The "we're not going for a while" trip 2009 - lotsa pictures

[SnackyStacky]

So I tried a trip report for my September 2008 trip that got one whole response, so I figured I must have done it wrong.

I didn't do it the way most do - I wrote the whole thing and posted installments one after the other. So I'm going to try the whole pre-trip report thing.

When in Rome! :)

My wife was laid off in April of this year. While we weren't planning on a trip anyway, we knew that the nail was in our Disney-vacationing coffin.

But then, the pixie-dust gods smiled on us, and I won a trip. Had to be used up this year, or it might not be able to be booked. With resort, admission and dining covered - the huge portions of the trip were good to go. I had surprised my wife with a spot on the Podcast cruise. In order to keep the surprise, I opened up a jetBlue AmEx so she wouldn't see any of the payments. Opening it up added 50 points to my trueblue account, plus all the payments made toward the cruise - and we had a free roundtrip flight for one of us. We figured that we could do this!

Let's start with the cast, shall we?

Me: Dan. Just turned 30 this year. My first trip to Walt Disney World was waaaaaay back in August of 1986. Here I was with my grandparents:
http://www.theverythoughtofyou.net/disney2009/disneyworld8601.jpg

Fell immediately in love with the place, but it would be years before I'd get back; 10 years....to be lying. It was more like 16 years. :) I wouldn't get back until January of 2002. But I made up for lost time. Between then and now, I've visited 9 times.

Anyway, here I am now:
http://www.theverythoughtofyou.net/disney2009/dan.jpg

DW: Thirty fdniswnjdf years old. (That was me running my hand over my mouth while mumbling). She loves Disney. Very much. But nothing like I do. She really wants to take vacations elsewhere - but is humoring me in the meantime. She is my best friend, and the best mother I've ever seen. Truly. :cloud9:

Here's the 2 of us:

http://www.theverythoughtofyou.net/disney2009/image033.jpg

DD: She's 3. Born during value season, when crowds are low, and the food and wine festival is JUST beginning. Now that's what I call family planning. :thumbsup2 She's got a mind of her own; which I think will be an asset to her as a woman. But as my daughter, I really could deal without the independent streak! :rolleyes1

Here she is:
http://www.theverythoughtofyou.net/disney2009/image101.jpg

BFF: The trip was for 4, so DW's BFF will join us. She loves Disney, but is all about Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights. So she'll be staying on through after us to check that out. She is a junkie for the Tower of Terror. We rode it 9 times straight last trip. Meaning we viewed our picture at the exit, and hoofed it hard through the gift shop right back to the line. We got a bit stupid. We started cheesing for the camera.

Here we are doing the YMCA:
http://www.theverythoughtofyou.net/disney2009/tot3.jpg

And the Dr. Evil grin:
http://www.theverythoughtofyou.net/disney2009/tot1.jpg

And Hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil:
http://www.theverythoughtofyou.net/disney2009/tot4.jpg

Having made our way through the characters, let's get a bit into the specifics, shall we?

When? September 15 - 22. Because this was a prize, there were restrictions on dates. We had initially tried September 22 - 29, to go for DD's actual birthday. But that was a no go. To minimize airfare, I wanted to check in and out on a Tuesday, which is why the entire date set was shifted by a week. The free part was for 6 nights - so we're going to spend our extra night either at the Dolphin (phenomenal rate!) or an off site condo (for free!!!).

Where? Caribbean Beach Resort. I had mentioned that that was a preference, but I don't know if that had anything to do with where we were placed. The only moderate where we've ever stayed is Port Orleans French Quarter. I've been wanting to try another, so bully! :)

How to get there? jetBlue!!! A free seat, and pretty cheap fares for the other 2. Total for 3 seats: $400.

Then, a midsize for National's Emerald Aisle. We weren't able to get Magical Express with the package, so we're going with a car rental rather than a towncar or other transfer service.

That covers the basics.

[SnackyStacky]

Continuing on with the plans, where SHALL we eat?

Well, when this all started - we were planning on being there for DD's birthday - so I made dining arrangements before the resort was finalized. Had a great list of dining - including her birthday at Cinderella's Royal Table.

Well - the dates came in for the week before, so I had to SCRAMBLE to try and find some dining for the week before. It was slim pickin's - but we managed to find some old favorites, and some new places to try. And alas, no Cinderella's Royal Table.

DD had breakfast with the princesses at Akershus in Epcot, but I was wanting to take her to the castle. Not even for her - but for me! They serve this french toast at Cinderella's Royal Table that I just LOVE - but can't find at ANY other restaurant on property!!!!! I was bummed, but when we asked her who she wanted to have breakfast with, she said Lilo and Stitch. So we figured SHE wouldn't be bummed. :)

I had been trying to get Cinderella's Royal Table anyway. I tried when I thought about it - and on July 4th - a MIRACLE! There it was! A beautiful 9:35 am reservation on September 16th. I snatched that up right quick!

So anyway, here's the dining plans!

September 16

Cinderella's Royal Table: 9:35 am (old favorite - last visit was 2005)
Les Chefs de France: 5:00 pm (new to us!)


September 17

Liberty Tree Tavern: 4:05 pm (New to us!)


September 18

'Ohana: 10:40 am (dinner - never breakfast, so new to us! :))


September 19

50's Prime Time Cafe: 4:35 pm (old favorite)


September 20

Boma: 5:10 pm (old favorite)


September 21

Hollywood & Vine: 8:05 am (new to us!)
Jiko: 5:30 pm (old favorite)


Cinderella is paid in full already. We'll pay OOP for 'Ohana and Hollywood & Vine, and use dining credits for the rest. We loves us some dining! :thumbsup2popcorn::

[SnackyStacky]

And for my last post tonight, some photos from our last trip. :3dglasses

Here's DW with DD at the airport on our way there.
http://www.theverythoughtofyou.net/disney2009/IMG_4032.jpg

Our picture with Belle before our breakfast with the princesses on her last birthday:
http://www.theverythoughtofyou.net/disney2009/image147.jpg

DD's happy place. Ariel's Grotto.
http://www.theverythoughtofyou.net/disney2009/image114.jpg

Here we are waiting for Mickey's Boo to You Halloween Parade.
http://www.theverythoughtofyou.net/disney2009/IMG_4139.JPG

Here we are ready to hit the volcano pool at the Polynesian.
http://www.theverythoughtofyou.net/disney2009/DSCN0629.JPG

DW and DD on the TTA at the Halloween Party.
http://www.theverythoughtofyou.net/disney2009/IMG_4117.JPG

Here's DD cheesing at Portofino Bay at Universal.
http://www.theverythoughtofyou.net/disney2009/IMG_4033.JPG

The photo of DW and I in the characters section was from our photo shoot at the Polynesian. Here's a couple others.

http://www.theverythoughtofyou.net/disney2009/image009.jpg
http://www.theverythoughtofyou.net/disney2009/image024.jpg

[briarbear]

I'm along for the ride. You have ressies at some of the places we're going in Aug. Cant wait to read the reviewspopcorn::

[SnackyStacky]

I'm along for the ride. You have ressies at some of the places we're going in Aug. Cant wait to read the reviewspopcorn::


Woo hoo! Someone's actually reading this! :lmao::banana::wave2::wave:

[Disneychix]

Hello! I too am from Buffalo. Your family is too cute! Love all the pics! The TOT ones are hilarius!

What a great deal on airfare! Can't beat that!
Do you know if they still do the resort photo shoots? We are going in Nov and maybe I"ll set something up for my family.

Can't wait for more!

[SnackyStacky]

Hello! I too am from Buffalo. Your family is too cute! Love all the pics! The TOT ones are hilarius!

What a great deal on airfare! Can't beat that!
Do you know if they still do the resort photo shoots? We are going in Nov and maybe I"ll set something up for my family.

Can't wait for more!

:wave2::wave:

Howdy, fellow Buffalonian!

They do still have the resort photo shoots available, but, like all things Disney, they discovered what a popular product they had and jacked up the price.

When I did ours, I paid $100 in advance for the Photopass CD, and a $25 sitting fee the day of the photo shoot. All my photos from the parks and resort photo session were on one disc.

NOW - I think it's $150 for the photo session which includes the pictures on a disc - but they are COMPLETELY separate from your park photos. If you want to include your park photos, you have to spend another $100 - $125 for THAT disc. Insane!!!!

[jjzmgailey]

I'm loving your report so far!! Absolutely love your pics too! Very beautiful family! We'll be there for some of the same dates too! Looking forward to more pics & stories! popcorn::

[SnackyStacky]

I'm loving your report so far!! Absolutely love your pics too! Very beautiful family! We'll be there for some of the same dates too! Looking forward to more pics & stories! popcorn::

:wave2::wave:

Thank you!!! :)

Shall I tell you the story where we had to threaten to take away the WDW trip when DD flushed her panties down the toilet?

Or the one where we had to threaten to take away the WDW trip because she bathed herself in the toilet? :eek::rolleyes:

[jjzmgailey]

Shall I tell you the story where we had to threaten to take away the WDW trip when DD flushed her panties down the toilet?


Now that is a riot!! :lmao: Our DD, now 7, did that when she was about 3! Brand new, very fancy & sparkly My Little Pony ones too! :rotfl: She was actually horrified...she didn't realize what would happen...or so she said...little stinker...she never did it again though!! I think she was more upset than we were! :rotfl2:

[SnackyStacky]

Now that is a riot!! :lmao: Our DD, now 7, did that when she was about 3! Brand new, very fancy & sparkly My Little Pony ones too! :rotfl: She was actually horrified...she didn't realize what would happen...or so she said...little stinker...she never did it again though!! I think she was more upset than we were! :rotfl2:

DD was quite proud of her work. It wasn't until she realized how angry we were that she "forgot" where her panties were, or WHY she flushed them down the toilet.

To top it all off - we had a funeral that night. Instead of going and being with our family, I was waiting for the Roto Rooter guy.

I'll tell you - I tried VERY hard to sell her and/or give her away to the plumber. But he just refused. I even showed a picture so he could see how cute she is! Didn't work.

[SnackyStacky]

Curses to schedule changing!!! But we've had some changes to make!

I've never been big on the Liberty Tree Tavern, and Kouzzina was celebrating it's grand opening on September 17! I've NEVER been to the Grand Opening of anything at Disney World, so here's my chance!

Also, some DIS sapsucker had to go post a request for evening pictures of Animal Kingdom. It looked SO beautiful! I've NEVER been a fan of Extra Magic Hours - and still am not. But we travel in the off season, so seeing Animal Kingdom after dark is elusive, at best, when the park closes at 5pm. Even with a closing time of 8 in September, I'm not planning on seeing TOO much of it - but something is better than nothing! So because of that DISer who posted that request, all these changes!!!!! :laughing:

So with all that, here's the new dining arrangements. Changes are in red.

September 15

Whispering Canyon Cafe (new to us) - this one isn't a change. It wasn't showing up on my list before, and noticed the error!!! :)

September 16

Cinderella's Royal Table: 9:35 am (old favorite - last visit was 2005)
Tonight is Extra Magic Hour at the Animal Kingom - nothing available at an AK table service location, so we'll try Flame Tree BBQ! :)


September 17

Kouzzina: 5:00 pm (New to us!)


September 18

'Ohana: 10:40 am (dinner - never breakfast, so new to us! :))


September 19

Crystal Palace: 3:15 pm (old favorite) (had to move to MK from the 16th so we could see Spectro!)


September 20

Chefs de France: 4:40 pm (new to us!)


September 21

Hollywood & Vine: 8:05 am (new to us!)
Jiko: 5:30 pm (old favorite)

[mommyof2Pirates]

Your dd is so adorable. We are going to WDW 9/20-9/26. We have ADR's at H&V on 9-21 at 805 also. How did you like MNSSHP? We have tickets for that on 9-25 our last day there. I have 2 boys ages 4 and 2. We are hoping its worth the money!

[TStrickland01]

mommyof2Pirates: MNSSHP is awesome! The DW and I have the CD and play it 3-4 times a week in the car. Have gone with nieces and god daughters 3 times and it has always been a hit. It even seems that the Big Bad Wolf (during the bad guys sequence) seems to focus on us which gets some good screams. Plan for a late night, and you won't be disappointed

[SnackyStacky]

Your dd is so adorable. We are going to WDW 9/20-9/26. We have ADR's at H&V on 9-21 at 805 also. How did you like MNSSHP? We have tickets for that on 9-25 our last day there. I have 2 boys ages 4 and 2. We are hoping its worth the money!

Plan for a late night, and you won't be disappointed

Thanks mommyof2pirates! :)

That, I would say, is the key. It is a long night. My daughter didn't make it through. She made it to through the parade, but by that time, she was loopy. She's not a fall-asleep-in-the-stroller kind of girl. She's a crawl all over the stroller until she falls out and cracks her head kind of girl.

My wife had to take her back to the hotel, but I stuck around for the fireworks. My sister's kids, though, also 4 and 2 at the time - lasted for the fireworks. She and her family went back to the hotel. My brother-in-law went with them, but went right back to the Magic Kingdom and had fun. :)

[mommyof2Pirates]

Tstrickland: thanks for the info. I think my kids will love the parade too. I am not so sure about the big bad wolf though. My 4 year old is deathly afraid of him. Where in the parade do you normally see him so I can be prepared?

SnackyStacky: My kids are also the crawl around/melt down/act like children Ive never know kinda kids when they get overly tired. My DH and I have agreed to call it a night once it is no longer seeming to be enjoyable. Hope fully we can at least make it through the parade and fireworks which I think the fireworks start at 10pm. We will cross our fingers.

[SnackyStacky]

So some updates to report!!! My wife found a job!!! WOO HOO! And what's even better, they are letting her take the time off so we can all still go. Is it September 15th yet?

Anyway, I booked us for the Wishes dessert reception on September 19th. Unfortunately, this means we'll miss Spectro. Well, unless you count seeing the tops of the floats as "seeing" Spectro! :)

I also bought (secretly) a Photopass CD. SHHHHHHH! DW would not be happy to know that I dropped $100 for the thing - but we bought it last time and loved it! Granted, it included the pictures from the professional portrait session, but hey. Whatever!!! :)

We've decided we're not going to buy all the "Florida" stuff before we leave. You know - the sunscreen, the blister treatment, smal bottles of toiletries - that stuff. Since we'll have a rental car, we'll just stop at a Target on the way to the resort.

Two weeks from right now, we'll probably be napping at CBR. When we get up, we'll be headed to Epcot to enjoy dinner at Kouzzina! WOO HOO!

[Sarilas]

Your daughter is absolutely precious! And congratulations to your wife on having found a job! That's no small feat these days.

[SnackyStacky]

Your daughter is absolutely precious! And congratulations to your wife on having found a job! That's no small feat these days.

Thank you, on both counts! ;)

[MissBritt]

Your daughter is beautiful, and I love the ToT pics. Can't wait to read more.

[SnackyStacky]

Your daughter is beautiful, and I love the ToT pics. Can't wait to read more.

Thank you! :)

[momminnie]

I'm lurking.:surfweb: We will be there the 20-26. I can't wait.:cool1: I hope you have a great trip. Congratulations to your wife on the new job.:thumbsup2

[SnackyStacky]

I'm lurking.:surfweb: We will be there the 20-26. I can't wait.:cool1: I hope you have a great trip. Congratulations to your wife on the new job.:thumbsup2

Thanks for reading and the kind words!!

I hope you guys have a great trip too! :)

[SnackyStacky]

So we have hit a small bump in the road. Hopefully it won't be something more than a small bump.

This past week, DD had to go in for an ear infection follow up appointment. The pediatrician had told me 2 weeks prior, when he gave her anti-biotics to treat the infection, that he would be giving her a flu shot.

Well, the day for the appointment came. And as I was driving her to day care, I had a thought. Maybe a flu shot a week before wouldn't be such a good idea. Plus, I just REALLY didn't want to have to put her through getting a shot.

Well, I called DW and told her my concerns and asked her what she thought. She didn't seem too concerned, and said I should just address my concerns with the pediatrician.

Okay - so fast forward to the appointment. Now, mind you, I had it in my head that this kid would NOT be getting a shot. So I didn't do any of the prep work. Parents, you know what I mean; gearing her up for a shot, and all that jazz.

So I expressed my concerns. Her pediatrician says "Oh no, she'll be just fine." I still had my doubts. And instead of listening to that inner voice that was telling me not to go through with it, I let the doctor give her that shot. Now, I don't know if it's because he really likes my kid, or if he really DOESN'T - but usually he has his staff give the shots. He doesn't want to be associated with pain - which I completely understand. But HE, himself, came back in with the shot. It was obvious he doesn't administer needles all that much. He did NOT have me brace her. He just jammed that sucker in. Of course, DD jerked back - faster than that little skinny runner guy that won the 50m dash in the olympics. So he had to stick my poor kid TWICE!

Why didn't I listen to that little voice? I just assumed it was me not wanting to have a screaming kid. And that's just silly! Right? To not get your child an immunization because you don't want to hear the screaming and crying?

Today, I find myself absolutely FUMING. Both with the pediatrician, and myself. DD had a HORRIBLE night last night; restless sleep, a "snuffy nose", as she calls it, and just general discomfort. She is REALLY prone to ear infections. She doesn't have any nasal discharge, so I'm PRAYING this is just a cold or allergies. But we're taking her to one of those urgent care clinics. The last time my wife did that though, they refused to prescribe anti-biotics (even though they found fluid in her ears) and said we had to follow up with her pediatrician.

IF it's an infection, my wife is going to BEG and explain our circumstances. I cannot fathom the thought of putting this kid, with an ear infection, on a plane. It makes me want to cry just thinking about it. I would be going with them to the clinic, but I'm working until noon.

If the urgent care clinic finds fluid and, after profuse begging will not prescribe antibiotics, pediatrician WILL be coming in for some personalized office hours to prescribe some antibiotics. I am NOT taking her to the ER. Who knows if they'll prescribe anything, and obviously this isn't a life threatening situation which means we'll be sitting in the waiting room ALL day.

I. Am. FUMING. Both with myself, and this pediatrician!