We're Going To Disney, But It's Our Little Secret

[mom_of_3_70737]

Ok, well I guess it's about time that I started a PTR of my own. We are 35 days out! I have read so many wonderful PTR's and TR's and really enjoy them. I love a little glimpse of what everyone's trip is like. I just hope that I can hold up to all of those high standards...lol. SO here goes.

I guess first I should introduce everyone:

Me- 29 (will be turning 30 in Oct, but we aren't talking about that ) I am a Disney lover even though I have only been there twice. I am a happily married SAHM of three wonderful children.

Next we have:

DH - 29. Likes WDW. Wouldn't say loves it. Hates the prices on everything in the parks. Loves the big thrill rides. Likes to travel, keeps saying that this will be our last trip for a while...lol. That's what he said last time too.

On to the kiddos:

DS(8)- Loves WDW. Loves the shows, especially Indiana Jones. Is obsessed with his Nintendo DS & BB Gun. Loves the outdoors, hunting, fishing, is active in Cub Scouts. Loves all rollercoasters. Haven't seen him scared yet

DD(5) - Says that one day she is going to live in Cinderella Castle, but is totally in awe of Ariel. She is 5 going on 15. Never goes anywhere without lip gloss and is an adventure seeker. She has already rode EE at age 4!!! She was tall enough (barely) and wanted to so bad. She LOVED it!

DD(4) - She is the baby. She knows she's the baby. Totally attached to me, is like my shadow most days. Loves Cinderella and loves to dress up. She always thinks so wants to ride the adventurus things, but always regrets doing so

Here is a few pics of us from our last trip. Thanksgiving Week 2007

Ok, so on to more important stuff, like info about out upcoming WDW trip! As you can tell by my title, this is a surprise trip for the kids. They have no clue that we are going back. We were just there in November, and told them that we wouldn't go back until DD4 was in Kindergarten. Little did they know that we would be going a whole year sooner I have to say though. We had a little encouragement....

Here's a little background for ya!

DBFF - paparazzimama on the Dis - and her family decided to plan another trip. This was in February. We were all talking about it, and dicussing the things that we didn't get to do, and all of the things we loved about WDW. At first I thought they were crazy planning another trip so soon. So did DH. Us girls were talking more and more about it though, so I decided to ask DH what he really thought. Without much arm twisting, he agreed and we called them and told them the news! Then the wheels started turning.

Where would we stay?
When would we go?
Drive or Fly this time?
Should we tell the kids or make it a surprise?

Stay tuned for more......coming soon!!!!

 

[Paparazzimama]

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great start my friend! (And thanks for the shout-out! ) LOL! Can't wait to read more so post again soon - don't leave us hanging like some of those people that get off to a good start, then just drop off the face of the earth . . . oh, wait . . . that was me that did that huh? My bad! Guess I'll have to live vicariously through your PTR now, so prepare to be cyber-stalked!

 

[mom_of_3_70737]

Ok, so lets see where did I leave off. I think we were beginning our planning phase. Me and DBFF absolutely live for this. We love it.

WHEN TO GO:

We origionally were looking to go in October. Take advantage of a little less heat, and her kiddos had a couple of days off for the local fair that was coming (we live in different parishes). So we started looking at some dates and were planning a bit.....I remembered reading on the Dis about something called FREE DINING. I didn't know all of the details but told it to DBFF to see if she had heard of this amazing thing. Neither of us had ever been during FD and had never heard of it. We of course hit the Dis to find out all we could on the offer. We told DH's and of course they thought we were crazy! My DH said, "Disney would never give anything away"....I said ok, ok, if we find out all the info and actaully get the FD offer will you stop picking on us about the Dis??? Until that point he thought that the DIs was a waste of time So, we find out that FD was during Sept and decided to move our dates around. 9/11-9/16. We booked in February with hopes of free dining

Up Next, Where to Stay???

 

[Paparazzimama]

Yeah, you sure did make them eat their words on the whole FD thing!!! I remember that even after we found out all the info on the Dis, they were still doubting it - wanted to see it to believe it! Guess we showed them, huh!

 

[mom_of_3_70737]

Well I got dinner cooked, DH off to work and DS is at a friends house, I am taking the opportunity to do a quick update on my TR before I go and cut grass. When I left off we were trying to decide where to stay for 9/11-9/16. Since we are a family of 5 I knew that we weren't able to stay at a Value. We have stayed at POP twice and really liked it. First time DD4 was still considered an infant b/c she hadn't yet made 2. Last trip my parents went with us and we put my DS under their ressie so we were able to stay at POP again. This year we knew it was going to be different, but which Moderate could sleep 5 Since POR has the trundle option in the Alligator Bayou section, we decided that we would stay there. Since DBFF only has a family of 4, I would have totally understood if they opted for a Value. They decided that they wanted to try POR also, so we all decided that was the place. I couldn't have been more excited that we were going to be at the same resort.

We had purchased the Basic DDP on our last trip and really liked it, so we decided to do the same for this trip as well. DBFF did the same. We had everything planned, all we needed to do was call Disney and put down our deposit. We did, and we were set. POR here we come!!!

While I was on the phone with the lovely CM that day, I asked about Free Dining. SHe couldn't confirm that it would be offered, but urged me to watch the newspapers and the internet. She must have been talking about the Dis...LOL! So all we had to do now was wait....until April to see if FD would be offered again, and if we would be lucky enough to get it. The days couldn't pass fast enough. DBFF and I continued to plan everything else. I mean we are DISNEY CRAZY with all the planning

We began our itinerary, and choosing restaurants. I was driving DH nuts with all of the wanted opinions and options. It was all coming together.......

 

[Nooshkin]

I'm in! Can't wait for more!

 

[Paparazzimama]

Just so we are perfectly clear - POR wasn't appealing to us for it's amenities! It was the company we were hoping to keep while we're there!

Loving your PTR so far! Even though I was there for all this, I'm still anticipating the next post to see "what happened". Yes, I'm a dork, I know! Anyhoo, keep it coming girl!

 

[the4princesses]

great report!!
your children are going to be so very happy!!
have a wonderful trip!!

 

[teacher2525]

Surprise trips are my favorite . I surprised my boys last August and it killed me to keep the secret but I managed. When I finally woke them up for the airport and told them nobody believed me . I swore up and down that we were really going but still no-one believed me . They finally started to believe me at the airport but I don't think that they were fully convinced until we checked into the Beach Club Villas.

Waiting to see if you got the free dining, I really hope so I love free as much as I love surprises

 

[Paparazzimama]

Surprise trips are my favorite . I surprised my boys last August and it killed me to keep the secret but I managed. When I finally woke them up for the airport and told them nobody believed me . I swore up and down that we were really going but still no-one believed me . They finally started to believe me at the airport but I don't think that they were fully convinced until we checked into the Beach Club Villas.

Waiting to see if you got the free dining, I really hope so I love free as much as I love surprises

Absolutely LOVE your Huey, Dewey, and Louie guys!

 

[tink1957]

Wow, what a wonderful surprise for your kids & enjoying WDW with a friend who shares your love of Disney sounds like lots of fun. I can't wait to read all about it.

 

[mom_of_3_70737]

More coming soon!!!!

 

[Paparazzimama]

Just stopping by your PTR to say hi! So . . . "Hi!"

 

[irky416]

I'm in. I like to read about surprises.

 

[mom_of_3_70737]

Updates coming soon I promise. It's been a little crazy lately. As soon as I have more that a few minutes to dedicate, I will be posting another update. I still have sooooo much to tell you.......

 

[mom_of_3_70737]

Sorry that it took me so long to update. Sorry that I left ya'll hanging like that, believe me it was not my intention! Things have been crazy here and I have barely been at home. Between getting everything ready for school to start and everyone in the school routine again, helping my MIL move into her new house and a death in the family on my DH's side, things have been just a little chaotic to say the least. Things should be better now though, and today should be a relaxing day (I think....I hope, haha).

Ok, now on to the update. Let's see, where did I leave off. My memory escapes me.....but that's not anything new Ok, now....got it..........

When I left off we had booked our trip, inquired about the Free Dining and were planning away. We were basically waiting on April 10th to arrive to see if we were going to get Free Dining, and with the DH's be total sceptics about the offer, we were more that eager to get it and prove them wrong.. Everything was set. I guess I should mention that we booked our stay at POR 9/11 - 9/16. We were beyond excited. DBFF and her DH told their kiddos about the trip and they were super excited, but we decided to wait and not tell our kids that we were planning another trip. We told them about 8 months before our last trip and I was asked EVERY day when we were leaving for WDW, and I really didn't want that again. So we decided to wait....wait.....and wait. At this point they have no clue that we are going at all! I hope it stays that way. They know that DBFF and her family are going and they are totally jealous about it, especially the closer it gets.

Lets back up a little, back to when we were waiting for Free Dining. Me and DBFF had everything figured out. We just HAD TO GET FREE DINING. We set up our plan for the day it was released. We were ready It was the day before "FD Day" and my computer decided to CRASH!!!! I mean every thing GONE!!! I was getting the dreaded blue screen of death and then nothing at all. I was so upset!!! I was going to be in the Dis posting and reading while I was on hold waiting to talk to them about FD I called DBFF and told her and we decided that she would keep me posted through her computer while we were on the phone with eachother. Ok, just reading that last sentence makes me really sound like I need a 12 step program for Dis addiction

Ok so it is the day. I get up bright and early and call DBFF. We were waiting....coutning down the minutes until the phone lines were open....Cup of coffee in hand and fingers ready to dial.....I was getting FD today....I was determined It was 6am our time and I called Disney then called DBFF on the other phone. We were holding.....we had decided that whoever got to talk to a CM first would book the offer for both ressies b/c we were already linked and are part of Grand Gatherings....so we waited....waited and waited. Then after 45 min on hold listening to those favorite disney tunes....I was startled by a lovely CM when she said....Thank you for calling Disney Dining!!!!! I told her that I was calling about the FD offer, and she said "OK I can assist you with that"!!!!!!! I was so flippin' excited and was telling DBFF!!! She was still holding....I asked it I could apply FD to both of the ressies and she let me WE ALL GOT FREE DINING!!!! This is going to be the best trip ever!!! We couldn't wait to tell DH's! We upgraded to the Deluxe Dining while we were at it....so we are going to be at POR for 5 nights with FD with Deluxe upgrade!!! It was awesome!!!

By this time it was 7:15am and I had to get the kids up for school and they were already running late I wasn't stressing though, afterall I had a great morning

Since we had already decided on where we would eat and set our park days we could make our dining ressies. We just had to wait util our 180 mark. Wait, wait, wait....

 

[jackdis]

This is a great report! I wish we could have gotten free dining this year. (We did last August. It was great.)

We are going in less than two weeks, so you're report has me so excited!

Your kids are so cute!

 

[Paparazzimama]

Girl, we had our ADRs booked weeks before we got free dining! Remember - we were panicking that if we didn't get FD w/a Deluxe upgrade we were going to have to cancel ADRs and we DID NOT want to have to do that! I still remember that day like it was yesterday . . . a phone in each ear . . . on the other end of one was you, and on the other was Disney Dining . . . I remember running around trying to get everyone ready for school while juggling both phones . . . it was wonderful!!! Wow, we are a bit OCDP aren't we? (Obssessive, Crazed, Disney Planners!) Atleast I have someone to share in my mental disorder with me! Anyhoo, can't wait for the next update! Hope to see more pics, too! Hint, hint!

 

[mom_of_3_70737]

This is a great report! I wish we could have gotten free dining this year. (We did last August. It was great.)

We are going in less than two weeks, so you're report has me so excited!

Your kids are so cute!

Thanks so much for reading. This will be our first time with Free Dining, so we are super excited!

 

[mom_of_3_70737]

Girl, we had our ADRs booked weeks before we got free dining! Remember - we were panicking that if we didn't get FD w/a Deluxe upgrade we were going to have to cancel ADRs and we DID NOT want to have to do that! I still remember that day like it was yesterday . . . a phone in each ear . . . on the other end of one was you, and on the other was Disney Dining . . . I remember running around trying to get everyone ready for school while juggling both phones . . . it was wonderful!!! Wow, we are a bit OCDP aren't we? (Obssessive, Crazed, Disney Planners!) Atleast I have someone to share in my mental disorder with me! Anyhoo, can't wait for the next update! Hope to see more pics, too! Hint, hint!

Hahaha! How could I forget that Like I said earlier in my PTR, my memory escapes me often Must be those "senior moments" I am getting since AARP thinks that 29 yrs old is old enough to start recieving info from them on life insurance lmao: I am so dreading the BIG 3-0! Maybe I should embrace it though, and celebrate Disney style. Maybe someone should call and tell the CM's that I am celebrating my 30th bday and notify our ADR's