One More Anniversary (21) I Guess We'll Go To Disney World--Again!

[mikep_97]

Welcome to my Pre-Tripper (my first thread):cheer2: . I have lurked and read for a while and continue to learn from experienced poster-type-people.

I first came to the DIS forums in the fall of 2005 to rent points from a DVC owner so we could stay at BWV in 2006. What started out as a purely informational visit is becoming a habit I'd rather not stop!

Our first visit to the World was back in 1997, courtesy of Make-A-Wish. It was a wonderful trip where it all started for us--but that is another story for another day! We have returned 3 times, including a 20th anniversary trip last year.

Our 5th trip will be September 18-25, 2007, staying at AS Sport and loving the Free Dining Plan!:cool1: Glad you have decided to come along for the ride! (There is someone here, isn't there? Anyone?) :rolleyes1 Oh, yes, hello. I'll be back shortly to introduce the cast with pictures.

[mikep_97]

Here we are.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x133/mikep_97/IMG_2298.jpg.

I am Mike, 40-too-many year old Minister and Computer Tech. I work with a small church in a small town and spend a good bit of my time during the week doing computer work for several small businesses in the area. Gina is my lovely wife of 21 years (in September). DD Taylor, age 13, is an every day joy and a bright spot in our lives. DS Dakota, age 2 3/4, keeps me young, or makes me wish I was young.

We also always travel with Nana and Grandaddy.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x133/mikep_97/IMG_2294.jpg

Grandaddy is retired, and is an artist. He paints (oil is his main medium) and gives away all the paintings I really like. After all, I am just a DSIL. Nana spends her retirement talking on the phone, mostly to my DD, listening for hours to my daughter's endless details about her 13 year old life. Right now they are talking about our upcoming trip.

Stay tuned for more details!:surfweb:

[kindakrazy2]

Am I first? I'd love to be first!!!!!!

Thanks for the link Mike! Glad to have found you over here!

You have a beautiful family - thanks for sharing the photos!

Can't wait to read along as you plan! Keep it coming! :thumbsup2

[kindakrazy2]

Yes! I was first! :yay:

[Disneydad99]

Followed Sarah from her TR looking good so far & is that a drawing of your dog in the Background? look fwd to more!!!




:cool1:

[mikep_97]

My web exposure to Disney for the last several years has mostly been through the Mousesavers website/email and Allearsnet. We had planned for 18 months to celebrate our 20th Anniversary:love: with a WDW trip and started with a reservation at BWV. This was accomplished through rented points and was completed exactly at the 11 month window DVC members have for their home resort. Sun-Thur in a two bedroom villa for $10 a point. Totally awesome! We went ahead and reserved four days prior to BWV at POP Century and added the Dining Plan. Then, when Free Dining was released in April, we had our reservation changed to AKL with Free Dining for only $250 more. So, it was a great trip that I may cover in detail somewhere else, some other time.

We weren't really planning on going again this year. But, back in April, I visited one of the sites and saw that Free Dining was about to be opened up again, and spent the next few days convincing my family that we needed to take advantage of such a great deal (it wasn't too hard to convince them!) For us, Free Dining Plan is the perfect incentive to take the plunge and make the trip.

We usually fly out of Lubbock or Amarillo to MCO but in April the prices were pretty high. I shopped around for several weeks and finally decided to leave from DFW, which is about 400 miles from home. We will leave home on Monday and drive about 7 hours to Dallas and spend the night. The hotel includes free parking for the entire length of our trip and a free shuttle to the airport for our early flight on Tuesday. We should get to MCO about 11 a.m. If all goes well, Magical Express should deposit us at AS Sport in time to check in, grab a quick lunch, and then head to AK so DD can ride EE. She shouted "awesome" and "righteous" non-stop when we rode it last year, so she can't wait to start out there again. In three previous visits to AK we have never stayed until the late-afternoon parade, so this will hopefully be the perfect time to see it. We are also really looking forward to the Finding Nemo stage show, although my wife claims that she will really miss looking at Tarzan in his skimpy outfit! I'm not sure if we will make it to the show that afternoon or need to wait until we return later in the week for a full day.:surfweb:

[mikep_97]

Yes! I was first! :yay:

Thanks for coming!

Followed Sarah from her TR looking good so far & is that a drawing of your dog in the Background? look fwd to more!!!

:cool1:

Thanks for dropping in! What sharp eyes you have! Grandaddy did a pencil sketch of their family's dog, Fifi, back in the 70's and 80's. Nana and Grandaddy went through one more toy poodle, Dandi, and now my family has a solid black toy poodle named Sugar!

[mikep_97]

One of our many pleasant dining experiences from previous trips. This was lunch at the Hollywood Brown Derby in 2002.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x133/mikep_97/103-0346_IMG.jpg

We all had the filet, which had a slice of plantain on top as a decoration. We lovingly refer to this as "the flying banana."

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x133/mikep_97/103-0347_IMG.jpg

I know this is not the food porn thread, but I'll do whatever it takes!

[mikep_97]

Also want to introduce you to our dog, Sugar, the only one of the family who doesn't enjoy our trips to WDW--she has to stay at home!

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x133/mikep_97/Sugar.jpg

[mvazul]

Hi! :wave2:

I found your pre-trip through DisneyMom5's report. Great start so far. How did you like the Brown Derby? My mother, sister and I have reservations when we go. I am looking forward to it. That steak looks great. Hopefully I can get them to leave the plantains out of my food - I am allergic to bananas. I know plantains are not bananas, but they are close enough and why test it on vacation??? :confused3

Anyway, just wanted to stop back in and say hi! :flower3:

[mikep_97]

Hi! :wave2:

I found your pre-trip through DisneyMom5's report. Great start so far. How did you like the Brown Derby? My mother, sister and I have reservations when we go. I am looking forward to it. That steak looks great. Hopefully I can get them to leave the plantains out of my food - I am allergic to bananas. I know plantains are not bananas, but they are close enough and why test it on vacation??? :confused3

Anyway, just wanted to stop back in and say hi! :flower3:

Welcome! We did love Brown Derby but haven't been back in 5 years--too many other places we wanted to go first. I don't know if they even still do the plantain, but if they do it could easily be skipped. I have also been reading your report!

[mikep_97]

Last year for our 20th anniversary we found an Ebay vendor Sibling_Ts and bought one set of matching T-shirts. We went to MK that day and ate at Ohanas that night. We really liked several of the pictures that day with the matching shirts. So, this year, we decided to do matching shirts every day.

A little research suggested that our best option was to use a heat press with inkjet transfers. I tried to get a heat press on Ebay but they kept going above what I really wanted to pay. We learned of a youth minister nearby who has one and he was willing to help us. So, after we get all of the transfers printed, we will pay a couple of kids from the youth group to run the press and apply the transfers.

We ordered shirts and transfers from blankshirts.com and total cost per shirt will be about $3. We also ordered some extra shirts and used an iron today to make a couple of test shirts. Here are some pics.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x133/mikep_97/April-June2007068.jpg

and

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x133/mikep_97/April-June2007069.jpg

[SerinaEmily]

I love the shirts lol .. I'll totally recognize you if we cross paths!

I think it's great that your DD and MIL are so close and talk all the time .. what an awesome gift in both their lives! :)

[mickeymouseclubhouse]

Hi there!

I decided I had to check out your pre-trippie from Serina's pre-trippie because I wanted to see the T-shirts :goodvibes , they turned out very cute! I love the fastpass one!

Good report so far!

I think I'm trying to read too many pre-trippies at once, I'm going to start confusing myself :rotfl:

[Disneydad99]

Love the T-Shirt Idea I might have to Mention it to DisneyMom!! & see how much trouble I can get in :lmao: :lmao:




:scared1:

[mikep_97]

I love the shirts lol .. I'll totally recognize you if we cross paths!

I think it's great that your DD and MIL are so close and talk all the time .. what an awesome gift in both their lives! :)

Thanks for coming in! You are right about the DD/MIL thing! It is great for a kid to know their grandparents so well. It is one more foundational relationship. Plus, since we enjoy traveling together, we share even more!

Hi there!

I decided I had to check out your pre-trippie from Serina's pre-trippie because I wanted to see the T-shirts :goodvibes , they turned out very cute! I love the fastpass one!

Good report so far!

I think I'm trying to read too many pre-trippies at once, I'm going to start confusing myself :rotfl:

Glad you like the shirts! We have six more that aren't quite ready, but I will post them as we make progress.

Love the T-Shirt Idea I might have to Mention it to DisneyMom!! & see how much trouble I can get in :lmao: :lmao:

:scared1:

It does require some work and some $ but we have had so much fun looking for ideas and talking about designs! I think it is going to turn out as one of our favorite Disney ideas ever! Good luck with DisneyMom!:lmao:

[mikep_97]

This was our one tshirt from last year for our 20th anniversary.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x133/mikep_97/April-June2007.jpg

[heath-and-javens-mom]

Hi.
Im on board your PTR too! What a wonderful family you have! I love the shirts! I am wanting to do something like that this trip but dont know if Ill have the time---or money for that matter!:rotfl2:

Ill be following!!!:goodvibes

[Tanya90210]

hehe... I love your last years shirt... I'm along for this ride!

[LeeLee2U]

I'm here now! Ummmm the food looks good! We are designing some shirts too! I'm gonna look up that web site! Thanks!!

[mikep_97]

Last year for our 20th anniversary we found an Ebay vendor Sibling_Ts and bought one set of matching T-shirts. We went to MK that day and ate at Ohanas that night. We really liked several of the pictures that day with the matching shirts. So, this year, we decided to do matching shirts every day.

A little research suggested that our best option was to use a heat press with inkjet transfers. I tried to get a heat press on Ebay but they kept going above what I really wanted to pay. We learned of a youth minister nearby who has one and he was willing to help us. So, after we get all of the transfers printed, we will pay a couple of kids from the youth group to run the press and apply the transfers.

We ordered shirts and transfers from CheapTshirts.com and total cost per shirt will be about $3. We also ordered some extra shirts and used an iron today to make a couple of test shirts. Here are some pics.


Oops!! The website we used is not cheaptshirts.com, but www.blankshirts.com. I did a Google search for cheaptshirts to find it. Sorry!:scared: :headache:

[mikep_97]

Hi.
Im on board your PTR too! What a wonderful family you have! I love the shirts! I am wanting to do something like that this trip but dont know if Ill have the time---or money for that matter!:rotfl2:

Ill be following!!!:goodvibes

Thanks for following along! I am loving your PTR, as well!

hehe... I love your last years shirt... I'm along for this ride!

Welcome! Glad you are here! More shirts to follow, too.

I'm here now! Ummmm the food looks good! We are designing some shirts too! I'm gonna look up that web site! Thanks!!

I originally posted the wrong site, sorry!:headache: :headache: The correct one is www.blankshirts.com. We also bought the transfer paper from them because it could be used with an iron or a heat press. So far, we are happier with the light shirt transfer paper, but only because the iron worked better on it. I am so excited about your Wish trip!!

[mikep_97]

We are still selecting some of the rest of our tshirts, but here are a few designs we are considering or have considered. Enjoy!

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x133/mikep_97/goaskhappy.jpg

and

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x133/mikep_97/americangothic.jpg

Both of these are from the Creative DISigns board elsewhere on this site.

[Tanya90210]

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x133/mikep_97/americangothic.jpg



I love it!!

[mikep_97]

We have decided to use these for our matching shirts, we just haven't made the shirts, yet!

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x133/mikep_97/April-June2007070.jpg

and

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x133/mikep_97/April-June2007071.jpg

and my personal favorite (my wife came up with this one)!

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x133/mikep_97/April-June2007072.jpg

The funny thing is we really take Disney World a lot easier than most. We do have a daily plan but do not follow it rigidly. This shirt is in recognition of the commandos and OCD planners!

[Tanya90210]

Those are wonderful! I love the alien one!

[mvazul]

Great shirt ideas!! :thumbsup2

We are not following any official plans, either. We know which park we will be in on what days. We also have a list of "must-do's". Beyond that, we are winging it and will still have a great time!! ;)

[Disneydad99]

Love the shirts....I know you guys are going to love wearing Matching shirts...we do every time & its great!!!



:cool1:

[crarmy]

Howdy fellow Texan, I am enjoying reading your pre-trip report, I love the t-shirt idea!! And your family is adorable.

I kept reading when I read you were from West Texas, since those will soon be our stomping grounds. My son is going to college in Portales NM. We live in the Houston area.

Anyway sorry that adult ADD that keeps me from focusing. Can't wait to read more. :)

[mikep_97]

Howdy fellow Texan, I am enjoying reading your pre-trip report, I love the t-shirt idea!! And your family is adorable.

I kept reading when I read you were from West Texas, since those will soon be our stomping grounds. My son is going to college in Portales NM. We live in the Houston area.

Anyway sorry that adult ADD that keeps me from focusing. Can't wait to read more. :)

Nice to meet you! Go Greyhounds! We live about 45 minutes from Portales, just across in TX. Glad you are enjoying the t-shirts. We have had as much fun planning them as we hope to have wearing them!:banana:

[mikep_97]

Those are wonderful! I love the alien one!

Thanks! That saying is one of my wife's she heard somewhere long ago and we keep finding ways to bring it up!:goodvibes

Great shirt ideas!! :thumbsup2

Thanks!! We are having loads of fun with the ideas.

We are not following any official plans, either. We know which park we will be in on what days. We also have a list of "must-do's". Beyond that, we are winging it and will still have a great time!! ;)

Everyone handles it differently. Our first trip was with a special needs child and we just got in the habit of taking it easy and enjoying whatever comes our way. After 4 trips there are still a good many things we haven't seen or done, but each trip we identify a few new things to add to our list of favorites. Thanks for stopping in!

Love the shirts....I know you guys are going to love wearing Matching shirts...we do every time & its great!!!

:cool1:

Sounds great! Maybe you will recognize us or we will recognize you!

[mikep_97]

This is my new favorite t-shirt. I copied it from one of the creative people on the Creative DISigns board.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x133/mikep_97/rainydaypoohcopy.jpg

[kindakrazy2]

I love the shirts Mike! The fast pass one and the free dining are so darn funny!

[Mr.Monk]

Subscribing.
Love the T-shirt Ideas!:thumbsup2

Your thread title caught my attention! We're planning our 21st Anniversary trip for WDW in January. I've been lurking on trip reports and have been thinking of doing one for our trip. (Never got around to doing the 20th Anniversary trippie)

We lived in Texas at least half of our married lives. Thanks to our professions we've been exiled to the northeast.

Looking forward to more entries.

[mikep_97]

I love the shirts Mike! The fast pass one and the free dining are so darn funny!

Thanks! Look for us in the shirts when you are there in Sept!!:thumbsup2 I'll be looking for your handsome family, too!

Subscribing.
Love the T-shirt Ideas!:thumbsup2

Your thread title caught my attention! We're planning our 21st Anniversary trip for WDW in January. I've been lurking on trip reports and have been thinking of doing one for our trip. (Never got around to doing the 20th Anniversary trippie)

We lived in Texas at least half of our married lives. Thanks to our professions we've been exiled to the northeast.

Looking forward to more entries.

Congrats on your anniversary!! This will be our 5th trip in about 10 1/2 years and we are enjoying each trip more than the last! Hope you have a great anniversary trip!:love:

[mikep_97]

Mon. 9-17 Mid-morning we will pack the van, go pick up Nana and Granddaddy and head for Dallas. There are several different ways to get from here to Dallas, not sure of which route we will take. It will be about 7 hours of remembering previous trips, talking about specific things we are looking forward to on this trip, etc. We are staying at a hotel about 2 miles from DFW, near the mall in Irving. There are several restaurants and a Super Walmart nearby to entertain us until we go to bed early.

Tue. 9-18 Our flight leaves at 7:20, so we will have to roll out of bed about 5 and leave the hotel about 5:45, hopefully on the hotel shuttle bus. This will be our first flight on AirTran. At the time we booked our airfare they had the best deal on a direct flight.

Arrival time at MCO is just before 11 a.m. Last year we used Magical Express and were at AKL in less than an hour after touchdown. It may take a little longer this time assuming All Star Sports will not be the first stop the bus makes. We still get a kick out of just driving by BB and seeing Mt. Gushmore, driving by DAK and seeing the Tree and EE, so it will seem like we are "there" as soon as we start recognizing Disney locations.

Depending on how long check in takes, we may grab a bite at the counter service or may head on over to DAK. I am really looking forward to Flame Tree, so I'll hold out for that if I can.

Wed. 9-19 Anniversary Day. Epcot and ADR at Coral Reef, 7:40 p.m.

Thur. 9-20 MGM and ADR at Mama Melrose's 6:10 p.m. They did not have any Fantasmic Dinner Package openings, so we went with the regular meal. I think we have eaten at all of the other MGS TS restaurants but this one. Last year I stood at the top of the theatre holding Dakota for about 20 minutes of pre-show and during the entire show. I won't be surprised if something like that happens again.

Fri. 9-21 MK and ADR at O'hana 7:20 p.m. We are not doing MNSSHP, didn't do it last year, either. It looks like a lot of fun and we saw lots of kids of all ages in great costumes, but just decided not to spend that much extra money.

Sat. 9-22 DAK and ADR at LTT.

Sun. 9-23 Epcot. We have ADR for the Princess Breakfast at 9 a.m. and at Rose and Crown at 6 p.m. This will be our first TS breakfast ever, first time at Akershus, first time at Rose and Crown, too.

Mon. 9-24 MK and ADR at CP 6:40 p.m.

Tue. 9-25 MGM and ADR at 50s PT at 12:10 p.m. This will be our 3rd year to have our last meal at 50s PT. The first time was one of our best Disney dining experiences ever. Granddaddy didn't like the green beans that came with his fried chicken, so he covered them up with his chicken bones. When "Auntie" came to clean the table, she really played it up and made him go stand with his nose against the wall!! Last year we had a nice meal but almost no "atmosphere." The food was good, but it felt like we were eating at any old restaurant. We will give it one more try.

Our flight leaves at 5:55 p.m. so Magical Express will pick us up around 3 p.m. Back to Dallas and the same hotel.

Wed. 9-26 400 miles, 7 hours in the car, re-living the week and sleeping--all except the driver! Home sweet home and start planning for our next trip.

Here is granddaddy with his nose against the wall.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x133/mikep_97/111-1118_IMG.jpg

This one is blurry but you get the idea.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x133/mikep_97/111-1119_IMG.jpg

[dismom9761]

I am following along and love all of the shirts.:thumbsup2

The picture of him with his nose against the wall:rotfl: :lmao: :rotfl2:

[LeeLee2U]

O.k. I had to catch up. I really like ya'lls shirts. We are working on some of our own now. My Dh has sketched sev. pics. and am planning on using at least 1 of them.. He is into charcoal right now and everything is black white and gray, so I am planning on scanning it into the comp and "Painting" it and so on.

[mikep_97]

I am following along and love all of the shirts.:thumbsup2

The picture of him with his nose against the wall:rotfl: :lmao: :rotfl2:

When you get a good CM, 50s PT is so much fun! We laughed at one thing or another that whole meal!

O.k. I had to catch up. I really like ya'lls shirts. We are working on some of our own now. My Dh has sketched sev. pics. and am planning on using at least 1 of them.. He is into charcoal right now and everything is black white and gray, so I am planning on scanning it into the comp and "Painting" it and so on.

I sent you a PM. So glad you know more details about your trip!! I think the personal sketches is a great idea for shirts. I would love to see them when they are done!

[Disneydad99]

Goodness the Pic of your dad up next to the Wall is hilarious!!!






:lmao:

[mikep_97]

Our last two tshirt designs. Enjoy!

This one is from one of the designers on the Creative DISigns part of this site.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x133/mikep_97/roadsignmickey.jpg

and our final design

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x133/mikep_97/GrandaddysCamera2007.jpg

[Tanya90210]

You are going to have some great shirts!!

[dismom9761]

Those last two are fabulous!!:thumbsup2

[crarmy]

Hi Mikem_97, I have been researching flights, and I remembered you guys were planning on driving to DFW to catch your flight. About 30 min ago I was on Continental website, round trip Lubbock-Orlando-Lubbock was $198.00. Since you are 45 min fron Portales maybe, I am guessing Lubbock is closer to you than DFW. I hope this helps!! But you may have already bought your tickets.

[mikep_97]

Hi Mikem_97, I have been researching flights, and I remembered you guys were planning on driving to DFW to catch your flight. About 30 min ago I was on Continental website, round trip Lubbock-Orlando-Lubbock was $198.00. Since you are 45 min fron Portales maybe, I am guessing Lubbock is closer to you than DFW. I hope this helps!! But you may have already bought your tickets.


Thanks for the info! I looked a few days ago and saw the same rate you saw. Back in April when we booked our flights the same fare was over $350. We flew Contintental out of Lubbock to Houston to Orlando once before and I liked it better than AA or Delta from Lubbock to DFW to Orlando. But we bought non-refundable fares on AirTran so we are committed! But thanks for the heads up!:thumbsup2

[kindakrazy2]

Hey Mike! Love the last 2 shirt designs too! They are going to be fabulous! I hope I spot you guys at the parks!