shhhh Dec '08 & (6/'10) pre-trip twofer

[hollybearsmom]

Happy Mother's Day to Me!!! My present to myself is that I'm writing a pre-trip report on the DISboards! Yippee! :cheer2:

I just can't stand not to talk about Disney all day, every day. I comb through the threads looking for useful tips and information. Then I just have to share it with anyone within earshot. So maybe this is my Mother's Day present to my family. I can talk about our trip all that I want, and they don't have to listen! :confused3 They will miss the info, they just don't know it yet! And although I talk about the trip non-stop, there is no definate date given to the kids involved, so I am for now, a KOTS wanna be. :rolleyes1

I want our trip to be very special but most of all fun! And I don't want to miss a thing. I am an over-planner. My family has two nicknames for me, one is 'the Sarge', and the other is 'the CAD' as in the Cruise Activity Director. I like to plan my plan. Have a plan. And then execute said plan in an orderly, and most definately, timely fashion. My brother says it takes me longer to plan my store list than for him to go to Food Lion, shop, and get home. While I fancy myself as the Fairy Godmother of the trip, you can expect a lot of Eeyore out of me, yes there's gloom, but I will find the blooms!

So, I hope you will follow along with me as I give my family a much deserved Disney break. I welcome suggestions to our plans as I prepare and pester people to get on board my plan for a magical vacation. For now, I am just happy to have started my pre-trip pre-report and I'll be thinking of how to introduce our family next time. And explain why I call it a "Really early pre-trip report".

Happy Mother's Day to everyone celebrating today! :grouphug:
Beth



SERIOUS PLANNING STARTS PG 4 POST #51

[OhMari]

Happy's Mother's Day, and plan away. This is what is so great about this board.

[Kim321]

Happy Mother's Day Beth! I like your premise (probably because I'm kind of doing the same thing -- writing so that I don't have to keep talking about my excitement)! I look forward to reading about your details!

[disneyaddicted]

I am thinking that the Disboards were really invented for those of us who eat, sleep and breathe Disney and drive our loved ones nuts, now we have a place to go where people actually "get it" and we are all considered normal for the most part.

Happy planning!

[hollybearsmom]

Thank you all for stopping in to read my report! OhMari - I agree that this board is great! Thanks for being a moderator. Kim - I hope you'll share your best tips with me! And Disneyaddicted - I'm so excited to just think about going, why don't they get it?!?!?!?!

And now, for the really early part...my dad has said that he is taking his kids and grandkids in 2010. Last time our family went, my grandmother and mother were alive, but only one grandchild had been born. This time, only one "old" person, but at least four youngins. (It's over a year away, things could change.) With spouses, that would be 9. He has thought about asking his sister and her kids and their kids if they wanted to go at the same time, but so far as I know, that has not happened yet. With their spouses, up to 19. Give me the chance to plan a Grand Gathering? And he's not sure? What is there to think about? Anyway, that is a long time to wait. So I had the idea of going next fall with friends who have kids and just doing a quick couple of days/long weekend sharing a house or condo. Just because once I started thinking about it, I couldn't wait! So I am planning the most wonderful trip for our family in 2010. Possibly to become a GG, and in the meantime, I am working out all the packing and planning tips on our friends for Fall 2008! And somehow, I have to trick my unsuspecting dh into a trip in 09 just for us. But that plan comes after this trip.

It's a double whammy. Two trips to plan. I can feel the magic already.
Well, it's time to meet the school bus, so the intros will have to wait a day. Thanks for sticking around, Beth

[hollybearsmom]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/16208/sort/2/cat/500/page/1

okay that's us.

I'm on the left in the coral. The momma. It seems silly to say that I'm a little nutty about planning since I am writing this for a trip that is more than a year away! Helps explain my nick names a little though, and I am for the most part, called "Sarge". My way or the highway. (And if you are ever in the hospital and need a little patient advocacy, I learned through the school of hard knocks.) I have already printed, yes printed, six different packing lists which I reduced and carry with me at all times, just in case. You never know when you are going to be in Target or Dollar Tree and see one of those most have items! Planning for Disney is like planning a wedding, and if it isn't in my book, it isn't going to happen.

My dh. Another thirty something who loves to say he may be getting older, but will never grow up. The life of the party, he keeps me laughing, and he loves our kids more than I could ever have hoped for in a dad. He works at a home improvement center, not the orange one! And is in the AF reserves. He's likes to golf on days off, and makes a killer pretzel crusted chicken. He will be the one to tell me to relax and put my index cards away, but then 10 minutes later ask me where we are supposed to sit for the parade and does he need to go after a fastpass. He's my Prince. Favorite character: Genie. (((the exits are here, here, here, here, here, and here))) In the photo, he's the one with the goatee.

Our dd. She's 8 now. But almost 13 if you ask her, constantly reminding me she is a pre-tween. She is all Princess. Thankfully, she is still in that stage where she will play Barbies for an afternoon, but wants to watch Bratz and Kim Possible on Saturdays. Crazy over Zac, watches HSM at least twice a week, can't wait for HSM2, and HHSM to come out. She was the first grandchild, and the only one to go to WDW so far. She was 2 1/2, so she doesn't remember much. But loves to look at the pictures and ask questions about the trip. She is the one in the light teal jacket.

And our youngest, a son, one, we call the monster. Picture that child who is a mix of Piglet and Stitch. Chubby cheeks, sparkling dark brown eyes, and his fingers wiggling with the thought of pulling another dresser drawer out onto the floor! Or spin the whole roll of tp out! Or flip his cheerios into daddy's coke, you know the one. The youngest of our family, he wants so bad to be big. He has a heart of gold though, cries whenever anyone else does, and sits by his sister when she gets time out.

Then my husbands' cousins family is who I roped into the trip for next fall.

DHCousin. These 2 guys are trouble together from the word go. Same age, same hometown, same, same, same. He is an active duty Marine, currently overseas. Always doing something outside the house because it might need to be done. He and my dh get into these weekend projects that go for weeks. "Top" is perfectly organized, absolutely obssessive about his garage shelves. Even the mans closet is squared away, not only by color, but by sleeve length as well! For which I forgive him, since he will take me for a ride on his Harley when he is home.

Also appearing, His wife. She's next to my hubby in the photo. Favorite saying: "cool man". She is finishing her degree to be a teacher, is always ready to lend an ear, my scrappin' buddy on those long weekends when the guys are doing guy things. Her idea to use the RV. The Snow White of her domain. She juggles two kids, two dogs, a horse, college, and a deployed husband without breaking a sweat. God bless her!

Their older daughter is just three months younger than mine. More tomboy than diva, she loves soccer and horses. When the girls are together they dress up and sing for us, loudly, we have said we will never be the mommies on AI waving at our daughters on stage. And we are okay with that. They keep us laughing. Their daughter is very confident like her mother, but rambunctious and energetic like her father; she is Tigger. Ready to bounce out the door without keys or shoes, count her in for fun!

And then the baby girl, three months older than my little one. She is all about not getting left behind. There is no door that she will not open, no steps she won't climb, no chair she won't flip over, and noone is going out the door with keys in their hand without her. She is a daredevil and a showstopper. She uses her 'flirty eyes' to full advantage! I'm sure she will grow up to be the Princess who always wears the silly face, but for now she is a little Lilo. Ohana ya'll.

And that's us. The pre-trip people. Yes we are the same ages, married the same amount of time, and our kids are the same ages, both military families, and we are going to spend the week in a confined space at FW. Can you smell the drama? It's a year away plus some, many things will change, but for now, I have a plan...

[disneyaddicted]

The plan sounds great. What excitement. Going with a large group sounds like it will be a blast. Looking forward to hearing more.

[wilma-bride]

Wow, a huge group - you guys will have a blast :thumbsup2

There's only one thing better than having a trip to plan - and that's having two trips to plan :rotfl: Happy planning - looking forward to reading more about what the Sarge has up her sleeve ;)

[hollybearsmom]

Good morning! And thank you again for reading my report. We just spent the weekend with Snow White and her two kids. The older one was in a dance recital Saturday, so we drove up to see her and then spent the night. I let her see a peek into my Disney Pre-Trip Planning Notebook. I am very connected to my plans. Not so much anyone else. I take it very personally when they say, well that won't work, or I don't like that idea. :headache: People! Trust me, I am on the DISboard, I have the inside information. You will thank me when your trip goes smoothly.
Anyway, she agreed to handle the RV set up/packing and the grocery/hardware list. She gave me the okay to set up the ADR's, the rest of the menu, the reservation for the campgrounds, and our daily plan. phew.
So barring any unforseen deployments of the men, our trip is planned for October 25 - Nov 2, 2008!!! Hooray! It's in writing! :cheer2:
The weekend of July 19th is about the 100 day mark. We will have a picnic that weekend with the Disney theme, give the kids their countdown calendars, and first shirts. Then we will go up to their house on the weekend of Oct 17 - 19th and deliver our suitcases and household items to be packed in the RV. On Friday the 24th, they will leave after school and head south to meet us for dinner, and then we will hit 95 and drive until we get into Jacksonville. Our tentative plan is to go to Wal-Mart, sit outside overnight, shop early, and arrive at the World around noon. I'm so excited!!!!
We will go to Shades of Green to get our tickets, and then go sit in line at FW to check-in. :woohoo:

[wilma-bride]

Your plans sound great - I love that you are making countdown calendars and shirts for the kids :thumbsup2 I am thinking about doing something like that for our family trip next April :)

[hollybearsmom]

Thanks for the sweet comments!

As with all good things, there comes a time, when the dh says, "how much"?
So, I have tried to use every piece of DISknowledge to come up with a budget plan. Please feel free to correct me where I have miscalculated, or offer comments for a better version!!!

So based on 07 prices, the campsite is 456/8 days or 228 per family.
Gas (if it doesn't go too high) is for 650 miles one way, two vehicles, 700-1000, asking for 500 from each family
Our tickets are from SoG, 7day ph, 700 per family
Plus the MNSSHP tickets, another 200 per
Then food, we want to do 2 char. meals, most of the rest at campsite, thinking about 630 per family
Then planning another 200-400 for things like Kids Club/baby sitter one night, horseback riding, etc
And a backup fund for things like flat tyres, ill children, etc. 300 per.
Does that sound feasible? It's just around 3000 for each family---2 adults and 2 kids (although the little ones will be 2).

I'd love it to be less, but I want an all-inclusive pkg, and not be short or still paying off my cc's in three months.

[wilma-bride]

I think your budget sounds very reasonable - it costs us a lot of money to go to WDW from the UK but it is worth every penny :thumbsup2

Have you included money for souvenirs and gifts?

[hollybearsmom]

Thanks Joh, and yes, we plan on using Disney Dollars for the older girls starting this fall. We will give them the DD for rewards, incentives, in their Holiday cards, etc. About one a week. Anywhere we can substitute them for actual cash, so that they will have $50 each of their own to use in the Parks. We are missing school, so the budgeting will help meet their economics assignment. They will keep track of their money in a checkbook register to show where they started, what they bought, and balance it after each purchase. We plan on meeting their savings dollar to dollar so they will have $100 for the week. That is probably more than some families give their kids and less than others, we think that is a reasonable amount. The younger kids, we have planned on about $50 each, which the parents will dole out.

[hollybearsmom]

Not about the trip, but, my little monster pulled the Disney album from our last trip out of the cabinet and is "talking" to Mickey! Is there a tissue toting smiley? It's a mommy moment.

[hollybearsmom]

Okay, there is so much to learn about the World. I am so excited about the planning that I copy and paste things in to my Disney folder without putting the thread link or the posters name, I am going to stop doing that today! I want to go back and re-read these things. Maybe I missed something critical! I have subfolders already, so my planning notes look like this:
Impt phone #s
Hours
Ticket Prices
Packing Lists
FW info & RV tips
GG Ideas
Esp for the kids
Esp for mommy
Park Plans
Resorts
Dining Notes
For the CM's
Recipes
DISigns/Tees
Websites
I am sure that the Passporter will be on the top of my Christmas wish list. Then I will need to consolidate my notes and organize them. For now, I just print a folder each time we go somewhere and I read them in the car.
Are there topics I need that I forgot? Please alert me, i don't want to leave anything undone!!!!

Are we there yet? I just can't stop wishing I could find a way to go now!

[OK GRUMPY]

We LOVE Fort Wilderness!! I have enjoyed reading your pre trip report!

[hollybearsmom]

OK Grumpy - thank you for bumping me to a page 2! I hope we like FW. I have about seven different "fav" loops written down from these boards. I hope we get the 1400. It seems like the best for us, what's your fav?

Ok, the dates are set. The budget is in the - still messing with it stage. The little notebook is started. Now what? I mean really, there is so much to plan. I have my advance dates, I think they are right, for calling reservations and my ADR's. Then I have the phone numbers for everything I can think of next to that.
So I guess that means I can start thinking about packing. But maybe I should concentrate on which park which day. Is it possible to really get a handle on this?

And I really should be thinking about my trip to NY next weekend. Grandpa is taking me and my two kids up for four days of sightseeing, shopping, and visiting old friends.
Weather permitting, we may catch the ballgame on Sunday too. But wait, if I think like a Disser, I can justify looking over the packing lists since I need one for that trip! Yeah, that's it, I'll start on the packing list. Now where did I put those.....

Be back soon!

[hollybearsmom]

Oh my. One week without a DISboard fix makes one, well, I can't find the words. Let's see what all has happened. Okay, got packed for NY, and while my dad was driving with my brother and his kids to NC to meet the other grandparents (this will be impt in a minute) they discussed the trip to Disney in 2010. Without me! And, my brother decides no way he will take his kids out of school. WHAT!?!?!?!?! I showed him the letters and the school worksheets already made up. Nope, just not gonna do it. Are you kidding? It is so much hotter and so much more expensive in the summer. Not to mention the lines. Please tell me you will re-consider. Nope. June or not at all. Oh great. So I fly off the next morning to NY without the Disney binder because I am pouting. My dad and my two kids and I have a fantastic trip.
--NY report area, skip to the next -- if you don't care about this. Arrived on time thursday to the clearsest weather I have ever landed in there. Rental car was ready, hotel room was ready, map worked. It was great. We drove to Conn to meet friends for dinner. Great day. Friday we went to the Bronx Zoo, gosh was it hot. But not terribly crowded, and we had so much fun. A short shower just before they closed, but all in all, another great day. Dinner and hotel. Saturday was perfectly clear and hot, a friend from Conn met us in Grand Central and off to the ferry to the Statue of Liberty. My daughter was in awe. She just kept saying, she is so beautiful. Tons of pictures taken. Dinner, our show was hilarious. Laugh out Loud funny! Back to the hotel. Sunday was hot again, we slept late then went shopping on 5th ave, just to go to Disney and walk in and out of Tiffany's. Then we hit Central Park and the playground. It started to rain so we ran for the car, dinner, hotel, and start packing. Monday was rainy, and our plane was delayed for hours and hours. Finally home about 10:30p. Up for school tuesday at 6am. It was the best weekend!--

--okay, for everyone else, Tuesday was a lazy day. My daughter went to school, I unpacked one of the four bags. Opened the mail. Set the bills aside. Took a nap. Picked her up from the bus. Went to the church for a youth meeting. And got a phone call. Come home now. See my sister in law had driven up to NC to pick up the kids (mentioned above). She called home at 6p, they were leaving. the trauma hospital called at 7:30p. They told my brother it was a terrific accident with a tree. To come immediately. He works about three hours south of here, they wrecked about four hours north of here. Now took until about 1:30am. See more about it on the coping board.
So I am now camped out at my brothers house. No planner. The computer only when none of them are on it. Nursing, cooking, cleaning, and just being in the way. So now I have to replan the dates and everything. The only plus I see, longer park hours. And we set up a saving plan for the 2008 trip. It started this week. yippeee!

[disneyaddicted]

While you were in NY. I was in your neck of the woods. I loved it! I am planning to go back next summer for a week on the Beach.

I agree with you about taking the kids out of school for a trip to Disney. I say avoid the heat and the crowds the best way you can. Our schools actually consider Disney world an educational field trip and the teachers have all their work ready for the kids to take with us. It's a shame your brother won't let his kids miss school. Maybe if he were to call the school and talk to them personally?

[hollybearsmom]

June 19 - 27, 2010.
That is the new "possible" date for our trip. Now we have to shift our housing plan and budget. We had a friend-of-a-friend condo thing lined up for Halloween week. And no trick or treating. So I guess we dress up for the meals instead, and then take a change of cooler clothes? Argh. I hate replanning. Do I start a new notebook or just rip out the sections I had for an Oct trip? Sigh.

[hollybearsmom]

NO! :eek: It is so 500 days out. I have counted and recounted and printed calendars and used timetable counters and everything. Why is the answer NO to making my reservation! :sad: I was in tears yesterday. And pouty all day. I didn't even call at 7am today. I waited til almost 11a and still today, NO. "Hmmmmmm", the operator says, "it seems that I can book a cabin for you, but no campsites. Would you like to stay there?" And do what with my camper? think lady. I didn't say it out loud, I just sat silently trying not to cry again. "Try again in a day or two" she offers. This is my whiny day. :sad2:
And i stayed with my nephew last night who had a fit of people/monsters coming out of the outlets to keep him awake. So I sat up "on watch" for about an hour sometime near 4a with him. Until he finally believed i would keep them away from his bed. Poor kid. So this morning, I'm watching him and his sister. My sil thinks I am calling Disney for the family trip in '10, she doesn't get out much. So she starts telling my brother about how hilarious it is that I have a plan and tours made and etc. I just smile sweetly and let her talk. So he-who-changed-the-date says, "you can make those plans, and I will tell you what we will do with you if anything". You know that part in Apollo 13 when the batteries are dying in the radio and the music sounds putrid and everyone is mad at everyone else and the numbers don't add up and it looks hopeless. :sad1: I had to run to the boards to find a little of the happy place. So I stumble on Lauralee131's dysfunctional family trip and I have to read the whole thing. I can't stop. popcorn:: From bad to worse to better, I read the whole thing. Then I start to wonder, should I try this planning thing? Should I really go with our cousin's family? :confused: What have I done? Oh what a day.

[hollybearsmom]

Yahoo!!!! :yay: :banana: :woohoo: I have reservations, sort of. Details on the camping thread.
So the planning can really begin. I stopped by the Library to check out Guidebooks, and the 2003 is the latest edition available. What? :confused3 I guess I'll have to e-bay and see if I can find one someone used this year and is done with. I know, I spend a lot of time on here :surfweb: but I also sit on the beach a lot too, and I need a book to flip through.
So, now I have butterflies. Isn't that crazy? I've been to HD twice this month already looking for lgmh. And getting the other colors too to make our countdown chain (got that idea on here somewhere, sorry I can't find who right now). I am doing everything by twos for the two families. Oh yeah, did I mention I went to the Disney store last week and found some of those magic towel washcloths for 99c? :woohoo: I had a gift card and with some stickers and a headband, i got three days worth of Tink surprises for our kids!!!! I even got dh to agree to let me keep them in a special box for the year until we go! Little does he know there is already a special box started.:rolleyes1 And the shirt ideas from the creative DISigns here, my goodness, I don't have enough days for all the things I want to make. So now my plan is going to be for everyone to take a nap/swim break in the afternoon and then change clothes! And you know, now that we have some things set, I'm not sure what to work on. Argh. What to do, what to do?

[hollybearsmom]

Okay, i decided to start with the mammoth packing list. I have taken every packing tip I can find and combined them into one huge list. And I am sure there will be something that isn't on there that will be a must have. I have it divided into categories on the spreadsheet, but here they are...
Now I realize that the two trips we are taking are at two different seasons. So while we will not need a scarf and hat in June, there is a chance we would in Oct, especially since we have little ones.
CLOTHING
bandana, beach towels, belt, bras, capris, dressy outfit, dressy shoes, flipflops, gloves, hairclips/headbands, hat, jacket, jeans, khaki's, matching tees, pj's, polo shirts, pool shoes,
rain poncho, sandals, scarf, shirts, shoes, shorts, slippers, socks, sunglasses, sweatpants,
sweatshirt, swimsuit, tennies, undies, visor, watch, watershoes

BABIES/KIDS
.01c & .25c for pressing, activity pages, autograph book, baby food, baby monitor, beach ball,
bibs, blanket, bottles nipples liners, bubbles, caps, car seat, changing pads, clip on fan, coloring book,
diaper bag, diapers, glowsticks, goggles, harness, hat, high chair, hiliters, ID tags, journals, life jacket,
markers/pens, mimi m&m's tube, notebook, pack-n-play, puzzle books, sippy cup, stickers, straws,
stroller, stroller net, stroller rain cover, swimmers, toys, travel games, valves, window shade, wipes

Anything else you have needed for your kids that isn't on my list????

TOILETRIES
alarm clock, antibacterial gel, baby lotion, baby powder, baby soap, blow dryer, comb, conditioner,
contact solution, contacts, cornstarch, dental floss, deoderant, extra toothbrushes, face wash/ cream, footspray, gel/mousse, glasses, hair brush, hair spray, kleenex, lip balm, make up, nail clipper,
nail file, nail polish remover, off, q-tips, razor, shampoo, shave cream, shower kit, soap, sunscreen,
tampons/pads, tissues, toothbrush, toothpaste, towels/washcloth, tweezer, wet wipes

I have the rest to follow. Stay tuned.

[hollybearsmom]

And here's the next part...
FIRST AID
ace bandage, aintibiotic ointment, aloe vera, anti-itch gel, band-aids,
benadryl, ben-gay, bodyglide, caladryl, chafing gel, claritin/sinutab, cough drops, dr phone #, earplugs, eyedrops, first aid kit, gauze, gloves, gold bond powder, hot/cold pak, hydrogen peroxide, immodium, inhaler, kids tylenol/ kids motrin, moleskin/scissors, neosporin, pepto, prescriptions, rubbing alcohol, snore strips, solarcaine, sting stick, thermometer, tums, tylenol/advil,
vitamins

PAPERWORK/STATIONARY
$$$, $1's for tips, AAA card, address book, annual passes, birth cert. copies,
boarding passes, business cards, checkbook, coupons, credit cards, cruise documents, document case, drivers license, driving directions, guidebooks,
health ins card, health statements, hotel conf #/copies, itenerary, kids id,
maps, mousekeeping envelopes, paper/envelopes, park tickets, passports,
pen/pencil/marker, plane tickets/copies, proof of auto ins, rental car conf, rental car copies, sharpies, stamps, travelers checks/copies

OTHER
air freshners, air purifier, backpack, batteries, board games, bungee cords,
camcorder/charger/tapes, carabiners, cd player/headphones, cellphone/ charger, citronella candles, digital camera/card/charger, disposable camera,
dvd player/movies, earplugs, fanny pack, flashlight, football, frisbee, Ipod/ear set/charger, laptop/cables, mirror, mister fans, neck lanyards, nightlite,
photo printer/paper, pillow/blankets, playing cards, radio/batteries, rain ponchos, safety pins, sewing kit, small fans, softsided cooler, trading pins,
tri-pod, umbrella, walkie talkies, waterproof camera, zip ties

[hollybearsmom]

And finally, the rest of the list.
KITCHEN/LAUNDRY
brita pitcher/filters, can opener, clorox anywhere, coffeefilters, coffeemugs,
coffeepot, corkscrew, crockpot, crockpot liners, cutting board, dish sponge,
dish towels, dishpan, dryer sheets, electric skillet, febreeze, flat tupperware,
foil, grill fork, hamper, knives, laundry bag, laundry soap, matches, measuring cups, napkins, pam spray, pans w/lid/sm & lg, paper bowls, paper cups,
paper plates, paper towels, plastic utensils, pot holders, pots w/lid/sm & lg,
quarters for laundry, rubber bands, scissors, spatula, stain remover, straws,
toaster, tongs, trash bags, twist ties, water bottles, ziplocs/sm & lg

GROCERY
A-1, applesauce, bagels, bisquick, bottled water, bread, can fruit, can veggies, cereal, chips, coffee, crackers, creamora, dish soap, fruit chews,
garlic powder, gravy packets, graham crackers, granola bars, gum, hershey bars, hot cocoa, instant soup, jelly, juice boxes, mac n cheese, marshmallows, microwave popcorn, milk, minute rice, mutri grain bars, onion powder, orange juice, oreos, peanut butter, pop tarts, powdered drinks,
pretzels, salt & pepper, seasonings/premeasured, soda, soy sauce, spaghetti noodles, spaghetti sauce, stove top, sugar, sweeteners, syrup, tea bags,
teriyake sauce, tuna, worcesteshire sauce

CAMPER/CAMPSITE
air compressor, air mattress, axe/hatchet, batteries, bicycles/helmets, binoculars, broom, bungee cords, camp stove/propane, charcoal, clothespins,
dining tent, duct tape, dustpan, extension cords, extra fuses, extra lite bulbs,
fire extinguisher, flashlight, folding chairs, grey out hose, griddle, grill brush,
kerosene/oil, lantern, lantern oil/wicks, leatherman tool, leveling blocks,
long handled lighter, lysol, mallet, mosquito coils, off, old towels, power strip,
propane tank hose, rake/shovel, rope/twine, sleeping bags, small rug, string of outside lights, tablecloth/clips, tarps, tent rain fly, tent/stakes, timer for lights, tire/jack/lug wrench, tool box, tp, trailor hitch locking pin, trash bags,
wd-40, wheel chocks, windex, work gloves

And that is the entire list. What's missing?????

[ktink]

Enjoying your pre trip! Can't wait to hear more.

[hollybearsmom]

On with the planning.
I am trying to figure out to keep everyone (mainly me)happy. So I thought I could try to send a little survey like others have mentioned. But then I have to figure out what to ask. So here's what I have so far...
It's a Small World 5x in a row is fine by me -or- We payed for it and we are going to see it all dang it
We have to stay together all day -or- we'll see you tonight, but don't wait up
Ride, ride, ride -or- shows, shows, shows
Parade every day every time -or- seen one, seen 'em all
character meal a must -or- ain't spending another dime on food in the park
Autograph book -or- pin trading
Same park all day -or- hopper
Up and at 'em early -or- get there when I get there, don't wake me
Eat a full breakfast and then go -or- just stuff a muffin and juice box in on the bus
Please the 2's -or- the 9's
Please rate the parks in order of favorites:
Please rate the characters in order of must see:
Please list the 5 rides you can't come home without doing:

I think that will give us enough to start with, especially since the hours are shorter in the fall and we have all been there before. Thoughts????

[ILMICKEY]

Wow!! Slow down girl!

After you get all the planning done what will you have left to do? Take your time and savor it!!

Having fun reading though!!

[hollybearsmom]

So much has happened since this all started, but now we are all back and ready to go again. We are right now deciding on tickets. It is a crazy situation. I plan to be there the whole time with my 2 kids, but dh will not have the full vacation time off. It stretches two weeks, crosses a pay period, and somehow throws off the whole schedule at his job. boohoo. I could figure it out but I won't. I will just book him a flight home on Spirit and say see ya later. His cousins wife plans on being there the whole time with her two daughters, unless he has to leave early because she will not drive the trailor home alone. What?:scared: Where will I go? Seems the Marines have ideas other than leaving him in the States again in the fall. So between the kids in school and the jobs and the pain of hauling a tt.....I'm not sure how long our vacation is going to be. I cannot operate this way. :headache: I am not a fly by the seat of my pants gal, no, I need it in writing or it won't happen. I refuse to buy day to day tickets if we happen to decide to go to a park today...I want plans baby. Lots of lists and cards and packing prep. What oh what am I going to do?

[hollybearsmom]

Oh my goodness. I am just about crazy over all the plan changes today.
The current consideration is that if the men leave early, the girls will not stay either, so either I move to a resort hotel for two days with the kids and drive home alone, or fly..so, says, he who watches the budget (dh)..what is the difference in a resort and the campground. We have spent three hours at least doing every single configuration of hotel/campground/ticket/shades of green/flying/driving/ddp/bring food/except AAA that we could conceive of.

Is there not a simpler way to do this!?!?!?!?!?!
I am not feeling the magic at the moment.

[hollybearsmom]

http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/showphoto.php/photo/28017/sort/3/cat/500/page/1


Trying to add another photo here....of another family that might go too
Back row: Monster, Prince, Me, and my Princess. "Uncle" Pooh.
Middle Row: Snow White, Top, Their baby Lilo, "Aunt" Mickeyfanatic, holding baby Minnie.
Front Row: Tigger.

"Uncle" Pooh, "Aunt" Mickeyfanatic, and baby Minnie are the other bestest friends of DH and dhcousin. These three men grew up together. Heaven help that town! Pooh works in WV, where his wife and baby stay home and wait for him each day! Mickeyfanatic loves all things Disney, was terribly upset that they didn't use Disney wedding invitations, but is planning for two small suitcases in the back seat -- leaving the whole trunk for her shopping! Baby Minnie is a special little gift, very tough, very early start to life, more challenges ahead, but growing like noone told her she couldn't.


IF we change to September. OCTOBER is probably cancelled, as dh work will not give vacation that week. cry, scream, spit, and pray for free dining so we can afford to go that soon!
But now we find out that dhcousin will be "out of state" training from end of july to last week of oct. Oh no! Either week we drop a husband, that's just not okay. So if we think about pushing it all the way to november...school work becomes a big deal for testing dates. Plus, dhcousin will have moved bases by then and coming from who knows where. AUGH! I am so frustrated! I know I want to go, now even, but this is just so hard. It is not too early to plan, esp if we go in sept...but are we or not? eeiiioooiiieiieiieioo

[mickeysmyboy]

Oh my! I hope everything works out for you guys! I can see why your frustrated! Lots of pixiedust: for your trip planning!

[stagemomx3]

I hope everything works out!

[hollybearsmom]

Thanks to both of you.

It is so frustrating. I want to have everything set so I can look at it everyday and just imagine each step and have my backup plans done too. I can't even start with what day I will be there and where I am going to sleep. It is important since food is a major issue between camping and the resort room. I am so glad I can read about other peoples good and not so good trips in the meantime!

The latest today? Hmmmmm. Revamp: DH put in again for the sept vaca and we are waiting for that answer from his job. Maybe Tues before we hear if it will even go past HR to the MGR for review.
DHCousins family can't decide if they want to come anyway and him just fly in for the weekend from his training, or if they want to wait for him and go without us in oct, or if we just all wait and go in nov.
Except, Pooh can't get off in Nov. Now I know we would go as a family without any of these people.......but dh is really social and I am not, so for him to do PI and some of the motion rides, I really need a standin for me. I don't do the 3-d or virtual so well. Actually not at all. Blech.

And the question of scrapping all these slow cooker recipes I've been collecting for the campground and trying to start plan for the ddp is fun, but scary too. Can I figure this out and keep everyone happy? of course not, but I have to try.

sigh

back to the boards for more ideas....

[hollybearsmom]

http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/showphoto.php/photo/28174/sort/1/cat/747/page/1

This photo has nothing to do with our trip....but I found this book and it cracked me up. I thought someone else might get a smile out of it too. The front says, "A Whitman BIG Tell-a-Tale Walt Disney's A Visit to Disneyland 1965 WDProductions".

If anyone knows if I can upload the pages I will, but I don't want to do a no-no, so please let me know ASAP.

[hollybearsmom]

Well, more news for the BIG FAR away trip...there is this thing. I won't get specific yet, but that will definately affect the numbers...and maybe need separate lodging too. As if I didn't have enough to worry about with this years trip. I can't make a single concrete plan yet! I am in need of some dusting!!!!!!!!!!!!

[stagemomx3]

:tinker: Some pixie dust for you.

[hollybearsmom]

:tinker: Some pixie dust for you.

Thank you for being so kind.

[hollybearsmom]

So if you followed this you will see that the Halloween trip is officially gone. :sad1:

But I have started thinking about where we will eat on the ddp, whenever we get there!
So, opinions welcome:
We arrive Sat pm, check in, hit the outlets, go to Wilderness Lodge and eat dinner at Roaring Fork (nostalgia for dh and I since we Disneymooned here)
Try to catch fireworks from the boat dock if at all possible.

Sunday, Magic Kingdom, it has to be first.
Late Breakfast at Crystal Palace and dinner at Pecos Bill.
Monday, HS. Lunch at Pizza Planet. Probably only here 1/2 day, back to MK after a nap. Dinner????
Tuesday, Animal Kingdom. Dinner at Yak & Yeti. Lunch????
Wednesday, Epcot. Akershus Breakfast early, and then snacks for lunch, and Mexico dinner possible oop.
Thursday, Magic Kingdom again. Cinderellas Royal Table for early lunch.
Dinner?????
Friday, Check Out, Breakfast Late at Chef Mickeys and head for home.

Most of our breakfast will be cereal in the room or snacks we picked up, like chocolate croissants and elephant ears.

Thoughts? Hints on order of days at parks? Hours may switch some around, for fireworks, parades, loemh, or extra hours either way. But it is a start.
So, how's it look?

The only thing missing is that I really want to go to the Poly Luau, but with 2 TS I'm not sure it's worth it. I like it, my dd8 would, but the little one probably not and dh could care less. He's seen it so it's not a big deal to him. I'm not sure what to do about this....

[hollybearsmom]

Excuse me a moment for screaming, but CHRISTMAS!!!!!!! What? Yeah, my question too. Can't get off the weekend after Labor Day, can't get off for Halloween, but Dec 25 through New Years?!?!?!?!? Crazy scheduling process, but he has to use his vacation and the "vacation gods" accepted that last week of the year! :rotfl2: :thumbsup2 :rotfl2: :rotfl: :cheer2: Is there anymore excited smilies I can add.

Oh my goodness, all my plans are changing for sure now! The family trip for 2010 summer still on, but half of them will probably come for Christmas, and then there's the other two families..one will not, one might. Tickets for the Christmas party, warmer clothing needed, ohmygoodness, I have to get busy starting to plan now!

YEAH

[hollybearsmom]

Yes I changed the ticker again!

[hollybearsmom]

WOw, I have been busy. We have a confirmation number and our second room for grandpa booked. He isn't sure yet about ddp so that's on hold for now. But for our family..WE are thinking about this...
24th DH gets home from work with presents for kids, they always open pjs on the 24th so this won't be new...except mommy is making them shirts and pants, with one of the creative disigns "we're going to disney right now" The princess will flip out for certain, monster won't know what's going on if he is even still awake then. Hop into the strategically/magically packed car (done while naps were taken and after laundry was done before school vaca started) and start the drive.
25th - pull in very tired to POP, get our tickets and go straight to the MK. Photo on Main street, Bakery for breakfast, and then just survive the crowds.
Dinner at either Crystal Palace or Liberty Tree as late as possible and more of the magic until we drop.
26th - Epcot. After sleeping in. Coral Reef for dinner.
27th. AK. Dinner the Luau.
28th DAY OFF. Tour the resorts and see the trees, go to DTD and shop a little. Dinner at Planet Hollywood.
29th DHS Breakfast at Hollywood & Vine. Not sure about the end of the day. Nothing CS looks that great to us and there is not much here for us, we may go back to Epcot in the evening.
30th AK thinking of trying the Yak & Yeti for lunch CS. Dinner of snacks or Luau if we didn't get in earlier. Back to MK for the fireworks this night.
31st. Epcot Breakfast at Akershus, Dinner is either Garden grill or Sunshine Season.
1st MK Dinner at Cosmic Rays
2nd check out, Chef Mickeys, then the long drive home.

I cannot wait!

[DiamondDiva305]

:wave2: Enjoying your PTR can't wait to hear more.

[hollybearsmom]

it came! it came! it came! :banana: :banana:
I got the blue envelope!!! And the planning cd in the same day! But no pin.
Oh well, it came!:yay:

First deposit received and credited! Room on hold! Yippee! This could really happen!:woohoo:

And now, to hide the envelope were I won't lose it. We are not telling my dd we moved the trip from Sept to Dec. She is going to find out on Christmas Eve. How do I not disappoint her in Sept? We have talked about the free dining catch, and the room discounts, and the longer we wait the more we will have saved and the more character meals/souvenoirs she will get. So we won't wait to sept to tell her it's pushed back, we just won't tell her exactly when we are going to get to go....just later. We are still collecting little Disney things, and trip funnies, and puzzle books, so she will keep helping me on that monstrous packing list I have on excel. We just will have to watch the expiration dates of things a little closer.

I'm so happy!!!!!:cheer2:

[hollybearsmom]

I've been having so much fun on the Creative Disign and Disboutiquer's boards I forgot to plan today. AAAAAck. We did however, get to watch the planning cd twice, once with the kiddos, and once without.

We are going to watch it again this weekend and make our wish/must lists.

On the off topic side, my husbands granny is ailing and will probably pass soon. He is quite sad so I think we will probably be going to WV soon. I was goin up for Spring Break anyway with the kids to put flowers on my moms grave for the 2 yr anniversary, but now we are on pins and needles just waiting for "the call". Send prayers and well wishes for this to be easy for the family. She is 93 and suffering from dementia, she just went to respite care this past month, but the doctors have suggested the family should be gathering.

[hollybearsmom]

Sigh, what month. Hubbys granny did pass. I did get to put flowers on my moms grave. My father got married. If anything else happened, I don't recall. I'm on overload.

[stagemomx3]

Sigh, what month. Hubbys granny did pass. I did get to put flowers on my moms grave. My father got married. If anything else happened, I don't recall. I'm on overload.

:hug: I hope things get better soon.

[hollybearsmom]

Thanks for the hug, and I just started your trippie, it's a great laugh! I can't wait to get back to it this evening!

[hollybearsmom]

AAAAAAUUUUUUGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a virus that shut me down for two months. I took in two kids. School let out. Extra car brokedown. A zillion other things happened. Including time slipping away.

This weekend? PS date is this weekend? Oh no? I haven't looked at anything for two months. What am I going to do? HELP!HELP!HELP!

Total panic mode setting in. Can't find the notebook since I set up the room for the other kids and just shoved everything into boxes to make room for another bed and dresser......can't find the other reservation envelope for the second room.....can't get a definate answer from either couple if they are coming.......oh my stars, where is my fairy godmother today? If you see her will you send her home EXPRESS?!?!?!

[hollybearsmom]

WE are still going round and round about our reservations!

Split TS since we all have different tastes, just go in all together and tough if you don't like the food, skip reservations and wing it (Definately not my idea), it is driving me crazy, and I know I won't sleep tonight until about 5a, then miss the 7a call time!

This is when information is deadly. Too much DIS, lead to some DIS-accord around here last night. We had family here and on the phone, conferenced with our two friends, and nobody could give me a straight answer without setting off a huge, loud, discussion. Grandpa ended up just hanging up on us, he said he didn't care if he ate poptarts all week, he was there to ride small world with his grandkids and that was all he cared about. So the three guys took over the plans, I walked out in tears, and called my girlfriend from the kitchen, which I could then hear her husband talking to my husband in the background until she went outside. And all this to keep the kids in the dark and have our credits all used up.

I am doing the devious and scheduling for our family only. I sent an e-mail letting everyone know if they wanted to eat with us, to tell me tonight, or else they probably would not be able to get in the same restaurant as us.

It gets better after this part right? And I still can't find my notebook/planner/tip holder. That is just not cool. But I have been watching travel channels season of disney to get me in a happy place. It's on the dvr for anytime viewing! Happy summer everyone, back soon.

[hollybearsmom]

Good Morning!!!!!!!!

It's 7:35a and I am off the phone, ADR's made, and I think we did wonderfully!
My dh and I both called starting about 5 of. He got through first at 7 after, I got through at 10 after. We had split the list in half, I got done at 21 after, he at 28 after. And of course, I had to run in here for show 'n tell!

25th D - Liberty Tree Tavern, 8:35pm

26th D - Coral Reef Candlelight Processional, eat 5:45pm, show 8:15pm

27th B - Ohana, 9:25am; D - Poly Luau 8:00pm

28th B - Playhouse @ H&V 8:10am; D - 50s Prime Time 6:00pm

29th D - Ohana 8:55pm

30th B - Princess @ Akershus 10:00am; D - H&V Fantasmic Pkg 4:30pm

31st B - Tusker House 10:00am; D - Garden Grill 7:00pm

1st B - 1900 Park Faire 11:05am

2nd B - Chef Mickey's 10:15am

Hip hip hooray! It's a pirate's life for me! Yo ho ho! Doing the happy dance!
:cool1: :cool1: :banana: :banana: :woohoo: :woohoo: :yay: :yay:

[hollybearsmom]

Shout out for Kari, you have got to go check out this thread, it is hilarious!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1777391

[hollybearsmom]

Having a Christmas countdown is really a homage to my mother. She and I would start sometime around now telling each other how many shopping days were left until Christmas. I really miss her, but I smile each time I see my ticker. And I got most of her decorations, so my room will definately be decked out! Did the Griswolds ever do WDW?

Here's a photo of the kiddies. My dd, now 9. Princess turning into Hannah Montan Rock Star. My neice, 3. Our little Daisy Duck. My nephew 5, Super Guitar Hero, and Cars fan. And my baby, not so little anymore, 2. Loves the Little Einsteins now. It is a busy summer for us all. But we are having fun, I think.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t166/hollybearsmom/HPIM0066.jpg

So the planning continues. ADR's are set and ready to be changed...
Thinking about Tink bags...we bought the Easter pails this year at Wal-yuck and plan to use those each day to hold their surprise! Tricky huh? Yeah, we thought we could put them in the bathroom for each childs toiletries, and each morning, :tinker:Tink would magically arrive before we wake up and drop something off, plus spread a little pixie dust on the counter. (Way to see if they got cleaned too. Yes, part germaphobe.)

And then I read about decorating your door and window, and now I'm in overdrive with these plans. How could I have not thought about hanging lights in the window or putting on window clings? Thank goodness for the DIS or what a first-timer I would look like!:rotfl:

[hollybearsmom]

Is there anyone going in July those days (10-13th) that could get an autograph for us from the Hansens in Norway? Those guys off Deadliest Catch? My nephew is crazy about this show and pretends to be a crab fisherman everyday! I would be so thrilled to be able to give him a photo and autograph. Can you make this auntie's wish come true?

Please pm me, I'll gladly trade seashells or taffy, or send something when we are there to return the kindness. thankyou, Beth

[hollybearsmom]

We interrupt this pre-trip to inject another trip!

I am taking the kids to WV for two weeks, to see all the grandparents, and I am going camping with a dear family friend! I don't know how I am going to do without the kids, but we'll see. So I'll see ya real soon, and I'll have pics!

[Leonsmom]

:wave2: Wooo! Beth, I finally got through your entire report. Holy Mackeral, have you been through the ringer!!!! But in the end it looks like all is finally set and the plans are in place.


Helps explain my nick names a little though, and I am for the most part, called "Sarge". My way or the highway. I have already printed, yes printed, six different packing lists which I reduced and carry with me at all times, just in case. You never know when you are going to be in Target or Dollar Tree and see one of those most have items! Planning for Disney is like planning a wedding, and if it isn't in my book, it isn't going to happen.
Ah yeah you weren’t kidding. We must have been separated at birth!
I ALWAYS tell DH that planning for Disney is like planning our wedding!
:bride: pirate:


My dh. Another thirty something who loves to say he may be getting older, but will never grow up. The life of the party, he keeps me laughing, and he loves our kids more than I could ever have hoped for in a dad. and makes a killer pretzel crusted chicken.
He will be the one to tell me to relax and put my index cards away, but then 10 minutes later ask me where we are supposed to sit for the parade and does he need to go after a fastpass. He's my Prince. .
And would you look at that …we married the same man. Only he’s seems cuter when he’s with you….:lmao:
Pretzel Crusted Chicken?????????? Do tell

And our youngest, a son, one, we call the monster. Picture that child who is a mix of Piglet and Stitch. Chubby cheeks, sparkling dark brown eyes, and his fingers wiggling with the thought of pulling another dresser drawer out onto the floor! Or spin the whole roll of tp out! Or flip his cheerios into daddy's coke, you know the one. The youngest of our family, he wants so bad to be big. He has a heart of gold though, cries whenever anyone else does, and sits by his sister when she gets time out.
Twilight Zone maybe???? I could describe DS5 the same way. I have of late started calling him either Taz or Stitch. :crazy:


I let her see a peek into my Disney Pre-Trip Planning Notebook. I am very connected to my plans. Not so much anyone else. I take it very personally when they say, well that won't work, or I don't like that idea. People! Trust me, I am on the DISboard, I have the inside information. You will thank me when your trip goes smoothly.
Ha ha I am the SAME way, I could not have put it better myself!


Not about the trip, but, my little monster pulled the Disney album from our last trip out of the cabinet and is "talking" to Mickey! Is there a tissue toting smiley? It's a mommy moment.

Awww, LOVE IT!!:goodvibes

Okay, there is so much to learn about the World. I am so excited about the planning that I copy and paste things in to my Disney folder

Ditto here!

and while my dad was driving with my brother and his kids to NC to meet the other grandparents they discussed the trip to Disney in 2010. Without me! And, my brother decides no way he will take his kids out of school. WHAT!?!?!?!?! I showed him the letters and the school worksheets already made up. Nope, just not gonna do it. Are you kidding? It is so much hotter and so much more expensive in the summer. Not to mention the lines. The only plus I see, longer park hours. And we set up a saving plan for the 2008 trip. It started this week. yippeee!

I completely agree with you – it’s why I am taking DS out for 5 days. BUT I did have a huge hesitation about doing so. For one thing DS has some issues that missing school MIGHT interfere with (mentioned on my PTR) and two: Our principle is a WITCH, I am convinced of it. She scares everyone out of taking their kids out of school. I’ve told other parents I am going to do it and they look at me like I am crazy for going against her. Go ahead lecture me, I can take it. And so what if the teachers are not allowed to give homework out in advance…. We will work it out! So there!:rolleyes1

Okay, i decided to start with the mammoth packing list. I have taken every packing tip I can find and combined them into one huge list.
Whoa! You ain’t kidding! Yours definetly tops all my lists. I just copied yours to my notes. I am going to have to make some changes to my PTR now. LOL;)

. I refuse to buy day to day tickets if we happen to decide to go to a park today...I want plans baby. Lots of lists and cards and packing prep. What oh what am I going to do?
Is there not a simpler way to do this!?!?!?!?!?!
I am not feeling the magic at the moment.
I feel for you!!:hug:


WOw, I have been busy. We have a confirmation number and our second room for grandpa booked. He isn't sure yet about ddp so that's on hold for now. But for our family..WE are thinking about this...
24th DH gets home from work with presents for kids, they always open pjs on the 24th so this won't be new...except mommy is making them shirts and pants, with one of the creative disigns "we're going to disney right now" The princess will flip out for certain, monster won't know what's going on if he is even still awake then. Hop into the strategically/magically packed car (done while naps were taken and after laundry was done before school vaca started) and start the drive.
25th - pull in very tired to POP, get our tickets and go straight to the MK. Photo on Main street, Bakery for breakfast, and then just survive the crowds.
Dinner at either Crystal Palace or Liberty Tree as late as possible and more of the magic until we drop.
26th - Epcot. After sleeping in. Coral Reef for dinner.
27th. AK. Dinner the Luau.
28th DAY OFF. Tour the resorts and see the trees, go to DTD and shop a little. Dinner at Planet Hollywood.
29th DHS Breakfast at Hollywood & Vine. Not sure about the end of the day. Nothing CS looks that great to us and there is not much here for us, we may go back to Epcot in the evening.
30th AK thinking of trying the Yak & Yeti for lunch CS. Dinner of snacks or Luau if we didn't get in earlier. Back to MK for the fireworks this night.
31st. Epcot Breakfast at Akershus, Dinner is either Garden grill or Sunshine Season.
1st MK Dinner at Cosmic Rays
2nd check out, Chef Mickeys, then the long drive home.

I cannot wait!
Oh I am sooo happy you are going for Christmas,:santa: we can compare plans. All those changes sure had to be challenging, but the ressies are made so it looks like you are a definite go!!

it came! it came! it came!
I got the blue envelope!!! And the planning cd in the same day! But no pin.
Oh well, it came!

First deposit received and credited! Room on hold! Yippee! This could really happen!

Blue envelope?? What Blue envelope. I didn’t get a blue envelope… And a PIN??? What pin? I want a pin!!! :sad1:



Here's a photo of the kiddies.
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t166/hollybearsmom/HPIM0066.jpg
They are beautiful!




So the planning continues. ADR's are set and ready to be changed...Thinking about Tink bags...we bought the Easter pails this year at Walyuck and plan to use those each day to hold their surprise! Tricky huh? Yeah, we thought we could put them in the bathroom for each childs toiletries, and each morning, Tink would magically arrive before we wake up and drop something off, plus spread a little pixie dust on the counter. (Way to see if they got cleaned too. Yes, part germaphobe.)

And then I read about decorating your door and window, and now I'm in overdrive with these plans. How could I have not thought about hanging lights in the window or putting on window clings? Thank goodness for the DIS or what a first-timer I would look like!:rotfl:
Ha, We are on the same page with that. Once you get your decorations and shirts put together, I want to see pictures. And I am borrowing your pixie dust on the counter idea!:tink:

WE are still going round and round about our reservations!
This is when information is deadly. Too much DIS, lead to some DIS-accord around here last night. We had family here and on the phone, conferenced with our two friends, and nobody could give me a straight answer without setting off a huge, loud, discussion. Grandpa ended up just hanging up on us, he said he didn't care if he ate poptarts all week, he was there to ride small world with his grandkids and that was all he cared about. So the three guys took over the plans, I walked out in tears, and called my girlfriend from the kitchen, which I could then hear her husband talking to my husband in the background until she went outside. And all this to keep the kids in the dark and have our credits all used up.

I am doing the devious and scheduling for our family only. I sent an e-mail letting everyone know if they wanted to eat with us, to tell me tonight, or else they probably would not be able to get in the same restaurant as us.

It gets better after this part right? And I still can't find my notebook/planner/tip holder. That is just not cool. But I have been watching travel channels season of disney to get me in a happy place. It's on the dvr for anytime viewing! Happy summer everyone, back soon.

I definitely think going your own separate way and making your own plans is the way to go. you are not being devious at all. If anyone wants to join you then great otherwise you will get to see them at a later time. Remember you can’t please all of the people all the time…. But you can insure your own needs and that of your family get met. :dance3:
I want to plan a second trip in Feb for my 40th Bday. I am going to plan it all out first and THEN send out my plans to my family and DH’s family. They can join us or not. Although I will need consent from DH first.:scared:

I am lovin your report! I can't wait to read more.

[hollybearsmom]

Back from our trip, what a great time. Go on vacation, get sick. Get home, find house torn apart by loving but somewhat disfunctional handyman husband trying to surprise me with new flooring. Sigh

What's a girl to do but DIS? I have been jumping around the boards trying to get together a game plan, join in on some late Dec park DISmeets, getting my fridge and stroller swap set up, and thinking about those matching shirts again. Dec weather is so unpredictable I will need both tees and sweatshirts. Hmmmmmm And I had dozens of Christmas disigns picked then realized we don't get there until the 25th so what good are they the day after? Oh no! Back to planning what to do the rest of the week. And planning on the welcome basket by Becky. Trying to find a cruise to join to surprise my hubby as a late aniversary thing. And finally decided how to do my 100 day countdown......

I found a set of the Disney Trivial Pursuit cards at a yard sale for 99c!!!!! I am going to write a question in the middle of my HD paint chips (not the alien green of course) and the answer on the back! Doesn't that sound like fun? Plus I'll put a few dozen questions about current things from the DIS in the mix. And after we get to 100, I'll throw them in our bag and hang them on our resort door!!! :cutie:

This week I have planned on going back through the last years set of newsletters I have just set aside in my email folder. :surfweb: I kept them, but didn't really read them since it was so far out. Now it is time to plan! You know how the ladies magazines put out a holiday planner about 8 weeks ahead of time for what to do each week ????? I need a Disney trip one, maybe I'll make one up. Hmmmmmm

And I am going to look up the menus this week for our ADR's and start picking what we will eat. No wasted time once we sit! You will eat it and like it! :darth: Get your dessert to go, we have things to do!!!!!

Next up a quick recap of the WV trip...with photos!

[hollybearsmom]

Here is our arrival into Bluefield, WV.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t166/hollybearsmom/HPIM5436shrunk.jpg

They look pretty good for being in the car together for about seven hours, one hour of which was spent on the side of the road in construction overheated. :headache: :headache: :headache: And knowing they still had about four hours before we got to the first set of grands house. Can you guess which one jumped up on a bench and tried to climb the mountain???
((It wasn't the momma surprisingly))


So day 1 ends with my brothers kids safely delivered and us tucked in my "auntie's" for the night. Up the next morning and off to grandparents #2, stopping to visit a dear friend fighting cancer on the way, and to place flowers on my mother's grave. :angel:

Lots of kisses and hugs, then speed off to get to the campground and set up before dark. Have I mentioned yet that I hate bugs, detest them, loathe them? Well, I do. But fresh air is what you need to feel better, so off I went.

First spot, Seneca Rocks. What a beautiful site. What a climb, and I really liked the view off the rocks from below better than the view of the valley after I climbed. Weird maybe, but seen one seen them all... Seneca Caverns. So neat to go into those underground areas and see such awesome formations. That I could do over and over.

Half day of rain. Not a bad stopover, and even got my brakes changed in a day from a local. Way to go Gary!

Then we went down the Williams River and camped somewhat without luxuries....only cold water from a pump and outhouses. Yuck. Anyway, saw waterfalls, and the cranberry glades area, and hiked a lot.

Then gather all the kids, back to Clemson SC to see my dad.......and then back to Myrtle Beach. Ahh, home sweet home. And the DIS :love1: :yay:

And back to trip planning. I love buying back to school supplies to use for my growing binder! Now back to those menus...I'm having serious thoughts about dropping Ohana's. Any opinions?

[hollybearsmom]

Things (threads) I am reading through today for ideas and more tips & tricks....

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1715551 and
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1742188Listed as a first-timers tip threads, but some good reminders for anyone who hasn't gone recently like us.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1812328Pressed pennies list and index.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1800833Reminder about memory cards for digi camera.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1620846Money saving tips.


What's your favorite threads to keep up with???
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1783394

[SkyGirl]

I'm here! I'm so glad you put a link to your PTR! Your plans sound great and the kids are just adorable! I love how you're going to surprise them!

Can't wait to read more!:thumbsup2

[NYPDwife]

Your family seems wonderful. I hope we get to meet on Christmas Day!!!:goodvibes

[hollybearsmom]

We are definately dropping Ohana dinner, and I also got vetoed for 1900 Park Faire. And, my dh doesn't want to do Tusker House either. What??????? :sad2: Where does he think those table services are going to go? And I thought we had agreed not to go to PH since there is one here, "but the kids really like it and we ate there on our Honeymoon, so it really isn't the same honey". :charac2: :flower3: Oh I hate when he pulls the sentimental card! i always cave. So we are giving up 50s Prime Time for PH. Which I am really okay with, we've never been there so I don't know what I am missing.
So now I have to shift the reservations around. IF I can. And he understands that. I think. We talked about the trip a lot the past two days. We have the frig swap secured, mailing payment for the stroller swap I joined this week, and chasing down the pins I ordered on ebay that have been "misplaced" by my post office. We looked at DISsigns and picked three so far that we agree on, little does he know I have a whole disc full of personalized ones and blanks already saved, but we have to let them have their moment of authority right? I mean, I'll be packing the bags so i guess we know who gets final say on that...:rolleyes1 :laughing:

[njdisneyfreak]

Thanks Joh, and yes, we plan on using Disney Dollars for the older girls starting this fall. We will give them the DD for rewards, incentives, in their Holiday cards, etc. About one a week. Anywhere we can substitute them for actual cash, so that they will have $50 each of their own to use in the Parks. We are missing school, so the budgeting will help meet their economics assignment. They will keep track of their money in a checkbook register to show where they started, what they bought, and balance it after each purchase. We plan on meeting their savings dollar to dollar so they will have $100 for the week. That is probably more than some families give their kids and less than others, we think that is a reasonable amount. The younger kids, we have planned on about $50 each, which the parents will dole out.

I just got all caught up on your PTR. All I can say is, "WOW!" You've gone through a ton of planning and a lot of life stuff. Thank God for the Disboards, right? It helps keep us sane sometimes. :goodvibes I like your idea about the money for the kids. My parents would encourage us to save up our allowances, and then they would add to it, once we arrived. It was great. :thumbsup2

Excuse me a moment for screaming, but CHRISTMAS!!!!!!! What? Yeah, my question too. Can't get off the weekend after Labor Day, can't get off for Halloween, but Dec 25 through New Years?!?!?!?!? Crazy scheduling process, but he has to use his vacation and the "vacation gods" accepted that last week of the year! :rotfl2: :thumbsup2 :rotfl2: :rotfl: :cheer2: Is there anymore excited smilies I can add.

Oh my goodness, all my plans are changing for sure now! The family trip for 2010 summer still on, but half of them will probably come for Christmas, and then there's the other two families..one will not, one might. Tickets for the Christmas party, warmer clothing needed, ohmygoodness, I have to get busy starting to plan now!

YEAH

You're going to LOVE going during Christmas!!! :santa: We went last year thinking we wouldn't be able to experience that again for some time, and now we're going for the second year in a row! It's an absolutely amazing experience, and in a way, it's like experiencing WDW for the first time all over again. Everything is so transformed and beautiful. They even bring out characters you don't normally get to see. It's so wonderful!

WOw, I have been busy. We have a confirmation number and our second room for grandpa booked. He isn't sure yet about ddp so that's on hold for now. But for our family..WE are thinking about this...
24th DH gets home from work with presents for kids, they always open pjs on the 24th so this won't be new...except mommy is making them shirts and pants, with one of the creative disigns "we're going to disney right now" The princess will flip out for certain, monster won't know what's going on if he is even still awake then. Hop into the strategically/magically packed car (done while naps were taken and after laundry was done before school vaca started) and start the drive.
25th - pull in very tired to POP, get our tickets and go straight to the MK. Photo on Main street, Bakery for breakfast, and then just survive the crowds.
Dinner at either Crystal Palace or Liberty Tree as late as possible and more of the magic until we drop.
26th - Epcot. After sleeping in. Coral Reef for dinner.
27th. AK. Dinner the Luau.
28th DAY OFF. Tour the resorts and see the trees, go to DTD and shop a little. Dinner at Planet Hollywood.
29th DHS Breakfast at Hollywood & Vine. Not sure about the end of the day. Nothing CS looks that great to us and there is not much here for us, we may go back to Epcot in the evening.
30th AK thinking of trying the Yak & Yeti for lunch CS. Dinner of snacks or Luau if we didn't get in earlier. Back to MK for the fireworks this night.
31st. Epcot Breakfast at Akershus, Dinner is either Garden grill or Sunshine Season.
1st MK Dinner at Cosmic Rays
2nd check out, Chef Mickeys, then the long drive home.

I cannot wait!

We'll be in the same parks on some days. Who knows? Maybe we'll run into each other. At the very least, we might get to meet at the Dismeet on Christmas morning! :santa: I've never done something like that before. Should be neat, if I can convince my DH to go over and say hi to perfect strangers. :laughing: Strangers to him, since many of us will know each other from the Disboards.

Having a Christmas countdown is really a homage to my mother. She and I would start sometime around now telling each other how many shopping days were left until Christmas. I really miss her, but I smile each time I see my ticker. And I got most of her decorations, so my room will definately be decked out! Did the Griswolds ever do WDW?

Here's a photo of the kiddies. My dd, now 9. Princess turning into Hannah Montan Rock Star. My neice, 3. Our little Daisy Duck. My nephew 5, Super Guitar Hero, and Cars fan. And my baby, not so little anymore, 2. Loves the Little Einsteins now. It is a busy summer for us all. But we are having fun, I think.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t166/hollybearsmom/HPIM0066.jpg

Cute kids! :goodvibes

We are definately dropping Ohana dinner, and I also got vetoed for 1900 Park Faire. And, my dh doesn't want to do Tusker House either. What??????? :sad2: Where does he think those table services are going to go? And I thought we had agreed not to go to PH since there is one here, "but the kids really like it and we ate there on our Honeymoon, so it really isn't the same honey". :charac2: :flower3: Oh I hate when he pulls the sentimental card! i always cave. So we are giving up 50s Prime Time for PH. Which I am really okay with, we've never been there so I don't know what I am missing.
So now I have to shift the reservations around. IF I can. And he understands that. I think. We talked about the trip a lot the past two days. We have the frig swap secured, mailing payment for the stroller swap I joined this week, and chasing down the pins I ordered on ebay that have been "misplaced" by my post office. We looked at DISsigns and picked three so far that we agree on, little does he know I have a whole disc full of personalized ones and blanks already saved, but we have to let them have their moment of authority right? I mean, I'll be packing the bags so i guess we know who gets final say on that...:rolleyes1 :laughing:

I hope all works out with the ADRs. You're not going to do 1900 Park Fare? On our last trip, we did both the breakfast and dinner, and will be doing them again on this trip. We absolutely loved them! The food is amazing, the service exceptional and the entertainment from the characters is over the top funny, during both meals.

Let us know how things work out with the changes. :goodvibes

[hollybearsmom]

Augh! :headache: Again, a change! It seems that hubby will be going to TX for 3 months after the 1st for school (Air Force). He will either find out today or on his next duty weekend when he leaves....which means we may have be back on the 31st so he can leave on the 2nd. AUGH!
Is the dream team listening!?!?!?!? I could use some dusting oh tag fairy, pretty please.... where oh where has my fairy godmother gone? oh where oh where could she be?????:sad2:


On the other hand, we came across my dd first trip pictures so we will be able to recreate some of those for her and ds. That will be such a great moment. If only we could find our Disneymoon phtots so hubby and I could do the same for our anniversary there. I will try to load a few of these photos today and share them with you all later!

[njdisneyfreak]

Augh! :headache: Again, a change! It seems that hubby will be going to TX for 3 months after the 1st for school (Air Force). He will either find out today or on his next duty weekend when he leaves....which means we may have be back on the 31st so he can leave on the 2nd. AUGH!
Is the dream team listening!?!?!?!? I could use some dusting oh tag fairy, pretty please.... where oh where has my fairy godmother gone? oh where oh where could she be?????:sad2:


On the other hand, we came across my dd first trip pictures so we will be able to recreate some of those for her and ds. That will be such a great moment. If only we could find our Disneymoon phtots so hubby and I could do the same for our anniversary there. I will try to load a few of these photos today and share them with you all later!

Here's some pixie dust coming at you: :tinker: :tinker: :tinker: :tinker:
I guess that's the life of a military person, but that doesn't make it any easier. I hope he finds out that the date he leaves doesn't interfere with the trip. Has he find out yet? Can you possibly add dates to the front of your trip if you have to leave earlier than expected? Recreating photo memories is so much fun! :woohoo: How cool would it be to do that each time you return to WDW and then make albums for you and one for each child for when they are adults? I hope you find your Disneymoon photos, so you can recreate some of those memories, as well. :hug:
Here's some more pixie dust: :tinker: :tinker: :tinker: :tinker:

[hollybearsmom]

CRAZINESS!!!!!!!

Quick updates....24-30 at Shades of Green. REALLY LOVE TO MEET UP WITH SOME DIS'SERS! PM me!!!!!!

[hollybearsmom]

And did I mention we need a nanny for two days! Any regulars up for the challenge????? Seriously, got a college person home for the holidays want to make a few dollars? pm us

[hollybearsmom]

Things are getting so insane i am pulling out my hair, almost.
The grands are reminding me they are old, they go to bed early, they have to eat at certain times, etc....
My brother has told me he is there to enjoy spending time with and just watching his kids and they are not into Disney like I am. They aren't even going to the park two days, they may just play put-put and go to the playground at FW, or fish, or just ride the boats all day. But the days the kids are with me, I shouldn't wear them out either.
MY dear, sweet, dh reminded me this all started with a mouse, no wait, I mean me. I wanted to change the holiday to something totally different to help me cope with the loss of my mom since last year we just went through the motions and were miserable. I decided i wanted to go somewhere for Christmas and if the family wanted to join us there they could. He is so supportive and wonderful!

:headache: I made these plans and reservations months ago! People were ready and said oh that sounds good. :sad2: Where are those people? Where has my family gone?

So dh and I will spend a good part of tomorrow revising the plans, baack to our plans, and send the rest of them the note cards that say here is our touring plan and the times of the parades and where we will sit. Find us and join us, don't find us. Have a great time.

:sad1: I really thought it would be a nice thing to see Disney together and be something positive to do as a family that might help start the healing and bonding. :grouphug: Call me a dreamer.....but I was hoping.

:tink: So too myself, a little pixie dusting. We are going to church this am which always makes me perk up. And then I will start the iron-ons of the DISsigns as i did all the washing this weekend :laundy: of the 32 shirts I have bought over the past few months.
They can wear them, wash the car with them, I can't make them like them. But my kids and my dh, they will have no other choice since I am doing all the packing!!!!!:rotfl:

So, here's hoping for a magical day!

[hollybearsmom]

We are having a great time, I'lll tell you about it soon!

[hollybearsmom]

I will be starting my trip report for the santa surprise early this week...

http://wdwenchanted.com/showthread.php?p=5985#post5985

I will be going on with the Grand Gathering June 2010 pre-trip as soon as I get the report done.

[NYPDwife]

I heard you were just feet away from me on Christmas day! I'm sorry we didn't get to meet. It was crowded at the entrance! Were you singing along with the CM? I DID get to meet Dawn (Tnk).