoonerGirl]

:yay: :banana: Yay! Ressies have been made, now it's official. I'm so excited for you!

Thanks for posting all the pics, you guys always look so happy, such great smiles!

[Quacktatty]

Love the pics! Your boys are so adorable!!! Nice to see them "Growing Up" t through your trip reports :)

[Blaynexox]

aww theres the cast that i know and love! :goodvibes Cute pictures of course!! So I think that your trip is going to be AMAZING! I just caught up on all your posts and TWO TRIPS! Oh boy! .. My trip is only about 34 days away! Think I should start my pre trippie? EEK im nervous! Oh boy .. well I may start it today so keep checking .. in the meantime I CANNOT wait to here more! .. Im loving it all of course :yay: :yay:

[momoftriplets]

OH MY GOODNESS! If you would...if you could...if we could say hello at WDW I would be over the moon! Sadly (according to my dh who thinks planning a trip "with a bunch of Disney crazed strangers" is a somewhat unbalanced thing for me to do) I have grown to consider many of those on the trip reports boards friends...:grouphug: I would love to meet up with you if it would be possible! I saw that a few trip report writers did a meet up for tea at the GF.....WOO HOO what a neat idea. Wouldn't it be great to do something along those lines??!! WOO HOO! :cool1: (Doesn't it look like this little guy is saying "WOO HOO" as he dances?!) :upsidedow :thumbsup2

"Disney crazed stranger"????? I resemble that remark! :rotfl: Yes, a tea would be fabulous. If we (my family & I) can get to the World during that time, I am there, girlfriend! How cool would that be? I did tell DH about meeting up with you &, yes, I was right about the expression on his face. His comment was, "WDW is a big place. How would you find each other?" Poor man. He still doesn't realize how much of a planner his DW is. "Don't worry, honey. We'd figure it out." :cool1: "WOO HOO" Have a great day. Loved seeing the pictures of your "cast" again. Barb

[Cinderella16]

Hi :wave: I love your pre-trippie!! So much detail~!!!! Congrats on getting your ressies made!! I hope you continue to have fun planning! :goodvibes Oh yes, and you have a beautiful family!!

[jaycns]

Today I added my vacation count down tickers!! I love to use www.tickerfactory.com I just love to see the vacations come closer and closer!! It's such a fun and happy reminder of how soon I will be back at WDW!!!:thumbsup2

[jaycns]

okay, totally obsessed :surfweb: with everything you post now, so i will live through you for the next year as you plan your trip!!! I picked the concierge room with dining but in late november/december.:santa:

Me and my (now) husband went December 10th-19th and absolutely LOVED it! :yay: :bride: :yay: I had only been in July before that...and waiting an hour and a half for IASM seemed normal! This time was perfect because the crowds were minimal :banana: but the festivity :santa: was at a maximum!!!

I'm not sure if you have ever had the chance to go around Christmas but I think every child should have a Disney Christmas experience!!!:santa:


I think you are so right!! Every child shoud have a Disney Christmas at least once!! I am so excited to be taking the boys in December! And WAY excited to be staying at the Contemporary again! And WAY WAY excited to see all of the Christmas decorations, the parades, the gingerbread houses, the trees, the lights at MGM, the CP at Epcot...I am just full of excitment! What a holiday season it will be when we jump start it with a visit to the happiest place on earth!! :santa: :santa: :santa:

[jaycns]

aww theres the cast that i know and love! :goodvibes Cute pictures of course!! So I think that your trip is going to be AMAZING! I just caught up on all your posts and TWO TRIPS! Oh boy! .. My trip is only about 34 days away! Think I should start my pre trippie? EEK im nervous! Oh boy .. well I may start it today so keep checking .. in the meantime I CANNOT wait to here more! .. Im loving it all of course :yay: :yay: PLEASE do a pre trip report. I am going a bit bonkers (already...that tells you have far over the edge I will be by the time it's actually time to depart for WDW)waiting to get back "home". Trip reports and pre trip reports are helping me make it until then! ;)

[jaycns]

:rotfl: I did tell DH about meeting up with you &, yes, I was right about the expression on his face. His comment was, "WDW is a big place. How would you find each other?" Poor man. He still doesn't realize how much of a planner his DW is. "Don't worry, honey. We'd figure it out." :cool1: "WOO HOO" :rotfl: :rotfl2: :lmao: Those non DISing husbands of all of ours...what gives??? It's like they know nothing of reality!!;) :lmao: :rotfl2: :rotfl: Can you just see them imagining we will walk around touring the parks hoping to run into each other....:yay: :lmao: :rotfl2:

[paigevz]

Yay! :yay:

I finished your TR and didn't comment over there yet (a little too early for me to type coherently), but I'm thrilled we get to watch the planning of the next one!

And since I'm planning my own September trip...........I am going to be comparing notes all along the way!!!!!!

[Blaynexox]

PLEASE do a pre trip report. I am going a bit bonkers (already...that tells you have far over the edge I will be by the time it's actually time to depart for WDW)waiting to get back "home". Trip reports and pre trip reports are helping me make it until then! ;)

haha! I definitely WANT to do a pre trip report .. but I have a question? When I get back should I justl link my pretrippie to my trip report? I wasn't to sure about approaching that! Anyways, I totally know what you mean - as you know I have NEVER even been to Disney and I feel like I HAVE already been because I live vicariously through everyones trip reports and pre trippies .. i even give my uneducated opinions on things i have no idea about :lmao: ! Oh well!! Ooh and by the way I love your pretty countdowns.. i also love watching them get closer and closer and closer! :goodvibes Have a good day! I'll let you now once I get my pre trippie up!

[Blaynexox]

OKAY I DID IT! I have completed post one of my PRETRIPPIE! .. its under BLAYNE&TODD's 1st Trip Pretrip Saga! (I racked my brain for a more creative title but WHATEVER! :lmao: ) .. go check it out! :)

[disneyloverforchrist]

WOW!!! two trips....1 year....that's almost too much for a girl to handle!!!!!! :banana: :cool1: :banana: You will LOVE the AKL....it is absolutely amazing...the pool is not as cool as the y&b but the animals outside your window totally make up for it!!!! :thumbsup2 And getting to take a trip with just the boys...too amazing!!! They will love disney at Christmas :santa: (i sure did) and there is so many new things for them to do!!! :wizard: Can't wait to hear more!!!:yay:

[MouseTriper]

You guys are gonna LOVE Disneyworld at Christmas time. We sure did, it was so magical and Christmasy...(if I can say that). It definitely puts you in the spirit of the holidays. Be sure to get tickets to MVMCP and do all the extra holiday shows. We also toured around the different hotels to check out all their decorations. It was so beautiful. Maybe I should work on my own TR and post all our pictures....so you can see what I mean. Hahaha.

[jaycns]

You guys are gonna LOVE Disneyworld at Christmas time. We sure did, it was so magical and Christmasy...(if I can say that). It definitely puts you in the spirit of the holidays. Be sure to get tickets to MVMCP and do all the extra holiday shows. We also toured around the different hotels to check out all their decorations. It was so beautiful. Maybe I should work on my own TR and post all our pictures....so you can see what I mean. Hahaha. YES...please do!! I need all of the help I can get!! And I would LOVE to see some pictures of holiday decorations!!:thumbsup2

[jaycns]

Yay! :yay:

I finished your TR and didn't comment over there yet (a little too early for me to type coherently), but I'm thrilled we get to watch the planning of the next one!

And since I'm planning my own September trip...........I am going to be comparing notes all along the way!!!!!!

Well...look who's here!! :woohoo: :woohoo: It's great to see you over here too!! Welcome and join me in plannig another Disney dream vacation!!

[MouseTriper]

YES...please do!! I need all of the help I can get!! And I would LOVE to see some pictures of holiday decorations!!:thumbsup2

Alrighty...you talked me into it. Haha. Here is the link to my pre-trip report if you would like to check that out first. There are even some pictures in there. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1250765

I hope to start my real TR in a day or two. :goodvibes

[jaycns]

How about I post as soon as I actually get the pins? Like I said, every other time it has worked out GREAT (but I don't know which sellers in my feedback were the pin sellers (I didn't add them to my favorite seller list...shame). I ordered bought them today via Buy It Now and paid via PayPal so they should come shortly. I have PMed you the name of the seller I felt comfortable using...but again, I don't have the pins yet...hopefully by the end of the week.:) Okay...not only did I get them quickly....but they arrived in a box with a Mickey sticker on the back and Donald and Daisy on the front!! All pins are present and accounted for! I do have one complaint....TOO MANY PINS I WANNA KEEP!! :lmao: I really will need to order another batch to have enough to trade. There were a lot of cast lanyard pins and really cute ones too. Even a few limited edition ones in the grab bag. Not a bad deal at all! NO...I don't get money for this...but if you are looking to buy pins off of eBay, I would not hesitate to tell you that I had a very good transaction with the seller mikebiteme. I know, nice user ID:rolleyes: :confused: ....but despite the somewhat iffy ID they were super nice, super fast and had super good pins! I am so excited!! Sorting those pins today made me feel like I was almost on vacation (too bad I have a bit over 7 months left until that will actually be true). :rolleyes:

SO...remember ORDER YOUR PINS EARLY!! SAVE MONEY!! cha ching!!:thumbsup2 :thumbsup2

[jaycns]

The What Ifs Start In...BIG Time!!

The what ifs...I suspect most people who vacation at WDW get them (or at least I hope so because otherwise it makes me a bit of a worry wart/loon). What if I chose the wrong resort? What if the resort is not the "best" place for us to be this coming vacation? What if those pesky construction rumors are actually true? What if the sky is falling??!!:confused3 :confused: :confused3 :confused: I just don't know.

We are booked at AKL from 9/2-9/9 in the Kilimanjaro Club. WOO HOO:woohoo: That is my idea of a slice of heaven...UNLESS the construction/DVC taking over the concierge floors/lounge rumors are true. Then what? What will they do for us? Serve us snacks off of a cart in some obscure corner of a hall? Will I not be able to sit up in the amazing 6th floor lounge and curl up with a good book while overlooking the lobby? Will I not get to use the coffee/cappuccino machine (for dh, I do NOT drink that nasty stuff...me and all forms of coffee do not mix). Will we not have a place for the boys to eat breakfast (that they set out and I don't even have to shop for) while watching cartoons early in the morning? Will we be able to use the concierge lounge but unable to find any peace due to the construction going on?:headache: Will there even be any construction going on? If they are doing something, will it "put us out"? SHOULD WE SWITCH TO THE BEACH CLUB????

Ahhh...it's almost enough to make anyone go crazy...so I am going to have to have faith, trust and a whole LOT of pixie dust:wizard: and trust that Disney will take care of us...that either it will be just as it should be or they will go out of their way to make it even better in some other way. I really do want to stay at AKL again. It's our second favorite resort. Right behind the Contemporary...which is my heaven on earth.

Speaking of my heaven on earth...I hear construction rumors floating around about their too...will our 11/25-12/3 stay be a ":headache: " ? Will my boys be unable to use the arcade? Will the Christmas decorations not be out due to the construction? Will it be "ugly" inside due to the redo of the public areas? Will we not have a chance to eat at the Concourse Steakhouse? And most importantly...will I be unable to find that heavenly chocolate dipped chocolate cake because the Food and Fun Center is relocating??!!:scared1: Should I call back and change us to the Grand Floridian or :confused: ? AHHHHH....

Nope...here again, I am just going to have to use faith, trust and pixie dust to get me through my bad case of the what ifs . My dream is to drive under the welcome to WDW sign and see my boys eyes bug out of their heads:eek: (in a good way) and then to see their jaws drop when we pull up to the CR. They love it too. I dream of waking up and eating breakfast in the Atrium Club lobby while looking out at Cinderella's castle. I dream of finding a strange sort of pleasure in inserting my key into the elevator to access our floor. I dream of hopping on the monorail and taking a tour of the monorail resorts to see all of their Christmas decorations :santa: . I am not giving those things up. Most importantly, I dream of that chocolate cake! ;) Actually, although the cake is important (OH CR CAKE, HOW DO I MISS THEE)...even more important is being in a resort that I am familiar with and comfortable in while I am taking the boys on our first mom/sons trip. I have never done the "only parent" thing alone in WDW before. The monorail will be our primary form of transport (remember...NO BUS for me...:sad2: I have issues:rolleyes: :rolleyes1 ).

SO...now how do I stop myself from rethinking not switching due to the "possible major" rehab/construction that might take place during our upcoming vacations??!! If someone knows...please, have pity on a poor DISer and let me in on your secrets!!:idea: The what ifs give me a headache!:headache:

However, even I have to admit...what a sweet worry to have!! :cool1: WOO HOO:cool1: I am going back to WDW!!!! :yay: :yay: :yay:

[MouseTriper]

Okay, I have a "what-if" for you! (hehe) What if you switch your reservations and stay at the Wilderness Lodge for that first trip in which your husband will be with you. I remember you said something about him wanting to stay there. It's a quick boat ride to the MK and the Contemporary plus probably closer to all the other recreational water stuff you wanna do than the AKL is (or so I am guessing). Maybe you could tell your DH that you are staying at the AKL and then surprise him. Hahahaha. I thought it was a great hotel (though, remember, besides the Dolphin, that is the only Disney resort I have stayed at).

Then maybe for the Christmas trip you could change to the GF. I know you said "Aladdin" really wants to try that resort at some point. It is still on the monorail and it could be another big surprise for him. Plus they have that amazing gingerbread house in there for the holidays! Just a "what-if" thought from one of your TR fans!! Not to give you anymore "what-if" headaches but like you said, what a problem to have! :goodvibes

[jaycns]

The Table of Contents...a cheat sheet to important posts
Post 1 (page 1)How it all started (the very early stages of planning)
Post 9 (page 1) What would we get out of the Platinum Plan???
Post 17 (page 2)An important update...dh changes things up
Post 34 (page 3)The ressies have been made!! AAA Tip Alert!
Post 36 (page 3)Pins, eBay and saving some more money
Post 37 (page 3)The cast of characters (with pictures)
Post 46 (page 4)Vacation counters are added!!
Post 59 (page4)The What Ifs set in big time




I did it....I put together a spiffy little table of contents for your reading pleasure. It's sort of like Cliff Notes for a trip report. If you have missed something...you can find it (okay NOBODY but me really cares...but I thought it might help me in my planning).

Thanks for reading along!!

[jaycns]

Okay, I have a "what-if" for you! (hehe) What if you switch your reservations and stay at the Wilderness Lodge for that first trip in which your husband will be with you. I remember you said something about him wanting to stay there. It's a quick boat ride to the MK and the Contemporary plus probably closer to all the other recreational water stuff you wanna do than the AKL is (or so I am guessing). Maybe you could tell your DH that you are staying at the AKL and then surprise him. Hahahaha. I thought it was a great hotel (though, remember, besides the Dolphin, that is the only Disney resort I have stayed at).

Then maybe for the Christmas trip you could change to the GF. I know you said "Aladdin" really wants to try that resort at some point. It is still on the monorail and it could be another big surprise for him. Plus they have that amazing gingerbread house in there for the holidays! Just a "what-if" thought from one of your TR fans!! Not to give you anymore "what-if" headaches but like you said, what a problem to have! :goodvibes


GREAT ideas...except :rolleyes1 ....Our first trip will overlap the Nights of Joy. We don't want to be in a MK resort then. We have heard that you can hear them practicing all night the nights before the concerts. And also the nights of the concerts themselves. So...we want to stay far away from the "noise" and crowds. I doubt the noise would be significant...but I am sure it would be worse then hearing construction a few mornings after 8:00 AM to hear sound checks and rehersals going on ALL NIGHT. Ish:headache: .

For the second trip...I called to price that out...it's over $1000 more to do that...so for now, I am going to chance it (I think....those what ifs are still biting).

UP NEXT...I blurted...oops.

[momoftriplets]

The Table of Contents...a cheat sheet to important posts
Post 1 (page 1)How it all started (the very early stages of planning)
Post 9 (page 1) What would we get out of the Platinum Plan???
Post 17 (page 2)An important update...dh changes things up
Post 34 (page 3)The ressies have been made!! AAA Tip Alert!
Post 36 (page 3)Pins, eBay and saving some more money
Post 37 (page 3)The cast of characters (with pictures)
Post 46 (page 4)Vacation counters are added!!
Post 59 (page4)The What Ifs set in big time




I did it....I put together a spiffy little table of contents for your reading pleasure. It's sort of like Cliff Notes for a trip report. If you have missed something...you can find it (okay NOBODY but me really cares...but I thought it might help me in my planning).

Thanks for reading along!!


Oh - Cut it out!!! We do TOOOOOOOOO Care!!!!! Otherwise, why would we be here??? I'm living vicariously through you, you know. I have way too much invested in your family to quit on you now! :grouphug: Keep up the good work & Quit with the What - ifs. It'll be fine...
Barb

[jaycns]

Okay...so we are incapable of surprises...

And by "we" I mean me. I blurted....I didn't mean to. It was just my middle and youngest sons ("Goofy" age 7 and "Stitch" age 5) came up to me with their piggy banks and handed them over and asked if that was enough to get to go back to Disney this year. :scared: :guilty: HOW ON EARTH does anyone hold up to that??!!!! :confused3 :sad1: I couldn't do it!!:sad2: So...I blabbed. :eek: Yep..I did it. I told the kids about the first trip. I just didn't have the heart. It was so sweet and so sad to see your kids want to "make it back to Disney" so badly that they were willing to give up what they consider to be their life savings to make it happen. They were OVER THE MOON :hyper: :hyper: :hyper: The smiles on their faces were huge and I got more kisses and hugs then I can count .:love1: I told them that daddy and I were planning it all along and we had wanted to surprise them (yep, I spilled it all....BIG MOUTH should be my new name :hyper2: ). I totally let it all out. As they ran in circles screaming their heads off I called "Aladdin" up from doing his school work and told him the news. He was even more excited then his younger brothers!! He yelled out THANKS!!!! And then started in on whooping and yelling with his brothers. It looked like the bonfire scene from Lord of the Flies (without all of the scariness):yay: :banana: :dancer: . Of course he too showered his mom with hugs :hug: and kisses :love2: . I felt like a queen.

HOW BAD AM I!?? I didn't even wait for dh to get home to tell them. :rolleyes1 I just broke down and spilled it like I had no sort of self control whatsoever. I will have to make it up to dh:flower3: . In my own defense, when I called dh to confess, he told me he was surprised I had lasted this long (15 whole days...:lmao: :rolleyes: ) and that he was glad I had told them (although he did wish he could have been there) cause now the boys will have the fun of planning with the first trip and get the excited surprise with the second trip this year.

SO I HAVE TO BE GOOD...no more spilling the beans. :rolleyes1 :ssst: . But I can do it this time (:rotfl: sounds familiar)! I really can!! They will NEVER suspect a second trip this year. I won't easily be caught because I can just reference the first trip if they overhear anything and I don't have to "lie" to my own children because they will NEVER ask if we are going again! Also, the guilt trip of your bitty ones so innocently offering up their piggy banks for Disney will not happen again...So I am off the hook!!

I may need moral support from time to time. I am just like that. A blabbermouth. Not with secrets. I can actually keep those. It's the surprises...I am terrible with keeping joy from others. I just burst at the seams. HOWEVER, I will do this for my kids. I want them to have the delight of driving under the Welcome to WDW sign before they realize where they are and then being overcome with the excited joy all at once. I may need some super duper heavy duty tape for my blabbing mouth...but I am going to do this!

So...that is my shameful update for the day. :sad2::rolleyes: I do here and now make myself, my poor dh (who didn't get to see the excited smiles...I am a BAD wife), and all you trip report readers as promise...I will NOT spill the beans on the second trip. I will not do it. Even under extreme duress such as tickle torture or kids with piggy banks. My lips are sealed. My mind is clear. My will is strong. Also, I have a good hunk of guilt for telling the kids about the first trip...so I will do it.

Our Christmas season trip is now and will remain (at least until we are on the road to WDW) a surprise for my children!

[SoonerGirl]

Oh, offering their piggy banks for a return trip to Disney :goodvibes I don't blame you - I would have caved too!! That is just the sweetest thing I've ever heard.

But, I'm sure you will have no problem keeping trip #2 a secret, at least until after trip #1 is over :rolleyes1

We are not going this year, so I am having so much fun living vicariously through you! Thanks for the update. I can't wait to see how the boys react to the surprise trip (in only, what 11 months :rotfl: ). I want to do that next time we go, but I'm soooooo bad at keeping things I'm excited about to myself!

[Blaynexox]

aaww how sweet is that ! They REALLY are so adorable! I HAVE A PIGGY BANK! Its an exciting high tech one that I will be taking a picture of to show you guys on my pre trip report! I have almost 100 dollars in it from the past couple of months. Guess what that means?! I can pay for both of my OOP meals with my piggy bank money! Oh boy .. Im really 5 years old! ;) I dont think its bad you caved. Now they will be INSANELY excited when they find out they are going on a second trip. Because honestly, what kind of fantastic mom can plan a SECOND trip for their kids in one year -- YOU! :) You rock! :thumbsup2

- Blayne

[jaycns]

Oh - Cut it out!!! We do TOOOOOOOOO Care!!!!! Otherwise, why would we be here??? I'm living vicariously through you, you know. I have way too much invested in your family to quit on you now! :grouphug: Keep up the good work & Quit with the What - ifs. It'll be fine...
Barb

Yes ma'am!! :upsidedow I know ya care! :flower3: I just think I am a bit over excited about our upcoming trips! MONTHS to go and I am already reporting on this trip. I get like this EVERY time we go to WDW. I am one of those people in a perpetual state of WOO HOO:cool1: over WDW. I am either planning a vacation, just back from a vacation or on vacation. pixiedust: And that is a WONDERFUL way to live...however...I know loads of people IRL who think we need to find another vacation destination and I should be sick of it by now! ;) *GAAASP...who could be sick of Disney??!!!*

:grouphug: Thanks for sticking :crowded: with me! Ya'll are great company!! :grouphug:

[jaycns]

Oh, offering their piggy banks for a return trip to Disney :goodvibes I don't blame you - I would have caved too!! That is just the sweetest thing I've ever heard.

But, I'm sure you will have no problem keeping trip #2 a secret, at least until after trip #1 is over :rolleyes1

We are not going this year, so I am having so much fun living vicariously through you! Thanks for the update. I can't wait to see how the boys react to the surprise trip (in only, what 11 months :rotfl: ). I want to do that next time we go, but I'm soooooo bad at keeping things I'm excited about to myself!

Thanks for understanding...;) I felt so guilty :guilty: :guilty: ...however, that did NOT stop me from doing it without dh even being home. I couldn't look at those sweet little puppy dog eyes (both sets of them) looking up at me all full of hope and have it be possible for me to not tell them. I was so touched to know that our time at Disney means a lot to the boys too. They are each saving up for Nintendo DS games so it meant a lot that they were willing to give up getting those for an entire year to pay us all of their pennies and nickels and "doll-ears" (that's how my 5 year old says dollars) to get to go back to WDW.

I bet you could do it. NOBODY is as bad as I am with blabbering about surprises. :sad2: It's my downfall. :rolleyes2 I guess it could be much worse!:scratchin :thumbsup2

I will keep our second trip a secret though...I cannot wait for that magic pixiedust: to come true for the boys!!

[jaycns]

aaww how sweet is that ! They REALLY are so adorable! I HAVE A PIGGY BANK! Its an exciting high tech one that I will be taking a picture of to show you guys on my pre trip report! I have almost 100 dollars in it from the past couple of months. Guess what that means?! I can pay for both of my OOP meals with my piggy bank money! Oh boy .. Im really 5 years old! ;) I dont think its bad you caved. Now they will be INSANELY excited when they find out they are going on a second trip. Because honestly, what kind of fantastic mom can plan a SECOND trip for their kids in one year -- YOU! :) You rock! :thumbsup2



- BlayneToo cute about your piggy bank!! I cannot tell you how cute it was when they came up so seriously offering up their little piggy banks (well, a Buzz Lightyear ceramic bank and a plastic one that counts the change as it drops in the jar). It was beyond words. I wish I would have thought to snap a picture!!

Now I am insanely jealous...one OOP meal costs our family over $100 (with tip). Oh the days of only paying for two!! :thumbsup2

[Blaynexox]

Too cute about your piggy bank!! I cannot tell you how cute it was when they came up so seriously offering up their little piggy banks (well, a Buzz Lightyear ceramic bank and a plastic one that counts the change as it drops in the jar). It was beyond words. I wish I would have thought to snap a picture!!

Now I am insanely jealous...one OOP meal costs our family over $100 (with tip). Oh the days of only paying for two!! :thumbsup2

OMG! THAT PLASTIC ONE THAT COUNTS THE CHANGE IS THE ONE I HAVE!!! :rotfl2: :rotfl: OMG! I got it in the kids section of the Discovery Channel Store! THAT IS TOO FUNNY! I told you .. i am just like a little kid! :lmao: Thats is hilarious that we have the same exact piggy bank! HAHA! .. I know I love that each character breakfast is costing only about $40 for each one! Its great! I cant even begin to think HOW much money it costs a family of 5 to go to Disney EEK! :eek:

[momoftriplets]

:lmao: :rotfl: :lmao: :rotfl:

15 days, huh? You are toooo funny! I wouldn't have made it that long, so I'm pretty impressed. My kids have done the "piggy bank thing" for other stuff, too. Melts your heart, doesn't it? I do agree that it makes the 2nd trip easier to conceal. You brought a smile to my face early today, Jay. :) Thanks a heap. (Now I have to get to work!)
Barb

[MouseTriper]

GREAT ideas...except :rolleyes1 ....Our first trip will overlap the Nights of Joy. We don't want to be in a MK resort then. We have heard that you can hear them practicing all night the nights before the concerts. And also the nights of the concerts themselves. So...we want to stay far away from the "noise" and crowds. I doubt the noise would be significant...but I am sure it would be worse then hearing construction a few mornings after 8:00 AM to hear sound checks and rehersals going on ALL NIGHT. Ish:headache: .

For the second trip...I called to price that out...it's over $1000 more to do that...so for now, I am going to chance it (I think....those what ifs are still biting).

UP NEXT...I blurted...oops.

Awww...see how smart you are!!! I know nothing about the Nights of Joy but I see your point. I wouldn't want to hear that all night long either. Ohhh and as far as the GF goes....$1000 could go for so much more, I agree with you there too!!! Gee, next time I plan I trip I think I will run my dates and hotels by you. You just might be able to point me in the right direction or away from the wrong one! Hahahaha...I just thought of something, I bet you could make some money planning other people's trips!!!!! Heheheh!!!

Ohh and I don't blame you for spilling the beans. Your boys are just too cute and it would have melted my heart too. You should have gotten the video camera out as they were jumping for joy...hahahaha!

Can't wait to hear what comes next!!! P.S. I will be posting some Christmas pics on my TR very soon for you!

[PrincessAlways]

[QUOTE=jaycns;16436121]Yes ma'am!! :upsidedow I know ya care! :flower3: I just think I am a bit over excited about our upcoming trips! MONTHS to go and I am already reporting on this trip. I get like this EVERY time we go to WDW. I am one of those people in a perpetual state of WOO HOO:cool1: over WDW.

You're not alone in this feeling!! :grouphug: I am also guilty of the "over-the-top" excitement of Disney trips! :woohoo: This is a natural reaction -- at least by Disney standards. :rotfl: This is the quote I have scrolling my computer at work "Life is what happens between Disney trips". Over the top??:confused3 Maybe, but I love seeing it!:thumbsup2

Keep your reports coming!:)

[jaycns]

OMG! THAT PLASTIC ONE THAT COUNTS THE CHANGE IS THE ONE I HAVE!!! :rotfl2: :rotfl: OMG! I got it in the kids section of the Discovery Channel Store! THAT IS TOO FUNNY! I told you .. i am just like a little kid! :lmao: Thats is hilarious that we have the same exact piggy bank! HAHA! .. I know I love that each character breakfast is costing only about $40 for each one! Its great! I cant even begin to think HOW much money it costs a family of 5 to go to Disney EEK! :eek: Too cute about the bank! I am still laughing over that one! I myself have a big old jug that I shove all of my loose change and dollars into. It's always enough (by the time a new trip comes around) to pay for all of our "etc" stuff. I don't think it will really work out for our Christmas season trip due to the fact that we will have just been (WOO HOO) a few months earlier. NOT that I am complaining!

[paigevz]

Oh good a Table of Contents................now, Jay, if you just had an index ........:rotfl:

I am missing you my friend. :hug:

[jaycns]

:lmao: :rotfl: :lmao: :rotfl:

15 days, huh? You are toooo funny! I wouldn't have made it that long, so I'm pretty impressed. My kids have done the "piggy bank thing" for other stuff, too. Melts your heart, doesn't it? I do agree that it makes the 2nd trip easier to conceal. You brought a smile to my face early today, Jay. :) Thanks a heap. (Now I have to get to work!)
Barb

Work...people have to WORK??!! Perish that thought! I should be doing a form of that now. But instead I have ventured online to visit my trippie. I am so ANXIOUS to get to WDW. I have MONTHS to go and I am already way excited. Ahhhhh...will I make it to September with my sanity intact? :confused: ;)

[jaycns]

The Table of Contents...a cheat sheet to important posts
Post 1 (page 1)How it all started (the very early stages of planning)
Post 9 (page 1) What would we get out of the Platinum Plan???
Post 17 (page 2)An important update...dh changes things up
Post 34 (page 3)The ressies have been made!! AAA Tip Alert!
Post 36 (page 3)Pins, eBay and saving some more money
Post 37 (page 3)The cast of characters (with pictures)
Post 46 (page 4)Vacation counters are added!!
Post 59 (page4)The What Ifs set in big time
Post 64 (page 5)Oops...this changes things.

[jaycns]

Awww...see how smart you are!!! I know nothing about the Nights of Joy but I see your point. I wouldn't want to hear that all night long either. Ohhh and as far as the GF goes....$1000 could go for so much more, I agree with you there too!!! Gee, next time I plan I trip I think I will run my dates and hotels by you. You just might be able to point me in the right direction or away from the wrong one! Hahahaha...I just thought of something, I bet you could make some money planning other people's trips!!!!! Heheheh!!!

Ohh and I don't blame you for spilling the beans. Your boys are just too cute and it would have melted my heart too. You should have gotten the video camera out as they were jumping for joy...hahahaha!

Can't wait to hear what comes next!!! P.S. I will be posting some Christmas pics on my TR very soon for you!
I so SHOULD have gotten out the video camera! I am so mad at myself that I didn't think of doing that. I will be double sure to have it running when we pull under the welcome to WDW sign (how am I going to keep them from seeing where we are until then??!!).

I will offer up a trade...my trip tips for your photo tips. I could use some photo tips from you sometime. The pictures you take are amazing! :thumbsup2

[jaycns]

You're not alone in this feeling!! :grouphug: I am also guilty of the "over-the-top" excitement of Disney trips! :woohoo: This is a natural reaction -- at least by Disney standards. :rotfl: This is the quote I have scrolling my computer at work "Life is what happens between Disney trips". Over the top??:confused3 Maybe, but I love seeing it!:thumbsup2

Keep your reports coming!:)

What a great quote. Do you mind if I borrow it and use it on my desk top as well? And NO...it is not over the top...nothing TRUE is! ;)

[jaycns]

Oh good a Table of Contents................now, Jay, if you just had an index ........:rotfl:

I am missing you my friend. :hug:

An index....well, I'll be...that's a mighty fine idea...however, I am way to lazy. Up next is a detailed yet WAY early version of our September vacation plans. YEP, it's only late January and already I have a plan (subject to change with Disney changing EMH or tour times or anything else).

[jaycns]

The tentative plans are set (in foam...not stone at this point)!!


Arrival Date Sunday, September 2: Arrive EARLY in the morning (drive through the night to get there...I promise, dh LIKES to do that :confused3 )! Plan on arriving by 9:00 AM. Check in and make our way up to the concierge lobby for breakfast. I figure our room will not be ready yet (but you never know, our room was ready and waiting for us last September when we checked in at about 9:00 AM at the Contemporary). After relaxing a bit and eating some breakfast we will be off to explore the lodge. After exploring and doing a bit of shopping it will be time to take a dip in the watering hole (aka the pool). Hopefully our room will be ready by the time we are done swimming. If so, dh will take a nap (the rest of us will have slept during the drive) while I take the kids to some of the scheduled lodge activities. We are looking forward to the ostrich egg painting, cookie decorating, animal tracking and all of the rest. As the kid's and I take part in that we will hop back up to the lounge when they are setting out snacks. Lunch today will be an OOP experience. We will just supplement our snacking with a few offerings at Mara.

Finally by about 6:00 PM we will have had time to enjoy a relaxing day (yet fun packed day) at the resort and we will clean up and head over to the Poly (via taxi). Upon arrival we will check in and eat at Ohana (dh's favorite TS meal at WDW). Hopefully we will get seats from which we can watch the fireworks. I will ask nicely upon arrival! ;)

After a nice meal we will hop on the monorail (and hope to ride up front) and make our way over to MK's EMH night. We will hit a few of our favorites and take the time to soak up the castle at night. We will take a bus (shudder) back to AKL if it is not packed to the gills and ready right away. If a bus is not ready to go (or it looks like a sardine can) we will taxi our way back to AKL. I plan on planting a big old kiss on dh right in front of the castle shortly after midnight (it will be our anniversary technically after midnight).

Thus ends day one.


Day 2, Labor Day, Monday September 3 (also our 12th anniversary): We will start the day out one of two ways...if we happen to roll out of bed early enough, we will head over to AKL and do a bit of exploring in the morning. If not, we will just spend another late morning/early afternoon enjoying the resort. Lunch will again be a combo of snacks and Mara's offerings (again OOP) The late afternoon will find us at DTD. We will do a bit of shopping ( :lmao: okay, who am I kidding, I will do a LOT of shopping) and have dinner at the Earl of Sandwich (YUM...dh's favorite CS place at WDW).

After shopping we will head over and see Cirque!! WOO HOO! Dh said this is what he would most like to do so we will do it on our anniversary. After seeing Cirque we will drive back to AKL and relax OR head over to whatever park is having an EMH that night (depends on how the kids are holding up and what dh wants to do...this is his anniversary too and since I am going to control the ENTIRE rest of the week...I can share this one day ;) ). **We cannot go to Cirque this day...they only put it on Tuesday-Saturday :( I am now thinking to try and add Cirque in to our Thursday and spend Monday at a park. UGH. This changes everything! ;) Of course, it only means I can now spend more time thinking about what we should do...which is tops in book!! ;)**

Day 3, Tuesday 9/4: It's about time to hit a park!! So we will go to MK (unless TGM tells me not to go there that day...I take his advice seriously!!). We will start off with breakfast at the Crystal Palace BEFORE MK opens!! Then we will hit all of our favorites and have a CS lunch and eat with Cindy in her castle for dinner. We will stay until close and drive back to AKL. **Option 2...same day but with lunch with Cindy and dinner at LTT...still debating this**.

Day 4, Wednesday 9/5: We will be at Epcot this day (or MK if we avoided it the day before). We will start out by spending the entire morning/early afternoon exploring the Future World areas. After a late lunch at the Garden Grill (my boys really love this place) we will head back to the World Showcase area. We will make sure to stop and watch Miyuki and buy yummy rice candy. We will eat at Le Cellier for a late dinner. Illuminations will end our day. **Option 2...same day but with a late lunch at Le Cellier and then dinner at the Rose and Crown Pub with Illuminations viewing during dessert.**

Day 5, Thursday 9/6: This will be the day we go to AKL. So breakfast will find us eating with that cranky yet lovable duck. We will do this before the park opens. Lunch with be at the Flame Tree BBQ or Tusker House CS. We will stay until the AK closes. Then we will hoof it back ASAP to AKL and drop our kid's off (at least the younger two....maybe all three) at Simba's Clubhouse for the evening. While they are there dh (and maybe "Aladdin") and myself will do the Sunset Safari tour at AKL out on their savannas. Included with that tour is a private dinner at Jiko where the chef comes out and explains the meal. YUM. Sounds fun, amazing, relaxing and like a great way to get some really awesome photos. We will follow this up with a night spent enjoying the concierge lounge and our animal views and doing the night vision goggle viewing activity and the story time around the fire pit. ** We may have to move the night vision goggle viewing and the story time to MONDAY night and try to see Cirque after our Sunset Safari at the 9:00 PM show...they don't do Cirque on Sunday/Mondays**

Day 6, Friday 9/7: We most likely will hit a water park. Dh loves them. So do the boys. Not my favorite...but still a good way to spend a day. We will hit a park in the evening and have dinner at whatever park we chose. Most likely will be Epcot.

Day 7, Saturday 9/8: MGM!! We will start off the day with breakfast at Boma (early) and then head over to MGM. We will spend the day there and eat at Sci Fi for lunch (a family favorite) and then at ???? for dinner. I have yet to pick a TS for dinner. Any suggestions? We will end with Fantasmic. Ahh....Fantasmic!! :cloud9:

Day 8, Sunday 9/9 *sniff sniff...our last day*: We plan on doing the Sunrise Safari tour and then taking a few last rides at AK and then....WAAAAAA, heading out for home right after lunch. This should get us home by the middle of the night.

This trip will focus on doing stuff that dh finds enjoyable while still not making the boys and I feel like we are losing our minds by being at WDW and not doing the parks and character meals. However, knowing that I have an entire second set of 8 days to work with planning just 2.5 months later makes this plan easy to accept!! :):):)

We have booked a stay before this trip at a resort in GA on Lake Oconee (sp?). So our trip will really start Thursday night at about 3:00 AM when we head out to arrive by early Friday morning. We will do a lot of jet skis and other water sport stuff there. Thus, adding the platinum plan at WDW just didn't make any sense. Not with being on the dining plan and staying at the concierge level already. We will save that for another trip. We will leave that resort at about 3:00 AM Saturday night/Sunday morning to head for WDW.

After our Days Inn cockroach infestation fiasco last trip, we are staying at a resort we know and like on our way down this time! NO MORE BUG NIGHTMARES!!;)

[Blaynexox]

that all sounds awesome!! Question - Earl of Sandwich is not on the DDP anymore?? OH NO .. this messes up all my plans! .. well not ALL my plans (thats a little dramatic!) When did you find that out?? Anyways, i cant wait to hear all about your planning and im glad you won't be sleeping with cockroaches on this trip! :)

[MouseTriper]

I so SHOULD have gotten out the video camera! I am so mad at myself that I didn't think of doing that. I will be double sure to have it running when we pull under the welcome to WDW sign (how am I going to keep them from seeing where we are until then??!!).

I will offer up a trade...my trip tips for your photo tips. I could use some photo tips from you sometime. The pictures you take are amazing! :thumbsup2


Yes get that video camera ready!! Hehehe...I am willing to bet that "Aladdin" at least figures out where you are going before you get there!!! I just have this feeling....!! That is as long as you don't spill the beans again..hahaha. Just kidding!

Wow, I will take that trade in a heartbeat! Your WDW tips in exchange for some photo tips. I am honored that you really like my pictures. How sweet! Thank you so much!!! :yay:

[PrincessAlways]

What a great quote. Do you mind if I borrow it and use it on my desk top as well? And NO...it is not over the top...nothing TRUE is! ;)

Be my guest! Nothing like sharing a bit of Disney happiness with a fellow Diser! :goodvibes When I first put the quote on my computer, some of my coworkers got a good laugh. Now they just shake their heads & I laugh! :lmao: I'm the one going to Disney!;)

[jaycns]

Yes get that video camera ready!! Hehehe...I am willing to bed that "Aladdin" at least figures out where you are going before you get there!!! I just have this feeling....!! That is as long as you don't spill the beans again..hahaha. Just kidding!

Wow, I will take that trade in a heartbeat! Your WDW tips in exchange for some photo tips. I am honored that you really like my pictures. How sweet! Thank you so much!!! :yay:


Okay, I am the world's sneakiest mother (I do feel just a tad bit bad about the "lying" part...but I am way more excited about the WE WILL GET AWAY WITH IT part!!

At bed time tonight we told the kids that since we were going to Disney in September we thought it might be nice to travel with dad when he has to be gone in November. We told them that we would be going to Moblie, AL. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: I grabbed a map and we showed them how we would have to drive into FL to follow the free way to get there but that in the upper part of FL we would turn and go west instead of still heading south east to Orlando. :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: This tid bit will have even my most intelligent of children sure that we are not going to WDW. They now know that we will be driving through FL on our way to AL (lol as if we couldn't have cut down from Atlanta if we were really going there). We told them we just didn't want them to be sad cause they might be seeing familiar Disney signs and such along the highway but since we would have just been in September and since dad has to work we won't be able to drive over way down to Orlando. ;) :lmao: :rotfl2: :rotfl:

Being as my kids are NOT morning children and we have now explained away the FL signs alongside the road I am really starting to think that we might get away with it. At least until we reach the area of Orlando where you come upon all of the signs and the Disney Casting office...at that point the game will be up if any of them so much as look out of the window, but my hope is to have them A. asleep B. engrossed in a movie (oh thank you van with DVD player in it) or C. so wrapped up in their little Nintendo DS's that they don't know if they are still in the U.S. let alone that they just passed a huge ToT sign on the side of the road.

My dream is that they are all napping (in the past I have had to wake my kids to drive under the welcome to WDW sign) and we are able to wake them up right before driving under the Welcome to WDW sign. What a way to start a day! :thumbsup2

Now the truth be told, "Aladdin" is smart and a good reader and good with maps. He WILL catch on earlier IF he is awake and IF he is looking out the window. I will have a stash of movies to pop in and make sure he has a few good books (that kid could get lost for days in a great book). But the groundwork now laid...I think I can get him within at least 2 hours of Orlando before he would figure it out. :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay:

I am SOOOOO excited!:yay: :yay: :hourglass :yay: :yay:

Now...how 'bout some photo tips? ;)

[jaycns]

A quick update of what has gone on this week (trip wise of course ;) ).

1. The plans (and lies) are laid. Our plotting is now in full effect! As I said above, the boys have all been told that they are going to be heading to Alabama (the Mobile area) after Thanksgiving. We told them the way we were driving down would have us cutting over through the top part of FL. Thankfully a few fingers placed creatively over the map covered the freeway cutting from Atlanta down to Mobile on the map. My boys now think that the way to Mobile is through FL. :lmao: Maybe not so good for their geography skills...but we can worry about correcting that later! ;) Now I KNOW we can get them very close to WDW if not all the way their before they would have any clue where we are actually headed. It will even explain the packing. The swimsuits. The everything! I am patting myself on the back big time over this surprise planning! Dh and I came down from tucking them into bed snickering quietly to ourselves. Hee hee hee...we will make this happen. ;)

2. I did some shopping at Disneyshopping.com and got some great deals. I got an entire 4 piece set of Mickey luggage (I have always wanted Disney suitcases!!).
http://as7.dsi.go.com/is/image/DisneyShopping/57866?$full$

Matching Mickey Mouse Christmas sweaters for the boys and I (I tried to talk dh into letting me buy him one...but he said no way and I figured why fight it...more Disney stuff for me!!). My sweater will just be the women's version of theirs.
http://as7.dsi.go.com/is/image/DisneyShopping/49299M?$full$

So instead of dh getting a matching sweater, I threw in another shirt for myself...YO HO YO HO...pirate:
http://as7.dsi.go.com/is/image/DisneyShopping/57717M?$thumb$

I also bought another auction's worth of Disney pins from eBay and now have a total of 250 pins to split up between the four of us (dh doesn't care about pin trading) for both trips! :rolleyes1 *shush...obsession is sometimes a good thing:rolleyes1 *

I also hit up the local Disney Store and purchased more then a few cute shirts and jackets for myself and the boys while they were on clearance. I am so excited about our December trip (didn't really find much for our September trip as the clearance stuff was all winter apparel but I finally have a Disney holiday time trip to plan/buy for!!).

Other then that, I have been going over some educational yet fun Disney ideas on a thread I started "way back when". I am going to start doing a Disney lesson every other week until the end of July...then we will go full force Disney until it is time for our trip. If you would like to sneak a peek at some GREAT Disney ways to make learning fun and work Disney into almost any lesson plan or fun (yet sneakingly educational) weekend project or activity with your kids be sure to click this link: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1145853

As the big cheese himself likes to say....That's all for now folks!!

Thanks for reading along!:hug:

[jaycns]

that all sounds awesome!! Question - Earl of Sandwich is not on the DDP anymore?? OH NO .. this messes up all my plans! .. well not ALL my plans (thats a little dramatic!) When did you find that out?? Anyways, i cant wait to hear all about your planning and im glad you won't be sleeping with cockroaches on this trip! :)


NO...you are right!! WOO HOO:cool1: Sorry for that misinformation. My AAA agent told me nothing from Downtown Disney was on the plan. I should have known better then to listen to someone who also told me that "Animal Kingdom is like a zoo with a roller coaster and a few kiddie rides." EEESSHHH!

Thanks for making me recheck her info. She was wrong. You are right! And that is good news for me...I LOVE the Earl of Sandwhich! It's my favorite CS place in all of WDW!! My very favorite sandwhich there is: The Caprese - Sliced fresh Mozzarella, Roma tomato, fresh basil and drizzled virgin olive oil. - $4.95

OH so good!

Once again, thank you and sorry :3dglasses .

[SoonerGirl]

Ooooo, I love the luggage you ordered - very cute!!

I have that same pirates shirt - I wear it all the time, summer and winter - it's thin so it's easy to wear over a long sleeved t-shirt pirate:

I'm glad you have the plan in place for your big surprise - sound like it just may work!! I can just hear all the screams of joy in your car when they figure out where they are headed - what a fabulous surprise :goodvibes

Thanks for the Disney education tips - I'm going to have to check that out!

[2BusyPlanning]

I just had to tell you... I LOVE your trip reports! It has inspired me to do a pre-trip report for my upcoming trip in September. Your stories were so moving and your pictures are brilliant!

[jaycns]

Be my guest! Nothing like sharing a bit of Disney happiness with a fellow Diser! :goodvibes When I first put the quote on my computer, some of my coworkers got a good laugh. Now they just shake their heads & I laugh! :lmao: I'm the one going to Disney!;)Thank you kindly! I just added the saying to my laptop(although, I have no idea how to make it scroll so it just sits there across the bottom of my desktop)...it now greets me when I boot up my computer! Dh just shook his head when I showed him and rolled his eyes WAY back in his head. I pity those who don't understand... ;)

Thanks again! I think it's a great quote!!

[Blaynexox]

NO...you are right!! WOO HOO:cool1: Sorry for that misinformation. My AAA agent told me nothing from Downtown Disney was on the plan. I should have known better then to listen to someone who also told me that "Animal Kingdom is like a zoo with a roller coaster and a few kiddie rides." EEESSHHH!

Thanks for making me recheck her info. She was wrong. You are right! And that is good news for me...I LOVE the Earl of Sandwhich! It's my favorite CS place in all of WDW!! My very favorite sandwhich there is: The Caprese - Sliced fresh Mozzarella, Roma tomato, fresh basil and drizzled virgin olive oil. - $4.95

OH so good!

Once again, thank you and sorry :3dglasses .

Hey Jay!
haha! thanks god that it is still on - its actually one of the restaurants im looking forward to the most! :rotfl: That Caprese sandwich sounds great! I looked at that and also thought the Florentine looked great! However, I would like to order them all and I don't think thats gonna happen! I cant believe how cheap they are!

So anyways! I just read your post and omg those clothes are too cute! I also looked at that pirate shirt for the pirate and princess party .. but im a little bit broke with all the saving for Disney I've been doing. :sad2: Moving on to things that don't DEPRESS ME ;) - that is so adorable what you told your boys. Its wonderful how kids will believe anything their scheming parents will tell them - makes it all the easier to surprise them!! :) Oh and Im SO jealous of all your pins! I really want to bring a couple pins to WDW to trade - I think it would be so fun. All though once again NO MONEY! So I am jealous jealous jealous! Gosh Im being such a downer today huh? :rotfl: SORRY! Im going to head down to the Disney store this weekend and see if theres anything in clearance! Although, read my pre trippie because I replied to your post about that insanely adorable Mickey shirt! Alright well talk to you soon! I've been loving all your posts! :goodvibes

-Blayne

[blue_river]

Wow! That's just about what comes to mind when I finished reading your pre-trippie!!!

I am totally amazed at the time and effort that you have put into the planning of your next trip. I could really take some lessons from you Jay.

Do you think you'll really be able to keep it a secret this time around?? :lmao: Myself, I couldn't do it. No way. No how.

I can't believe you ordered 100 pins. I should do that...see I am a newbie in training here...getting lessons from a Master.

I'm really looking forward to the TR. It's going to be a FUN ride.

[cheerbop]

Here are our dates (as of right now...they may change slightly)

9/2-9/9 and then 11/28-12/3

Will you be there either time? I only travel during LOW times...I am a wimp when it comes to crowds.

Any info you have on WDW at Christmas time would be very helpful!! :):):)

And as far as the stalker thing....not a chance...part of the reason I had to start a pre trip report was I was gonna miss you and a lot of others I had come to know through the trip report. I didn't want to have to say goodbye. :goodvibes

Hopefully the pre trip will serve that purpose and we can all discover some neat Disney tips and tricks together in the process of me sharing the planning of our next trip (s)!!

I JUST started reading this thread as we are Planning a stay at CR (at least for now) during the dates you are planning for Sept (we are going the 3-10)!!!

Anyway, loving your reports. Still haven't finished your other one for 2006. BTW, I about peed my pants reading your description of the hotel in GA! :rotfl:

[jaycns]

Ooooo, I love the luggage you ordered - very cute!!

I have that same pirates shirt - I wear it all the time, summer and winter - it's thin so it's easy to wear over a long sleeved t-shirt pirate:

I'm glad you have the plan in place for your big surprise - sound like it just may work!! I can just hear all the screams of joy in your car when they figure out where they are headed - what a fabulous surprise :goodvibes

Thanks for the Disney education tips - I'm going to have to check that out!

I am really looking forward to my big Disney box to arrive at my door! I have never been excited about luggage before...but stick a mouse on something and I am jumping for joy. :rolleyes:

That pirate shirt just had to be mine!! Funny that you also have one, you must have GREAT taste! ;) :thumbsup2

Please add any ideas you have to the educational thread. It sort of fizzled when it fell off of the first page way back when...by now it's buried...but I KNOW people have good ideas and great suggestions about how to make some of the Disney magic into something very educational...I just have to find them again! ;) Although, I did find a few things that really worked out well. I am excited to go back and start in on what we didn't get to do before our last trip for this next trip!! :teacher:

[jaycns]

I just had to tell you... I LOVE your trip reports! It has inspired me to do a pre-trip report for my upcoming trip in September. Your stories were so moving and your pictures are brilliant!
:hug: Thanks! I needed that today! :goodvibes This pre-trip report is really helping me keep the planning straight. It is also helping me NOT go insane with the LONG wait I have until I am able to go back to WDW!!! :banana: Yep...I am the freak already doing the banana dance all these long months in advance!! ;)

Thanks again and have fun planning, doing your pre-trip (and trip report) and most of all...at the happiest place on earth!! :)

Let me know when you start your pre trip. We can compare notes and tips! :thumbsup2

[jaycns]

Hey Jay!
haha! thanks god that it is still on - its actually one of the restaurants im looking forward to the most! :rotfl: That Caprese sandwich sounds great! I looked at that and also thought the Florentine looked great! However, I would like to order them all and I don't think thats gonna happen! I cant believe how cheap they are!

So anyways! I just read your post and omg those clothes are too cute! I also looked at that pirate shirt for the pirate and princess party .. but im a little bit broke with all the saving for Disney I've been doing. :sad2: Moving on to things that don't DEPRESS ME ;) - that is so adorable what you told your boys. Its wonderful how kids will believe anything their scheming parents will tell them - makes it all the easier to surprise them!! :) Oh and Im SO jealous of all your pins! I really want to bring a couple pins to WDW to trade - I think it would be so fun. All though once again NO MONEY! So I am jealous jealous jealous! Gosh Im being such a downer today huh? :rotfl: SORRY! Im going to head down to the Disney store this weekend and see if theres anything in clearance! Although, read my pre trippie because I replied to your post about that insanely adorable Mickey shirt! Alright well talk to you soon! I've been loving all your posts! :goodvibes

-Blayne

Here's a great big heap of :wizard: in hopes of you finding an awesome Mickey shirt on clearence!!

I know I am totally out of control with the pins...but what can I say? I just cannot help myself...and the boys really do like it too! :upsidedow Although, I must admit, I would be buying them still even if it were only me who wanted them :sad2: I have no shame when it comes to pin trading. :rolleyes1

You can always explore pin trading NEXT time! ;) It's a whole lot of fun!

Not long for you now!!! :yay: :yay:

[MouseTriper]

Okay, I am the world's sneakiest mother (I do feel just a tad bit bad about the "lying" part...but I am way more excited about the WE WILL GET AWAY WITH IT part!!

At bed time tonight we told the kids that since we were going to Diseny in September we thought it might be nice to travel with dad when he has to be gone in November. We told them that we would be going to Moblie, AL. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: I grabbed a map and we showed them how we would have to drive into FL to follow the free way to get there but that in the upper part of FL we would turn and go west instead of still heading south east to Orlando. :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: This tid bit will have even my most intelligent of children sure that we are not going to WDW. They now know that we will be driving through FL on our way to AL (lol as if we couldn't have cut down from Atlanta if we were really going there). We told them we just didn't want them to be sad cause they might be seeing familiar Disney signs and such along the highway but since we would have just been in September and since dad has to work we won't be able to drive over way down to Orlando. ;) :lmao: :rotfl2: :rotfl:

Being as my kids are NOT morning children and we have now explained away the FL signs alongside the road I am really starting to think that we might get away with it. At least until we reach the area of Orlando where you come upon all of the signs and the Disney Casting office...at that point the game will be up if any of them so much as look out of the window, but my hope is to have them A. asleep B. engrossed in a movie (oh thank you van with DVD player in it) or C. so wrapped up in their little Nintendo DS's that they don't know if they are still in the U.S. let alone that they just passed a huge ToT sign on the side of the road.

My dream is that they are all napping (in the past I have had to wake my kids to drive under the welcome to WDW sign) and we are able to wake them up right before driving under the Welcome to WDW sign. What a way to start a day! :thumbsup2

Now the truth be told, "Aladdin" is smart and a good reader and good with maps. He WILL catch on earlier IF he is awake and IF he is looking out the window. I will have a stash of movies to pop in and make sure he has a few good books (that kid could get lost for days in a great book). But the groundwork now laid...I think I can get him within at least 2 hours of Orlando before he would figure it out. :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay:

I am SOOOOO excited!:yay: :yay: :hourglass :yay: :yay:

Now...how 'bout some photo tips? ;)

Oh my goodness...that is way too funny. I love your scheming little mind! Hehehe. Get that video camera ready, even if you only hear their squeals of joy, it will be well worth it! I am so excited for you!!! How fun!!! Take LOTS of pictures...'cuz I wanna see it all. Hahahaha.

Now for those photo tips - remember I am not a professional but this is what I "try" to do. Hahaha.

1. Take LOTS of digital pictures. That way you are sure to get at least one good shot. (I took enough pictures to completely fill up 10 CD's...OMG!!!)

2. FILL the frame with your subject. Avoid any unnecessary stuff in the background.

3. Speaking of backgrounds - when you want to focus on the subject in the foreground, blur the background by choosing an appropriate aperture (f-stop). The smaller the f/stop the larger the lens opening & the more blurry the background. The larger the f/stop the smaller the lens opening. & the more clear background. Blurring the background makes the subject pop a little more.
(Now you will see in my TR that I screwed up on this one quite a bit on this first trip....LOL)

4. Get CLOSE-UPS of the boy's expressions when possible. For example, when my daughter was on the rides I tried to take a picture showing the ride and then I took close-ups so I could get her expressions.

5. Eyes. When shooting portraits or wildlife, try to focus on the eyes. They should be in focus and well lit.

6. Shoot both vertical and horizontal pictures. They show different perspectives.

7. The rule of thirds....sometimes subjects in the very center of a frame are boring. Think of a tick-tac-toe grid and try to place the subject anywhere 2 of the lines meet. (Note...this was hard for me to do with a toddler at Disney...sometimes I was just lucky to get the shot). Hahaha

Well there are a few for you...I will try to think of some more. What kind of camera are you using?

Now get outside and take some pictures of those adorable boys of yours and let me see them!!! Hahahahaha. :rotfl2:

[jaycns]

Wow! That's just about what comes to mind when I finished reading your pre-trippie!!!

I am totally amazed at the time and effort that you have put into the planning of your next trip. I could really take some lessons from you Jay.

Do you think you'll really be able to keep it a secret this time around?? :lmao: Myself, I couldn't do it. No way. No how.

I can't believe you ordered 100 pins. I should do that...see I am a newbie in training here...getting lessons from a Master.

I'm really looking forward to the TR. It's going to be a FUN ride.

The whole hundred pin thing...well.....ummm....I did order 100 pins...the first time :rolleyes1 After that...I ordered 200. :scared: BUT BUT BUT....there are FOUR of us :idea: :rolleyes: and we found so many we didn't want to trade away in the first batch and we are going on two trips so it is really like splitting it up eight ways and....yeah, well, okay...it actually is going way overboard any which you slice it...but it sure is a fun way to do it! :lmao: :lmao: But really, if you are going to pin trade anyway...why pay so much more at WDW? If you are new to pin trading I would suggest looking for an auction of about 10-15 pins. If you look and wait for the right auction, you should be able to get that for about $20-$25 for the 10 pins or $30-$35 for the 15 pin lot.

I PROMISE you cannot get that many pins in the parks/DTD for anywhere near that price!! And ten to fifteen pins gives you a lot of opportunity to try out trading and see if you like it.

I know I love pin trading...I think more for the opportunity to chat with CMs then the actual pins sometimes...but I do love them as well...they are like little metal tidbits of our vacation that I can bring home with me. With the number of pins I ordered (after snagging out the ones we "had" to keep and then splitting them four ways) I will have about 25 pins to trade each of the two weeks we will be at WDW I take this year. Each of the boys will end up with about 15 pins each week.

And YES *I hope* I will be able to keep the second trip a surprise. I don't know what I was thinking in hoping I could keep both trips under wraps...but I will succeed at the Nov/Dec trip being a surprise (that or explode trying ;) ).

I am so excited about our upcoming trips. I am so glad I have the DIS boards to pour my excited trip energy out on. Dh thinks it is a bit strange (to say the least) and everyone I know "in real life" thinks it is flat our crazy to even want to go back to WDW more then once every five years. :confused: :confused3 So...I truly relish having found a place where my lunacy is appreciated! ;)

[momoftriplets]

Hi, Jay. Just checking in. Love your sneaky little mind! Have a great day! Barb

[jaycns]

I JUST started reading this thread as we are Planning a stay at CR (at least for now) during the dates you are planning for Sept (we are going the 3-10)!!!

Anyway, loving your reports. Still haven't finished your other one for 2006. BTW, I about peed my pants reading your description of the hotel in GA! :rotfl:


I almost peeped my pants living through it!! It was :scared1: !! Not one of my favorite parts of our trip! ;) Thanks for reading along!

We need to have a mini DIS meet! I promise you a cameo in my trip report! ;)

Have you ever stayed at the CR before? It is my very favorite resort. I love the new rooms. I love walking to MK. I love the chocolate cake in the Food and Fun Center...YUMMY!!!

Anyways, thanks for reading along!!:thumbsup2

[paigevz]

I have not even STARTED planning and you have how many things done now????

Geez...........I strive to be like you. ;)

[jaycns]

Oh my goodness...that is way too funny. I love your scheming little mind! Hehehe. Get that video camera ready, even if you only hear their squeals of joy, it will be well worth it! I am so excited for you!!! How fun!!! Take LOTS of pictures...'cuz I wanna see it all. Hahahaha.

Now for those photo tips - remember I am not a professional but this is what I "try" to do. Hahaha.

1. Take LOTS of digital pictures. That way you are sure to get at least one good shot. (I took enough pictures to completely fill up 10 CD's...OMG!!!)

2. FILL the frame with your subject. Avoid any unnecessary stuff in the background.

3. Speaking of backgrounds - when you want to focus on the subject in the foreground, blur the background by choosing an appropriate aperture (f-stop). The smaller the f/stop the larger the lens opening & the more blurry the background. The larger the f/stop the smaller the lens opening. & the more clear background. Blurring the background makes the subject pop a little more.
(Now you will see in my TR that I screwed up on this one quite a bit on this first trip....LOL)

4. Get CLOSE-UPS of the boy's expressions when possible. For example, when my daughter was on the rides I tried to take a picture showing the ride and then I took close-ups so I could get her expressions.

5. Eyes. When shooting portraits or wildlife, try to focus on the eyes. They should be in focus and well lit.

6. Shoot both vertical and horizontal pictures. They show different perspectives.

7. The rule of thirds....sometimes subjects in the very center of a frame are boring. Think of a tick-tac-toe grid and try to place the subject anywhere 2 of the lines meet. (Note...this was hard for me to do with a toddler at Disney...sometimes I was just lucky to get the shot). Hahaha

Well there are a few for you...I will try to think of some more. What kind of camera are you using?

Now get outside and take some pictures of those adorable boys of yours and let me see them!!! Hahahahaha. :rotfl2:

OH MY!! Those are great tips!! I printed them out...and I am going to try and do a "photoshoot" of our dogs and kids over the next week and then I will report back to you. LOL It's like an assignment...but one I will happily accept! Thanks again for the great tips! I am so happy! I LOVE PICTURES!! And you truly do have a talent with taking them!!

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cheerbop]

I almost peeped my pants living through it!! It was :scared1: !! Not one of my favorite parts of our trip! ;) Thanks for reading along!

We need to have a mini DIS meet! I promise you a cameo in my trip report! ;)

Have you ever stayed at the CR before? It is my very favorite resort. I love the new rooms. I love walking to MK. I love the chocolate cake in the Food and Fun Center...YUMMY!!!

Anyways, thanks for reading along!!:thumbsup2


We have never stayed at CR, but are slightly thinking of changing due to the Night of Joy thing. We will have a 9 month old, 3 year old and just about 10 year old at the time of travel. We don't want to lose sleep.
We have considered Poly also wonder if it would be quieter there?
We had also considered WL and AKL...
SO many choices!
We were at WDW in Dec of 2005 at the GF. LOVED it!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, having a hard time staying with/choosing a resort because of the NOJ and also with our youngest 2 being so young, the transportation issue with strollers, etc....

Our 3 are all boys too!!! With the first 2 I was told they were girls and was quite surprised when they came out boys.

Well, back to reading your 2006 report. I am finishing your last day on the cruise. LOVING your report! We now want to take a cruise...........

[jaycns]

Hi, Jay. Just checking in. Love your sneaky little mind! Have a great day! Barb SNEAKY?? ME??? No..it's actually a desperate attempt to keep myself from blabbing to the kids. I am HOPELESS when it comes to surprises...but I am so determined to do it this time!!

[jaycns]

We have never stayed at CR, but are slightly thinking of changing due to the Night of Joy thing. We will have a 9 month old, 3 year old and just about 10 year old at the time of travel. We don't want to lose sleep.
We have considered Poly also wonder if it would be quieter there?
We had also considered WL and AKL...
SO many choices!
We were at WDW in Dec of 2005 at the GF. LOVED it!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, having a hard time staying with/choosing a resort because of the NOJ and also with our youngest 2 being so young, the transportation issue with strollers, etc....

Our 3 are all boys too!!! With the first 2 I was told they were girls and was quite surprised when they came out boys.

Well, back to reading your 2006 report. I am finishing your last day on the cruise. LOVING your report! We now want to take a cruise...........

We are staying at AKL from 9/1 (I am adding a day on...WOO HOO) until 9/9 in a deluxe room in the Kilimanjaro Club (the concierge level). MOVE ON OVER!! ;) It would be fun to have some DISers in the same resort!

With the whole NOJ thing going on I didn't want to be anywhere near the commotion. I am sure it is not anywhere near as bad as I have read about (people tend to make molehills into mountains sometimes) and that even if it is....it would only be a few rooms at each resort (CR, Poly, WL and GF)...however, knowing my luck...I would get one of those rooms. So...we are skipping the MK area resorts in September (but I will be back to the CR at the end of Nov. for the second trip...so I can survive) ;). The AKL is our second favorite resort. You could NOT go wrong choosing it! Its' beautiful! It is like you are in a different part of the world...and I don't just mean Walt's world. It's so amazing! Have you ever been? It also has a ton of things for kids (and young and old alike) to do at the resort itself. So if you were planning on having a lot of resort time...it might be perfect for you guys. Also, the pool is a zero depth entry pool so your toddler would be able to enjoy it without having to be within arms reach the whole time.

If you have a huge thing against riding the bus (aka ME...:lmao: ) Then you might not enjoy AKL as much. However, the bus service they have is great. It only goes to AKL (from what I have read, I have never ventured on any Disney bus since I am a bus wimp). We are going to have our own van at AKL so we won't worry much about the transportation part of it.

If you plan on returning to your room multiple times a day for naps and such you might want to not stay at AKL. You would lose a load of travel time from MK and Epcot and MGM...however, it would not be that bad from AK. Then again from the CR you have to bus it to AKL and MGM. So...

The CR is so beautiful! I don't think you could go wrong with it (other then the noise issue...but I doubt highly it would really be a problem *although we did chose to go and be at AKL just to make sure*). You cannot go wrong. You will be at WDW!

Okay, you didn't ask for my opinion...but ya got it! ;) I am obsessed with Disney and feel the need to talk about it all of the time! ;)

[blue_river]

If you are new to pin trading I would suggest looking for an auction of about 10-15 pins. If you look and wait for the right auction, you should be able to get that for about $20-$25 for the 10 pins or $30-$35 for the 15 pin lot.


My daughters started their pin collection on our first trip and had so much fun. Then for Christmas, I thought I would surprise them with some new pins and tried to order them from the Disney Shopping site but they don't send pins to Canada :(

Then someone gave me a link to a private seller....I was so happy and bought them each 2 pins which cost me $60.00 Canadian. Now I feel so ripped off. Thanks for the tip!!! I'm definately going to follow your advice and order some for them to trade :)



I am so excited about our upcoming trips. I am so glad I have the DIS boards to pour my excited trip energy out on. Dh thinks it is a bit strange (to say the least) and everyone I know "in real life" thinks it is flat our crazy to even want to go back to WDW more then once every five years. :confused: :confused3 So...I truly relish having found a place where my lunacy is appreciated! ;)

I know how you feel. At first my DH was skeptical and thought I was crazy sharing my TR but he doesn't seem to mind anymore. Can you believe he has never been to the site? When I've finished writing a new installment, I'll read it to him after posting it and sometimes I'll share some of the comments with him if they are funny. My oldest DD loves reading it and sometimes posts her own comments. That kind of scares me because I never know what she is going to say!!!!!

[MouseTriper]

OH MY!! Those are great tips!! I printed them out...and I am going to try and do a "photoshoot" of our dogs and kids over the next week and then I will report back to you. LOL It's like an assignment...but one I will happily accept! Thanks again for the great tips! I am so happy! I LOVE PICTURES!! And you truly do have a talent with taking them!!

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are so welcome! And YES, that is exactly what it is - a fun assignment for you! Hahaha. Now hurry up! JK...!:cool1:

[jaycns]

Today is a not so good day in the land of trip planning. I finally got our AAA paperwork. And despite the fact that we are still saving hundreds of dollars (woo hoo discounts) they added in trip insurance which not only did I not ask for but in fact told her directly we did not want. Now it's non refundable through Disney....AAA better eat that expense. Second, all of the requests I had her make don't show up. Well, one does. That's it. Everything else nope.

Non smoking due to Aladdin's asthma. Which if you read my last trip report you will understand that it is a HUGE thing to us since his lungs will wig out. I am even needing to go so far as having them do a special cleaning which can be arranged through special services and a complete bedding change before we arrive (Aladdin ended up wheezing a few days into our last vacation, he has since been taken to the ER during another hotel stay with breathing issues and the allergist finally pin pointed it as dust, mold, etc. Simply put, if they don't do it...we cannot stay there...my baby (all ten years of him ;) ) has to be able to breathe. Dumb AAA agent tells me "they won't guarantee that" YES they will. But she didn't even have it noted on the ressie. She did note Goofy's birthday...but also neglected to mention our anniversary.

How hard is it to put this one the first ressie?
-Must be guarenteed non smoking for medical resasons-asthma.*
-Savanna view requested
-Celebrating Goofy's 8th birthday and 12th anniversary.

*I could deal with the concierge and special services directly myself about the special cleaning and bedding change, no big deal....but I need a non smoking room guarenteed and for our family it IS a big deal. GRRR AAA agent.

Second ressie?
-Must be guarenteed non smoking for medical reasons-asthma.
-MK view requested.

PLAIN and simple. Nothing fancy or out of the ordinary. How hard would that have been to do?!!!!

I am so frustrated right now.

And the money thing on the insurance bugs the heck out of me. Yes, we are still saving hundreds of dollars...but had we booked through a competant agent we would have a few extra hundred dollars in our pockets.

GRRRRR. Period. Just GRRRR.

Sorry to rant and vent and rave. I swear I am not unbalanced. :laughing: I am just not in my happy place right now. GRRRRRRR.:sad2:

[paigevz]

Aw, Jay..........I'm sorry. What a bunch of headaches. :headache: :hug:

[PrincessAlways]

Sorry to hear about the setbacks in planning.:sad1: Don't be satisfied until everything on your reservation is what you asked your agent to arrange. It will all be worth the hassle when you arrive through those magic gates! :goodvibes Good luck!:thumbsup2

[cheerbop]

Sorry to hear about your ressie problems.

Our AAA papers don't say our requests either. Wonder if their paperwork doesn't fit more than one but maybe the actual ressie at Disney does?! Maybe I will check on that.

[jaycns]

I have not even STARTED planning and you have how many things done now????

Geez...........I strive to be like you. ;)
Paige, if I hadn't started planning....I wouldn't be in the mess I am with AAA. LOL However, I also would not have the dates of my vacations and thus something to look forward too!

Dh is such a penny pincher. His answer to the AAA stuff...don't cancel we lose money. Complain and see what they will do. My only thing is...if I peeve off the woman holding control over my Disney vacation... :scared1: What sort of horrors would be in store??

I have located her supervisor's name and number and will be calling in later today. Wish me luck.

And thanks for sticking with my pre trippie! :)

[Blaynexox]

Jay - we booked with AAA as well and there have been tons of minor mishaps. They didn't give us a bunch of stuff we were supposed to have, they did not put down that we requested non smoking and a certain section at POP, when we got our Magical Express books it did not have our flight on it and we called and she said that it was fine that she had checked it (im still nervous about that one) .. its just been a little bit of a mess. Im not sure if I would book with them again, although they are only 2 min. away from my house so it was slightly convenient. I hope everything works out! :)

[momoftriplets]

I feel your frustration, Jay. GGGGRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!! Let us know how it goes with the supervisor. Here's Pixie Dust!! pixiedust: Good Luck! :grouphug:
Barb

[mlill]

I'm really sorry you're having trouble with the AAA ressies! I know how hard it is to let someone else take over the planning - and when they screw it up, that makes it even worse! :headache: I hope you can get it all straightened out when you call the supervisor!

Hang in there! It'll all work out and you guys are going to have two FABULOUS vacations!!! :thumbsup2

-Michelle

[jaycns]

UPDATE: I finally reached one of the "higher ups" at AAA. I now have one of them personally working on my file. The insurance has been removed. Both trips have the requests added (and I will be sent a copy of the forms in the mail so that I have it in writing). They WERE able to get non smoking room guaranteed on the ressie.

Lastly, I am still nervous. BUT...I was to begin with. I am not the kind of person who can let something as important to me as my Disney vacation plans "go" without worry. However, the manager I spoke with assured me she would double check the ressie and make sure everything is now as it was supposed to be in the first place and she would triple check it a week before vacation and call me with confirmation.

In the end I really don't think the money saved was worth the worry. Not for me. I could totally see how it would be worth it if it were the difference between being able to afford the vacation or not. But in our family's case, I think paying the extra money and having peace of mind before we travel is more important. **I do reserve the right to change my mind if everything goes exactly as planned and everything is "all set" when we arrive.**

Also, in general, I have nothing against travel agents and have had great experiences with Expedia in the past. I am sure others have horror stories form using Expedia the same way I had a bad experience with AAA. I really don't knock AAA overall (unless the manager screws up...then I will be convinced it was a company thing not an agent thing). However, I feel that I spoke with a very competent person who is sending me written proof of them having completed everything that needs to be done.


OKAY...phew. And she was able to add an AKL day on to the start of our first vacation. SO...I THINK...things are okay! I feel like I need a great big dose of pixiedust: ...but I am at least "settled" now! ;) Thank you all for caring! It makes my heart happy to know I have people who care about our vacation (dh, my "real life" friends, my extended family they all think I am a bit Disney nuts in the first place and tune out what I say about vacation :p ). So thanks....and a great big huge :grouphug: to all of you!!

[jaycns]

Sorry to hear about your ressie problems.

Our AAA papers don't say our requests either. Wonder if their paperwork doesn't fit more than one but maybe the actual ressie at Disney does?! Maybe I will check on that. The AAA papers make no notes of requests...however, they do appear on the Disney papers that my first agent passed on to me. :) I would double check...but not sweat it. I hope what I had was an isolated encounter with a not so fabulous agent. WOO HOO...a Disney trip on the books is a reason to celebrate!! :):):):cool1:

[jaycns]

I'm really sorry you're having trouble with the AAA ressies! I know how hard it is to let someone else take over the planning - and when they screw it up, that makes it even worse! :headache: I hope you can get it all straightened out when you call the supervisor!

Hang in there! It'll all work out and you guys are going to have two FABULOUS vacations!!! :thumbsup2

-Michelle

I have to put in a plug here...Michelle's trip report is keeping a smile on my face! If you have not yet read her trippie...take a gander! It's great!!

And thanks for stopping by! :wave2: And for the well wishes! I do plan on having two FABULOUS vacations!! :):)

[jaycns]

Okay...I have been doing a bit of trip report reading (ha ha ha...hours is more then a bit). I saw ELLESTER post a GREAT idea. They chose to "wrap up" a Disney gift for their kids. So...here's their super fantastic idea with my twist on it....I simply have three little boxes wrapped up. Once we hit the point when we are about two hours from WDW I will give each boy one box. **Thanks to ELLESTER for the great idea**

Box 1 will be marked "OPEN FIRST". Upon opening it they will see two little magnetic letters (artistic license, in the trippie I saw they wrote a note). The letters U and R (you are...hee hee hee).

The second box will be marked "OPEN NEXT". This box will have two word parts from our phonics set ("go" and "ing") and the number "2" magnetic frig number in it (going to...hee hee hee).

The third box will be marked "OPEN LAST". This box will have a bunch of Disney confetti (saved up from other trips) and a tiny little "world" (I have an old earth shaped eraser that will work perfectly) inside of the box (Disney World...heee heee heee).

YOU ARE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!! :cool1: I will have a new Disney movie they have never seen (gotta think of one...HMMMM...) to hand them and tell them by the time it is over we will almost be there!! WOO HOO!!

Now I am even more excited about surprising them!! And I don't know if that is even humanly possible!! BUT... I have already gathered the "items". I have them hidden in a little bag (it's on the top of the refrigerator in case I forget and need a helpful little hint) and I will start looking for the perfect sized small boxes.

I am going to video record this moment and snap some still pictures. I think this will be a pull off at a gas station or rest stop kind of moment so dh can help me snap away!! :thumbsup2

I will have a few small Disney stay busy type items to pass out for the last leg of the trip (after they find out of course). I am so very excited about this idea!! I think I have finally hit on the very best of the best way to make this surprise happen!! http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l8/pvital1/mickeybanana.gif http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l8/pvital1/mickeybanana.gif http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l8/pvital1/mickeybanana.gif

[PrincessAlways]

Jay - Glad to hear the problems with planning seem to be settled for now! I think the idea with the 3 boxes is terrific! What a great way to spring the surprise! :thumbsup2

[MouseTriper]

Okay...I have been doing a little too much late night surfing...so I don't know who to credit with this idea....BUT....I saw them "wrap up" a Disney gift for their kids. So...here's their super fantastic idea with my twist on it....I simply have three little boxes wrapped up. Once we hit the point when we are about two hours from WDW I will give each boy one box.

Box 1 will be marked "OPEN FIRST". Upon opening it they will see two little magnetic letters (artistic license, in the trippie I saw they wrote a note). The letters U and R (you are...hee hee hee).

The second box will be marked "OPEN NEXT". This box will have two word parts from our phonics set ("go" and "ing") and the number "2" magnetic frig number in it (going to...hee hee hee).

The third box will be marked "OPEN LAST". This box will have a bunch of Disney confetti (saved up from other trips) and a tiny little "world" (I have an old earth shaped eraser that will work perfectly) inside of the box (Disney World...heee heee heee).

YOU ARE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!! :cool1: I will have a new Disney movie they have never seen (gotta think of one...HMMMM...) to hand them and tell them by the time it is over we will almost be there!! WOO HOO!!

Now I am even more excited about surprising them!! And I don't know if that is even humanly possible!! BUT... I have already gathered the "items". I have them hidden in a little bag (it's on the top of the refrigerator in case I forget and need a helpful little hint) and I will start looking for the perfect sized small boxes.

I am going to video record this moment and snap some still pictures. I think this will be a pull off at a gas station or rest stop kind of moment so dh can help me snap away!! :thumbsup2

I will have a few small Disney stay busy type items to pass out for the last leg of the trip (after they find out of course). I am so very excited about this idea!! I think I have finally hit on the very best of the best way to make this surprise happen!! http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l8/pvital1/mickeybanana.gif http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l8/pvital1/mickeybanana.gif http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l8/pvital1/mickeybanana.gif

Oh my goodness...that is TRULY a wonderful way to surprise them!!! How cute that will be to get all that on video!!! You ROCK Jay!!!!

PS - so glad you feel better with regards to all that AAA stuff. :cool1:

[momoftriplets]

What a great way to surprise the boys, Jay. My kids love scavenger hunts, so I can just imagine how this will go over for you. TOO FUN!!! So glad you got things straight with your ressies. Now you can go back to being excited!!
Have a great day!
Barb

[SoonerGirl]

Glad you got all your ressies straightened out!

I love your surprise idea!! I think I'll print that out to use myself in the future if you don't mind. What fun you're going to have - I'd be bursting just waiting for that last 2 hours to arrive, with my kids sitting there wondering why I was so giddy! :rotfl:

[jess98ac]

I was very excited to see a new trippie (or PRE trippie) from you, I LOVED the one from your September trip! I read most of what you wrote, but I might have missed something. Isn't your second trip just you and the boys? How is your DH going to help with the surprise? :confused3
Anyway, can't wait to keep reading!!

[jaycns]

Oh my goodness...that is TRULY a wonderful way to surprise them!!! How cute that will be to get all that on video!!! You ROCK Jay!!!!

PS - so glad you feel better with regards to all that AAA stuff. :cool1:

First off...I wish I rocked...I just copied. ;) But it will ROCK!! I am so excited (kid in a candy store excited). I am so excited about the whole You Tube thing that I am now inspired to use our video camera.

PS We had our first snow of the year here today. I did my "homework"!! Once I find the cord (why can I never find the simple things...maybe I spend too much time planning vacations? HMMM....nah :rolleyes1 ) I will upload the photos and email them to you. THANKS for helping me!! :hug:

[jaycns]

What a great way to surprise the boys, Jay. My kids love scavenger hunts, so I can just imagine how this will go over for you. TOO FUN!!! So glad you got things straight with your ressies. Now you can go back to being excited!!
Have a great day!
Barb So do mine. We do them for birthday parties, on Easter morning, at camp outs and sometimes...just for the heck of it. ;)

Any idea of when you might next be heading to WDW? Will our dates overlap? *hint hint* ;)

[jaycns]

Glad you got all your ressies straightened out!

I love your surprise idea!! I think I'll print that out to use myself in the future if you don't mind. What fun you're going to have - I'd be bursting just waiting for that last 2 hours to arrive, with my kids sitting there wondering why I was so giddy! :rotfl: It's not even my idea...so I don't mind a bit...even if it was my idea...the more happy kids...the better in my book!! I don't know if I can say this enough times...I AM SO EXCITED about this!!

I sure do hope the ressie thing is all hashed out. I will feel so much better when the "redone" paperwork makes its way to my house. I will breathe a huge sigh of relief! I really do think that the second person, the manager that I am now dealing with, is more commited to following through when they say something. This may or may not be true :rolleyes: ...BUT I am 89% confident that things are set straight! :goodvibes

[jaycns]

I was very excited to see a new trippie (or PRE trippie) from you, I LOVED the one from your September trip! I read most of what you wrote, but I might have missed something. Isn't your second trip just you and the boys? How is your DH going to help with the surprise? :confused3
Anyway, can't wait to keep reading!!

Hmmmm...I think I am the one that missed something. Or then again, maybe not. I don't know. :confused3 Okay, I am a goof ball. Instead of reading back I am just going to tell again (or there's a good chance I may be telling for the first time :rolleyes1 ). Dh is a bit umm...how shall I say this...over protective :rolleyes: :sad2: . I mean he trusts us. And he knows I am perfectly capable of taking care of the kids...but he hates the thought of me driving 13 plus hours alone with the boys. Heck I hate the thought of me driving that at all. Back in college I drove from Orlando to Chicago ! All by myself (well, with a friend but she broke her glasses and couldn't take a turn at the wheel). So...I know I can do it. I am just one of those people who is directionally challenged. Which is super duper funny....cause you could drop me off in the middle of the forest and with a compass and a crude idea of what direction home was, and I could find my way...no problem. However, put me behind a wheel and ask me to maneuver on well marked streets...and you get a pretty iffy situation. I do NOT like navigating while driving.

So...anyhoo...dh is going to drive down with us and fly out of Orlando that Sunday night. He would have to fly to his business destination anyhow so this just means he gets to do it after a long car ride (ugh). But I think he will feel better seeing us settled in. And I feel better that I don't have to drive alone that far. Also, the surprise wouldn't go over as well without him there and he wants to see the boys "find out".

He will fly back down on Thursday night and spend all of Friday and Saturday with us and then we will go back home again on Sunday.

Okey dokey...I think I remembered everything I meant to post before if I didn't! ;) Hopefully I am not so confusing anymore. :confused: Then again, if I ramble on long enough I might just be able to confuse everyone...even myself! :upsidedow

[kjh73]

Hi; I have just finished reading your trip report from your 2006 trip, beginning to end, it took a few days but WOW, I loved it. We recently won a trip to WDW and now have to figue out when to go. Right now we are thinking Sept we want to be there when it is not busy. One of the options I had given Disney would put us there over the WDW Triathlon(Sept 21-23), do you know if it is busy at this time or does it shut down parts of the parks while the race is going on.

Also is it pretty quiet anytime in Sept or is beginning, middle, or end better? What about the heat in Sept? We live in Canada, so for us Sept is already cold.

One more thing, I read somewhere about some bugs what are they like in Sept.

Any info you could supply would be great. I am so addicted to reading about your trip and the upcoming trip, but I really need to get to bed it is 2am and my 5 month will be waking anytime for a feeding. Yikes.

Thanks
Kjh

[jess98ac]

Hmmmm...I think I am the one that missed something. Or then again, maybe not. I don't know. :confused3 Okay, I am a goof ball. Instead of reading back I am just going to tell again (or there's a good chance I may be telling for the first time :rolleyes1 ). Dh is a bit umm...how shall I say this...over protective :rolleyes: :sad2: . I mean he trusts us. And he knows I am perfectly capable of taking care of the kids...but he hates the thought of me driving 13 plus hours alone with the boys. Heck I hate the thought of me driving that at all. Back in college I drove from Orlando to Chicago ! All by myself (well, with a friend but she broke her glasses and couldn't take a turn at the wheel). So...I know I can do it. I am just one of those people who is directionally challenged. Which is super duper funny....cause you could drop me off in the middle of the forest and with a compass and a crude idea of what direction home was, and I could find my way...no problem. However, put me behind a wheel and ask me to maneuver on well marked streets...and you get a pretty iffy situation. I do NOT like navigating while driving.

So...anyhoo...dh is going to drive down with us and fly out of Orlando that Sunday night. He would have to fly to his business destination anyhow so this just means he gets to do it after a long car ride (ugh). But I think he will feel better seeing us settled in. And I feel better that I don't have to drive alone that far. Also, the surprise wouldn't go over as well without him there and he wants to see the boys "find out".

He will fly back down on Thursday night and spend all of Friday and Saturday with us and then we will go back home again on Sunday.

Okey dokey...I think I remembered everything I meant to post before if I didn't! ;) Hopefully I am not so confusing anymore. :confused: Then again, if I ramble on long enough I might just be able to confuse everyone...even myself! :upsidedow


OH!!! Now I get it! LOL
That's a very nice DH you've got there...mine puts up a stink to be in the car for 45 minutes to go to my parents' house!!:lmao:

[SoonerGirl]

Hmmmm...I think I am the one that missed something. Or then again, maybe not. I don't know. :confused3 Okay, I am a goof ball. Instead of reading back I am just going to tell again (or there's a good chance I may be telling for the first time :rolleyes1 ). Dh is a bit umm...how shall I say this...over protective :rolleyes: :sad2: . I mean he trusts us. And he knows I am perfectly capable of taking care of the kids...but he hates the thought of me driving 13 plus hours alone with the boys. Heck I hate the thought of me driving that at all. Back in college I drove from Orlando to Chicago ! All by myself (well, with a friend but she broke her glasses and couldn't take a turn at the wheel). So...I know I can do it. I am just one of those people who is directionally challenged. Which is super duper funny....cause you could drop me off in the middle of the forest and with a compass and a crude idea of what direction home was, and I could find my way...no problem. However, put me behind a wheel and ask me to maneuver on well marked streets...and you get a pretty iffy situation. I do NOT like navigating while driving.

So...anyhoo...dh is going to drive down with us and fly out of Orlando that Sunday night. He would have to fly to his business destination anyhow so this just means he gets to do it after a long car ride (ugh). But I think he will feel better seeing us settled in. And I feel better that I don't have to drive alone that far. Also, the surprise wouldn't go over as well without him there and he wants to see the boys "find out".

He will fly back down on Thursday night and spend all of Friday and Saturday with us and then we will go back home again on Sunday.

Okey dokey...I think I remembered everything I meant to post before if I didn't! ;) Hopefully I am not so confusing anymore. :confused: Then again, if I ramble on long enough I might just be able to confuse everyone...even myself! :upsidedow

Thanks for clearing that up jay - I was a little confused myself! ;)

[momoftriplets]

So do mine. We do them for birthday parties, on Easter morning, at camp outs and sometimes...just for the heck of it. ;)

Any idea of when you might next be heading to WDW? Will our dates overlap? *hint hint* ;)

You're KILLIN' me, Jay!!! We SO BADLY want to go back, but aren't sure if it's "in the cards". :scared1: I will keep you posted. I would love to have our dates overlap. That would be too cool.:hippie:
Barb
P.S. Thanks for filling us in on how DH will be helping you drive & surprise the boys. I didn't even realize that part was missing. See how I am? :rolleyes1

[MouseTriper]

First off...I wish I rocked...I just copied. ;) But it will ROCK!! I am so excited (kid in a candy store excited). I am so excited about the whole You Tube thing that I am now inspired to use our video camera.

PS We had our first snow of the year here today. I did my "homework"!! Once I find the cord (why can I never find the simple things...maybe I spend too much time planning vacations? HMMM....nah :rolleyes1 ) I will upload the photos and email them to you. THANKS for helping me!! :hug:

Hehe...yes, your surprise will definitely ROCK!!!

First snow of the year...WOW!! We have been bombarded with snow since before Christmas. We had a few nasty blizzards already and it is bitter cold! Wishing I could warm up a little at WDW right now!!! hahahaha.

Now...hopefully you found your cord 'cuz I wanna see those pictures....so turn in that "homework"...LOL!!!! :banana: :cool1:

[paigevz]

Jay, I always knew you had a very nice dh, but my goodness to drive you all down just to see the outcome of the surprise and make sure you're there safe and sound.............that's a good man. :thumbsup2

I love reading your plans. I'm just going to copy all of yours for our trip a couple weeks after you, is that okay? :rotfl:

[jaycns]

Hi; I have just finished reading your trip report from your 2006 trip, beginning to end, it took a few days but WOW, I loved it. We recently won a trip to WDW and now have to figue out when to go. Right now we are thinking Sept we want to be there when it is not busy. One of the options I had given Disney would put us there over the WDW Triathlon(Sept 21-23), do you know if it is busy at this time or does it shut down parts of the parks while the race is going on.

Also is it pretty quiet anytime in Sept or is beginning, middle, or end better? What about the heat in Sept? We live in Canada, so for us Sept is already cold.

One more thing, I read somewhere about some bugs what are they like in Sept.

Any info you could supply would be great. I am so addicted to reading about your trip and the upcoming trip, but I really need to get to bed it is 2am and my 5 month will be waking anytime for a feeding. Yikes.

Thanks
Kjh


September is a wonderful time to travel. I have never personally been there when the triathlon was taking place but any other time in September is amazing. We love to go the week after Labor Day. I would be cautious about the triathlon, Labor Day weekend and the very end when it overlaps with the Food and Wine festival...but I wouldn't necessarily avoid those times....just be a bit more careful in my planning. September has such low crowds...well, a crowded September day is like a very slow day most other times of the year. ;) It's all good!!

As far as the weather...HOT and HUMID...if you are not used to it...it might be a factor. I actually like the heat...the hotter the better! BUT...if you are not used to that sort of thing...I would plan to take that into account. Midday breaks. Time at the water parks. Lots of liquids. Lots of time in the shade. Loads of sunscreen.

As far as the lovebugs...they are there but really didn't "bug" us (pun intended). They were somewhat annoying...but I would much rather bump into bugs then other humans in the parks! ;) You will see more then a few of them and they do crawl all over almost everything but they don't bite and seem to have no interest in anything other then each other. So...unless you are very bug squimish...I would say yes, they will be there...but no, they shouldn't detract from the parks.

AND WOWSERS!! Winning a trip to WDW! That is awesome!! How did you do that?!! Make sure you write a trip report upon your return. I would love to see all about it!!

I don't know if I answered anything at all...but if you have any other questions...feel free to ask. And thanks so much for taking the time to read my entire trip report!! :goodvibes You are brave! :thumbsup2

[mlill]

WoW! The big surprise for the kids is going to be awesome! I can't wait to see the pictures & video!!! BTW, you've got a great hubby for driving you down there and back! :thumbsup2 Have fun planning!!!

-Michelle

[kjh73]

September is a wonderful time to travel. I have never personally been there when the triathlon was taking place but any other time in September is amazing. We love to go the week after Labor Day. I would be cautious about the triathlon, Labor Day weekend and the very end when it overlaps with the Food and Wine festival...but I wouldn't necessarily avoid those times....just be a bit more careful in my planning. September has such low crowds...well, a crowded September day is like a very slow day most other times of the year. ;) It's all good!!

As far as the weather...HOT and HUMID...if you are not used to it...it might be a factor. I actually like the heat...the hotter the better! BUT...if you are not used to that sort of thing...I would plan to take that into account. Midday breaks. Time at the water parks. Lots of liquids. Lots of time in the shade. Loads of sunscreen.

As far as the lovebugs...they are there but really didn't "bug" us (pun intended). They were somewhat annoying...but I would much rather bump into bugs then other humans in the parks! ;) You will see more then a few of them and they do crawl all over almost everything but they don't bite and seem to have no interest in anything other then each other. So...unless you are very bug squimish...I would say yes, they will be there...but no, they shouldn't detract from the parks.

AND WOWSERS!! Winning a trip to WDW! That is awesome!! How did you do that?!! Make sure you write a trip report upon your return. I would love to see all about it!!

I don't know if I answered anything at all...but if you have any other questions...feel free to ask. And thanks so much for taking the time to read my entire trip report!! :goodvibes You are brave! :thumbsup2

Hi; thank-you for your very help full answers. I won the trip from minute maid(Canada) It was on-line I entered upc codes, the contest ran for about 5 months, I didn't enter everyday, but usally a couple times a week. I never entered a contest on line before but thought what the heck, might as well try. There was 4 grand prize winners. We were able to pick between WDW or DL. Since my dad just took us to DL Easter 2006, it only made sense to go to WDW this time. Thanks again for answering my questions.

[MouseTriper]

Hmmm....umm...where are you Jay?? How's the planning going? Any new news to share? Did you receive all your new updated ressie information from AAA yet? Ohh and don't you owe me some pictures???? HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

:rotfl2: :rolleyes1 :rotfl:

[jaycns]

Hi; thank-you for your very help full answers. I won the trip from minute maid(Canada) It was on-line I entered upc codes, the contest ran for about 5 months, I didn't enter everyday, but usally a couple times a week. I never entered a contest on line before but thought what the heck, might as well try. There was 4 grand prize winners. We were able to pick between WDW or DL. Since my dad just took us to DL Easter 2006, it only made sense to go to WDW this time. Thanks again for answering my questions.
WOW...awesome! What a great thing!! I am really happy for you! That is tremendous! Enjoy yourself fully! And....remember to drink your Minute Maid. ;) :lmao:

[jaycns]

Hmmm....umm...where are you Jay?? How's the planning going? Any new news to share? Did you receive all your new updated ressie information from AAA yet? Ohh and don't you owe me some pictures???? HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

:rotfl2: :rolleyes1 :rotfl:I am here...I am here...I have been in the flu funk for the past few days...so although I have been DISing...it has been sort of rambling all over rather then hitting my favorite threads. Today the cloud is starting to clear, but I fear I am still no where near up to doing any planning. UGH. The flu stinks. Especially when you are a mom....there is no rest for the weary (or the totally worn for that matter)!

I will post a trip update soon. I am in the process (or at least I was before I got sick) of digging up info on my favorite planning sites (DIS and TGM) and compiling that into the holy grail...my planning notebook *I shudder at the thought of losing my planning notebook....ISH*.

PS...I am still waiting on DH to return the cord to me. He is the one who did the downloading of our last set of pictures...I am not brave enough while sick to even dream of entering his disaster of an office (some say chaos is a sign of genius...in my husband's case, he better hope so!!). However, if he has not waded through the clutter and returned the cord to me by the time I am back to normal, I will brave the clutter :laughing: to complete my assignment! ;) :thumbsup2

[jaycns]

WoW! The big surprise for the kids is going to be awesome! I can't wait to see the pictures & video!!! BTW, you've got a great hubby for driving you down there and back! :thumbsup2 Have fun planning!!!

-Michelle


Still trying to figure it out...is Jordan's favorite character Tinkerbell??? :confused3 ;) Thanks again for reading along!!

[mlill]

Still trying to figure it out...is Jordan's favorite character Tinkerbell??? :confused3 ;) Thanks again for reading along!!

I did the big reveal already in my TR. I'm such a wimp. I can't keep a secret! LOL! :lmao:

So, when do you get to make ADR's? Have you planned out your meals already?

-Michelle

P.S. I saw that you have the flu! :sick: I hope you are feeling better! :hug:

[MouseTriper]

I am here...I am here...I have been in the flu funk for the past few days...so although I have been DISing...it has been sort of rambling all over rather then hitting my favorite threads. Today the cloud is starting to clear, but I fear I am still no where near up to doing any planning. UGH. The flu stinks. Especially when you are a mom....there is no rest for the weary (or the totally worn for that matter)!

I will post a trip update soon. I am in the process (or at least I was before I got sick) of digging up info on my favorite planning sites (DIS and TGM) and compiling that into the holy grail...my planning notebook *I shudder at the thought of losing my planning notebook....ISH*.

PS...I am still waiting on DH to return the cord to me. He is the one who did the downloading of our last set of pictures...I am not brave enough while sick to even dream of entering his disaster of an office (some say chaos is a sign of genius...in my husband's case, he better hope so!!). However, if he has not waded through the clutter and returned the cord to me by the time I am back to normal, I will brave the clutter :laughing: to complete my assignment! ;) :thumbsup2


Hey Jay - so sorry to hear you were feeling under the weather, that is not good! I agree with you totally - there is no rest for the weary when you are a Mom!!! Hopew you are feeling better now!!!

And oh no please do NOT lose the holy grail! We need that planning notebook....hehehe, notice how I said "we"!!! Hahahaha

Has youu sweet husband returned your much-needed cord to you yet so you can upload those pictures!!??? :) (yes, I am anxcious, can you tell)?? I did another photo shoot with my little one yesterday!!

Well again, hope you are feeling better! Look forward to hearing from you soon!!!

[jaycns]

:cool1: Okay...today was day one of feeling semi human again...the flu really stinks! :sad2: :sick: Hopefully this will be our one and only bout with illness this season! :wizard:

So...being as I felt a bit better, I did some trip planning! :):):)

Based on the July/August schedules here is my tentative what day where plans...I will have to wait for the September ones to come out before I can set this in stone..but I am overly anxious. I want my ressies on day 180.... :rolleyes1 OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE MAYBE??!! I don't know.

SEMI FINAL PLANS:

Here goes nothing:

Saturday 9/1 arrive mid to late morning and then spend a day soaking it all up at AKL. And then do one of the following:

1. Dinner at Jiko (yummy)
2.Grab dinner while shopping at DTD (Wolfgang Pucks, Rain Forest Cafe or Earl of Sandwich) **We LOVE Earl of Sandwich...but are interested in the other two as well...any feedback on either of them?**It depends on what time Jiko opens for dinner and how long we want to spend shopping. ;)

Saturday night our only for sure thing would be the 9:00 PM Cirque show!! WOO HOO!! I am excited to see that! It's the reason we added on another day!

Sunday 9/2: Sunday- more resort relaxing during the day. Let the kids collect beads at the activities. Swim. Watch the animals. RELAX!!! Lunch will be a very special one!! We will have lunch in our room set up out on the balcony overlooking the savanna (hopefully...you cannot reserve the view at the concierge level...but I have heard that if you request it...it's VERY likely you will get it...so here's for hoping :wizard: ). Ahhhh...I am so looking forward to this moment!! I spent my many hours of half napping/half coughing up a lung day dreaming of this moment!! ;)
The following is taken from the In Room Dining menu on Allears.net

Savanna Romance Package for Two - served on your own private balcony

Your private Savanna feast includes:
Mixed Green Salad with mango vinaigrette
Choice of Any Two Dinner Entrees on the Private Dining menu
A Special Dessert made for sharing
Choice of a glass of house wine

*We will also be adding an order of jumbo shrimp cocktail for five (and only four of us like shrimp....;) ).

We would just grab some Mara food for the boys and let them have an "indoor picnic" while watching a Disney movie on tv...trust me...this is heaven for them. :rolleyes: ;)



Dinner will be at Ohanas. Dh loves it there. I like it quite a bit and even the pickiest of our eaters can always find something they like. The peel and eat shrimp are a huge hit with our family!!

Depending on if MK still has an EMH that night we will either just do a circuit on the monorail and watch Wishes from the Poly OR we will do that and then head over to MK for a few hours of nighttime fun!

Monday, September 3 (our 12th anniversary): EPCOT BABY!! (maybe...unless TGM gives it a no go for Labor Day crowds...yes, I do listen to TGM with a blind faith ;) ). But...as long as he doesn't "forbid" it...we will go! After breakfast in the concierge lounge, our "early" day will be spent enjoying all that the "Future World" part of Epcot has to offer. We don't like to rush...we like to take our time and really enjoy everything...so we don't want to hurry and smash all of Epcot into one day. We plan on doing lunch at the Garden Grill by popular request of our three darling sons. This is one of the number one character meals at Disney according to them. So...to the Garden Grill we shall go!

After a late lunch we will enjoy a few more "front of the park" attractions before heading back to the WS. First up on our list will be a visit with Miyuki! We love Miyuki the candy maker!!

Then we will enjoy working our way slowly towards Canada. We will dine at Le Cellier for our anniversary dinner. YIPPEE!! Dh loves this place. I am going to investigate and see if I can have anything special done for him there. Last year I had a diver hold up a sign in the tank at the Coral Reef...how does one compete with that??!!

After that we will grab a spot and watch Illuminations before finally making our way back to the resort.

Tuesday 9/4 will find us at MGM after first eating breakfast in the lounge. Here we run into another "where to eat moment". We know we want to do Sci Fi for lunch (another family favorite...although the movies do sort of creep our middle son, "Goofy", out). But what to do...what to do for dinner? SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOME!! We usually do Hollywood and Vine and like it well enough...however, we would like to branch out and try something new. Of course, we would like to dine somewhere that has the Fantasmic package so we don't have to line up super early for decent seats!

Wednesday 9/5 MAGIC KINGDOM OR BUST!! And this day will be full of dining fun! We will start the day by eating at the Crystal Palace as early as possible so that we are finishing up before the park even opens!!

Lunch will be CS on the go! :) Dinner will be LTT!

Thursday 9/6 The day we will celebrate little "Goofy's" 8th birthday! We will spend the day at AKL. Breakfast will be with the cranky yet lovable Donald Duck before the park opens. We will spend the day enjoying ourselves immensely!! We do so love this park! We will grab a counter service lunch. Dinner will be at Jiko tonight if we didn't fit it in on Saturday night. Otherwise, Boma. Either way...YUM! We will have a relaxing evening at the resort and will make sure to let the boys go and use the night vision goggles for animal viewing and go and sit around the fire and listen to the African story teller. We will also make sure to take advantage of the dessert offerings in the club lounge! YUM times two!

Friday 9/7 Once again breakfast will be in the lounge. Followed by a morning of fun at Epcot. Then just before lunch we will head over to BB or TL and spend the rest of the day at a water park. Lunch will be a counter service deal at whichever water park we end up at.

Dinner this night is up in the air...California Grill and then over to MK for Spectro? Or should we head back to Epcot again and do dinner at the Coral Reef? OR maybe back to the resort for another night of relaxation...in which case it would most likely be Mara CS. Hmmm...input on the Cali Grill would be most welcome!!
Saturday 9/8Back to MK (I think). Yes, I know it's a Saturday ;) BUT...we do so love MK. And the boys will really love spending a second day here. And it is low season. On this day we will eat breakfast in the lounge and then head out to MK. CS lunch (or maybe Crystal Palace). Then we will have dinner with Cindy in the castle. After dinner head back to the resort and enjoy our last night by relaxing in the resort and spending our last night out around the fire listening to a story!

Sunday 9/9Wake up and do the sunrise safari at AK!! :cheer2: This is a big benefit to staying CL level at AKL...we are so excited about this safari!! After the safari we will have breakfast (included in the price) and then hit a few last "have to do" things at AK and head for home.

AHHH...the sadness of having to head for home...however, it will be okay. I can survive! ;) Knowing that in just over two months I will once again be back for another 8 days of fun at WDW!! :):):)

Notice I tried to avoid most "monorail hotel" things (other then maybe the Cali Grill and Ohana). We will have plenty of time to soak that up when we stay at the CR at the end of Nov-start of Dec.!! WOO HOO!!

[jaycns]

THANK YOU ALL for the well wishes and checking in on me! It feels good to have cyber pals (and yep, I consider those who are willing to stick out such a long PRE trip report friends) who care enough to say "feel better". What a neat online community the DIS is!! :thumbsup2

[jaycns]

The Table of Contents...a cheat sheet to the "meat of it" posts
Post 1 (page 1)How it all started (the very early stages of planning)
Post 9 (page 1) What would we get out of the Platinum Plan???
Post 17 (page 2)An important update...dh changes things up
Post 34 (page 3)The ressies have been made!! AAA Tip Alert!
Post 36 (page 3)Pins, eBay and saving some more money
Post 37 (page 3)The cast of characters (with pictures)
Post 46 (page 4)Vacation counters are added!!
Post 59 (page4)The What Ifs set in big time
Post 64 (page 5)Oops...this changes things.
Post 81 (page 6)The tentative plans for our September trip.
Post 86 (page 6)The surprise is set! Some trip shopping is done!!
Post 97 (page 7) Some great photography tips posted by MouseTriper
Post 108 (page 8) A bump in the AAA road. :sad2:
Post 116 (page 8) The bump is removed...I hope!!
Post 119 (page 8) The surprise is refined to perfection! :thumbsup2
Post 144 (page 10) Plans that are way more refined to fit in with what Disney offers when ;)

Welcome to my pretrip report! I am excited that you have come to join in the fun and excited energy that comes with planning our TWO (woo hoo) upcoming 2007 WDW vacations. If you would like to read about our last two WDW vacations...I have inserted the links below.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1130447 The Pick Me, Read Me TR -Sept. 2005

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1246511 The Trip of Dreams (with pix) -Sept. 2006

[jaycns]

http://im.edirectory.co.uk/products/1401/i/val010.jpg

Happy Valentine's Day pre trippie readers! May your day be filled with special times with those you love! :hug: :flower3: :grouphug: :love:

[PrincessAlways]

Just a thought -- For something new, how about a Wishes Cruise instead of going to the Poly beach? It's really a special way to view the fireworks. The boats have speakers so you hear the music, etc. The view of the castle with the fireworks behind it is just breaktaking! First you go for a ride around the lagoon & your captain shows you the resorts. Then he "parks" the boat right infront of the castle -- awesome! After the show, our captain took the boat around so we could see the water parade. It was really nice! :thumbsup2

[momoftriplets]

Glad you're feeling better, Jay!
Your plans sound GREAT!!! You will all have a fabulous time!
Barb
P.S. Happy Valentine's Day to you, too!

[SoonerGirl]

So glad you're not feeling so :sick: anymore! Your plans sound great - especially the Savannah Romance Package! I'll definately have to try and schedule more 'down' time when we go again.

My boys love the Garden Grill too - they really do have the best character interaction there. Sorry I can't offer any advice on the Cali Grill - we've never tried it :sad2: but, I'm sure someone on here has!

[jamal]

Oh, you are so fun, and I have Nooooo time for this but I am going to try, try, try to be in, in , IN!!!

Jamal:goodvibes

[WDW Poly Princess]

If I offer you my piggy bank, can I come, too?

[jaycns]

Just a thought -- For something new, how about a Wishes Cruise instead of going to the Poly beach? It's really a special way to view the fireworks. The boats have speakers so you hear the music, etc. The view of the castle with the fireworks behind it is just breaktaking! First you go for a ride around the lagoon & your captain shows you the resorts. Then he "parks" the boat right infront of the castle -- awesome! After the show, our captain took the boat around so we could see the water parade. It was really nice! :thumbsup2 That does sound nice! Actually better then nice! You have added a new thing to my "figure out if this fits before you hit the 180 day mark" list! ;)

About how long did your Wishes cruise last? What time did it begin? Do you recall the cost? Was it available every night of the weeks?

**Sorry, I am like that, you give me a good idea and I ask you a hundred and one questions ;) **

THANKS for the great idea!! Any extra info would be appreciated!! :wizard:

[jaycns]

Glad you're feeling better, Jay!
Your plans sound GREAT!!! You will all have a fabulous time!
Barb
P.S. Happy Valentine's Day to you, too!


Do you really think I have left enough down time? I know we have a huge chunk when we first arrive...but then it gets pretty busy. I don't want to stress out GRUMPY ;) and I don't want to be running on empty either....however...I did strive for at least some sense of balance! ;)

Any news yet on your *maybe* trip!? :wizard: :wizard: :wizard:

I hope your Valentine's Day was amazing!! Dh was out of town until 7:00 PM but he showed up with food in hand (by that time it was too late to go out for dinner as the lines were out the door and I still don't feel "great"). He is also very lucky (hee hee hee)...yesterday both the kids and myself received packages from him while he was away. That is the right way to make it up to your family for being gone on Valentine's morning (we almost always have a special family breakfast that morning...so he was missing a "family tradition"). Two points for Grumpy! ;)

[MouseTriper]

Do you really think I have left enough down time? I know we have a huge chunk when we first arrive...but then it gets pretty busy. I don't want to stress out GRUMPY ;) and I don't want to be running on empty either....however...I did strive for at least some sense of balance! ;)

Any news yet on your *maybe* trip!? :wizard: :wizard: :wizard:

I hope your Valentine's Day was amazing!! Dh was out of town until 7:00 PM but he showed up with food in hand (by that time it was too late to go out for dinner as the lines were out the door and I still don't feel "great"). He is also very lucky (hee hee hee)...yesterday both the kids and myself received packages from him while he was away. That is the right way to make it up to your family for being gone on Valentine's morning (we almost always have a special family breakfast that morning...so he was missing a "family tradition"). Two points for Grumpy! ;)


How sweet of your Dh to send you all packages for Valentine's Day seeing that he could not be there in the morning for your tradition. :earboy2:

[momoftriplets]

Do you really think I have left enough down time? I know we have a huge chunk when we first arrive...but then it gets pretty busy. I don't want to stress out GRUMPY ;) and I don't want to be running on empty either....however...I did strive for at least some sense of balance! ;)

Any news yet on your *maybe* trip!? :wizard: :wizard: :wizard:

I hope your Valentine's Day was amazing!! Dh was out of town until 7:00 PM but he showed up with food in hand (by that time it was too late to go out for dinner as the lines were out the door and I still don't feel "great"). He is also very lucky (hee hee hee)...yesterday both the kids and myself received packages from him while he was away. That is the right way to make it up to your family for being gone on Valentine's morning (we almost always have a special family breakfast that morning...so he was missing a "family tradition"). Two points for Grumpy! ;)


We found out the hard way that we didn't have enough "down time", even though I thought we had planned enough of it. I know you will do what we did. Have your schedule but go the the flow. When DD2 crashed on her bed that night (when we missed BOMA :sad1: ) we knew there was no way to make her move before she was ready. We managed. Just like you will. If "Grumpy" needs a break, you'll give it to him.

The *maybe trip*....... Man, in my dreams, we're there. Right now, unless we get a massive dose of pixie dust with an equally massive check attached, I don't see it happening this year. I could just cry..... Even just typing the words hurts. But - if you know me at all - I'm always planning for it, & if we can make it happen, we will. Wish us luck & but don't hold your breath.

After almost 22 years of marriage, Valentine's Day isn't usually a big deal at our house. I did do a scavenger hunt for the kids, though. We do this each year. I write up clever little clues to lead them to their box of candy. Each child gets three different clues. They run all over the house in search of their next clue. They love this! It gets harder for me as they get older, because I need to get even more clever with my clues. Last evening, DH & I passed each other in the driveway - I was coming home from work & he was bringing DD1 to gymnastics. Then an hour later, I went to pick her up. I did get a good night kiss, though, so all is not lost!!;) We're planning on doing something fun with the kids this weekend.

Anyway, sorry to ramble. Didn't mean to hijack your TR. Remember, I'm living vicariously through you!
Have a great day!
Barb princess:

[jaycns]

So glad you're not feeling so :sick: anymore! Your plans sound great - especially the Savannah Romance Package! I'll definately have to try and schedule more 'down' time when we go again.

My boys love the Garden Grill too - they really do have the best character interaction there. Sorry I can't offer any advice on the Cali Grill - we've never tried it :sad2: but, I'm sure someone on here has!


Do you think we have added enough down time? We do have loads of it to start (dh wants down time...so...I am giving him a few days to decompress *his work is pretty stressful sometimes*)...but I am worried about later in the week. I am wondering if I should plan another off day somewhere towards the end. I guess we could always just revamp while at WDW...but here's the thing...I am totally obsessive compulsive about having my plans laid out. ;) Not to the minute or anything but day to day flows...I just feel better going in knowing in general what I will be doing. No...it doesn't make any sense that I have to know what I will be doing on a Wednesday six months from now. ;) BUT...just nod and smile. :rolleyes1

The boys and I find park time relaxing...dh doesn't...I want to strike a good balance (so that he keeps coming back to WDW with us. ;)

[SoonerGirl]

Do you think we have added enough down time? We do have loads of it to start (dh wants down time...so...I am giving him a few days to decompress *his work is pretty stressful sometimes*)...but I am worried about later in the week. I am wondering if I should plan another off day somewhere towards the end. I guess we could always just revamp while at WDW...but here's the thing...I am totally obsessive compulsive about having my plans laid out. ;) Not to the minute or anything but day to day flows...I just feel better going in knowing in general what I will be doing. No...it doesn't make any sense that I have to know what I will be doing on a Wednesday six months from now. ;) BUT...just nod and smile. :rolleyes1

The boys and I find park time relaxing...dh doesn't...I want to strike a good balance (so that he keeps coming back to WDW with us. ;)

You've got some down time mid week too - I am just beginning to learn the lesson you've already learned, which is to cater to DHs wants too! My boys and I are just like you and your boys - we love the parks and could go all day, but DH does not. He always feels like he needs a vacation from the vacation, so that is why I am living vicariously through you this year - because I don't get to go :sad2: So, I am determined to learn from you and next time make the trip enjoyable for DH as well!

I think your plan sounds awesome - but that is coming from someone whose idea of down time is a couple hours off in the hot part of the afternoon to swim at the hotel - then it's back to the parks!

[jaycns]

Oh, you are so fun, and I have Nooooo time for this but I am going to try, try, try to be in, in , IN!!!

Jamal:goodvibes


It's great to see you here!! EVERYONE...this is another great trip report...click her siggie and read away! It's a great trippie!

Thanks for jumping in! I am looking forward to hearing any tips you may have to share!! Thanks again for making your way over here!!:goodvibes

[jaycns]

If I offer you my piggy bank, can I come, too? :lmao: :rotfl: :rotfl2: As you read, I am no good at saying no to that! :lmao: :rotfl: :rotfl2: SO....come on!! The more the merrier!! :thumbsup2

[paigevz]

Well, you're a TAD too early for me. I want you just to copy down all your plans and I'll do the same thing two weeks later. :rotfl: :hug:

[WDW Poly Princess]

:lmao: :rotfl: :rotfl2: As you read, I am no good at saying no to that! :lmao: :rotfl: :rotfl2: SO....come on!! The more the merrier!! :thumbsup2

Woohoo! There's a good $4 in that bank, too! I'm very easy to care for, you hardly ever have to feed me, and I make a lovely family photographer! :rotfl:

[PrincessAlways]

About how long did your Wishes cruise last? What time did it begin? Do you recall the cost? Was it available every night of the weeks?



We had taken the cruises a few years ago. The first one was actually a "birthday" fireworks cruise for my brother. The boat was decked out with birthday banners & balloons. We had refreshments & a cake that I ordered when I booked the cruise. We boarded this one at the Poly marina. He was totally surprised! The whole family loved it so much that we booked one during another visit. My three nieces just loved it! :dance3: The second was a Wishes cruise -- minus the birthday "stuff". It was still a great time! We boarded this one at the GF marina. The time went so quickly, but I think it was an hour. I believe the costs were in the $200 range. Of course the birthday one was more expensive.

You can find out "correct" info from the following source.

Fireworks Cruises for IllumiNations and Wishes are offered through Disney's Yacht Club Marina and the Magic Kingdom resort marinas. To book a fireworks cruise, call (407) WDW-PLAY/(407) 939-7529.

Good Luck! I don't think you'll be disappointed if you book one! :thumbsup2

[jaycns]

Well, you're a TAD too early for me. I want you just to copy down all your plans and I'll do the same thing two weeks later. :rotfl: :hug: I so wish we were going to be there at the same time!! I am having a lot of fun planning! By the end of the week I will post our final plans (to be altered "only" 1500 more times :rolleyes: :snooty: ).


I am also in the process of searching for the very best day bag to use at WDW. Any suggestions anyone?! We have been using a Columbia sling pack but it only goes over one shoulder and by the time a few days pass my one shoulder is gettin' awfully sore!! So I am looking for one that can be carried on either shoulder and might even convert to a small backpack. Also, it has to come in a color that dh will carry in public and has to hold up to heavy use (I am terrible about treating things "nicely"...I slam, drag, drop, push, pull and shove every bag I own).

[jaycns]

Woohoo! There's a good $4 in that bank, too! I'm very easy to care for, you hardly ever have to feed me, and I make a lovely family photographer! :rotfl: Heck, if you come along as the family photographer I will double what's in your piggy bank! :cutie:

[jaycns]

We had taken the cruises a few years ago. The first one was actually a "birthday" fireworks cruise for my brother. The boat was decked out with birthday banners & balloons. We had refreshments & a cake that I ordered when I booked the cruise. We boarded this one at the Poly marina. He was totally surprised! The whole family loved it so much that we booked one during another visit. My three nieces just loved it! :dance3: The second was a Wishes cruise -- minus the birthday "stuff". It was still a great time! We boarded this one at the GF marina. The time went so quickly, but I think it was an hour. I believe the costs were in the $200 range. Of course the birthday one was more expensive.

You can find out "correct" info from the following source.

Fireworks Cruises for IllumiNations and Wishes are offered through Disney's Yacht Club Marina and the Magic Kingdom resort marinas. To book a fireworks cruise, call (407) WDW-PLAY/(407) 939-7529.

Good Luck! I don't think you'll be disappointed if you book one! :thumbsup2

This is a great idea! I am going to look into doing it on at least one of our trips this next year!! :):):) THANKS!!:thumbsup2

[jaycns]

This deserved it's own post...I am hoping this doesn't get lost...

I am in need of suggestions for a good day bag to use at WDW. I love sling type bags but the Columbia one I have only works on one shoulder. I would like one that you can carry on either shoulder and/or one that converts to a small backpack. It needs to be durable and come in a muted color so I can pawn it off on dh to carry sometimes. I don't need a million pockets or a ton of space but I do carry more then my KTTW and a camera. ;)

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!!

[jaycns]

This weekend dh and I will be sitting down and going over our final plans so that we can email them to the concierge on Monday morning!! That will give us just a few days to wait until our 180 day mark and the hopeful confirmation of all of our plans!! I am so excited!! :thumbsup2

[MouseTriper]

Okay now wait...laughing.... I wanna put in my bid to be the family photographer!!!!!!! (I will even carry your bag around so you can pick whatever color you want)!!! Hahahaha!!!! :rotfl2: :banana: :lmao: :cool1: :thumbsup2 :cheer2: :woohoo: :goofy:

[jess98ac]

Did you find a bag? I'm a bag-a-holic so I always like to see new ones! I'm planning on using a Baggalini Messenger Bagg this time, but it's just a one shoulder one so I didn't think that was what you were looking for. I got it in black so DH would carry it, too. Plus, it's just us (no kiddies...yet) so it shouldn't be too heavy!

[momoftriplets]

This weekend dh and I will be sitting down and going over our final plans so that we can email them to the concierge on Monday morning!! That will give us just a few days to wait until our 180 day mark and the hopeful confirmation of all of our plans!! I am so excited!! :thumbsup2

Well??????? popcorn:: Don't leave us hanging! What did you & DH decide?

[mlill]

I just read over your trip plan and it looks great to me! :thumbsup2 You are going to have a wonderful anniversary in WDW!!! :love:
So how did your final planning talk go over the weekend? I can't believe you'll be making your ADRs already! Isn't it exciting?!!! :banana:

-Michelle

[jaycns]

Okay now wait...laughing.... I wanna put in my bid to be the family photographer!!!!!!! (I will even carry your bag around so you can pick whatever color you want)!!! Hahahaha!!!! :rotfl2: :banana: :lmao: :cool1: :thumbsup2 :cheer2: :woohoo: :goofy: Sold!! Or Given!! Or TAKEN!! OR YES MA'AM!! Wouldn't that be the bestest thing ever! :thumbsup2

We so have to plan a DIS meet sometime!! :thumbsup2

UP NEXT...the plans are really made! WOO HOO HOOTY!:cool1:

[jaycns]

Did you find a bag? I'm a bag-a-holic so I always like to see new ones! I'm planning on using a Baggalini Messenger Bagg this time, but it's just a one shoulder one so I didn't think that was what you were looking for. I got it in black so DH would carry it, too. Plus, it's just us (no kiddies...yet) so it shouldn't be too heavy! Nope...no luck on the bag front yet. Tons of suggestions...good ones among them I am sure...but I have been side tracked by the ressie making excitement and the fact that most people seem to love the one shoulder bags. I just get sore after a week of being a packhorse for 5 people. ;) :rotfl2: Truth be told, I am just a wimp! ;) :laughing:

I did however buy my sister a Baggalini Messenger bag after reading so many good things about it. She has mentioned looking for a good messenger bag and not caring if it was one shoulder or two...and she has a birthday coming up in about a month....so I took a lot of DISers words for it and went ahead and ordered it for her!! :)

But...I am still on my own bag quest!

[jaycns]

I just read over your trip plan and it looks great to me! :thumbsup2 You are going to have a wonderful anniversary in WDW!!! :love:
So how did your final planning talk go over the weekend? I can't believe you'll be making your ADRs already! Isn't it exciting?!!! :banana:

-Michelle I am having so much fun planning the trip...I always do! Now it will just be how do I live with such a long countdown!!

UPDATE TO FOLLOW!!

**ONCE AGAIN...Michelle writes great trip reports...follow along over to hers...and whilst you are over there...take a look at MOUSETRIPER s report too! Those two reports are getting me through my waiting antsy pants stage!! ;)**

[jaycns]

Drum roll please.......................:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: .........

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! !!! **pure excited energy had to escape**

The plans are set!!!!

Today I had the most fabulous conversation with the AKL IPO. Juanita was amazing! Flat out (no comparison) NICEST CM I have ever encountered!! Sweet, helpful, funny, full of ideas and suggestions, took a LOAD of time with me going over everything you could imagine. WOW. She really made me feel like I was the ONLY guest she had to take care of!

We have dealt with one other IPO office in the past and hands down...NO comparison...so it's not just the "average" level of service for the concierge level. It was so above and beyond. She should be training other IPO agents!! Hmmm...scratch that...then I would not be able to enjoy her wonderful personality and her helpfulness!!

So...that glowing review aside...it is now really time for the drum roll!!:wizard: :wizard: :wizard:

Day 1- We will arrive about 9:00 AM. The boys will take part in AKL's Adventure Camp for kids from 10:00-2:00 PM. What a GREAT way to spend your first hours at Disney!! They will have a picnic on a private terrace overlooking a savanna, talk with a lodge animal guide and then have a private lodge animal tour. She also mentioned something about painting ostrich eggs and that they would learn about the African culture and art that abounds at AKL. I am so excited that they can take part in this!! :yay: She will book it for us 30 days out (when it books) but we are at the top of the waiting list! :)

While the boys do that we will NAP if our room is open or laze around the pool/hot tub area and or the CL if our room is not ready. When the kids are done we will enjoy the resort for the rest of the afternoon.

Come dinner time they will be "off" to Simba's and we will be off to dinner at Jiko...ahhh the romance of an anniversary celebration there!! :):):) Has anyone ever had the Jiko Celebration Cake? If so...any reviews on it? You need to order it in advance (not this far obviously :lmao: ) but as you must by now well know...I am a crazy planning fool. SO...I am interested in finding out! ;)

After dinner we will be off to DTD to take in :3dglasses the Cirque show and do a bit of shopping!! EXCITING!!!! :yay:

Well....that's what we have reserved for day one....day two shall follow!! :):woohoo: :woohoo:

[Bibbidi]

I just spent the last two nights enjoying one of the best Disney Trip Reports ever! Your vacation sounded like a true dream come true--that is what I hope for one day -- although I don't think I'll ever get nearly three weeks out of my husband for Disney. We are heading down to the Contemporary for 3 nights in May and then on to the Beach Club. Your review of the Contemporary has me SO excited for that part of our vacation. I'm so glad to hear of all the fun your family had there. Now I'm going to dive into your pre-trip report. Thanks for all the effort you put into the last report!

[jaycns]

Day 2- This day is still up in the air. Although we do have the main parts hammered down. The dining plans! ;)

We will start with breakfast in the lounge. My kids eat cereal most days at home so they will love doing it on vacation as well ;) I cannot wait to taste the yogurt/fruit juice. Dh cannot wait for the cappuccino machine! Ahhh....concierge lounge...here we come!

As of right now we have an open slate until a late dinner at 'Ohana. "Goofy" will be turning 8 and his requested present/party is simply to go snorkeling. So...it now appears "Goofy" and I may be spending at least part of the day at Discovery Cove (oh the hardship for me!!! :rotfl: :thumbsup2 ). We will return in time to meet the other boys and dad who will enjoy another relaxing resort day (nobody else wanted to come :confused: :eek: :eek: ). Dh and I have been twice in the past few years and he said he would rather just "veg" at the resort (I think it's more him being cheap then him not wanting to snorkel :rotfl2: )

If "Goofy" changes his mind, we will do something different. Maybe a few hours at a park or just some more down time at the resort.

We may wrap the day up with an EMH night at MK **this depends on the crowds that seem to be out and about, Disney sticking with the MK Sunday night EMH in September and how tired we are**

So end the plans for day 2!! :)

[jaycns]

Well??????? popcorn:: Don't leave us hanging! What did you & DH decide? Don't worry Barb...I would never leave ya hanging!! :rotfl: I just wanted to be double sure it was what we were going to do before I posted them as final (although I do still reserve the right to change on a whim :rotfl2: ). I hope that the weather has not been too cold up north!!

We need to start planning a trip reports board DIS meet!! And meet up and then we can all write up our own trip reports and see how wildly different they all turn out! :lmao: Are you up for that challenge? Anybody else? :thumbsup2

[jaycns]

My ticker is messed up!! It has an extra few days tacked on!! UGH...I am NOT waiting any longer!! :rotfl: :rotfl2: :lmao: I guess I will have to fix that up in a jiffy! ;)

[jaycns]

here ya go! by the way, i whited out my address - it didn't come with that big white blob on it! i don't think there are any loonies on the DIS, but you can never be too safe!

envelope:

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/punkin413/Picture011.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/punkin413/Picture010.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/punkin413/Picture012.jpg

letter:

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/punkin413/Picture001.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/punkin413/Picture002.jpg

WDW map:

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/punkin413/Picture005.jpg

MK map:

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/punkin413/Picture006.jpg

Epcot map:

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/punkin413/Picture004.jpg

MGM map:

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/punkin413/Picture007.jpg

AK map:

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/punkin413/Picture008.jpg

little stickers they give you to mark stuff:

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/punkin413/Picture009.jpg



I quoted this from another thread ;) Just to avoid taking my own pictures :laughing: So a great big thank you to punkin413!!

Anyhoo....

OUR MAPS CAME TODAY!! I was so excited!! For those who don't know...you can get yours absolutely free!!! Click on "My Disney Vacation" and then follow the link to "Get Customized Maps" . They are really nice quality and BIG and even come with stickers!! And best of all...they are FREE!!

Even if you are not planning a trip "right now" make sure you order yours!!:thumbsup2 :thumbsup2

[momoftriplets]

Don't worry Barb...I would never leave ya hanging!! :rotfl: I just wanted to be double sure it was what we were going to do before I posted them as final (although I do still reserve the right to change on a whim :rotfl2: ). I hope that the weather has not been too cold up north!!

We need to start planning a trip reports board DIS meet!! And meet up and then we can all write up our own trip reports and see how wildly different they all turn out! :lmao: Are you up for that challenge? Anybody else? :thumbsup2

I'm always up for a challenge!!!! I've got triplets, remember? LIFE is a challenge! I'm ready for it! Bring it on, girlfriend!

The cold weather has passed, but now we have SNOW!! A foot of it fell last weekend & today we are getting another foot. We really need the moisture, but two feet in one week is a bit much.

LOVING your plans. You guys will have a blast! Are the boys going to Cirque with you, or just you & DH for your anniversary? What a *magical* time you will have. Can't wait to hear more. Thanks for the tip on the park maps, too. Have to get those.
Have a great day!
Barb

[jaycns]

This will be our first "real" full park day. We will go to Epcot!! Woo hoo! We all really enjoy Epcot...It's so much more then just rides!

Our plans will have us grabbing breakfast in the concierge lounge (I am so looking forward to the fruit and yogurt juice I have read about and dh is actually looking forward to something at WDW...the cappuccino machine in the lounge!! :rolleyes: ).

Lunch will be at the Garden Grill (this is the one meal I am really still "in the air" about....I may change it to the Coral Reef).

Dinner will be at Le Cellier. We will be celebrating our 12th anniversary this day!! I need to check on having a cake or something there...any ideas?!

This will be a long day. But since it's our first...we should be able to handle it without falling over exhausted! ;)

[jaycns]

Day 4 will find us visiting MGM. We will once again use the lounge for breakfast and then head over to our park of the day.

We are going to try two new (to us) resturants. Our first will be at the 50's Primetime Cafe for lunch. Any feedback on that choice?

The second will be Mama Melrose for dinner (with the Fantasmic package). Feedback on that?

Hopefully we (and when I say "we" I mean me...hee hee hee) picked out places that will make our "favorites" list! I figure though, we will never know unless we try it! :)

[MouseTriper]

Sold!! Or Given!! Or TAKEN!! OR YES MA'AM!! Wouldn't that be the bestest thing ever! :thumbsup2

We so have to plan a DIS meet sometime!! :thumbsup2

UP NEXT...the plans are really made! WOO HOO HOOTY!:cool1:

YESSSSSSSSSSSS, that would be the BESTEST thing EVER!!! Oh just think what kind of fun a job like that could be. Just following an adorable, sweet family all around Walt Disney World, snapping pictures everywhere and anywhere. Oh the joy that would be.....okay, meet ya there!!! Hahahaha. Hmm...maybe I will be there and you won't even know it. :confused3 Then when you get home I'd have emailed you all these photos I captured of your lovely family!!!!! Laughing....okay maybe that sounds more like stalking. NOT a good idea...lol. Besides, if I was there when you were we would have to do a DISmeet!!! pirate: :banana:

[jess98ac]

Day 4 will find us visiting MGM. We will once again use the lounge for breakfast and then head over to our park of the day.

We are going to try two new (to us) resturants. Our first will be at the 50's Primetime Cafe for lunch. Any feedback on that choice?

The second will be Mama Melrose for dinner (with the Fantasmic package). Feedback on that?

Hopefully we (and when I say "we" I mean me...hee hee hee) picked out places that will make our "favorites" list! I figure though, we will never know unless we try it! :)


I ate at 50s 10 years ago, and I remember it being good, DH and I are going for dinner in May.

We ate at Mama Melrose in 2003 for the package. It was good. I know it gets a lot of mixed reviews, but we had nothing to complain about. This was before the DDP, so I don't know if things have changed, though. It wasn't the BEST food I've ever had, but we all enjoyed our meals, there was plenty of food, and we had great service. We're from New England and were with another couple that is, too, and our waitress was from NH so we had lots to talk about. We very rarely REALLY dislike a restaurant though...unless the food is completely inedible, every experience is what you make of it.

[mlill]

Day 1 sounds perfect! Jiko and Cirque! :cloud9: Very nice! Day 3 - I would give Coral Reef a try instead of Garden Grill. We really had a nice meal there in December. The lobster bisque and chocoalte wave are worth going there! Besides, you can call and arrange to have a diver hold up a B-day/Anniversary sign! :thumbsup2

-Michelle

[momoftriplets]

Day 4 will find us visiting MGM. We will once again use the lounge for breakfast and then head over to our park of the day.

We are going to try two new (to us) resturants. Our first will be at the 50's Primetime Cafe for lunch. Any feedback on that choice?

The second will be Mama Melrose for dinner (with the Fantasmic package). Feedback on that?

Hopefully we (and when I say "we" I mean me...hee hee hee) picked out places that will make our "favorites" list! I figure though, we will never know unless we try it! :)

We loved 50's PT. Read post #47 of my TR. It recaps our entire time there. (Hint- I was put in the corner! :laughing: ) B

[jaycns]

I'm always up for a challenge!!!! I've got triplets, remember? LIFE is a challenge! I'm ready for it! Bring it on, girlfriend!

The cold weather has passed, but now we have SNOW!! A foot of it fell last weekend & today we are getting another foot. We really need the moisture, but two feet in one week is a bit much.

LOVING your plans. You guys will have a blast! Are the boys going to Cirque with you, or just you & DH for your anniversary? What a *magical* time you will have. Can't wait to hear more. Thanks for the tip on the park maps, too. Have to get those.
Have a great day!
Barb
Snow...banish that thought! ;) Let me know when your park maps arrive!! :thumbsup2

[jaycns]

YESSSSSSSSSSSS, that would be the BESTEST thing EVER!!! Oh just think what kind of fun a job like that could be. Just following an adorable, sweet family all around Walt Disney World, snapping pictures everywhere and anywhere. Oh the joy that would be.....okay, meet ya there!!! Hahahaha. Hmm...maybe I will be there and you won't even know it. :confused3 Then when you get home I'd have emailed you all these photos I captured of your lovely family!!!!! Laughing....okay maybe that sounds more like stalking. NOT a good idea...lol. Besides, if I was there when you were we would have to do a DISmeet!!! pirate: :banana: :rotfl: :rotfl2: :lmao: In your case, I would invite the stalking! :rotfl2: :lmao: :rotfl: I am telling you all...DIS TRIP REPORTS BOARD MEET...how about 2008 or 2009?? pixiedust:

[jaycns]

I ate at 50s 10 years ago, and I remember it being good, DH and I are going for dinner in May.

We ate at Mama Melrose in 2003 for the package. It was good. I know it gets a lot of mixed reviews, but we had nothing to complain about. This was before the DDP, so I don't know if things have changed, though. It wasn't the BEST food I've ever had, but we all enjoyed our meals, there was plenty of food, and we had great service. We're from New England and were with another couple that is, too, and our waitress was from NH so we had lots to talk about. We very rarely REALLY dislike a restaurant though...unless the food is completely inedible, every experience is what you make of it. Thanks for the Mama Melrose input. We are the kind of family who loves to try new things and we tend to find the great part of almost every meal we share...but most especially those we share at WDW! In all of our travels we have only had one truly "bad" experience.

Thanks again!

[jaycns]

Day 1 sounds perfect! Jiko and Cirque! :cloud9: Very nice! Day 3 - I would give Coral Reef a try instead of Garden Grill. We really had a nice meal there in December. The lobster bisque and chocoalte wave are worth going there! Besides, you can call and arrange to have a diver hold up a B-day/Anniversary sign! :thumbsup2

-Michelle I so agree with you about the lobster bisque and the chocolate wave TWO THUMBS WAY UP!!! :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 And we are so on the same wave length....I had a diver hold up an anniversary/"Goofy's" birthday sign on our last trip!! It was a magical moment! Which is what draws me back...but also what makes me say...hmmmm....:scratchin ....what else can I do?!

I am hoping that Le Cellier will be able to do something special for our anniversary. I don't know what...but I am hopeful to uncover something! Do you know if they do cakes?

As far as Garden Grill my boys love that place...then again, they reallly like the Coral Reef too...:rotfl: See...totally up in the air...:confused3

I guess I have a bit of time to figure it out!! :lmao: :hourglass :lmao:

Michelle, you guys are real foodies...what do you think of Spoodles? Wolfgang Pucks? Any other "must not miss" ressies I should know about? I think we are set on our Sept. trip but we are looking for other choices for our Nov/Dec trip....so please and THANK YOU for any suggestions!

OH and one last question (if I may)...WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE CALI GRILL? (I know I read about it in your trip report...but do you think it would be food for one adult and three boys?!). THANKS!! pixiedust:

[jaycns]

We loved 50's PT. Read post #47 of my TR. It recaps our entire time there. (Hint- I was put in the corner! :laughing: ) B Oh Barb...rereading that was so much fun! I will NOT tattle! You naughty girl!! What a fun meal you had *until the very end!!

I just reread the entire trip report again...I am a nerd, I know! :thumbsup2

[jaycns]

Finally MK or bust!! We will be SOOOO wanting to be at MK by this point that it won't even be funny...but that will make it all the sweeter, right?!

Speaking of sweets, that reminds me of food...and speaking of food...here are our dining plans for our MK day:

1. Breakfast with Pooh and the gang from the Hundred Acre Woods. I love the Crystal Palace for lunch/dinner...this will be our very first breakfast there ever! We will eat at the earliest time available to ensure we get out in time to enjoy being at MK at opening.

2. Lunch with Cindy!! Yes, that's right...me and and all of my boys (big and little) will be dining with Cinderella in her castle again! In my defense, my boys loved :lovestruc it last time and a girl who lives with all boys does need a little fairy tale princess time every now and then! princess:

3. Dinner will be at a family favorite LTT. No the food it not high cuisine but the food is good and homey and that meal has a special place in my boys hearts!!

We might be ready to drop by the end of the night...but we plan on staying until closing! I am really looking forward to this day!!:hyper:

[jaycns]

Day 6:

This will be our up BEFORE dawn day! Why you might ask would a sane woman drag three children and her husband out of bed before the sun even makes an appearance?

Two words: SUNRISE SAFARI!! WOO HOO! This is one of the reasons why staying concierge level at AKL appeals to us most!! I am really looking forward to it!! A private safari (well private as in us and 45 other souls) on the savannas of AKL before the park even opens to anyone else!! Then on to a private breakfast buffet! I think I could float just thinking about it! :cloud9: :cloud9: :cloud9: :cloud9:

After that it will be a full day at AK.

The evening will be spent back relaxing at the lodge. It is this night we plan to catch the African storytelling around the fire and desserts up in the lounge!! ::yes::

[SoonerGirl]

I'm loving all your 'final' plans, of course all of which you reserve the right to change as you see fit ::yes::

I can't wait to hear about the Sunrise Safari, I'm really contemplating AKL for our next trip just for this event! I'm sure it will be wonderful!

[MouseTriper]

:rotfl: :rotfl2: :lmao: In your case, I would invite the stalking! :rotfl2: :lmao: :rotfl: I am telling you all...DIS TRIP REPORTS BOARD MEET...how about 2008 or 2009?? pixiedust:

Laughing...about the stalking! :rotfl:

A Dis trip reports board meet ...now that would be fun! ::yes::

[MouseTriper]

:goofy: Okay I just have to say that all your plans sound wonderful!!! You guys are gonna have a blast with everything. I am excited for your trip to get here and then to read all about it in your next TR!!!! Take TONS of pictures!!!! :car:

[momoftriplets]

Oh Barb...rereading that was so much fun! I will NOT tattle! You naughty girl!! What a fun meal you had *until the very end!!

I just reread the entire trip report again...I am a nerd, I know! :thumbsup2

Well, I'm a nerd, too, so I guess we're in good company, eh? Yes, 50's PT was fun *until the very end. UGH! "I will not tattle."

Anywhooooooo - (I say that now, all the time, just because of you!!!:rotfl: )
Your plans all sound great. Of course, you reserve the right to change them at any time. We understand..... Been there, done that!
B

[Disney-Kim]

jaycyns.....I read this in your fantastic trip report and was wondering if you could enlighten me to the magic fast pass machine

"After a very happy surprise, a ton of hugs and a quick lunch we headed out into the park. First we headed over to Test Track and I directed everyone to the "secret extra Fast Pass" machine. Okay...so maybe it's not secret...but this one machine spit fast passes out for both Test Track and Mission Space!! As we walked up to the machine I was hoping that it would still give out both sets...as I put in our tickets I held my breathe...and IT DID!! WOO HOO!! I looked like the queen of inside Disney info! "

thanks:goodvibes

[jaycns]

I'm loving all your 'final' plans, of course all of which you reserve the right to change as you see fit ::yes::

I can't wait to hear about the Sunrise Safari, I'm really contemplating AKL for our next trip just for this event! I'm sure it will be wonderful!

I promise to report back in about the Sunrise Safari! It is one of the things I am most looking forward too! :)

[jaycns]

:goofy: Okay I just have to say that all your plans sound wonderful!!! You guys are gonna have a blast with everything. I am excited for your trip to get here and then to read all about it in your next TR!!!! Take TONS of pictures!!!! :car:
I am so looking forward to the picture taking. I am ALL about the photos!! ;) I think I like writing trips reports *almost* as much as taking the trips! The magic comes alive all over again! :):):)

[jaycns]

jaycyns.....I read this in your fantastic trip report and was wondering if you could enlighten me to the magic fast pass machine

"After a very happy surprise, a ton of hugs and a quick lunch we headed out into the park. First we headed over to Test Track and I directed everyone to the "secret extra Fast Pass" machine. Okay...so maybe it's not secret...but this one machine spit fast passes out for both Test Track and Mission Space!! As we walked up to the machine I was hoping that it would still give out both sets...as I put in our tickets I held my breathe...and IT DID!! WOO HOO!! I looked like the queen of inside Disney info! "

thanks:goodvibes

It's not a secret machine per say... It is one of the Test Track "regular" fast pass machines but each time we used it this past trip it spit out fast passes for not only Test Track but for Mission Space as well. I believe it was the 5th one from the right if you are facing the front of the machines. It also worked for our neighbors who went two weeks later. Hope that helps. I would love to hear if it is still spitting out fast passes for both...so if you try it...let me know!! :thumbsup2

OH and thanks for reading my other trip report!! :)

[Disney-Kim]

We don't go until May but I will try the "secret" and let you know if it still works.

I enjoyed all your reports/pictures....the pictures really make the reports fun...it makes you feel as if you are there too. :)

Your Platinum/Concierge ideas sound fantastic too !!!

I miss staying at all the other resorts. We are DVC now and its not really worth the points to stay at the others....but before we did DVC we got to stay at:

POR FQ
POR Riverside
CBR
Coronado
Beach Club
Yacht Club Concierge
Polynesian Concierge....for our Honeymoon:love:

so I love seeing the pics of the new rooms at Contemporary and Poly...they are really beautiful. :)

[jaycns]

This will be a Friday. :rotfl: :rotfl:

How is that for plans? We plan on leaving it open. We may head to the waterparks (not even sure which one)in the morning. We might head back to Epcot, MK or AK in the afternoon. Or we might flip flop that and hit a theme park first and a waterpark second. We might just sleep in and then lounge around the pool all day. OR...I just don't have any idea! ;) But that will be the beauty of this day...whatever we feel most like doing will be just what gets done!!

[jaycns]

This will be a Saturday...
Get the picture?! HA HA HA. Another day left open to go with the flow. However fast or slow it takes us! :thumbsup2

[jaycns]

This day we will once again take part in the Sunrise Safari (I have heard it is so great that going twice is really worth it). Before we even embark on our safari (so super de dooper early) we will leave all of our things with bell services. WAAAA....I am sure I will NOT want to go home (at WDW I NEVER do!). After a morning spent soaking up the fun at AK we will head back to AKL one last time...we will basically grab our stuff and hit the road..back home we will venture!

**BUT...somehow, I bet leaving won't sting near as much as usual...in just over two months time...I will be heading BACK to WDW for another dream vacation!** ;)

[MouseTriper]

This day we will once again take part in the Sunrise Safari (I have heard it is so great that going twice is really worth it). Before we even embark on our safari (so super de dooper early) we will leave all of our things with bell services. WAAAA....I am sure I will NOT want to go home (at WDW I NEVER do!). After a morning spent soaking up the fun at AK we will head back to AKL one last time...we will basically grab our stuff and hit the road..back home we will venture!

**BUT...somehow, I bet leaving won't sting near as much as usual...in just over two months time...I will be heading BACK to WDW for another dream vacation!** ;)

Hiya Jay! Aww your plans sound wonderful once again. I just have one question for you. On those days where you will just go with the flow and decide what to do based on what you feel like....what are you gonna do with regards to meals? Are you going to make any ADR's for those days??? Just curious how that would work.

Anyway, I bet your right though, leaving WDW behind on this 1st trip won't be so bad since you will be back in 2 months time! Just remember....YOU WANT TO KEEP THE 2nd TRIP A SURPRISE FOR THE BOYS!~!!! Hahahahaha...will you crack when they are all sad when you leave to go home???? :confused3 :eek: :banana:

[jaycns]

Hiya Jay! Aww your plans sound wonderful once again. I just have one question for you. On those days where you will just go with the flow and decide what to do based on what you feel like....what are you gonna do with regards to meals? Are you going to make any ADR's for those days??? Just curious how that would work.

Anyway, I bet your right though, leaving WDW behind on this 1st trip won't be so bad since you will be back in 2 months time! Just remember....YOU WANT TO KEEP THE 2nd TRIP A SURPRISE FOR THE BOYS!~!!! Hahahahaha...will you crack when they are all sad when you leave to go home???? :confused3 :eek: :banana:

Well....we are going to keep our fingers crossed in regards to those meals. ;) We hope that by staying at the club level that the concierge will be able to work on tracking us down some last minute ressies...and if not, we will have already dined to our heart's content earlier in the week so we will be totally fine to just eat counter service for the most part. AND...we will make sure to make plans for any other "must do" places as soon as we realize we "have to be there". Okay...so that really doesn't answer anything :rolleyes1 ;) but it's my loose "try not to over plan it" plan...hopefully it will work!

I am so excited for the surprise part of the next trip! I cannot wait (but I will...I am so trying to be good!! :rolleyes: ).

[jaycns]

OH happy day!! YIPPP YIPP YIPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEE!! Our Cirque tickets arrived today! The concierge booked the "perfect" seats!! We will be sitting in the center section in the first row of teh second section! I am SOOOO excited!! WOO HOO!!!! NOW...I just have to manage NOT to lose those two little credit card sized tickets before September. :scared: :rolleyes: :sad2: ;)

Oh and I have just been informed by "Goofy" that he "super really really" desires to have a time snorkeling as his birthday gift. He said instead of a party or toys or anything....so I think we need to make this happen. Luckily for us, Discovery Cove is just down the street from WDW! SO....maybe one of our "open days" will become a planned snorkel day instead!! :):):) :yay: :woohoo: :fish: :fish:

[PrincessAlways]

Hi Jay, I've been away from the boards for a little while (computer issues:scared: ). I was wondering if you looked into the fireworks cruise for either of your vacation dates? You will love the Cirque show! It really is amazing!

[jaycns]

Hi Jay, I've been away from the boards for a little while (computer issues:scared: ). I was wondering if you looked into the fireworks cruise for either of your vacation dates? You will love the Cirque show! It really is amazing!Hey there!! Sorry about the delay in answering. I have looked into it and dh has poopooed it for the first trip so I am thinking it will be better for a special mom and boys night during our second trip. Dh gets queasy on the ferry over to MK...so I do sort of *almost* understand. ;)

Another tweak might be we will be adding Pirate pirate: and Princess Party tickets if any are available on Sept. 3. When I saw that the dates of the party extension would overlap our stay...well...I think it just might be a must do!!:thumbsup2 I loved the MNSSHP we went to last October...so I would love to do another one!! All of us (including dh the Disney grump) found the last ticketed party at MK a whole lot of fun! :banana:

[KYCruiseCrazy]

i can't wait til our trip. we will be making dinner ressies in 2 weeks:thumbsup2 :love: :woohoo: :dance3: popcorn:: :cheer2: :coffee:

[KYCruiseCrazy]

OMG! THAT PLASTIC ONE THAT COUNTS THE CHANGE IS THE ONE I HAVE!!! :rotfl2: :rotfl: OMG! I got it in the kids section of the Discovery Channel Store! THAT IS TOO FUNNY! I told you .. i am just like a little kid! :lmao: Thats is hilarious that we have the same exact piggy bank! HAHA! .. I know I love that each character breakfast is costing only about $40 for each one! Its great! I cant even begin to think HOW much money it costs a family of 5 to go to Disney EEK! :eek:

i dont know what "HOW much money it costs a family of 5 to go to Disney" but i can tell you that the dinning package is well worth it. DW and i are planning a kid free trip to WDW. just to give you an idea of cost. DW and i are paying about $200 a day including hotel,park hopper,and a table service meal (yes all charactor meals),a counter service, an a snack(yes mickey ice cream bars) now the price is for 2 adults and a value(we love pop century). but that why we get to play longer. frees up money for "other disney" ideas.

if you plan right and keep in budget, anyone can do it. good luck with your trip.

[jkckr]

I just finished reading your completed trip report and I loved it!!! Your boys are so adorable. I am already loving this trip report too. We will be traveling to the world from 11/25-12/2! I am looking forward to seeing your plans for the second visit, as this is my first time planning a trip and I need all of the tips I can get. Plus, I am the mother of 3 boys too! Ages 8, 5 and 5!:goodvibes

[jaycns]

I just finished reading your completed trip report and I loved it!!! Your boys are so adorable. I am already loving this trip report too. We will be traveling to the world from 11/25-12/2! I am looking forward to seeing your plans for the second visit, as this is my first time planning a trip and I need all of the tips I can get. Plus, I am the mother of 3 boys too! Ages 8, 5 and 5!:goodvibes:yay: Hey there! I am going to start working on those at the end of this month! WOO HOO!! I have been VERY busy (we are remodeling two rooms in our house right now...good when done, BAD right now ;) ).

It's great to hear from another mom of three boys!! :thumbsup2 I am so happy you enjoyed reading the trip report. Feel free to hop on in and share your planning tips here as well...I could use fresh eyes! ;) HA! :thumbsup2

Thanks again for reading!!

[serendipity]

A ha! So that's where you've been hiding! Which rooms are you re-doing?

[jaycns]

A ha! So that's where you've been hiding! Which rooms are you re-doing? We are flip flopping our den with our master bedroom. Seriously...do NOT need so much room in our bedroom...needed more in the den area. So waaa laaaa....presto chango and twelve billion man hours later...it's done! ;)

Actually, dh said we could hire someone to do it for us but I would have to give up one of my Disney trips...NUH UH! No way...no how. So on my knees, on a ladder, and on my tip toes I have been doing as much as I can (of course, dh is too...but he LIKES stuff like this *something must be wrong with him, he likes doing manual labor but is not all that fond of Disney*).

[momoftriplets]

...but he LIKES stuff like this *something must be wrong with him, he likes doing manual labor but is not all that fond of Disney*).


And you married him anyway!!! :rotfl: Good luck with the remodeling! In my opinion, the true sign of a strong marriage is one that can withstand remodeling!
Barb

[jaycns]

And you married him anyway!!! :rotfl: Good luck with the remodeling! In my opinion, the true sign of a strong marriage is one that can withstand remodeling!
Barb:lmao: :rotfl: :rotfl2: You are so right! And I have a VERY good bit of news on the heels of my "can do it yourself" attitude...DH SAID YES to tacking on some more days!! We will now be at WDW from 9/1-9/15!! So...I get my long vacation! WOO HOO!! I am so excited. And da da da drum roll please...everything is paid off in full...so now it's just saving for spending money! WOO HOO!! Our tacked on days come with free dining...

[mlill]

:lmao: :rotfl: :rotfl2: You are so right! And I have a VERY good bit of news on the heels of my "can do it yourself" attitude...DH SAID YES to tacking on some more days!! We will now be at WDW from 9/1-9/15!! So...I get my long vacation! WOO HOO!! I am so excited. And da da da drum roll please...everything is paid off in full...so now it's just saving for spending money! WOO HOO!! Our tacked on days come with free dining...

Oooh! Don't you just love that feeling?! :love: Our October trips, last year and this year, are 'paid in full'. The Christmas one we overextended a bit :rolleyes1 (you know the details) and it took us a couple of months to catch up. But it's all paid for now! (and then some!) :banana: Two weeks in WDW is MARVELOUS!!! You are going to have such a great time, I can't even begin to tell you! :hug: WooooHoooo! :banana:

Take care,
Michelle

[SoonerGirl]

:lmao: :rotfl: :rotfl2: You are so right! And I have a VERY good bit of news on the heels of my "can do it yourself" attitude...DH SAID YES to tacking on some more days!! We will now be at WDW from 9/1-9/15!! So...I get my long vacation! WOO HOO!! I am so excited. And da da da drum roll please...everything is paid off in full...so now it's just saving for spending money! WOO HOO!! Our tacked on days come with free dining...

Yay! for extra days! http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o265/SoonerGirl69/Smilies/thwoohoo-022.gif

I'm really starting to wish that I was you ;)

[serendipity]

:lmao: :rotfl: :rotfl2: You are so right! And I have a VERY good bit of news on the heels of my "can do it yourself" attitude...DH SAID YES to tacking on some more days!! We will now be at WDW from 9/1-9/15!! So...I get my long vacation! WOO HOO!! I am so excited. And da da da drum roll please...everything is paid off in full...so now it's just saving for spending money! WOO HOO!! Our tacked on days come with free dining...

That's awesome!!! Congratulations! You must be so psyched. I'm with you by the way, manual labor is NOT fun, however sacrifices must be made in the name of the mouse!~

[pikaboo27]

And I have a VERY good bit of news on the heels of my "can do it yourself" attitude...DH SAID YES to tacking on some more days!! We will now be at WDW from 9/1-9/15!! So...I get my long vacation! WOO HOO!! I am so excited. And da da da drum roll please...everything is paid off in full...so now it's just saving for spending money! WOO HOO!! Our tacked on days come with free dining...

OMGoodness, I am so jealous! I just found out that one (or both!!! *gasp*) of my Disneyworld trips is in danger of being cancelled! The only thing that is making me feel any better is that I will get to read your trip reports. Your other two TRs are awesome and I can't wait to read more about your beautiful family's adventures!

Keep your fingers crossed that at least one of my trips happens. I'm having mouse withdrawal!!

-Sassy the princess:

[jaycns]

Oooh! Don't you just love that feeling?! :love: Our October trips, last year and this year, are 'paid in full'. The Christmas one we overextended a bit :rolleyes1 (you know the details) and it took us a couple of months to catch up. But it's all paid for now! (and then some!) :banana: Two weeks in WDW is MARVELOUS!!! You are going to have such a great time, I can't even begin to tell you! :hug: WooooHoooo! :banana:

Take care,
Michelle

Oh my goodness I am VERY much looking forward to it. Dh is even a bit on board this time (I have promised MANY hours of pool time, non park activities, water park and "other" to get him to this point)!! I am so looking forward to us being at WDW without any of lifes distractions.

Honestly, right now what I am most excited about is thinking of having my kids and my husband all to myself in a happy and carefree place for two weeks. It seems like in our regular lives we are always running. ALWAYS. Dh works long hours (I am not really complaining...I do get to spend two weeks at WDW ;) ) and the boys are always in something or other. My oldest is playing travel soccer, my younger two are on a rec. soccer tream. Dh is coaching the younger two and I am the manager of the select team. WHEW. So, in one week we have four nights of soccer practice for "Aladdin" alone, church on the other night, two dogs (one who got her paw run over today by "Goofy" on a bike, she's okay but I had to stop cooking dinner to wash and bandage it) to look after, at least 5 loads of laundry, I homeschool the kids, dh was out of town for half of last week and the first part of this one...and well...I think the point is made...we are VERY busy people (as I am sure is everyone else). SO...dreaming of our time together at my "happy place" goes a long way to keeping me sane. :rotfl: SHUSH...no comments from the peanut gallery! :lmao:


I so feel the sigh of relief knowing they are paid off. However, our after Thanksgiving one has yet to have anything but the deposit paid off on it...but ya only live once and money won't make it past the pearly gates...so I figure we had better enjoy it while we can. That and I will only have my boys as little ones for such a short short time.

OKAY...mush be gone. But see, that is what Disney dreaming does...it brings out my deepest happy thoughts. Disney is just wonderful like that!:cloud9: :cloud9:

PLANNING UPDATE: I spoke with someone at GF's private dining about the birthday cake we are going to surprise "Goofy" with this year. Just to remind everyone...here he is. In September he will be 8 years old!!:scared1: Where did the time go?
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n14/jaycns/Snowday%202007/SNOWDAY2007Easter2006152.jpg

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n14/jaycns/Snowday%202007/SNOWDAY2007Easter2006134.jpg


http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n14/jaycns/Snowday%202007/SNOWDAY2007Easter2006090.jpg

I told them I was looking for something that would bring together snorkeling (his favorite activity), Pluto (his favorite character) and a few hidden Mickey's for extra fun!! They are going to run some concepts with the pastry chef and get back to me!!

And to refresh your memories here are a few of the other travelers:
This is a picture of "Aladdin". These pictures were taken a few months ago and the most recent ones I have uploaded to photobucket ;)
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n14/jaycns/Snowday%202007/SNOWDAY2007Easter2006093.jpg


http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n14/jaycns/Snowday%202007/SNOWDAY2007Easter2006077.jpg

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n14/jaycns/Snowday%202007/SNOWDAY2007Easter2006106.jpg

And last but not least, "Stitch".

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n14/jaycns/Snowday%202007/SNOWDAY2007Easter2006139.jpg

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n14/jaycns/Snowday%202007/SNOWDAY2007Easter2006045.jpg

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n14/jaycns/Snowday%202007/SNOWDAY2007Easter2006043.jpg

One of them together:

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n14/jaycns/Snowday%202007/SNOWDAY2007Easter2006033.jpg

And a cameo by the dog who was run over by a bike (and lived to tell :thumbsup2 with only a bandage to show for it).
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n14/jaycns/Snowday%202007/SNOWDAY2007Easter2006146.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n14/jaycns/Snowday%202007/SNOWDAY2007Easter2006143.jpg

Our other dog is a huge yellow lab...but he is scared of snow!! Talk about role reversal! HA HA HA! That snowy day was a whole lot of fun!! We had a lot of fun just being silly in the yard and I forced the boys to pose a bit so that I could work on my photography skills and get them sharpened up for our upcoming WDW trips! ;)

OKAY....enough. I know. I have a few more updates but it's time to run. I will be back with more trip updates later tonight.

[jaycns]

Yay! for extra days! http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o265/SoonerGirl69/Smilies/thwoohoo-022.gif

I'm really starting to wish that I was you ;) You are too much of a skinny minnie to be me ;) BUT you are welcome to climb on into a suitcase! :rotfl:

Your plan looks interesting, what is Wenchfest '08?

[jaycns]

That's awesome!!! Congratulations! You must be so psyched. I'm with you by the way, manual labor is NOT fun, however sacrifices must be made in the name of the mouse!~ That's a great quote!! I LOVE IT!!:lmao: :lmao:

And it is me who should be congratulating you MRS. DISNEY HONEYMOONER!!:bride:

[jaycns]

OMGoodness, I am so jealous! I just found out that one (or both!!! *gasp*) of my Disneyworld trips is in danger of being cancelled! The only thing that is making me feel any better is that I will get to read your trip reports. Your other two TRs are awesome and I can't wait to read more about your beautiful family's adventures!

Keep your fingers crossed that at least one of my trips happens. I'm having mouse withdrawal!!

-Sassy the princess:

Awww Sassy, you say the sweetest things!! ;) Thank you so very much. I love sharing our family adventures. Writing trip reports is up there with planning WDW vacations for me. It's another way to relive the magic!! :woohoo:

Here's a truckload of pixie dust:wizard: :wizard: :wizard: in hopes that neither of your trips is canceled!!

[jaycns]

TRIP UPDATE! We are going to both the last Piratepirate: and Princess princess: Party and the first MNSSHP!!!! WOO HOO!! Talk about a great time to be at WDW!! :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

This will be our first P&P party. We are really excited to enjoy it for the first time!!

This will be our second MNSSHP. Last year we spent out last night at MNSSHP, it was a GREAT way to wrap up a fantastic trip..this time we will once again spend our last night at WDW going to MNSSHP. I don't know if anything will top the feeling I had at midnight at the top of the Splash Mountain drop...but I am more then willing to try! :thumbsup2 :lmao:

[SoonerGirl]

You are too much of a skinny minnie to be me ;) BUT you are welcome to climb on into a suitcase! :rotfl:

Thanks for the compliment, but I'm not really all that skinny - I just know how to strategically place my boys so that I look thinner :lmao:


Your plan looks interesting, what is Wenchfest '08?

It's just a group of Captain Jack lovers who are planning to meet @ WDW next summer, I'm looking forward to it - it's just such a looooooong time away!

[MouseTriper]

Hi Jay....oh I am soooo excited for you!! Two full weeks in WDW with your family ALL to yourself! Mush all you want because like you said, the time you have with your little ones is relatively short. They are only little once and you need to capture all these special moments and memories now!

You know what two weeks in WDW really means don't ya??? That means all of your devoted TR followers (that's me and a ton more, I am sure) will be expecting a much LONGER trip report from you!!! Hehehe and with a loooonggg TR comes many more pictures to boot!!! :rotfl2: :banana:

I know I will have the popcorn popcorn:: and icees ready and waiting!! I just loved your last TR! Looking forward to hearing ALL about it!!!

[MouseTriper]

Ohh and one more thing....just HOW did you manage to get your DH to agree on the extra days? :lmao: I need some of that pixie dust to talk my DH into going again...say in December or January! Hahahaha. A girl's gotta try right!!!

Ohh and I can't wait to hear what they say about the cake you are looking into for Goofy. How fun!!!

[paigevz]

Sounds like another fabulous one. Will you plan my next trip for me????????? Kidding, but wow. :thumbsup2

[jaycns]

:cool1: [QUOTE=SoonerGirl;18502700]Thanks for the compliment, but I'm not really all that skinny - I just know how to strategically place my boys so that I look thinner :lmao: [QUOTE]

HAHA HAHA!! Too funny! I am good with that trick also! ;) Your upcoming meet sounds amazing!! :thumbsup2

[jaycns]

Hi Jay....oh I am soooo excited for you!! Two full weeks in WDW with your family ALL to yourself! Mush all you want because like you said, the time you have with your little ones is relatively short. They are only little once and you need to capture all these special moments and memories now!

You know what two weeks in WDW really means don't ya??? That means all of your devoted TR followers (that's me and a ton more, I am sure) will be expecting a much LONGER trip report from you!!! Hehehe and with a loooonggg TR comes many more pictures to boot!!! :rotfl2: :banana:

I know I will have the popcorn popcorn:: and icees ready and waiting!! I just loved your last TR! Looking forward to hearing ALL about it!!!

I am really looking forward to writing the trip report for our September trip. I might even try to include short video clips. I figure that I can leave digital scrapbooks for my boys...cause they are much easier to copy then the "real life" ones. I have so many ideas on that front and so little time. :hourglass ;)

Thank you for understanding my mush!! :hug:

[mlill]

TRIP UPDATE! We are going to both the last Piratepirate: and Princess princess: Party and the first MNSSHP!!!! WOO HOO!! Talk about a great time to be at WDW!! :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

This will be our first P&P party. We are really excited to enjoy it for the first time!!

This will be our second MNSSHP. Last year we spent out last night at MNSSHP, it was a GREAT way to wrap up a fantastic trip..this time we will once again spend our last night at WDW going to MNSSHP. I don't know if anything will top the feeling I had at midnight at the top of the Splash Mountain drop...but I am more then willing to try! :thumbsup2 :lmao:


That is SOOOOOOO awesome! I would love to go to a P&PP! You'll have to take lots of pictures and video! :3dglasses This is gonna be one heck of a WDW vacation! :banana:

-Michelle

[PrincessAlways]

Wow.....2 full weeks at the World?!:woohoo: :banana: :cool1: That's awesome! Can't wait for that trip report!! We were hoping the P&PP would be around for our June trip, but no luck. With my 3 nieces, it would have been a hit! :dance3: Sooooo I'll be waiting to read about your experience & see your pictures.

[mlill]

Hello! Is this thing on?! :confused3 Hmmm.... someone didn't PM me back... I feel so unloved. :sad1:

[MouseTriper]

Hiya Jay....hey video scrapbooks sound fun too!!! I can't wait for your next TR. I just know your vacation is gonna be a blast. I bought my MNSSHP tickets the other day...yippeee!!!!

Any more planning on your end??? Come on let's hear it!!!popcorn::

[jaycns]

Sounds like another fabulous one. Will you plan my next trip for me????????? Kidding, but wow. :thumbsup2
SURE...I love trip planning. ALMOST as much as taking one! :) Do you have your dates hammered out yet?

[jaycns]

That is SOOOOOOO awesome! I would love to go to a P&PP! You'll have to take lots of pictures and video! :3dglasses This is gonna be one heck of a WDW vacation! :banana:

-Michelle * I do hereby promise to take loads of photos and video and to share all of the memories we live out at the P&P party. * ;) :thumbsup2

[jaycns]

Wow.....2 full weeks at the World?!:woohoo: :banana: :cool1: That's awesome! Can't wait for that trip report!! We were hoping the P&PP would be around for our June trip, but no luck. With my 3 nieces, it would have been a hit! :dance3: Sooooo I'll be waiting to read about your experience & see your pictures. :woohoo: You get to go NEXT MONTH!!! :woohoo: HAVE A GREAT TIME!! Will you be writing a trip report?! HMMMMM:rolleyes1 If so, it just *might* help me last until our vacation.

The horrible (okay, not really horrible ;) ) thing is that it is almost time to start making our ressies for our end of Nov./Dec. trip. Which would be great except that TGM has not released his best days charts yet for the end of November...I have great respect for that man's freakishly correct predictions! ;) SO...until Mike tells me which park I should plan to visit :rolleyes: I am stuck trying to figure out what to do...WHAT TO DO!?

Anyway, please feel free to link us to your trip report WHEN you write one :) :flower3:

[jaycns]

Hello! Is this thing on?! :confused3 Hmmm.... someone didn't PM me back... I feel so unloved. :sad1::flower3: :love: :love: :love: You are :love: !! I am just naughty...or should I say exhausted. I love being a mom...but there is NOT one little itty bitty tiny weeny bit of rest for the weary when you hold that title. I am the manager of "Aladdin's" select soccer team. They were in a tournament this weekend and I just about fell over tired...on Mother's Day none the less. And I am wrapping up my end of the year duties at a co-op I teach at.

BUT...your PM did make me :cool1: happy! THANK YOU!!! And a belated Happy Mother's Day to you!! And to all of you DIS moms!!:grouphug:

Now Michelle, I think it was you who had this...a private tea? Any details? I think we are going to look into renting a cabanna while we are at the GF and I would L-O-V-E to be served tea poolside one afternoon in the shade of the cabana while my boys splashed in the pool. Sounds just about perfect to me!:thumbsup2 So any details would be much appreciated!

[jaycns]

WOO HOO!!:cool1: :cool1: Today I got our final trip of 2007 taken care of!

Here is a rundown of our November/December trip. **AND YES, I am still keeping it a secret from the boys...they have NO idea!!**

DAY 1: Arrive at the Contemporary (Atrium Club WOO HOO) and enjoy some resort time. This will be a first mom and kids trip...so we might need to get our bearings after arrival. That night...take in the Christmas decorations at the monorail resorts. Eat dinner at Kona.

DAY 2: Our first park this trip? Strange but true, we are not heading first to MK but instead will venture over to EPCOT. The Coral Reef will fill us up for lunch. Dinner will be at the Garden Grill. Another strange thing but we do NOT plan to stay for Illuminations :scared1: . Instead we plan to head back to the lounge for the night dessert offerings. RELAX and enjoy the view of Wishes from the Atrium Club lounge!

DAY 3: Sleep in, grab a quick breakfast in the lounge, swim (if it's warm enough) and spend some time relaxing. My boys adore the beach at the CR so they (I am sure) will spend an hour or two happily digging in the sand. Late afternoon will find us getting ready for our very first MVMCP!!! WOO HOO! I am so excited! In 2007 we will have been to MVMCP, MNSSHP and P&P Party!! I am really looking forward to this special night. I hope it is cool enough that we can wear our matching Mickey sweaters! :thumbsup2 Picky one aren't I? Ordering warm enough weather to swim in the afternoon and then cool enough weather for sweater wearing in the evening. Not too tall an order is it?! ;) Lucky for me, I will be in FL in November, it is possible! :rotfl:

DAY 4: MGM baby! I almost left this park out of our plans for this go round (we will have spent a day here earlier in the year) however, thanks to Mlil and MouseTriper I am enthralled with the dancing Lights over there and must get over to see them! THANK YOU BOTH for bringing that magic to life via your trip reports!!

DAY 5: Animal Kingdom (didn't think I would leave that out did you? ;) ). I am hoping that Yak and Yeti will be open. If not, the boys have been begging to go to the Rain Forest Cafe...NOT bad, but we go there when we travel to Chicago..so I am hoping for the "only at Disney" Yak and Yeti meal! :):):) The night will be spent relaxing and watching the water parade from the beach after a dinner at the California Grill.

DAY 6: Another MK day. Other then dinner at LTT it is pretty much an open day. One just made for catering to the whims of three little boys who love Disney *almost* as much as their mom!

DAY 7: Another EPCOT day...this time with some special evening entertainment. We plan on seeing the Candlelight Processional. We also plan on hitting Le Cellier for dinner and snacking our way around the world for lunch!

DAY 8: Back to MK in the morning. We will have lunch at the CP and then head out to explore some other resort decorations during the afternoon. Our final evening (sniff sniff) will find us at whichever park the boys desire, DTD if they so chose or any other place at WDW they like.

DAY 9: After one last morning in the lounge and one final late breakfast at Chef Mickey's Buffet...we will head for home. :santa:

[jkckr]

I've been waiting for you to post this :) We are also planning on attending MMVCP on Tuesday... and I bought those Mickey Christmas sweaters for the boys too!! LOL! We will be in the same parks on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

[SoonerGirl]

This trip sounds just fabulous too jay! You are eating at some of my favorite restaurants!

I'm curious, the Yak & Yeti meal you mentioned at AK - is that what is going in where the Tusker House is now?

[jaycns]

This trip sounds just fabulous too jay! You are eating at some of my favorite restaurants!

I'm curious, the Yak & Yeti meal you mentioned at AK - is that what is going in where the Tusker House is now? No...they are building it over by Expedition Everest. It's rumored that it will be an Asian food venue with both CS and TS. Everything I have heard so far is rumor. I just hope it is open by our trip in November! I love trying new things at Disney.

What I have heard (or read, not like anyone from Disney is calling me to tell me about changes...BUT they should!! ;) ) about Tusker House is that it will become a TS buffet??

This may all be wrong. BUT...from reading tons about it this is what I have gleaned is going on. I am so sad that I won't get to eat a CS meal at the Tusker House. :( It was one of my favorite TS places in all of the "World".

[jaycns]

I am wondering about adding a carriage ride. Have any of you ever done one at WL? I think the boys might really like to take a ride in one especially if they decorate it with jingle bells for the holiday season. HMMMM....ponder, ponder, ponder, ponder. ;)

[jaycns]

I've been waiting for you to post this :) We are also planning on attending MMVCP on Tuesday... and I bought those Mickey Christmas sweaters for the boys too!! LOL! We will be in the same parks on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Sounds like your plans are really coming together!! I have to admit, I didn't just buy those red sweaters for the boys ;) I got myself one too. HA HA HA. So we will be the 2,194th family you pass dressed in them. :rotfl:

I just remember us dressing in our tropical print stuff on the last cruise and looking like we were part of some odd family reunion. HA HA HA EVERYONE and their grandma was wearing those shirts/dresses! I expexct no less of the sweaters (unless it's too hot for them).

[SoonerGirl]

What I have heard (or read, not like anyone from Disney is calling me to tell me about changes...BUT they should!! ;) ) about Tusker House is that it will become a TS buffet??

This may all be wrong. BUT...from reading tons about it this is what I have gleaned is going on. I am so sad that I won't get to eat a CS meal at the Tusker House. :( It was one of my favorite TS places in all of the "World".

I've read alot of the same things. Donald's Breakfastasaurus is going to close and Tusker House will become a character buffet meal. I know alot of people love TH and are going to be very disappointed :sad2: