Ready to Tumble! Our gymnastics trip to Disney Pre-trip report...

[hddanis]

I've been lurking on this board reading a bunch of the trip reports, so I thought I'd throw ours up here. Why the heck not, right?

Background: We just went to the WDW in June...12 wonderful (albeit hot and crowded) days. We stayed at the SOG and just enjoyed every minute. It was our first major family vacation in 14 years (well, first family trip ever then). Trips to my parents in Vegas don't count. I grew up in Las Vegas, so I spent many, many days at Disneyland. I loved going there. My Grad Night was there. DH had never been to Disney and swore he hated rollercoasters (uh huh, yeah...right!) DD#1 went to Disneyland with me when she was 18 months old. But I seriously doubt she remembers any of it. None of the other kids had ever been.

This trip: This trip we're going down the last weekend of January because my DD#2 is competing in the Sand Dollar Invitational, which is held at the Wide World of Sports. It was only supposed to be her and I...but, that changed. I decided to bring DD#1 along for the company, and then just last week, we added DD#3, just because! So now, I'd like you to meet our cast of characters:

Me (35), Heather - I love Tinkerbell, the Disney Mountains, and food. Character hunting is one of my favorite things to do while in Disney, which is why I designed my autograph pages. Oh and I hate ToT. Pin Trading for Tinkerbell and American flag pins is my 2nd favorite thing to do.




DD#1 (13), Stinky(her brother's name for her) - Tagalong #1 - Snarky kid, loves Marie, Pooh, and the Villians. Loves ToT, cats, any and all food and REALLY dislikes it's a small world..Which of course, I force her to go on for my sheer enjoyment! (she also hates the smell of coffee in the grocery store and I always find a reason to stop in the middle of that particular aisle...but I digress). My best friend.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a350/luvmy4brats/CIMG0014.jpg

DD#2 (9), Boo - This is my gymnast. The reason for this trip. My girly girl who loves all things princess and shares in my total dislike of ToT. She'll be happy on this trip eating chicken nuggets and Mac -n- Cheese. Daddy's girl.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a350/luvmy4brats/CIMG0013.jpg


DD#3 (6), Pickle - Tagalong #2 - Gymnast in the making. Rollercoaster fiend, also a lover of all things princess. Not quite sure how she snuck her way on to this trip, I think I was having a weak moment. Also Daddy's girl...
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a350/luvmy4brats/CIMG0012.jpg

Supporting cast:

DH (41), Grumpy - Retired Marine, Not going, but wishes he was. He keeps trying to convince me we made a deal that if any of the gymnastics meets were in Florida, he'd get to go. Apparently, I said I'd only go to the ones in Hawaii...Um, yeah, right. I'd do BOTH!!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a350/luvmy4brats/CIMG0011.jpg



DS (5) - Bug - Also not going and doesn't want to. He has plans with Dad that includes bowling and Chuck E Cheese. No girls allowed (which may have played a part in me deciding to take Pickle) He wasn't so crazy about the characters (shy) or the rollercoasters on our last trip..but he LOVED Test Track! Totally Mommy's little man!

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a350/luvmy4brats/CIMG0017.jpgThis picture is from when we were chosen as Grand Marshalls for the Dreams Come True Parade in June (and the only picture I have that includes me and Bug at the moment..)

To be continued.....

[hddanis]

Now, I suppose I should talk about our touring plans and such, right? Or maybe planning, uhm, no. When we're going? Nope. Where we're staying? Not imprtant enough. I'm going to use this time to talk about something near and dear to my heart....FOOD!!!

We're going to be on the Deluxe Dining Plan this trip and I'm so excited to try it. We stayed at Shades of Green last time, and while we enjoyed it (the rooms are so spacious!) we weren't able to use the Dining Plan. I handle the finances in the family and I spent a good portion of our trip worrying about money (or lack there of, since we didn't have as much as I had hoped for the trip). With the Deluxe Dining Plan, I don't have to give the cost of food a 2nd thought. It's already paid for and if Stinky wants to order Prime Rib every night, well, of course she can....and probably will. That child has got some expensive tastes in food. Filet Mignon, Prime Rib, salmon...Oh yeah, she's a good candidate for the dining plan. Did I mention she's a bottomless pit? She'll be able to pack away an app and a full meal with more than enough room for dessert..She'll probably also try to steal MY food.

Me, I'll be sharing my apps with Boo and Pickle. They don't eat a whole lot and as I mentioned, perfectly happy to eat chicken nuggets and Macaroni and cheese. They do like dessert and love going to the character meals, so I think we'll get our money's worth with the plan.

I am a little concerned about the amount of snack credits we get. We have 32 credits for the 5 days we'll be there:scared1: I'm just not sure we can eat that many Mickey bars, funnel cakes, Dole Whips, and whatever else we find (I REALLY wish Grand Marnier slushies were considered a snack!) I do have a plan for all those extra credits though...We'll be hitting the bakery/candy store/food court and stocking up on gifts to take home to Grumpy and Bug. Rice Crispy Mickeys for everybody!

Since we'll be there for almost 5 full days (4 night) we can stretch our credits out an extra day. I have most of our meals accounted for, but not all of them. Right now, I have a sit down breakfast scheduled for all but one morning, 2 sit down lunches, and of course sit down dinners every night. We still have credits for a few more lunches, but those will most likely be saved for our Food Extravaganza around the World Showcase.

Here's our current plan:

Thursday (arrival Day/MGM)
Sci-Fi Dine in - Lunch - (I'll try to share with Stinky if she doesn't eat it all first) and Boo and Pickle will share

50's Primetime Cafe - Dinner - No sharing here. I want my Pot Roast and I'm not giving any of it up! Also, those Smores are to die for!

Friday - Competition Day - DTD
Late Breakfast @ Kona
Lunch somewhere at DTD - Wolfgang Puck Express? Earl of Sandwich?
Dinner - Share CS @ World of Sports if we're hungry

Saturday - MK - Pirate & Princess Party
Crystal Palace - Breakfast
Lunch - ???
Dinner - Cinderella's Castle before the party

Sunday - Epcot
Breakfast - Chef Mickey's
Lunch - Food Extravaganza around the world (The best part of Epcot!) Also this is when I get my grown up slurpee!
Dinner - Le Cellier :woohoo:

Monday - Departure Day - AK
Breakfast - ??? (probably food court)
Lunch - Yak & Yeti (I have issues with this..see below)
Dinner - 1900 Park Fare

OK, why do I have issues with this? Well, I have issues with any restaurant that has the word Yak in it. It's just not appetising. But since it's just as much the kids trip as it is mine, I have to give in on some things. They have insisted this be on the schedule <sigh>

Now, we've only eaten at 50's Primetime, Crystal Palace, and 1900 Park Fare. Everything else is new to us this trip. I am really hoping for a better experience this time at 50's Primetime. The food was good, but we had the most BORING server in all of serverdom (as a server, I am using my professional opinion) He really was working in the wrong place..Actually, with his personality and serving skills, I'd say he was working in the wrong job field. I even asked for a more "animated" server, I would have hated to see what I would have gotten if I'd asked for a reserved server...a corpse maybe? We did have fun watching other tables so it wasn't a total wash.

I really wish we had more days and could fit more restaurants in. I had to cut out Whispering Canyon (loved it), Cape May Clam Bake (looks good), 1900 Park Fare Breakfast (love Mary Poppins), Boma (kids vetoed it, they didn't care for it last trip) and Beaches and Cream although we may try to do this on our DTD day instead of CS..but I don't want Boo eating anything to heavy before she competes...I consider the Kitchen Sink they want to order to be heavy and not fit for competition days. Her coach would probably kill me..but if I could talk them into something lighter..say the No Way Jose..I might be swayed.:rolleyes1

[hddanis]

Cast - Check
Food - Check
When - Oh yeah, that's where I was....

We'll be there from Jan 24-28th. Originally, we knew Boo would be competing sometime between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning. That made it rather difficult to plan:lmao: Once her coach told us what level she'd be competing, we were able to narrow it down to either Friday night or Saturday morning. Although for a bit it sounded like he was going to change things and she'd compete Saturday night. I just got the competition schedule on Monday and I'm thrilled she's is competing Friday night (1/25). I'm happy about this because that means we get to go to the Pirate and Princess Party Saturday night! Also because that means we have almost 4 full days of "Girls rule!" time.

Where -

Goodness, this was a tough decision. Why is choosing a resort so darn difficult? We're just sleeping there right? Well, we started off at CBR because that's where the sport discount was. However, I couldn't add the Dining plan to it because of the sport discount, so I wasn't all to thrilled(remember I'm all about the food), even though it was an awesome rate! When the package discount came out, I immediately ran the numbers and knew this was a good thing. So, over the course of two hours, I moved us from the CBR, to ASMu, to ASMo, and then the POP....I probably would have one with the POP straight away except that the website wasn't showing availability for our dates for some reason...:confused3 The last time I called, I figured I'd give it a shot and it worked.

We're all pretty excited to stay at the POP. I've already mentioned we stayed at SoG last trip and did enjoy it. With all 6 of us, we needed the 2 rooms and the space was important. However, it was lacking that Disney magic I keep hearing about...Hopefully, we'll enjoy it so much, we'll decide to stay here on our next trip (Dec 2008 - Whole Family) Yep, I'm already planning a next trip...I probably should wait until we're back from this one..but where's the fun in that?

[scottny]

Hi,
Ok just read your pre tr and it sounds great. the food is a good thing to think about. keeps me up at night. LOL.

I was originally going to stay at POP then decided CBR then decided POR.

Maybe I will see u at the P&PP. I will have my tag on my bag.

Looking forward to hearing about the days leading up and the actual trip.

Off to bed.

have a goodnight.

[Mrs. Bee]

I also HATE tower of terror. I've only been on it twice at Disneyland. but since it's my husbands favorite ride, I am going to try and work up the courage to go on it next month.

Your trip sounds like it should be great! i wouldn't be surprised if we saw you at AK that morning.

[mnmrmustard]

It looks like a great trip you have planned there! Yes, food is very key and I'm dealing with the same thing you dealt with last time in that we cannot take part in the dining plan :( Very cool that your DD's competition schedule worked out to allow for the PPP! As I said on the January thread, best of luck to her - what level is she competing at?

[jordanyosh]

okay what's one more PTR.....I'm in.

[hddanis]

Yeah! Readers!!!

Hi,
Ok just read your pre tr and it sounds great. the food is a good thing to think about. keeps me up at night. LOL.

I was originally going to stay at POP then decided CBR then decided POR.

Maybe I will see u at the P&PP. I will have my tag on my bag.

Looking forward to hearing about the days leading up and the actual trip.

Off to bed.

have a goodnight.

I'll have tags as well. Can't wait. Yes, food is very important!!

I also HATE tower of terror. I've only been on it twice at Disneyland. but since it's my husbands favorite ride, I am going to try and work up the courage to go on it next month.

Your trip sounds like it should be great! i wouldn't be surprised if we saw you at AK that morning.

We went on ToT in June. My DD9 and I just sat there holding onto each other for dear life. I would have screamed my head off except for the fact that my stomach was up in my throat. DD13 is trying to talk us into it again because she doesn't want to ride alone. I also didn't care much for Rock n Roller coaster either. It just banged my head around too much.

It looks like a great trip you have planned there! Yes, food is very key and I'm dealing with the same thing you dealt with last time in that we cannot take part in the dining plan :( Very cool that your DD's competition schedule worked out to allow for the PPP! As I said on the January thread, best of luck to her - what level is she competing at?

Thanks for the good luck wishes! She's competing as a level 4. She would be going as a level 5, but she's having issues with her double back handspring.

Not being able to use the dining plan last time really was a bummer, but I couldn't talk DH into a value resort. He had his heart set on SoG.

okay what's one more PTR.....I'm in.

Yeah!

[hddanis]

I've got a little bit of sad news. Pickle isn't coming on our trip now:sad1: They really cut my hours back at work and I just can't see how we're going to swing the extra money. I've only worked 6 days in the past 3 weeks and I'm not scheduled at all this week. :confused3 Note: they cut my hours back right after we made the decision to take her.:mad: Grumpy and I talked about it last night and to avoid stretching ourselves too thin, especially around the holidays, we decided against taking her. We haven't gotten her plane ticket yet, nor set aside any extra money for her..and I just don't see how we'll manage. I'm pretty bummed about it, but she took it well. All she asked is that I bring her home a snow globe. Such a sweet little girl. :goodvibes She's happily going to Chuck E Cheese and Bowling...Bug is NOT happy about this turn of events though. Hopefully he'll come around in a day or so.:eek:



Now for the good news. It's not really trip related..but gymnastics related, so I guess it could be trip related because 1) it's a trip and 2) we're going to Disney for gymnastics..and 3) it's my trip report right??? :lmao: We just came back from a weekend in Williamsburg where Boo had a gymnastics meet... She took 1st place All Around for her level/age-group! :banana: She also took 1st place Floor and Vault, 2nd place Uneven Bars, and 4th place Balance Beam. :cool1: Her Level 4 team also took 1st place.:woohoo: I'd post pictures, but Photobucket is giving me attitude at the moment, and I'm not ready to deal with it..not enough coffee in my system yet.:scared:

Alright I better go, I have SO much to today: :laundy: :teacher: :surfweb: :drive: :stir: :happytv: ...not necessarily in that order...

[jordanyosh]

I'm sad for you:sad2:

But happy too. Congrats to your DD on doing so well in the competition. :thumbsup2

[hddanis]

I got our ME Docs in the mail today! Now I just have to decide if I'm actually going to USE Magical Express.

I have a rental car reserved at a really good price - $66.45 for the 5 days. I like the idea of having my own transportation just in case. Especially since we have to be at the World of Sports at a certain time..and we'll be in DTD that day. Which, If heard has really bad bus service.I can also stay a bit later on our last day there..Which is good because we can have dinner at 1900 Park Fare before we leave and not have to try to rush back to POP to catch ME..

But I also like the idea of not having to drive myself anywhere, considering most days I'm in the car about 2-3 hours driving kids all over. Decisions, decisions.

To be honest, I signed up for it just so the CMs would STOP asking me if I was signed up for it.

[scottny]

i wish mine would come. i wouldn't rent a car. just an extra expense and then dropping it off and picking it up.
If u r getting it mostly for DTD to the driving couldn't u just take a cab over. it is a good rate but I just wouldn;t want to be bothered when DME will take your luggage and everything for you.
JMO

[hddanis]

i wish mine would come. i wouldn't rent a car. just an extra expense and then dropping it off and picking it up.
If u r getting it mostly for DTD to the driving couldn't u just take a cab over. it is a good rate but I just wouldn;t want to be bothered when DME will take your luggage and everything for you.
JMO


You're leaving before me, yours should be there any time.

We (hopefully) won't have any checked luggage. At least that's the goal...but three girls who need to pack for whatever the weather throws at us, it might be difficult.

Renting a cab is an option I've considered. I probably won't decide until right before we leave. That's why I went ahead and made the reservations - Levaing my options open ;)

[hddanis]

We're officially 35 days away from our trip. I made up our countdown calendar last night. It needed to be small enough to place in my binder. I didn't want the others to get upset or anything. I decided to use my autograph page making skills to come up with a cute one....Well, at least I think it's cute.

this is what I came up with http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a350/luvmy4brats/countdown.jpg

I punched Mickey Heads out of different colored cardstock and ran them through my xyron to turn them ino stickers. The heads from Home Depot were too big. We'll use those to mark of the days.

[jordanyosh]

The calendar came out great.

Binders of the world unite......;)

It must be so hard w/ some going and others not especially kids.

[hddanis]

The calendar came out great.

Binders of the world unite......;)

It must be so hard w/ some going and others not especially kids.


Thanks! :goodvibes

Yes, it is hard. It wasn't so bad when it was just Bug, but now that Pickle can't come, I don't want to hurt her feelings, although she seems to be taking it much better than me.

Grumpy is talking about taking Bug down for Star Wars weekend in June:rolleyes1 Poor Pickle would miss out on that too, but I'll probably take her and the other girls up to Philly for the Olympic Gymnastics trials instead.

[scottny]

the calendar looks great.

[jordanyosh]

:santa: :santa: Merry Christmas!!!!:santa: :santa:

[mnmrmustard]

Bummer about Pickle not being able to come :( Very cool countdown calendar though and good idea about doing it small scale and making it a more private thing.

:santa: :santa: :santa: party: :smickey: :rainbow: :rainbow: :smickey: party: :santa: :santa: :santa:

Merry Christmas Heather!!!!!

:santa: :santa: :santa: party: :smickey: :rainbow: :rainbow: :smickey: party: :santa: :santa: :santa:

[bowlingchicaroo]

We'll be there from Jan 24-28th.

we will also be there roughly the same times you will be...jan.26th~feb.2nd staying at POP...i just happened to find your trip report since you commented on my autograph books...good report so far...

we are supposed to be in a preferred room...i will have to put up my LGMH on the door of our room...

take care...

[Blueyed Girl]

Subscribing!! Sorry it took me so long. I've been wanting to read yours ever since you posted on mine, but I'm finally here. Yay!! How exciting to go to a Gymnastics meet at Disney!:) Poor Pickle....but how sweet is she that she understands and is ok with it?!:love: What a sweetheart!! I LOVE THE CALENDAR!!! :worship:

[mnmrmustard]

Hope y'all are having fun at the World! Best of luck with the gymnastics!!! :thumbsup2 :banana: :thumbsup2

[Mrs. Bee]

so how did it go?

[mnmrmustard]

Yes, did y'all have a good time? Win any ribbons/medals/trophies? Our DD11 has Nationals up in Portland this weekend ...wheeee!