Will nerves and wallet survive WDW???

[islandmum]

well - the Pre-TR ........ I did start one but it was lost somewhere in the wilderness of Dis so I thought I should do a proper one, if only for my happiness and ramblings!


OUR PARTY SONG
this is our current party song here on the island, from one of the local artists, and is about dancing down low here which is what they do when its party time! - its also called winding, but we love this song and it will be heard all over Florida when we arrive .... you can listen too ....

http://www.toronto-lime.com/music/2007/svg/go_down.htm



The Cast

:surfweb: ME, somewhere in the murky thirties, retired golf pro, sahm mum but doing a bit of golf consulting here and there.

:headache: MY MAN, Regional Director of Golf for a resort company, keeps retreating to his office mumbling whenever the words "vacation, disney, or payment due" are uttered by me. My man since I was 16, and still going strong - but WDW could finish him - thinks DIS is a cult!;)

:yay: BOY 1, will be 5 at Disney, gorgeous, blonde and tanned. Breaks the girls hearts without knowing it and would rather be climbing a mango tree than doing his spelling at school. Into every sport and a real social bunny - my special little guy.

:yay: BOY 2, just turned 3, far too intelligent for his own good, cute as a button, total flirt and likes the ladies, built like a rugby prop forward .... on the short side! Swims like a fish and likes to hold his breath underwater, my baby!


Why this trip??

well, we emigrated to the West Indies from the UK in 2004 with the kids just 23 months and 10 weeks old. Whilst living a fabulous new life, vacations tend to mean travelling back and forwards to the old country keeping up with seeing the relatives and friends and spending a fortune buying a years worth of clothes and stuff we need as we cant buy anything on our tiny island. BUT this means that its never really a vacation for us ..... so this year we're being selfish and doing things we want to do and shopping for half the cost.

The planning has been immense - where do we want to go, what do I want to buy, who do we want to meet up with?

so the plan came together - a 3 week trip to keep us all happy, Miami for a week of shopping for me and chiiling for hubs and the boys, 10 days in Disney to overdose on all things magical, and a week in the Bahamas meeting up with friends from the UK at Atlantis.

[islandmum]

Where we've got to now...

so, the shipping company in Miami has been informed of the expected number of crates to ship home from my shopping,

The bank has been notified of sudden huge expenditures that will occurr between our dates of travel

Shoes suitable for mall travelling and WDW have been flown in and tested in readiness

Me and him have been on diets of sorts to try and lose the weight in a sad pre-emptive strike against the fact we are going to get all flabby with all the food we will force ourselves to eat

ADR's have been meticulously researched, tested that him and the boys will like, fitted into park schedules and then booked

days have been planned with obsessive, OCD, military style forethought to make sure we are in the parks on the quietest days, we see what is necessary, we dont tire the kids out too much, and we meet all the right characters.

WL has been booked, cancelled, rebooked, cancelled and rebooked finally - winning over the Contemporary as we wanted the boat and some theming.

Packing has already started, HE has had zero input from day one apart from words of wisdom to the effect that "this had better be bloody good after spending 8 months tied to the laptop and all my money on it" ...... so no pressure there then.

and to top it all, I'm doing a little consultancy work which has suddenly meant I need to spend time on another island at the end of this month and HE is booked in to see a back specialist on another island who wants to operate on him there and then ..... so we are spending the next few weeks on planes, and with me bashing the surgeon away from my hubby under pain of death as he has to be walking and fit for this vacation - his back can collapse as soon as its finished... but not before!

so the hotels are all booked, the flights are sorted, the car hire is done (we're driving between Miami and WDW) and the shopping list (all 27 pages) is printed and at the ready.

and yet -

I am pant-wettingly excited with still 6 weeks to go ...... will I make it to departure date of Sept 27th??

[islandmum]

oh - and we're still waiting on our citizenship visas to be restamped into our passports as we had new passports this year and the visas must be in there so we can leave the US on a one-way ticket back here.

The date we can expect our passports back from Immigration is predicted (by the local immigration officer) to be November the 5th ..... a full 16 days after our scheduled RETURN from vacation... D'OH!

a swift payment to the immigrations clerk to buy his children a nice little something will ensure a speedier return of the passports .... oh the joys of beaurocracy Island style!!

[Avivasmom]

Hey you will be in my neck of the woods....I am outside of Fort Lauderdale. And DH is from the West Indies by way of Jamaica!!!

Sounds like you got a great plan...looking forward to more and pics!

[islandmum]

Hey you will be in my neck of the woods....I am outside of Fort Lauderdale. And DH is from the West Indies by way of Jamaica!!!

Sounds like you got a great plan...looking forward to more and pics!

Jamaica - I LOVE Jamaica! Infact my favourite restaurant in the world is there ..... Heathers in Kingston, serves mashed potato, fish and gravy ... FANTASTIC!


We'll be up near you - we're staying at the Fairmont Turnberry Isle so in Aventura .... not too far from FL. Just hope th weathers going to be good, cant cope with the cold!

[mvazul]

Hi!! :wave2:

It sounds like you have a very interesting and fun trip planned. I hope you get the passports/visas all sorted soon, so you can have one less worry.

I look forward to reading every detail of your upcoming trip!! :thumbsup2

[DisneyMomFanatic]

Hi,

This sounds like a fun one. I'm in. I need to keep myself busy until my trip. And then after my trip, I will need to keep the magic happening. Hope the visas happen quickly for you all.

[islandmum]

got the new camera last night - Woohooo!

my beloved children managed to smash our 6 month old camera in June so I had to order one from the US, stick it on the company container and send it down here. So its not bad - only 8 weeks from order date to getting it in my hand:eek:

the bonus of them smashing the previous camera is that it was quite a big camera - great pics, but more of a "pro's" camera which I was worried about tkaing to WDW.

so when I ordered I decided on a compact so bought a Sony Cybershot - which seems to be awesome.

I teensy little problem ..... I assumed the memory card from all our others cameras would fit the Sony, but NO! they have their own card, but I now have not enough time to order and receive from the States so just have to hope that Wolf Cameras in Miami have them in stock.

[islandmum]

oh the joys of internet shopping!

Ready to pick up in Miami ..... J.Crew clothing for the kids, couldnt resist some of their stuff on the web and they couldnt guarantee it would be in the store so had to buy it online and we'll pick it up at the store.

Memories by Sarah (now by Betsy) has been fantastic, got 2 gift backpacks waiting for the boys when we arrive at WL. She did everything custom ordered for us, including name logo'd shirts and bags from the Disney store. Not that the boys will neeed anymore excitement but they will love all this when we arrive after driving from Miami and saves me trapsing round to buy it;)

heres the bags anyway, and their fillings incase you're interested:
BOY 2-
Mickey plush
Autograph book
Tigger straw
Buzz trading set
resort keychain & refillable mug
Dash plush
Cars swim tote personalized
Cars swim shoes
Cars tee
Mr Incredible tee
Buzz Swim trunks

BOY 1-
b-day card hopefully from Buzz & Woody
Mickey plush
Autograph book
Tigger straw
Buzz trading set
resort keychain & refillable mug
Buzz plush
Dash backpack
Dash personalized watch
Buzz swim shoes
Dash tee personalized
Buzz shirt personalized
Buzz swim trunks



hmmmmmm - tried to put up the pics but dont know how ... can anyone help??

[kindakrazy2]

Love the trip report so far!

To post a photo you have to upload it to a photo hosting site. I use photobucket. Its free. Then it will give you an address for your photo.

Then when you post your message there is a little button to click - its the squre one that looks like a mountain scene just above this text box.

Then you put your photo's address in there and voila! Photos!

Sorry, I am not great at giving directions on posting. I can do it but describing it is a whole other story!

[Avivasmom]

We'll be up near you - we're staying at the Fairmont Turnberry Isle so in Aventura .... not too far from FL. Just hope th weathers going to be good, cant cope with the cold!


It definitely will not be cold when you get here. So now worries. DH also plays reggae music around South Florida.

[islandmum]

well we survived Hurricane Dean - lots of wind damage and quite a bit of flooding, electricity down for a bit and internet on and off for a couple of weeks but not bad considering!

and today is....


4 weeks to go!!!

until we fly out and arrive in Miami beginning our vaca. Then only another 5 days until we hit "The World" ....:woohoo: :banana: :cool1:

All passports are now back, residency visas all up to date, driving licenses found so we can rent the car:thumbsup2 and 1 suitcase already packed and ready (hidden from hubby coz he thinks I'm a totally mad bird getting this excited!)

kids ready to go NOW! but school starts next Monday (thank god) so they're looking forward to that too so the time will fly by until we leave.

[Avivasmom]

I was thinking of you when Hurricane Dean hit...My SIL was visiting us from Jamaica and she was worried. Because my 2 BILs were still there. They survived, they were without power for 5 days. She left Thursday night and got home to no water or power but thankfully it came back on Friday night. It did a lot of damage to the south part of Jamaica.

Are the kids excited? We have been back in school now for 1 1/2 weeks and Aviva cannot wait till November to go back to Disney she wants to go now.

If you are going to be in Broward County at all let me know (I live 5 minutes from Sawgrass Mills Mall).

[islandmum]

I was thinking of you when Hurricane Dean hit...My SIL was visiting us from Jamaica and she was worried. Because my 2 BILs were still there. They survived, they were without power for 5 days. She left Thursday night and got home to no water or power but thankfully it came back on Friday night. It did a lot of damage to the south part of Jamaica.

Are the kids excited? We have been back in school now for 1 1/2 weeks and Aviva cannot wait till November to go back to Disney she wants to go now.

If you are going to be in Broward County at all let me know (I live 5 minutes from Sawgrass Mills Mall).

Hey you! Glad to hear all your rellies are okay - the islands pull together when we get these things and brings out the island spirit in all of us. Thankgod Jamaica didnt get the full hit it almost did.

we're staying at the Fairmont Turnberry Isle so I have nooooo idea if thats near Broward or not. All I can safely say is that I will be there or in the Aventura Mall or the shops on that block - we're not going out and about, we just want resort relaxing and shopping whilst we're there.

are you close by?

[Avivasmom]

we're staying at the Fairmont Turnberry Isle so I have nooooo idea if thats near Broward or not. All I can safely say is that I will be there or in the Aventura Mall or the shops on that block - we're not going out and about, we just want resort relaxing and shopping whilst we're there.

are you close by?


I am probably 25 minutes or so North of there. Aventura mall is very nice, a bit expensive.

Aventura is in Miami Dade County...I am outsite of Fort Lauderdale in Broward.

You will have fun here!! It will be nice and warm.

[DisneyJo]

Yeah I found you :yay:

My man since I was 16, and still going strong - but WDW could finish him - thinks DIS is a cult!;) OMG Golf Pro's are so alike can you remember my DH thinking all DIS people were actually secret axe murderers :rotfl2:

well we survived Hurricane Dean - lots of wind damage and quite a bit of flooding, electricity down for a bit and internet on and off for a couple of weeks but not bad considering! So glad you're all OK


What a great start, I love your writing style :goodvibes

[TEminnie]

Hey I found you too! Glad you are safe too!

[islandmum]

well we're done! finally back from the island hopping, hubby's back is holding up and okay for the trip - although he's got to have a full MRI when we get back in Oct.

Boy 1 started big school yesterday, of course I took all the pics and sent them round the world on email like a crazed proud mummy does! He's the youngest in the class as he's not 5 for a month or so but he's bigger then many of the others and the teachers say he's easily ready for school with his reading and writing.

school is good - but it starts at 8AM!!! this is not a good thing .... this is a very bad thing, I dont do mornings, quite honestly I have the demeanor of an axe murderer before 10am and having to be up at 7 and on the road bu 7.45 is just against the laws of nature and my principles.

oh well - only 23 days until we leave YYAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!

[TEminnie]

well we're done! finally back from the island hopping, hubby's back is holding up and okay for the trip - although he's got to have a full MRI when we get back in Oct.

Boy 1 started big school yesterday, of course I took all the pics and sent them round the world on email like a crazed proud mummy does! He's the youngest in the class as he's not 5 for a month or so but he's bigger then many of the others and the teachers say he's easily ready for school with his reading and writing.

school is good - but it starts at 8AM!!! this is not a good thing .... this is a very bad thing, I dont do mornings, quite honestly I have the demeanor of an axe murderer before 10am and having to be up at 7 and on the road bu 7.45 is just against the laws of nature and my principles.

oh well - only 23 days until we leave YYAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Post some pics soon! Hope they have a good first day of school--it took me a week to start getting up earlier and then I was still groggy today after the Labor Day weekend.
Hope his back is better. I sent my DH off to Italy on Sun with a hurting back--I did schedule him a massage on Sat and found some Flexerils for the trip so hope he's ok.

[DisneyJo]

Welcome home and glad your DH's back is holding out. My DD started big school today too but 11 -18 year old big school :eek: And she has to leave the house at 7.05am :eek: I hate getting up in the morning too!!!!

So any more plans :hyper:

[islandmum]

the itinery is finalised!! Doing the dining plan so thats what the TS and CS thingies are

here - in all its boring detail - it is:

28th Sept, Arrive Miami
28th - 3rd Oct Miami

3rd Oct Drive from Miami to WDW - to arrive at 12 noon.
check in WL CL

Wed 3rd Arrive 12pm - MGM PM
CS Foodcourt takeaway to room

Thur 4th MGM day
44333697 TS Character Breakfast at Hollywood and Vine
SC Lunch at Herbies
44376403 TS Dinner at Planet Hollywood (Downtown Disney) -

Fri 5th MAGIC KINGDOM day - arrive at 8 for EMH
Breakfast at hotel
CS Lunch at Cosmic Rays Starlight Cafe
44584794 TS Dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe - 5.40

Sat 6th Shopping / Pool -
CS Breakfast at hotel
Lunch off resort
44584805 TS Dinner at Mickeys Backyard BBQ - 6.00

Sun 7th ANIMAL KINGDOM day
44333801 TS Character Breakfast at Restaurantosaurus
CS Lunch Flame Tree
CS Dinner at Food Quest (in Downtown Disney)

Mon 8th Resort / Pool day
CS Breakfast at hotel
CS Lunch at Pool at resort
44333820 TS Character Dinner at Chef Mickey Buffet

Tues 9th MGM day
Breakfast at hotel
CS Lunch at Toy Story Pizza Planet
44333842 TS Dinner at Sci-Fi-Dine Theatre

Wed 10th MAGIC KINGDOM day - 8 for EMH
SC Breakfast at htoel
44333854 TS Character Lunch at Crystal Palace
CS kids babysitter - us to Epcot for food+wine

Thur 11th Shopping / Pool day
9 AM Breakfast Confisco Grill - Universal
Lunch off resort
44333867 TS Dinner at 50's Prime Time Cafe

Fri 12th EPCOT day
CS Breakfast at Foodcourt at resort
CS Lunch at Yorkshire Fish Shop (in Epcot)

check out 12.30

3.45 flight to Nassau

12th to 20th Oct Atlantis Resort Bahamas

[islandmum]

so what dyou reckon? Is this too much for the littlies - or not enough??!!

main thing is the characters I think, they're just going nuts about meeting the "real" Buzz, Woody, Mickey etc etc

kids case already packed - according to hubby I have officially hit mad tart status.

Why do they - the inferior sex - complain and then witter on about how obsessively planned and organised we have been in getting this major vaca together, and then once the thing is over and we're home then say how easy it was, how everything fell into place, nothing went wrong .....

WELL DDUUUUUUHH! just so you can waltz onto the plane with all your pants and socks neatly packed, your days all organised for you ..... is why I went round the bend organising this thing for the last 6 months

I think its all reaching crisis point

I may well kill kim before the day is out

but then I need his income to pay for this - dammit!

well he can come ..... but I refuse to do his packing, he'll have to do his own

which means he'll go on a 3 week vaca with 2 pairs of shorts, 4 t'shirts and not much else

men .... pah!

[DisneyMomFanatic]

Glad to hear you all are ok from Dean.

Know exactly what you mean about the school and early rising thing. I am not, nor ever have been, an early bird. More of a night owl myself if I had the option.

The itinerary looks good. Wish I were going back again sooner than I am. Oh well, I will have to live vicariously through all these pre-trip reports. Looking forward to more.popcorn::

[Avivasmom]

How cool you are going to the Atlantis too...I want to go there...

Your schedule looks great...we love WCC and CP...we have done all 3 meals at CP and they were all great.

What is up with your DH's back? I have 2 herniated discs in mine and it is miserable...used a scooter last trip to Disney...walking is a nightmare...nothing they can do...we tried injections and therapy nothing worked. Hope is gets better.

[islandmum]

Post some pics soon! Hope they have a good first day of school--it took me a week to start getting up earlier and then I was still groggy today after the Labor Day weekend.
Hope his back is better. I sent my DH off to Italy on Sun with a hurting back--I did schedule him a massage on Sat and found some Flexerils for the trip so hope he's ok.

he LOVES his school! this bodes well for the future I hope .... alhtough right now he seems to spend alot of the day building space rockets!

[islandmum]

How cool you are going to the Atlantis too...I want to go there...

Your schedule looks great...we love WCC and CP...we have done all 3 meals at CP and they were all great.

What is up with your DH's back? I have 2 herniated discs in mine and it is miserable...used a scooter last trip to Disney...walking is a nightmare...nothing they can do...we tried injections and therapy nothing worked. Hope is gets better.

yup its his discs too - since he slipped one when he was 17 and he has Osgood Schlatters disease which he has in his back as well as his knees.

basically he's knackered - lucky his life insurance is up to date the poor old boy LOL!!

[DisneyJo]

here - in all its boring detail - it is Huh hum this is the DIS itinerarys are never boring :rotfl2:

I may well kill kim before the day is out

but then I need his income to pay for this - dammit! :rotfl2:

That sure is a lot of food, we were always stuffed on our trip and we shared a lot of food, also in CL you get food too don't you?

yup its his discs too - since he slipped one when he was 17 and he has Osgood Schlatters disease which he has in his back as well as his knees. Does that affect his golf?