mkluvsmickey
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2007
We just got back from another trip to our favorite vacation destination. Another creative title and another little trip report. For those of you who have not read my other trip report or need a refresher I will reintroduce the cast:
Me (35) Michelle: I work in the accounting field and am fortunate to have my office in my home (more time to DIS during the day! ). Self-proclaimed Disney nut! Favorite character = Mickey. We live about 2 ½ hours from WDW and would be tempted to go every weekend if I didnt have 5 four legged children at home (3 dogs/2 cats). Pet sitting gets quite expensive!
DH (40) Erik: He works in Marketing for a bank. He is not a big Disney fan but puts up with my Disney addiction. He doesnt go as often as DD and I but that is ok with him. He is currently working out of state (in Georgia) but will be flying to Orlando for the weekend to join us on this trip. Favorite character = Donald Duck.
DD (7) Samantha: 2nd Grader. She loves all things Disney just like her mom. Erik thinks Ive brainwashed her! She is currently into High School Musical and Hannah Montana. She still likes the princesses but not as much as last year. She is constantly reminding me to take pictures for our trip report and is already planning to apply for the Disney College Program when she is of age. Favorite character = Minnie and favorite princess = Belle.
The Plan
Since we live so close to WDW, Samantha and I have the Florida residents seasonal pass and try to go as often as possible, even if it is only for a weekend.
Last year (2006) we were able to make 5 trips and stayed at a variety of resorts Caribbean Beach, All Star Movies, Boardwalk Inn, All Start Music and Contemporary.
This year we went on a 3 night Disney cruise in February and were able to travel to WDW in May (POFQ), October (POP) and now a weekend in December.
We like to go in December to see all of the Christmas decorations and attend the MVMCP. I booked Coronado Springs resort for 2 nights Friday November 30 through Sunday December 2. We would be attending MVMCP on Friday evening and the Candlelight Processional on Saturday night. I kept this trip a surprise for Samantha. About a month before our trip Erik decided to join us so I thought that would just add to the surprise. Erik doesnt really care for Disney like Sam and I but he does enjoy seeing the Christmas decorations and of course spending time with his family.
Friday November 30, 2007 The surprises are revealed!
A little background - I always wanted to surprise Samantha with a weekend trip to WDW. I tried in May but was unsuccessful. She must have heard me talking about the trip because she knew exactly what was going on (though she played along very well). The morning of our surprise trip in May Samantha wore her Disney shirt and all of her Disney jewelry to school. She is required to wear a collared shirt to school and only has one Disney one which she hardly ever wears. And, she never wears her jewelry to school. I thought maybe it was a coincidence. I picked her up from school that day and just started driving on the highway towards Disney. We dont take the highway home from school normally but she didnt say a word. About half way into our 2 ½ hour drive she asked all innocently Where are we going? I could tell she knew full well where we were going but she was trying hard to no let on. So anyway, I vowed that I would in deed surprise her another time. Now that Ive discovered the DIS I can talk away to you all about my excitement and hopefully keep the secret.
Back to the report On Friday morning I dropped Sam off at school and went to talk to her teacher about picking her up early. I feel guilty taking Sam out of school for Disney since we live so close but I knew they didnt do much on Friday afternoons and I also knew we needed to get there before Erik did. Her teacher was fine with it and was excited to be in on the surprise. I went home to pack both Sam and my things since I couldnt do anything ahead of time. I got the car loaded and waited patiently for the time when I could leave.
Lots of stuff for two nights - I always over pack!
Finally, at noon I went to school and walked into Samanthas classroom. Sam couldnt figure out why I was there I come for lunch duty once a month but she knew this wasnt my day. I walked right up to her and told her to get her stuff together. She looked at me kind of strange so I asked her if she wanted to go to Disney. The look on her face was priceless I wish I had a picture! She most definitely didnt know anything about this trip. She just sat there for a few minutes not sure if she could really leave. She is such a rule follower that I had to tell her that her teacher already knew about it and everything was fine. Her teacher came over and wished her well and we were off! She kept asking if we were really going to Disney and was shocked to see the care already packed. She asked where we were staying but I wouldnt tell her. She thought maybe it was the Poly so I told her it was either a Value or Moderate resort. It was driving her crazy that she didnt know!
We made great time! Leaving at noon rather than right after school seemed to make a lot of difference in the traffic levels. Usually we get off the Disney exit right around 5:00 and the traffic is horrific. We had no traffic this time and made it from school to the Disney arches in exactly 2 ½ hours. Samantha tried to follow the signs to figure out where we were headed but didnt get it until we pulled in to Coronado Springs Resort. She was excited about this. She and I have a goal to stay at each Disney resort at least once and this is one we hadnt tried yet. We parked out front and went to check-in.
The lobby was very nice and the Christmas decorations were beautiful! I meant to go back and take some pictures before we left but never did. The only pictures I have of the lobby are these two that Samantha took not the greatest but better than nothing.
The CM that checked us in was great! I wish I wrote down his name. He could tell that Samantha was bouncing off the walls with excitement and talked to her quite a bit. He was impressed with her Disney knowledge at such a young age. He told us a lot about the resort and where to locate everything. We would be in Casitas Building 5 Room 5447. We drove the car over and were able to park right outside the building we could see our car when we walked out our door.
We lugged everything up to our room (4th floor) and began to unpack. Yes - we unpacked even though we would only be there for two nights. I just cant stand to live out of a suitcase.
We settled in to watch Stacy on TV and realized there was no remote! We searched everywhere and couldnt find it so I called the front desk. They had one sent up to us within 15 minutes.
Samantha was hungry (as was I) but I was trying to stall her. Erik was due in at any minute. I had hired a car service to get him from the airport and he was going to just show up at our door. I had sent him a text with our room number. I found Zack and Cody on Disney channel for Samantha to watch which kept her occupied for 30 minutes. When Erik was close to the room he called for Samantha and was talking to her when there was a knock at the door. I opened the door and in he walked while he was still on the phone with Sam. She was super surprised once again! She didnt think he would be home again until Christmas so this was a nice welcome surprise for her!
Next up dinner and MVMCP
Me (35) Michelle: I work in the accounting field and am fortunate to have my office in my home (more time to DIS during the day! ). Self-proclaimed Disney nut! Favorite character = Mickey. We live about 2 ½ hours from WDW and would be tempted to go every weekend if I didnt have 5 four legged children at home (3 dogs/2 cats). Pet sitting gets quite expensive!
DH (40) Erik: He works in Marketing for a bank. He is not a big Disney fan but puts up with my Disney addiction. He doesnt go as often as DD and I but that is ok with him. He is currently working out of state (in Georgia) but will be flying to Orlando for the weekend to join us on this trip. Favorite character = Donald Duck.
DD (7) Samantha: 2nd Grader. She loves all things Disney just like her mom. Erik thinks Ive brainwashed her! She is currently into High School Musical and Hannah Montana. She still likes the princesses but not as much as last year. She is constantly reminding me to take pictures for our trip report and is already planning to apply for the Disney College Program when she is of age. Favorite character = Minnie and favorite princess = Belle.
The Plan
Since we live so close to WDW, Samantha and I have the Florida residents seasonal pass and try to go as often as possible, even if it is only for a weekend.
Last year (2006) we were able to make 5 trips and stayed at a variety of resorts Caribbean Beach, All Star Movies, Boardwalk Inn, All Start Music and Contemporary.
This year we went on a 3 night Disney cruise in February and were able to travel to WDW in May (POFQ), October (POP) and now a weekend in December.
We like to go in December to see all of the Christmas decorations and attend the MVMCP. I booked Coronado Springs resort for 2 nights Friday November 30 through Sunday December 2. We would be attending MVMCP on Friday evening and the Candlelight Processional on Saturday night. I kept this trip a surprise for Samantha. About a month before our trip Erik decided to join us so I thought that would just add to the surprise. Erik doesnt really care for Disney like Sam and I but he does enjoy seeing the Christmas decorations and of course spending time with his family.
Friday November 30, 2007 The surprises are revealed!
A little background - I always wanted to surprise Samantha with a weekend trip to WDW. I tried in May but was unsuccessful. She must have heard me talking about the trip because she knew exactly what was going on (though she played along very well). The morning of our surprise trip in May Samantha wore her Disney shirt and all of her Disney jewelry to school. She is required to wear a collared shirt to school and only has one Disney one which she hardly ever wears. And, she never wears her jewelry to school. I thought maybe it was a coincidence. I picked her up from school that day and just started driving on the highway towards Disney. We dont take the highway home from school normally but she didnt say a word. About half way into our 2 ½ hour drive she asked all innocently Where are we going? I could tell she knew full well where we were going but she was trying hard to no let on. So anyway, I vowed that I would in deed surprise her another time. Now that Ive discovered the DIS I can talk away to you all about my excitement and hopefully keep the secret.
Back to the report On Friday morning I dropped Sam off at school and went to talk to her teacher about picking her up early. I feel guilty taking Sam out of school for Disney since we live so close but I knew they didnt do much on Friday afternoons and I also knew we needed to get there before Erik did. Her teacher was fine with it and was excited to be in on the surprise. I went home to pack both Sam and my things since I couldnt do anything ahead of time. I got the car loaded and waited patiently for the time when I could leave.
Lots of stuff for two nights - I always over pack!
Finally, at noon I went to school and walked into Samanthas classroom. Sam couldnt figure out why I was there I come for lunch duty once a month but she knew this wasnt my day. I walked right up to her and told her to get her stuff together. She looked at me kind of strange so I asked her if she wanted to go to Disney. The look on her face was priceless I wish I had a picture! She most definitely didnt know anything about this trip. She just sat there for a few minutes not sure if she could really leave. She is such a rule follower that I had to tell her that her teacher already knew about it and everything was fine. Her teacher came over and wished her well and we were off! She kept asking if we were really going to Disney and was shocked to see the care already packed. She asked where we were staying but I wouldnt tell her. She thought maybe it was the Poly so I told her it was either a Value or Moderate resort. It was driving her crazy that she didnt know!
We made great time! Leaving at noon rather than right after school seemed to make a lot of difference in the traffic levels. Usually we get off the Disney exit right around 5:00 and the traffic is horrific. We had no traffic this time and made it from school to the Disney arches in exactly 2 ½ hours. Samantha tried to follow the signs to figure out where we were headed but didnt get it until we pulled in to Coronado Springs Resort. She was excited about this. She and I have a goal to stay at each Disney resort at least once and this is one we hadnt tried yet. We parked out front and went to check-in.
The lobby was very nice and the Christmas decorations were beautiful! I meant to go back and take some pictures before we left but never did. The only pictures I have of the lobby are these two that Samantha took not the greatest but better than nothing.
The CM that checked us in was great! I wish I wrote down his name. He could tell that Samantha was bouncing off the walls with excitement and talked to her quite a bit. He was impressed with her Disney knowledge at such a young age. He told us a lot about the resort and where to locate everything. We would be in Casitas Building 5 Room 5447. We drove the car over and were able to park right outside the building we could see our car when we walked out our door.
We lugged everything up to our room (4th floor) and began to unpack. Yes - we unpacked even though we would only be there for two nights. I just cant stand to live out of a suitcase.
We settled in to watch Stacy on TV and realized there was no remote! We searched everywhere and couldnt find it so I called the front desk. They had one sent up to us within 15 minutes.
Samantha was hungry (as was I) but I was trying to stall her. Erik was due in at any minute. I had hired a car service to get him from the airport and he was going to just show up at our door. I had sent him a text with our room number. I found Zack and Cody on Disney channel for Samantha to watch which kept her occupied for 30 minutes. When Erik was close to the room he called for Samantha and was talking to her when there was a knock at the door. I opened the door and in he walked while he was still on the phone with Sam. She was super surprised once again! She didnt think he would be home again until Christmas so this was a nice welcome surprise for her!
Next up dinner and MVMCP