"Going Back To The Princess' House" ~ Trip Report,Pics, Updated 11/11

[Jaelynnandmom]

Hello everyone! :wave2: Yet again, another longtime lurker comes out of the rafters to write a first time Pre-trip report. I am learning how to do all of this along the way, so please bear with me.

Meet The Cast
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/PT%20Meet%20Us/image130.jpg

Me, Tiffany (25) ~ 6th trip to Disney World, Absolute Disney fanatic, Lover of photography, Homemaker

DH, Rob (26) ~ 7th or 8th trip to Disney World, Secretly loves Disney, Computer geek to the core

DD, Jaelynn (4 1/2) ~ 4th trip to Disney World, Lover of all things princess and Minnie Mouse, Very excited to be going to Disney for her 5th birthday
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/PT%20Meet%20Us/image121.jpg

That's the family! We were going to go just the 3 of us, since we have never had a family vacation, but once the rest of the family found out they were along for the ride as well.

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/PT%20Meet%20Us/IMG_3429.jpg
DS, Jenny (23) ~ 4th Trip
DBIL, Scott (25) ~ 4th Trip
DNephew, William (4 1/2) ~ 4th Trip
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/PT%20Meet%20Us/image148.jpg

DNephew, Steven (1 1/2) ~ 1st Trip, will be 2 in June
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/PT%20Meet%20Us/IMG_0428.jpg

DNiece, Olivia (8Months) ~ 1st Trip, will be 1 in August
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/PT%20Meet%20Us/IMG_3284.jpg

and then there is...
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/PT%20Meet%20Us/IMG_3406.jpg
DM, Momma
DSF, Eric
DB, Jeremy (14)
DB, Justin (12)
DS, Jemma (10)

There is the cast, stay tunned for the next installment: Dates & Resort (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1806629#post24759218)

Index
Pre-Trip Report
~ Dates & Resort (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1806629#post24759218)
~ Where Will We Be Staying? (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=24789958#post24789958)
~ The "Fur Babies" (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1806629#post24790566)
~ ADRs (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=24829157#post524829157)
~ Itinerary (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1806629#post24852999)
~ DD's Dresses (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1806629#post24853648)
~ The Start Of Shopping (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1806629#post24883757)
~ Poster Board Has Been Bought (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=24917874#post24917874)
~ Countdown Calendar & More (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1806629&page=2#post24975982)
~ DD's Surprise & Scrapbook (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1806629&page=3#post25127933)
~ Double Digits Baby!! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1806629&page=3#post25199953)
~ Lists & Projects (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1806629&page=4#post25241047)
~ Much Apologies & A Move (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1806629&page=4#post25566112)
~ The Big Decision (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=25711731&postcount=59)
~ Shopping Pictures (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=25726564&postcount=62)
~ M.I.A. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27086274&postcount=66)
~ Tip Envelopes (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27086451&postcount=67)
~ Disney Tomorrow!!! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27143529&postcount=68)

Trip Report
~ August 26th, 2008, Arrival Day, The Airport (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=28101228&postcount=71)
~ August 26th, 2008, Magic Express (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=28101592&postcount=72)
~ August 26th, 2008, Whispering Canyon Cafe & More (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=28102273&postcount=73)
~ August 26th, 2008, The Evening (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=28103198&postcount=74)

[Jaelynnandmom]

Our Travel Dates:
Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 - Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008

Were We Will Be Staying:
I will start from the beginning, originally we were planning on staying at a moderate resort... our logic was we were going for DD's birthday, and we could afford it, so why not. We eventually settled on Coronado Springs and were pretty excited about our choice. Now we just had to sit back and wait to book it.

But now it wasn't that easy because DS Jenny found out we were going and wanted her family to go with as well. All they could afford was value resorts so once again we researched and decided POP.

DH had other plans in mind...

Stay tunned for the next installment: Where Will We Be Staying??? (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=24789958#post24789958)

[Jaelynnandmom]

Where We Will Be Staying... Cont.
So when I left off we had decided we were going to be staying at POP since it was affordable for everyone, little did I know DH had other plans in mind...

A little back story first, we are fortunate enough to live near a doorway to dreams, so we can go view the AKV floor plan whenever we want. One day we were at Woodfield Mall and I said to DH "Look Honey, it's something Disney we should go check it out" long story short, he agreed. DD loves everything Disney so of course she agreed. We toured the villa first and then a wonderful man named Alan gave us the best timeshare presentation I have ever sat through. Sadly to say, we didn't buy that day. I was bummed, but if DH didn't want to do it, he must have had a good reason.

A few days later he surprised me with a second meeting with Alan. He said and this time we were going to sign papers:banana: :banana: I was so excited!!!

We purchased 160 points with AKV being our home resort. As for perks, we received 2007's points, 2 adult annual passes, as well as dinner at Rainforest Cafe later that night.
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/DVC/SANY0140.jpg
DH didn't want Mickey ears.

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/DVC/SANY0142.jpg
DD, She was very excited to sit in the daycare and watch Disney movies while we signed the papers.

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/DVC/IMG_2782.jpg
The bag of goodies we received:cool1:

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/DVC/IMG_2784.jpg
I absolutely love the pin that was given to my daughter... Not only is it princess, but it is Minnie as well.

So one might assume that we will be staying at AKV... but sadly no, all the 2 BR were booked for our dates:headache: So we moved onto our second choice VWL, I have alway wanted to stay here, but I never thought I would have the chance. DH called and hurray they had available 2brs :woohoo: we booked right away.

Resort: Disney's Villas at the Wilderness Lodge

Stay tunned for the next installment: The "Fur Babies" (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1806629#post24790566)

[Jaelynnandmom]

I forgot to introduce our "fur babies" ... they will be taking care of things while we are gone for the week.

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/PT%20Meet%20Us/IMG_1655.jpg
This is Bear (1 1/2), He is our 120lb gentle giant, he is great at knocking things over with his tail and bruising feet and he seriously thinks he is a lapdog. We were told he is a lab mix... we have been told by other people that he is mixed with great dane and greyhound.

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/PT%20Meet%20Us/IMG_1554.jpg
Bear in the bath... he has grown a little bit since this picture.

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/PT%20Meet%20Us/IMG_2605.jpg
and then there is Ollie (4), He is our grumpy old man of the family and he dislikes the dog.

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/PT%20Meet%20Us/IMG_2596.jpg
finally there is Keeley (3), DD named her after the Phil of the Future character. She is definitely a meower.

There you have it.

Stay tunned for the next installment: ADRs (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=24829157#post524829157)

[Jaelynnandmom]

Advance Dining Reservations
We decided to go with the basic dining plan since we usually eat one table service and one counter service meal per day. Here is what we have:

Tuesday, August 26th, 2008
Whispering Canyon Cafe 2PM

Wednesday, August 27th, 2008
BBB 8AM
Liberty Tree Tavern 5:20PM

Thursday, August 28th, 2008
Coral Reef 6:10PM

Friday, August 29th, 2008
Mama Melrose 5:10PM

Saturday, August 30th, 2008
O'hana 7:40PM <--------When it came time to make the reservations DH just didn't understand why I was stressing the we needed to call on the 180 day mark, now he knows why.

Sunday, August 31st, 2008
Donald's Safari Breakfast 8:05AM

Monday, September 1st, 2008
Teppan Edo 5PM

Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008
Cinderella's Royal Table 9:15AM

We are extremely excited because we have never eaten at any of these restaurants before :cheer2: I have pulled menus for each and DH & I have been planning on what we are going to eat... just looking at the food porn thread makes me wish it were tomorrow.

118 more days!!!

Stay tunned for the next installment: Itinerary (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1806629#post24852999)

[Princesskeyblade]

Subbing!!!!

I can't wait to read more!!!popcorn::

[Jaelynnandmom]

Subbing!!!!

I can't wait to read more!!!popcorn::
Hurray, my first subscriber :welcome:

[IluvXU]

I am joining in too. We went to the WL for our dd's 4th birthday last August. We had a great trip there, loved it!

You have some yummy ADRs, we loved the WCC, Coral Reef, OHana's Donald's Breakfast! We did all those last trip and had tons of fun!
Your dd is darling!

[Jaelynnandmom]

Our Itinerary
I love to plan for trips, DH thinks I am crazy but I love knowing where I am going to next day and what I will be doing.

Tuesday, August 26th, 2008
~ Arrival day :cool1:
~ Early morning flight
~ Arrive at MCO around noon
~ Take Magic Express to resort
~ Whispering Canyon Cafe Lunch
~ Explore resort
~ Dinner
~ Electric Water Pageant

Wednesday, August 27th, 2008
~ Magic Kingdom
~ BBB for DD
~ Share A Dream Parade
~ Liberty Tree Tavern Dinner
~ Wishes

Thursday, August 28th, 2008
~ EPCOT - Future World Only
~ Coral Reef Dinner

Friday, August 29th, 2008
~ Hollywood Studios
~ Block Party Bash
~ Mama Melrose Dinner
~ Fantasmic

Saturday, August 30th, 2008
~ Break Day
~ Shopping at Downtown Disney
~ O'hana Dinner

Sunday, August 31st, 2008
~ Animal Kingdom
~ Donald's Safari Breakfast
~ Jammin' Jungle Parade

Monday, September 1st, 2008
~ EPCOT - World Showcase
~ Teppan Edo Dinner
~ Illuminations

Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008
~ Magic Kingdom
~ Cinderella's Royal Table Breakfast
~ Departure back home :sad1:


I am sure it will probably get changed a zillion times, but for now it is what it is.

Stay tunned for the next installment: DD's Dresses (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1806629#post24853648)

[Jaelynnandmom]

I am joining in too. We went to the WL for our dd's 4th birthday last August. We had a great trip there, loved it!

You have some yummy ADRs, we loved the WCC, Coral Reef, OHana's Donald's Breakfast! We did all those last trip and had tons of fun!
Your dd is darling!

:welcome: Thank you!! I am glad you had a wonderful time for your DD's birthday trip, I am sure we will have a great time as well.

[Jaelynnandmom]

I absolutely love shopping for vacation! We generally only go on one family vacation per year, so shopping for the trip is like my second Christmas. Although only one of the dresses is new, here are the dresses DD wants to bring with to wear around the parks:

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_2581.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_2583.jpg
This is the dress we bought for her to wear during our February 2007 Disney Trip, She also wore it to her 4th birthday party which was themed Princess/ Pirate party. <~~~ Pictures to come later

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_2591.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_2593.jpg
This was DD's Halloween costume for 2007 <~~~ Picture to come later for this as well.

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_2585.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_2587.jpg
And this dress I bought at the Disney Store for 75% off in December... DH was so proud at how much money I saved.

Now, I am not too sure the DD will actually wear the dresses when she figures out how hot and humid it is going to be. I do plan on her wearing a tank top and little shorts underneath, but I still think she will be to hot. I suppose we will see.

Stay tunned for the next installment: The Start Of Shopping (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1806629#post24883757)

[Tinker74]

great start....:thumbsup2 ...I'll be at VWL the same time as you...:woohoo:

We are spending our first 5 nights at BCV then the weekend at Hard Rock hotel then checking into VWL on August 31st till sept 6th :banana:

Sept 2nd is My sons 16th birthday..:yay:

can't wait to read the rest of your plans..:)

[Williamandmom]

Hey! Everything sounds like so much fun!! You are always so good at making plans for differents vacations!! I really can't wat to leave!!:banana:

[Jaelynnandmom]

great start....:thumbsup2 ...I'll be at VWL the same time as you...:woohoo:

We are spending our first 5 nights at BCV then the weekend at Hard Rock hotel then checking into VWL on August 31st till sept 6th :banana:

Sept 2nd is My sons 16th birthday..:yay:

can't wait to read the rest of your plans..:)

:welcome: Sounds like you have an awesome trip planned! Perhaps we will see each other at VWL.

Aren't birthdays in Disney the best :goodvibes I am sure you son wil have a great time!

Hey! Everything sounds like so much fun!! You are always so good at making plans for differents vacations!! I really can't wat to leave!!:banana:

:welcome: Thanks so much! 116 more days!

[Jaelynnandmom]

Lately the only music my DD will listen to in the car is the theme to Splash Mountain :rotfl2: all I can say is it getting me in the mood for Disney.

Every time we go to a store, if it has a travel section, I am there :goodvibes I love travel sized items. DH is slowly letting me get clothing for the trip... I suppose it is a good idea because we can great deals on end of summer stuff.

So far this is what I have gotten:

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_3786.jpg
The beginning of the toiletries... Contact stuff, DH's deodorant (with travel size, perfect for park bag), Dryer sheets, Arbonne Sunscreen & After sun care (I am an independent consultant for them so I had to get it for the trip, it smells great), & Luggage tags.

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_3789.jpg
DD's Swimsuit & Flip-flops, Disney Store was having a swim sale so I couldn't pass that up.

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_3791.jpg
More stuff for DD

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_3792.jpg
DH's Shirt front

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_3793.jpg
Back

All these pictures are making me want to do more shopping :love: , but I will hold back for now!

The next thing on my agenda is making a countdown calendar for DD... I am thinking a poster board type of thing.

Stay tunned for the next Installment: Poster Board Has Been Bought (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=24917874#post24917874)

[Jaelynnandmom]

I went to the store today and purchased the poster board for DD's countdown calendar. Now the only thing I need to figure out is how to decorate it and if I should have it countdown from 100 days or 50 days :confused3 .... I think I am leaning more towards 100 days.

Here are a few photopass pictures from our March 2006 trip to tide you over:

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Previous%20Trips/March%202006/Scan0114.jpg
DD was 2 on this trip, even then she wanted to ride splash mountain!

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Previous%20Trips/March%202006/Scan0115.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Previous%20Trips/March%202006/Scan0119.jpg
DD didn't understand why we were putting her in the middle of the street in front of a camera guy.

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Previous%20Trips/March%202006/Scan0118.jpg
Then she figured it out.

Stay tunned for the next installment: Countdown Calendar & More (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1806629&page=2#post24975982)

[bcbmom]

Thank you for being the first to subscribe to 'Our first Vacation'.
I am excited I found yours and looking forward to getting some great ideas & advice from someone with experience. Off to start home daycare for the day but then will be back later to catch up. :)

[ddstratton]

Sounds like you've got a great trip planned!! I look forward to reading more :cool1:

[Jaelynnandmom]

Thank you for being the first to subscribe to 'Our first Vacation'.
I am excited I found yours and looking forward to getting some great ideas & advice from someone with experience. Off to start home daycare for the day but then will be back later to catch up. :)

:welcome: I am glad you found my pre-tippie! I will try to give you as much advice as I can, most of the things I have learned about Disney have come from these boards.

Are you starting a home daycare? How much fun is that?

Sounds like you've got a great trip planned!! I look forward to reading more :cool1:
:welcome: Thank you very much! I look forward to reading your pre-trip report as well.

[Jaelynnandmom]

111 Days to go :cool1:

I finally finished my countdown calendar :goodvibes I decided to countdown from 100 days, perhaps this will get DD to stop asking me everyday if we are going to Disney tomorrow. Everyday I am going to have her glue on a mickey head over the number... Kids just love to glue things :confused3 The calendar is not the prettiest thing, but I needed something that was easy for DD to help me with. Here it is:

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_3893.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_3892.jpg
DD was so very proud that she helped out.

Under the days I started writing down things I need to do that day for the trip. I hope it keeps me organized. Speaking of organized, I started my trip binder, I just need to make the cover for the binder and get dividers to keep the sections seperate.

I also finally decided on what to do for DD's autograph book... she loved last year's book so much we just decided to do it again this year. Last year we bought her an 8x8 Disney scrapbook and put just enough pages in there for the characters to sign. When we got home I put a picture on the other side of her with the character. I think this year I will make it more scrapbooky so she has the whole trip in one book instead of a character book and a trip book. Here is the scrapbook we just bought:

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_3904.jpg
It came in a kit this year with some stickers and 4 sheets of 12x12 paper

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_3905.jpg
Out of the package

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_3906.jpg
A little personalizing and the cover is ready to go... I think I may put a few stickers of Minnie Mouse and the princesses on the cover as well.

Stay tunned for the next installment: DD's Surprise & Scrapbook (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1806629&page=3#post25127933)

[Princesskeyblade]

The callendar came out awesome!!!

And I love the scrapbooky idea. I want the 12X12 version of that for my scrapbook!

[ddstratton]

Love the countdown calendar! I've gotta get one done, too. Just haven't decided how far out to start one...

[bcbmom]

Great job on the calendar...i'm sure your dd will have lots of fun with it.
LOVE the scrapbook idea. My older two might not be so interested in autographs but i'm hoping my youngest will. I will have to check out the local scrapbook store and see what I can find. Thanks for sharing...so much to do i'm actually happy we have a few months until our trip.

[Jaelynnandmom]

The callendar came out awesome!!!

And I love the scrapbooky idea. I want the 12X12 version of that for my scrapbook!

Thank you very much!! I love the idea of scrapbooks, I myself have never finished one, hopefully one day :rotfl:

Love the countdown calendar! I've gotta get one done, too. Just haven't decided how far out to start one...

Thank you! If you are like me and you are too excited to sleep, then I would say at least 100 days out... I still have 6 more days until I can even use mine :lmao:

Great job on the calendar...i'm sure your dd will have lots of fun with it.
LOVE the scrapbook idea. My older two might not be so interested in autographs but i'm hoping my youngest will. I will have to check out the local scrapbook store and see what I can find. Thanks for sharing...so much to do i'm actually happy we have a few months until our trip.

Thank you! When I went to my local scrapbook store, everything I found for DD's book was on clearance :love: You can't beat that!

[TCKK]

Love your report so far. I especially love the calendar. I have the 12 x 12 version of the scrapbook and am in the process of scrapping our 2006 trip. It's so much fun. I'm trying to decide if I'm going to get a new book or just get extenders and add this trip onto that one. I guess it depends on how many pictures I take.

Anyway, I hope you guys have a wonderful trip and I look forward to more from you, pictures and all your great ideas!

[Lady Lallie]

Hi! I just found your PTR. We are going 8/31 - 9/6 so we will be there for a few overlapping days. I can't wait to hear more about your trip!

[Williamandmom]

Hey Tiff! I love Jae's bathing suit!! Next time the Disney Store is having a sale let me know!! I want to get Olivia a really cute bathing suit!!:lovestruc

[Jaelynnandmom]

Love your report so far. I especially love the calendar. I have the 12 x 12 version of the scrapbook and am in the process of scrapping our 2006 trip. It's so much fun. I'm trying to decide if I'm going to get a new book or just get extenders and add this trip onto that one. I guess it depends on how many pictures I take.

Anyway, I hope you guys have a wonderful trip and I look forward to more from you, pictures and all your great ideas!

:welcome: Thank you! I love scrapbooking, I just haven't really jumped into it yet. I am sure you will take enough pictures to start a new scrapbook ;) but then again it is up to you. I know I buy the same photo album from the World Of Disney every year... it's like my one special souvenir. Thank you & more to come soon!

[Jaelynnandmom]

Hi! I just found your PTR. We are going 8/31 - 9/6 so we will be there for a few overlapping days. I can't wait to hear more about your trip!

:welcome: Wow, perhaps we will run into eachother! Where are you staying?

[Jaelynnandmom]

Hey Tiff! I love Jae's bathing suit!! Next time the Disney Store is having a sale let me know!! I want to get Olivia a really cute bathing suit!!:lovestruc

Thank you! I just check their website often, plus they send me e-mails every other day. They have a really cute two piece for infants, it's white with purple design all over it. Check it out

[Jaelynnandmom]

So it has been a few days since I last updated. Things are crazy with DD finishing up preschool in 2 weeks :scared1: then she will move onto kindergarten. Currently I am working on classes memory books, time is running out to get them finished.

As for trip planning, most of it has been done, so the next 103 days until the trip will mostly be previous trip pictures, and thinks I have made or purchased for the trip.

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_3920.jpg
These are the books I used to plan this trip... the Unofficial Guide is from 2007 (I used it to plan my last trip) and I didn't think it was worth it to buy the 2008 version.

The other day we went to Best Buy, when we walked in I saw a clearance bin and hurried right over to it... Don't you just love clearance! :lovestruc Anyway, it contained a lot of useless(to me) stuff and as I dug to the bottom I found a Disney Mix Max. I was so excited, but I knew they were originally $100 so there was no way DH would let me get one for DD. But wait, it was on clearance :banana: and it was only $37!! DH agreed that DD would get a lot of use out of it, so he let her get it :cool1: The best part is when it rung up at the register it was only $25!!!!! Even better! Here are some pictures:

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_3922.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_3924.jpg
Luckily DD absolutely loves HSM so it was perfect this was the only one.

I also stopped by the local craft store and picked up a few thinks for a trip scrapbook. I never have finished one, but hopefully one day :rolleyes1

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_3896.jpg
The scrapbook

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_3897.jpg
Stickers

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_3901.jpg
Chipboard

I also bought a bunch of paper since it was on sale!!

Stay tunned for the next installment: Double Digits Baby!! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1806629&page=3#post25199953)

[Lady Lallie]

:welcome: Wow, perhaps we will run into eachother! Where are you staying?
We are staying at Pop 8/31 - 9/3 and Wilderness Lodge 9/3 - 9/6. Woo Hoo! I can't wait.

[Williamandmom]

I love all the stickers you found!!! It's only 100 days tomorrow!! I've got to make my poster count-down tomorrow!!

[Jaelynnandmom]

We are staying at Pop 8/31 - 9/3 and Wilderness Lodge 9/3 - 9/6. Woo Hoo! I can't wait.

Sounds great :thumbsup2 I hope your trip is everything you hoped it would be.

[Jaelynnandmom]

I love all the stickers you found!!! It's only 100 days tomorrow!! I've got to make my poster count-down tomorrow!!

Thank you. All the Disney scrapbook supplies are 25% off this week at Michaels... I think I need to take a look at what else they have.

Upload your countdown calendar when you are done, I always love to see everyone else's Disney projects.

[Williamandmom]

Hey Tiff! I just got done with my countdown!!:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n320/Williamandmom/100_3024.jpg

[Jaelynnandmom]

99 days to go :cool1: :banana: :woohoo: :cheer2: Double Digits!!!

I am very excited to announce that I have started the countdown on my countdown calendar. I also went shopping the other day and picked up a few things for the trip, pictures to come later.

For now to tide you over a picture from a prior trip:
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Previous%20Trips/February%202004/IMG_2279.jpg
DD's first trip to the world! I think for babies Disney is sensory overload, at least it was for DD. She had such a wonderful time, we are glad we were able to share Disney with her at such a young age, even though she doesn't remember the trip. DD loves to look at past trip pictures & she gets such a kick out of her going to Disney as a baby.

Stay tunned for the next installment: Lists & Projects (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1806629&page=4#post25241047)

[Jaelynnandmom]

Hey Tiff! I just got done with my countdown!!:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n320/Williamandmom/100_3024.jpg

Ahhh, very nice, I love all the clipart. I was going to do clipart on my calendar, but then I found the Mickey head punch on sale. Great job :thumbsup2

[Jaelynnandmom]

One more thought, I want to leave you with. The other day DH & I were in the car driving home from food shopping and he started a conversation like this:

DH "Honey, how many mountains are in Florida?"

Me "I don't think there are any mountains in Florida... isn't it pretty close to sea level across the whole state?"

DH "There are at least three"

Me ":confused3 okay, good to know"

DH "Well, think about it.... there's Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, & Space Mountain"

Me :headache:

Being so obsessed with Disney, one would have thought I would have known the answer to that. A few days later, he told me "Wait there are 4... Everest is a mountain as well".... Husbands :rolleyes1

Stay tunned for the next installment:

[ddstratton]

Woooo Hoooo!!! Down to double-digits!!!

[Williamandmom]

HAHA:rotfl: It's still as good!!

Ok So I was thinking Tiff... I was reading on ALLearsnet.com that people who go to Epcot's World Showcase they do little challenge! Others that have been done are "Chocolate Around the World", "Drinking around the World Tour", "Fried Doughs around the World Tour" . Let me know what you think!

[IluvXU]

Love your scrapbooking stuff... after our trip I am pledged to get caught up... I am way behind. I am just going to take over a table and get caught up at night!

[bcbmom]

Getting Closer...soooo exciting. Wow you already have all of your planning done, good for you. Looking forward to your next installment!!

[Jaelynnandmom]

Woooo Hoooo!!! Down to double-digits!!!

Thank you! As you can tell I am very excited

[Jaelynnandmom]

HAHA:rotfl: It's still as good!!

Ok So I was thinking Tiff... I was reading on ALLearsnet.com that people who go to Epcot's World Showcase they do little challenge! Others that have been done are "Chocolate Around the World", "Drinking around the World Tour", "Fried Doughs around the World Tour" . Let me know what you think!

That sounds like a great idea!:thumbsup2 I am sure we will figure out something.

[Jaelynnandmom]

Love your scrapbooking stuff... after our trip I am pledged to get caught up... I am way behind. I am just going to take over a table and get caught up at night!

:laughing: sounds great! I need to take over my table as well just to catch up on scrapbooking!!!

[Jaelynnandmom]

Getting Closer...soooo exciting. Wow you already have all of your planning done, good for you. Looking forward to your next installment!!

I am extremely excited, I suppose that is the reason all my planning is finished. :confused3 I am sure I will come up with something else to plan for the trip pretty soon, it is getting pretty boring waiting for the trip to come :rotfl2:

[Jaelynnandmom]

I know it is a little early, but I think it is time for me to start thinking about a packing list (I absolutely love lists, Lists + Me = :love: ) I also need to think of other lists to make-up, such as airport bags list, Disney bag list, A list of things I want to send to Disney before I get there, and so on. I will work on those tonight and hopefully have them to post soon :thumbsup2

I must admit I am starting to get board of waiting for the trip to come, I wish I saved some things to plan :guilty: but all is good because sooner than I know I will start to work on projects for Disney :cool1: basically now I have to wait for DH to give me the okay to start shopping for the materials. So far here is what I have planned to make:

~ DD's Scrapbook/autograph book
~ Spiral Tie-Dye Mickey head shirts for the family (I am trying to everyone going to make & wear one, we will see how it goes)
~ DD's EPCOT World Showcase Passport
~ DD's Travel journal/ activity book

I would like to make more projects, but DH would rather I didn't, for example, I would like to make the cool neck ties, but DH would rather buy them. I guess we will see.

And now I leave you with a few pictures from our February 2004 trip:

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Previous%20Trips/February%202004/IMG_2239.jpg
DD started to love rides at a young age :lmao:

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Previous%20Trips/February%202004/IMG_2195.jpg
Goofy is my favorite :love:

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Previous%20Trips/February%202004/IMG_2255.jpg
I am not too sure what DH did to provoke the seagull, perhaps he was cawing at it :confused3 it is a funny picture though!

Stay tunned for the next installment: Much Apologies & A Move (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1806629&page=4#post25566112)

[Princesskeyblade]

I love lists too!!!:lovestruc But DBF looks at me like I am crazy when I make them.

I love the pictures too! The seagull one is priceless!

[Williamandmom]

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Previous%20Trips/February%202004/IMG_2255.jpg
I am not too sure what DH did to provoke the seagull, perhaps he was cawing at it :confused3 it is a funny picture though!

Scott and Rob were tring to get the seagull to land on one of them! :lmao: I think they got board waiting for someone on Big Thunder Mountin!

[bcbmom]

Well at least your dh will wear a Mickey tshirt:lmao:
Dh still thinks there is no way he'll wear any Disney wear...but i'm thinking he'll change his mind once we get there. We were at the mall on the weekend he picked up a bunch of new summer clothes but nothing Disney ofcourse, lol. I guess as long as he matches with colour we'll be okay, lol.
Glad to hear things are still progressing...it seems so close somedays but so far away others don't you think??
:goodvibes

[Jaelynnandmom]

I love lists too!!!:lovestruc But DBF looks at me like I am crazy when I make them.

I love the pictures too! The seagull one is priceless!

I get the crazy look as well from DH, but when he forgets to pack something and I already have it packed(because of the list) he loves them :rotfl2:

[Jaelynnandmom]

Well at least your dh will wear a Mickey tshirt:lmao:
Dh still thinks there is no way he'll wear any Disney wear...but i'm thinking he'll change his mind once we get there. We were at the mall on the weekend he picked up a bunch of new summer clothes but nothing Disney ofcourse, lol. I guess as long as he matches with colour we'll be okay, lol.
Glad to hear things are still progressing...it seems so close somedays but so far away others don't you think??
:goodvibes

Very true, I know many DHs that would not wear a Mickey shirt :confused3 I think my DH is just comfortable in whatever he wears so he doesn't care. He is the type of guy that would wear things with holes in them until I find them and throw them out :rolleyes1

Don't you just love shopping for a new season, well everything but the bill of course. There is just something so special about a new outfit, at least for me :rotfl2:

To me it seems like my trip is progressively adding days on instead of taking them off :worried: I think once the 50 day mark is reached everything will just slide on by and it will be our turn ar Disney :banana:

[Jaelynnandmom]

First off I would like to say much apologies for leaving my pre-tripie for two weeks :flower3: Some things have been going on that I am about to explain...

We went out of state to Minnesota for Memorial Day weekend everything was great and we had a wonderful time. Then DH drops the bomb:

DH: "Look dear, they have a Little Caesars here, we should move here"
(a little side note, we don't really care for the pizza options in MN, but DH likes Little Caesars)
Me: "Okay, you want to move here because of pizza?:confused3 "
DH: "Well we have lived here and loved the area, there is so much to do here"

And so this is what started the conversation of moving from Illinois to Minnesota, I figured I would spare you all of the conversation. In the end we decided to move, the only problem now is DD school would be starting Sept. 2nd, the day we are suppose to arrive back from our trip. In Illinois DD would have started school Sept. 4th, so now we had a little bit of a problem.
1.) Our flights are out of Chicago and we would have to drive 5 1/2 hours to get to them
2.) If we kept the already set dates, DD would miss her 1st day of Kindergarten and when we landed at 9:30PM on the 2nd we would have to drive back to MN so she wouldn't miss he second day either.
3.) To change our flights it is about $250 per ticket :scared1: DH didn't think we needed insurance on our tickets.

So you can now see why I have not been on the boards for 2 weeks... A) we are moving and now B) we are faced with rearranging our trip around.

What will we do??

Stay tunned for the next installment: The Big Decision (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=25711731&postcount=59)

[bcbmom]

Wow that is a lot!!...like planning a disney vacation wasn't enough, lol.
I'm in Canada (which is my excuse to cover how awful I am in geography;) ) but i'm just wondering how far of a move you are making. Does your husband have to find a new job? Also is family closer to where you are at now, or where you'll be moving??

Sounds like it must be something you both want with coming to a decision to move so quickly, so it'll all work out:thumbsup2
I wouldn't think it would be that big of a deal to keep the trip as planned and her to miss a day or two would it?

Hope everything with your trip works itself out:goodvibes

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

Hi! I was just stopping by to say I'm now a fellow reader!! Sorry for all of your moving issues. That's funny that you are in IL and want to move to Minn, my one roommate in my disney college program lived in Minn and moved to Detroit and they hate it and want to move back to Minn, it must be very popular!!!

I love all the pictures you have such a beautiful family!! I'm very excited about your DVC..my parents are both now almost 50 and said when we first started staying on property in 1992 (I was 7) that they should have bought DVC..I tell them, it is never too late and my brother and I can share it in the future..we'll see..but I'm very glad for you. Our Disney home is WL. We have stayed there 6x...never the villas though but they look amazing!

Happy planning, I hope you can figure out your disney issues :(

[Jaelynnandmom]

Wow that is a lot!!...like planning a disney vacation wasn't enough, lol.
I'm in Canada (which is my excuse to cover how awful I am in geography;) ) but i'm just wondering how far of a move you are making. Does your husband have to find a new job? Also is family closer to where you are at now, or where you'll be moving??

Sounds like it must be something you both want with coming to a decision to move so quickly, so it'll all work out:thumbsup2
I wouldn't think it would be that big of a deal to keep the trip as planned and her to miss a day or two would it?

Hope everything with your trip works itself out:goodvibes

Yeah, tell me about it:headache: but so far it is all working out.
My husband did get a new job that pays better, hence the move, so I can not complain. Another added bonus is my mother lives up there along with a few cousins and my sister, so it's not like I am moving to somewhere I have never been before.
We currently live in northern Illinois and we are moving to southern Minnesota, so it's about 5 1/2 hours by car in the direction of NE, not too bad.
I am actually now thinking that DD is only starting Kindergarten so missing a couple of days shouldn't be that bad, beside we did already have the trip planned and paid for before we found out we were moving.

[Jaelynnandmom]

Hi! I was just stopping by to say I'm now a fellow reader!! Sorry for all of your moving issues. That's funny that you are in IL and want to move to Minn, my one roommate in my disney college program lived in Minn and moved to Detroit and they hate it and want to move back to Minn, it must be very popular!!!

I love all the pictures you have such a beautiful family!! I'm very excited about your DVC..my parents are both now almost 50 and said when we first started staying on property in 1992 (I was 7) that they should have bought DVC..I tell them, it is never too late and my brother and I can share it in the future..we'll see..but I'm very glad for you. Our Disney home is WL. We have stayed there 6x...never the villas though but they look amazing!

Happy planning, I hope you can figure out your disney issues :(

:welcome:
Yeah, moving can be a pain in the butt, but I hear MN is just wonderful! Funny you mention that about your Disney College roomate, I hear a lot of stories about people who move from MN to IL and then move back to MN. I just can't wait to get away from all this traffic;)
Thank you! This will be our 1st DVC trip, but I am very excited to go. I went with my best friend in October 2007 and we stayed at her parents DVC and I loved it so much I just had to convince DH to get one. It is never too late to buy a DVC, your parent should get one ::yes:: In the long run it will save them money, plus you and your brother can use it... I see no wrong there.

[Jaelynnandmom]

Hello everyone :flower3: I am proud to say all of the moving issues are over :banana: We have decided that we are not going to let moving interfere with our long awaited family vacation. Here are the added on plans:

Monday, August 25th, 2008 ~ Drive 5 1/2 hours from Minnesota to Illinois & spend the night at my DMIL & DFIL's house

Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 - Tuseday, September 2nd, 2008 ~ Have a magical time at Disney :love: :woohoo: :banana:

Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008 ~ Have DMIL pick us up from the airport, when we get to their house jump in our car and drive the 5 1/2 house from Illinois back to Minnesota at about 10pm

DH says he is up for the drive the same day we spend all day at MK and fly to O'hare so DD & I are up for it as well. DD will miss her first day of school, but DH & I talked about it and have decided that the first day of Kindergarten is really for the parents, not the children. Since September 2nd is her 1st day of school we will rush back in the PM so she will be there for day 2. My only concern is she may be tired for her first day. I know she will sleep on the flight and the car ride, I just hope it is a solid sleep.

Until I get my lists in order and take pictures of my recent projects, here is a picture from my February 2007 trip:
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Previous%20Trips/February%202007/IMG_2684.jpg
DNephew, William, Mickey, DD, Jaelynn at Donald's Breakfast.

Stay tunned for the next installment: Shopping Pictures (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=25726564&postcount=62)

[IluvXU]

Nice to have it figured out! :cool1: :cool1:

[Jaelynnandmom]

Nice to have it figured out! :cool1: :cool1:

Yes, I agree :goodvibes I didn't know if I could handle any added stress.

[Jaelynnandmom]

Alright, so I have been doing more shopping for the trip, to DH's dismay. He would like me to cool it on buying stuff for the trip until we move so we won't have more stuff to move :headache: . But, I did bring out two boxes :rolleyes1 and I told him they were Disney boxes and I said I will stop buying stuff for Disney when the boxes get full. luckily he agreed to that, plus he said I didn't need the stress of getting everything for the trip in two weeks right after we move. :woohoo: I love this guy, he will say one thing and then think things through and make it easier on me :lovestruc Okay without further ado, here are the most recent pictures from my shopping trips:

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_4691.jpg
H20 Shoes for DD, we are trying to have her wear just sandals since she complains her feet get hot with socks. She says they feel comfortable and I love that they are water shoes.

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_4692.jpg
Another view

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_4694.jpg
Toothpaste, Kid bathroom wipes, Sewing Kit (you never know, I have had so many articles of clothing rip on me because I catch them on things), Zicam, Bug Spray in case we go to Fort Wilderness for the campfire sing-a-long, Purex laundry detergent (free sample I received in the mail)

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_4695.jpg
Glow sticks from the dollar store, Combs for DD's BBB experience, and Arbonne Hand cream & Foot cream for the park bag

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_4696.jpg
I am a ziploc bag fan, I use them for everything and anything... I really should take up stock in the company :rotfl2: an added bonus I found them on clearance!!


I have been working on a few of my projects, here are the invite letters for our dining & BBB:

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_4697.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_4698.jpg

I also finished little cards to keep track of our dining plan:
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_4699.jpg

I am currently working on tip envelopes, I will post pictures as soon at I finish.

Stay tunned for the next installment: M.I.A. (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27086274&postcount=66)

[bcbmom]

:goodvibes Just checking in to see how things are going!!!
We are both getting so close...i'm sooooo excited!!:goodvibes

[bcbmom]

Your trip is sooo close!
I hope you have an amazing time!!
Looking forward to reading about it:)

[Jaelynnandmom]

Your trip is sooo close!
I hope you have an amazing time!!
Looking forward to reading about it:)
:hug: Thank you so much!! Wow have I neglected this thread, but I am back to finish it up!!

[Jaelynnandmom]

:flower3: :rolleyes1 So it has been quite awhile since I have last posted :sad2: No excuses, but a lot has happened since you have heard from me last...

~ We moved from Illinois to Minnesota, there is just something about packing and unpacking boxes that puts me in the mood to do nothing else but relax.
~ Our daughter celebrated her 5th birthday and is ready to finish celebrating in Disney in 4 days!!
~ We had a few illnesses in the family... I won't get into details, but it dealt with strokes and cancer... everyone is fine now.
~ And now my mother, stepfather and younger siblings are not going to Disney.

Now that all that fun stuff is aside, it's ready to get very excited for this trip!!! :banana: :cool1: :goodvibes :woohoo:

4 More Days!!

I must say this past week has seemed to drag on. I have decided that since the week is going so slowly, I am going to finish packing and cleaning on Monday since we leave Tuesday morning. Now I just need to get through Today, Saturday, & Sunday!

I read instructions on the DIS for Tye Dye Spiral Mickey Head Shirts, I thought they were the coolest things so I thought I would give them a shot since DH said he would wear one. Here is how they turned out:

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_5229.jpg
DD's Shirt ~ I was kind of disappointed because it has a blueish tint to the whole shirt, perhaps it is because we started off with an off white shirt. Overall I am pretty pleased with the outcome.

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_5230.jpg
My Shirt ~ I am pretty Pleased

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_5071.jpg
DH's Shirt ~ It turned out nicely, My Shirt, DD's Shirt

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_5072.jpg
My Sister's family's shirts

I do have a tip, they say to pull the dental floss really tight, but if you pull it too tight you will create a small hole where the two ends meet up. So with that said, pull the string tight, but not too tight.

I also decided to get creative with some rhinestones to create a tank top for DD's 5th birthday party. DD absolutely loves Minnie Mouse:love: She wave very excited about the shirt and it turned out to be a big hit at the party. Of coarse we have already packed it for DD to wear to Disney. The shirt wasn't too hard to make, it only took about 2 hours:

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_5225.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_5224.jpg

I will hopefully post more pictures tomorrow of things I have picked up for the trip

Stay tuned for the next installment: Tip Envelopes (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27086451&postcount=67)

[Jaelynnandmom]

I forgot to post pictures of the tip envelopes I made. Again I got the design form someone off the DIS, Thanks to the designer!!

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_4733.jpg

Stay tuned for the next installment: Disney Tomorrow!!! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27143529&postcount=68)

[Jaelynnandmom]

:woohoo: :cool1: We Leave Tomorrow!!!:cheer2: :rotfl:

Can I just say I am ready for this much needed vacation! This will be pretty short and sweet since I have a lot of packing/cleaning left to do, but here are some more pictures of things we picked up for the trip:

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_4717.jpg
DH & My Toiletry Bags

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_4721.jpg
DD's Toiletry Bag

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_4726.jpghttp://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_4730.jpghttp://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_4731.jpg
Family Shirts For The Airport/ 1st Day

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_4723.jpg

And A Few Shirts For DD
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_4753.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_4754.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Trip%20Accesories/IMG_4755.jpg

I hope you all have a :tink:Magical week, I know we will rain and all! I can not wait to share my trip report when I return.

Stay tuned for the next installment: Arrival Day (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=28101228&postcount=71)

[Princesskeyblade]

Have A Great Time!!!!!

[bcbmom]

Just thinking of you today and wondering how your trip was?
I hope everything was perfect!
We are leaving in 11 days! and hope to hear about yours before we go...:goodvibes

[Jaelynnandmom]

Hello :wave: we are back! Well actually we have been back for about a month now and I have been waiting for my Photopass CD before I started my trip report. I never realized how sad it is to write a trip report, I can't wait until our next trip to Disney!! Before I start I would like to mention that this tr is going to be very PICTURE HEAVY. I do not tell stories very well, so instead I take a lot of pictures... I think at the end of the week, with photopass pictures, I ended up with 20GB of pictures :eek: So with out further ado, here is a recap of our trip, enjoy popcorn::


Day One, Departure Day & Dinner at Magic Kingdom
5:00am my alarm goes off, I should stop and mention that I am not a morning person in the least bit, in fact I am not aware of the surrounding world until after 8am. But hey I was getting on a plane and going to Disney so I didn't mind:cool1: I was ready to go in under 30 minutes and it was time to wake up DD, Jaelynn. I finish getting her ready and we are out the door at 6am to catch our 7:50am flight.

It only took 15 minutes to get to the airport, we said goodbye and thanked DM & DF for driving us and walked right up to check bags. We would have walked right through security, but the person in front of us was having an issue with their passport, so instead it took 10 minutes, no big deal. Of course walking to our terminal DD finds a play area and we stop so she can check it out.

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Arrival%20%20Day/IMG_3302.jpg
Greetings from St. Paul!!

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Arrival%20%20Day/IMG_3305.jpg

After about 20 minutes of playtime, I insisted we go and find our terminal and eat our bagels I packed. When we get there, our plane is already there :goodvibes I was not too sure I could eat I was so excited.

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Arrival%20%20Day/IMG_3307.jpg
DD with the plane

We manage to eat half a bagel each and I decide it is time to break out DD's Minnie Mouse ears.

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Arrival%20%20Day/IMG_3310.jpg
DD was busy playing the Nintendo DS... :confused3 what did kids do without them?

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm60/JaelynnandmomDisney/Arrival%20%20Day/SANY0758.jpg
We are way too excited!!

Within 15 minutes of getting to our terminal it was time to board our plane :woohoo: I think that was the shortest time I have ever waited in a terminal! I will have to make a mental note to always leave on Tuesdays :thumbsup2

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From our window

10 minutes later we are in the air!! The plane was about 50% full, quite roomy, we are usually on overbooked flights.

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DD loves flying

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I love white fluffy clouds!!! So pretty :cloud9:

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Disney here we come

I was pretty nervous to fly alone with DD. We were meeting DH at the airport in Orlando due to him not moving to MN from IL the week we had. All anxiety aside DD was great, she colored in her color wonder book and played the ds the whole time. She did get up to go to the restroom 2 times which was expected... the second time we go up was not so fun. We get up and walk a few rows back to the restroom, DD opens the door, and there was poop everywhere!! :crazy2: and not just any poop, diarrhea!! When I say it was everywhere, it was every where :scared1: all over the toilet, the sink, the floor, the walls. I can understand being sick and I know the toilets are small and the plane can be quite bumpy, but how could someone miss that much? and why wouldn't they try to clean up after themselves :confused3 ??? So DD and I wait for the other restroom to open, a flight attendant walks up and says
"The other restroom is open"
"did you look in there?"
"no, why?" He opens the door "What the H**l?!?"
and then he apologizes for be so unprofessional, I said it's okay. Needless to say that restroom was closed for the rest of the flight.

About 3 hours go by and we land!!! And here come my 1st set of uncontrollable tears... I wouldn't day I was crying, but i did have about 6 or 7 tears roll down my face. I am such a sap for Disney :laughing:

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We are in Orlando!!!

Our flight landed about 25 minutes early, not bad for us, but DH's flight was suppose to land 5 minutes after ours. I was concerned about the 30 minute difference. Not 2 seconds after we get off of our plane does DH call and say that his flight was early as well :woohoo: I was hoping we would make our 2pm reservations for Whispering Canyon Cafe!!

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from the monorail


I will continue in the next post.

Stay tuned for the next installment: Arrival Day, Part 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=28101592&postcount=72)

[Jaelynnandmom]

Continued, Arrival day, Part 2

We get down to the magic express area and start to look for a spot to sit down, but instead we get a tap on our shoulder DH was right behind us!! My sister and her family was on his flight as well. DH took our baggage claim stickers and went to check into Magic Express. The line was huge and looked like it wrapped around forever!! But it only took DH 10 minutes to get through it.

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Everyone meets up, DD with DSister's family

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We missed you DH!!!

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We are ready to get to The Wilderness Lodge!!

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DH, Robert & DD, Jaelynn

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DNephew, William & Me

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DSister, Jenny & DNiece, Olivia

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DBIL, Scott & DNephew, Steven

We were the 1st ones on the bus so we got to sit up front so I could take pictures out the window!! We waited on the bus for about 20 minutes before we left.

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And we are off!

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Welcome to Walt Disney World!!! <----- here is where more tears started

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My favorite place in the whole world, the Magic Kingdom!!!

We were not the first stop so our ride took a little bit longer, I was not too sure we would be making our 2pm lunch reservations. Our buss was stopping at Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, Contemporary. About 40 minutes after we left the airport we had arrived :cheer2:

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We are here!!!

By this point DNiece is screaming, she is a very scheduled baby and she was hungry and tired. About 20 minutes into the bus ride she started crying, little did we know that this was going to be a theme the whole trip. DH & I were so ready to get off the bus, we hopped right off and told them we would meet them inside. It was now 2pm and we still had to check-in before we could go and eat.

The lobby was absolutely breathtaking :love: all DD could say was "wow" , we had no time for that though, we had reservations to get to. We walk right up to the counter and receive a friendly greeting... this is where the friendliness ends. The woman was very snappy, perhaps because DH & I are on the younger side, I am not too sure. I tried to ask a few questions like about becoming a flag family and I asked what time the buses started. She would just snap back that she is not allowed to answer any questions and that is what concierge is for... she said all she was allowed to do was check us in. DH said "oh it is my daughter's birthday this trip, can we have a button for her?" And she said "again, go ask concierge" Now this is my second time staying at a Disney resort, the first time was with friends. When we checked in with friends, the woman checking us in answered all of our questions and gave us buttons. I didn't quite understand why the woman at the Wilderness wouldn't or rather "couldn't" help us :furious:. Luckily this was the only rude CM we ran into.

DH & I shook it off & and ran over to our reservations, we were starving and 15 minutes late, besides we could handle everything else later.

will be continued...

Stay tuned for the next installment: Arrival Day, Whispering Canyon Cafe (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=28102273&postcount=73)

[Jaelynnandmom]

Continued, Arrival Day, Whispering Canyon Cafe
Luckily, Whispering Canyon cafe is right in the lobby, we were already late and pretty hungry. We get seated right away and order, it was pretty much a no brainer that the adults would be getting the skillet meal. The kids got mac n' cheese.

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Sorry, the next few pictures turned out really dark and I tried to lighten them, but most came out weird looking.

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Cole Slaw came for the Adults

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Cinnamon Apples for the kids

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My favorite, corn bread

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Mac N' Cheese

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The Skillet ~ Smoked pork ribs, oven-roasted chicken and pork sausage, served with beans, seasonal vegetable, creamy coleslaw, mashed potatoes and fresh baked corn bread

Not only was it DD's Birthday week it was DNiece's Birthday as well so the waitress brought them a birthday suprise.

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Cupcakes with really long straws and a candle on the top.

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DNiece loved her treat!!

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The kids got Dirt N' Worms

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My desert ~ S'more Cheesecake, quite tasty!!

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DH's desert ~ Kahlua-flavored Chocolate Cake ~ I liked it, DH thought it was too much chocolate

After lunch DH ran over to Concierge to get some of our questions answered, we went over to visit Humphrey

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All of us rubbed his nose for good luck & a magical trip, even the baby rubbed his nose. and we were ready to go to our room.

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DD & DNephew

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Beautiful!!!

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Welcome Home! I love that phrase, when at Disney it never gets old!

Continued in the next post.

Stay tuned for next installment: Arrival Day, the evening (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=28103198&postcount=74)

[Jaelynnandmom]

Continued, Arrival Day, Naptime & The Evening
We begin walking to our room, I told DH to make a room request but he said no honey we will be fine. We find we are on the second floor, not too bad, honestly we didn't care what floor we were on. We take the elevator up and begin walking and walking and walking, and there is our room second to last and on the inside.

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Our room number

Being an inside room, I was quite afraid of our view.... little did I know the view everybody hates, we got.

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The dumpsters!!!!!!!

DH asked if I wanted to see if we could change rooms, but the kids were already getting settled so I said no:mad: I was angry that we were at the end of a never ending hall and we had a view of a dumpster, but I wasn't going to let it ruin my magical vacation! Lesson learned ALWAYS MAKE ROOM REQUESTS!!!

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The never ending hallway

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Mickey!

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Nap time for the kids.... they watched the Disney cartoons & that is the only thing they watched the whole trip.

While the kids were napping DH & I walked around to figure out where everything was.

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In the Villa Lobby

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The Villas fireplace

7pm rolled around and we were starting to get hungry, so we knew it was time to wake the kids & DBIL up and go to MK for dinner and perhaps a few rides.

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The kids woke up to find Mickey left welcome bags on the table for them

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We cleaned the kids up and left to go to dinner. We walked past the pool so the kids could see it and we come to find ducks swimming around in there (there were always ducks in the pool... Kind of gross if you think about it)

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The lifeguard had to protect them from these kids who were throwing things at the ducks.

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We wanted to take the boat

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DD doesn't really like boats... towards the end of the trip she was fine with them

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When we got to MK the skies looked like they were starting to turn

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I waited so long to see this view!!!

We shrugged off the possibilities of rain and went over to Laugh floor.

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We walked right into the attraction

Afterward we decided to get dinner and try to leave before Wishes started since we had an early morning the next day. We went to Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe... it seems we always go there. Sadly I forgot to take pictures of the food. DH got a Cesar salad and chocolate cake, I got a Turkey bacon wrap, grapes, and chocolate cake, and DD got Chicken nuggets, grapes and a cookie.

We ate and left just as Wishes was about to start, as the ferry left the dock the Electric Water Pageant started.

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Picture from the boat

The boat raced back to the resort and we watched the rest of the pageant from the dock, I thought it was cute. We went back to our room and found a frog on the second story window.

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Frogs tend to be lucky for us

DD had a surprise waiting for her

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We tucked the kids into bed and went to sleep ourselves, the next day we had a BBB appointment at 8am so we had to be up quite early!

Stay tuned for the next installment:

[bcbmom]

Great Start! Looking forward to more:goodvibes

[Williamandmom]

Hey Tiff! I can't wait for your internet to be back on so you can finish your tr! I had so much fun on this trip with you and I can't wait for us all to do a big family trip to Disney again!!:yay: