Soarin from Scotland to Mickey ;-D ~ June 2009

[ScotsMinnie]

With New Year and Christmas over and back to work and school my thoughts are now turning seriously to our upcoming trip to WDW. This is a bit of a bonus trip. We last visited in June last year with the plan to return in 2011. However due to a sudden rush of blood to the head DH booked us flights for this summer and my Mum decided to come too! Did not want to believe him at first as I thought it was all a bit of a sick joke on his part! We had such a fabulous trip last year that we thought we could not last 3 years between visits!

So back to planning with a few big differences from the last time.

Maybe I should do a little bit of a catch up on who we all are!

Me, Laura 32 (soon to be 33) a rep for a Drugs company (for the moment but will go into that later). Complete Disney-aholic since early childhood. I have been visiting WDW since I was a child and have had a short visit to DL aswell. There is something about a holiday in Disney which nothing compares to. Magic Kingdom is my heaven!

DH, 33 – converted Disney lover! Still not great at seeing the magic straight away but definitely coming round. Loves the thrill rides and gets a real kick out of seeing our girls enjoy their time there. Loves Goofy and is also quite fond of Ariel but I think that it is more to do with her bikini top than her movie!!!

DD7 – my eldest princess. Growing old too fast but already a Disney addict. This will be her 3rd trip to WDW and she loves it there. Last time became a pin trading fan and this year has plans to search out Hidden Mickeys! Santa brought her some assorted pins to trade so she is excited about that. She is a typical 7 year old. Loves HSM, Hannah and Wizards, make up, music, riding her bike and has a passion for reading and drawing. She has huge personality and a great sense of humour but is also very sensitive and soft centred. A wee love.

DD2 – my littlelest pincess. This will be my baby’s 2nd visit to WDW and is already planning to ride the Carousel and It’s a Small World continuously for 2 weeks! She is a complete character who even at 2 has the 3 of us rolling with laughter round the dinner table. She does however have the standard “terrible twos” behaviour which manifests itself in a bit of foot stamping and scowling. By the time we go she will be 3 so we are hoping that has passed. Different from her sister though she is shy and not confident with people she doesn’t know and holds back from doing new things. Is Princess mad and loves dressing up as “cinderelly”, wearing her dress up princess shoes and generally being very girly. She is very loving and gives great cuddles.

Granny – 59 (not allowed to mention the number 60 in her company!). My Mum is my bestest pal and also loves Disney. She is the person who is responsible for taking me there as a child and instilling a love of stories, make believe and wishes in me that I am very thankful for. She loves her Grand daughters and she cannot imagine missing out on sharing a Disney trip with them. They have a very close relationship and love their Granny to bits. She is a very fit and young 59 year old and is the one often in the lead as we tour the parks!

So that’s the team. If you read my last trip report you will notice that someone is missing. My Dad will not be coming this year – at least not at this point. We shall see if that changes before we go. Who knows……

We all live in Central Scotland so trips to WDW are a serious trek for us. We are flying to Gatwick London on the 23rd of June staying overnight then flying BA to Orlando on the 24th. We then have 15 days in WDW before we fly home on the evening of the 9th July arriving in London in the morning of the 10th then straight back up to Edinburgh.

So our dates for our trip are really the 24th June to the 9th July.

We have booked to stay offsite at Windsor Hills resort in a 3 bedroom townhouse. We did consider for this trip staying onsite as we have not done that before but the cost difference was so much as we are staying for 15 days. The house looks lovely so I am really looking forward to it. We have a little splash pool at the back and there is a huge swimming pool onsite to enjoy. It will take us about 10 mins to get to the MK car park so its nice and close.

We have booked an SUV for the duration of our trip which should be fun to drive. We usually have a 7 seater but as there is less of us this year we thought we would try something different.

So that’s the general thoughts on where we stand.

Next I will start the other half of my pre-trippie! The new Disney “me”!!!...............

 

[ScotsMinnie]

Just realised I did not put an a pic of us. So here it is - from the Opening Ceremony at the MK on our first morning of our last trip!

OK so the other part to this pre-trippie is the new “me”. Now I know I am not really overweight but I was looking at some photos of me pre-kiddies! Not a good idea! I was in a bikini and I looked very different! So I decided that although I have no chance of looking exactly like that again I can make a huge difference to my body shape in the time until I go on holiday. I would like to lose a stone which is the most I should lose to stay healthy, and I would like to tone up and most importantly get fitter.

Now I hate the gym – so boring! So I have decided to try to do a bit of running. Now if you ever seen me run you would be rolling about laughing right now as I do run like a idiot. Legs everywhere! Hence I can’t run very far. Not much energy is spent going forwards!!!! But I am going to do it nevertheless.

The other night I went out for a very fast walk as I need to build up to running. I was going as fast as I could without running. It was freezing though. The ground was very frosty and in places a bit slippy which was a worry. It was also completely dark so I had to stay on the housing areas since I was on my own. I enjoyed it though. The gorund was sparkling as I was walking along so that did kind of remind me of why I was doing it. So that’s the start of the effort. We shall see how it goes. At least if I have written it down here then I will have the pressure to keep it up till I go.

But I will be fit and slim for my trip – promise!!!!!!

The other big change since last year is with my job (pharmaceutical sales). My company went through a restructure in 2008 and it resulted in many redundancies being made. Now to be honest I have not been happy in my job for ages and have always had the ambition to be a primary teacher. I made the decision to take redundancy and apply to university to do the 1 year post grad course. The redundancy payment would help to cover the year I would be studying. So decision made.

Then I was offered which was really my old job as a locum cover as the girl who was going to be doing it was on maternity leave. I still get my payment but am still working in my job and being paid for it! I have gone part time to 4 days so I can do voluntary work in 2 schhols one day a week to help my application. So its all good.

I got word today that I have got an interview for University so I am a bit nervous about that but I have all the info that I need to learn so keep your fingers crossed for me. Its been 10 years since I finished my first degree from St Andrews Uni so it will be a shock to my system to get back into it.

So really it could be a really big year for me (or not if I don’t get in!!!!). We shall wait and see what happens in due course.

The other big news for 2009 is that my brother and sister-in-law are due to have their first baby on the 16th June – 8 days before we are due to go to the US. I am so pleased for them and so excited to have a new baby in the family. And just think of the shopping I will be able to do for the baby when I am over there!

So between now and our trip there are so many things going on. And of course so many plans to be made!!!!!!!


Back to Disney!

We have decided this year to buy 14 day Ultimate tickets for 2 adults and 2 kids and 1 adult annual pass. As we will have to pay for parking and with the discounts it is worth our while to get the annual pass. Ultimate tickets are great as they are very inexpensive and last for 14 days – we get all parks, water parks and park hopping included. So that is our first job to do.

As for meals we can’t do that till 90 days before so plenty of time to sort that out. We plan to do Chef Mickeys for breakfast as that is a favourite and also the Crystal palace for dinner on our last night as we really enjoyed that last time we were there. Mum has not been to the Crystal Palace so she is looking forward to that. The girls are keen to do the princess breakfast at the Castle as they loved it last time and Katie really is Cinderella daft. I know it is over rated and the food is average at best but there is something about eating and seeing the princesses inside the castle – it is a bit special. I might speak to them about the Norway Breakfast – it might be a good alternative. Any views on that choice would be good to hear.

The only other things I MUST eat are soft pretzels! I discovered the joys of soft pretzels last trip and I was hooked. We don’t get anything like them here so I shall make sure I eat enough to last me a good while. (see why I need to lose weight in advance!!!!!!!). Also Granny loves the Apple Charlottes from the Main Street Bakery so that will be a definite stop!

By next time – should have got our spending money changed. Exchange rate is terrible so think we will do it before it gets any worse.

And hopefully I will have done some running. (not if the torrential rain we had today continues…….!)

 

[The Moonk's Mom]

Oh! So excited to see you are going back too. We are going to be there the week before you go.

Good job on the working out. I too took a long hard look at our pics from last year and decided I needed to do something. Sadly, I have belonged to the YMCA for a year and barely used it other than for the children. So right after Thanksgiving I told DH..."That's it...I have to do something! I feel terrible!" So, now I am up to walking 3 miles a day and lifting weights for 30 minutes every other day. I do feel much better and have already dropped one dress size! So, this year the mouse will see less of you and me!


Can't wait to hear more about your trip!

 

[carissanboys]

Hi Laura! I saw your title and that you were from Scotland and that alone suckered me in. I hope to one day make it to your beautiful home (well, not your actual house - just the area you live ).

What an awesome husband you have! So exciting to think you're not going back for a few years and have this trip sprung on you. How wonderful.

We stayed at Windsor Hills last time and LOVED it! I haven't read your other TR so I'm not sure if you've stayed there before. If you haven't and have any questions, feel free to ask.

I'm also hoping to lose some weight before our upcoming trip.

Can't wait to read more!

 

[ScotsMinnie]

Oh! So excited to see you are going back too. We are going to be there the week before you go.

Good job on the working out. I too took a long hard look at our pics from last year and decided I needed to do something. Sadly, I have belonged to the YMCA for a year and barely used it other than for the children. So right after Thanksgiving I told DH..."That's it...I have to do something! I feel terrible!" So, now I am up to walking 3 miles a day and lifting weights for 30 minutes every other day. I do feel much better and have already dropped one dress size! So, this year the mouse will see less of you and me!


Can't wait to hear more about your trip!

Yeah the working out is going very slowly!!! Snowed under at work just now and the nights are very dark still here. It is dark by 4pm so not a lot of chance to get out. The weekend it rained torrentially for 2 days - again stuffing my plans! Hoping that things improve and work settles down so I can get really into it. Hopefully we will both be a bit more svelte when we go!!!

Didn't realise you are going back so soon. Have you started a pre trippie - I enjoyed your trip report from this year! Go on.... you know you want to. I loved the clothes you made so would love to see what you have in plans for this trip!

Hi Laura! I saw your title and that you were from Scotland and that alone suckered me in. I hope to one day make it to your beautiful home (well, not your actual house - just the area you live ).

What an awesome husband you have! So exciting to think you're not going back for a few years and have this trip sprung on you. How wonderful.

We stayed at Windsor Hills last time and LOVED it! I haven't read your other TR so I'm not sure if you've stayed there before. If you haven't and have any questions, feel free to ask.

I'm also hoping to lose some weight before our upcoming trip.

Can't wait to read more!

He is a bit of a star!!!

Thanks for reading too! I know I have a while to go but its hard not to get excited!

We have never stayed at Windsor Hills before so any information would be great. It looks lovely but sometimes you are never sure till you actually get there.

 

[carissanboys]

We have never stayed at Windsor Hills before so any information would be great. It looks lovely but sometimes you are never sure till you actually get there.[/COLOR][/SIZE]

If you want to see some pictures of the place we stayed at, you can click on the link in my signature (Our 2nd Trip). There are links on the first page that make it easier and quicker to navigate through.

I have heard nothing but good things about Windsor Hills. We loved having all of that extra space and the splash pool was a HUGE hit for us. The drive to and from Disney was very easy and not stressful at all (hardly any traffic to deal with). We would have stayed there again on our upcoming trip except that military is being offered some great deals and we're going to get to stay on property for less.

We never made it to the pool at WH. We enjoyed our own splash pool so much that we didn't need it! My TR also has pictures of the great playground they have there.

Let me know if there are any specific questions you have.

 

[The Moonk's Mom]

See there is a whole sickness that comes with sewing customs....planning becomes more of a nightmare...I have to have the exact outfit to match the day in the right park...and I have to have all three of the kids all match in some way! No..I really do enjoy it. And I *think* my skills have improved since last year so they outfits for them are a little more involved.

I thought about doing a pre-trip, but I'm not sure I want to commit! I keep changing my mind enough as it is! Not sure I need other people giving input on what to change!

I can't believe it gets dark by 4 there! That would drive me mad! The earliest it really ever gets dark here is around 7:30 in the winter. And that is way too early for me! I like lots of sun light!

Hope the weather clears soon and you can get back out!

 

[Villainess]

Hi! I'm joining in. You have a lovely family and I'm looking forward to reading more.

 

[disneydusted]

Hi ScotsMinnie! I am joining in too! Looking forward to hearing your plans! (doing the walking plans too! I decided this after Christmas! )

 

[2ScottishPrincesses]

Great start and good luck on the interview and fitness programme. Do you think the exchange rate is going to get any worse? We've been debating whether to change our spenders to $ just now or to leave it til nearer the time

 

[ScotsMinnie]

If you want to see some pictures of the place we stayed at, you can click on the link in my signature (Our 2nd Trip). There are links on the first page that make it easier and quicker to navigate through.

I have heard nothing but good things about Windsor Hills. We loved having all of that extra space and the splash pool was a HUGE hit for us. The drive to and from Disney was very easy and not stressful at all (hardly any traffic to deal with). We would have stayed there again on our upcoming trip except that military is being offered some great deals and we're going to get to stay on property for less.

We never made it to the pool at WH. We enjoyed our own splash pool so much that we didn't need it! My TR also has pictures of the great playground they have there.

Let me know if there are any specific questions you have.

Had a look at your trip report - went on to look at the Windsor Hills pics and ended up reading it all! You all had a great trip. Strange to see you in jackets. I have never been to WDW when it wasn't really hot. The kids playground looks fantastic. I can just see my girls having a lot of fun in there.

See there is a whole sickness that comes with sewing customs....planning becomes more of a nightmare...I have to have the exact outfit to match the day in the right park...and I have to have all three of the kids all match in some way! No..I really do enjoy it. And I *think* my skills have improved since last year so they outfits for them are a little more involved.

I thought about doing a pre-trip, but I'm not sure I want to commit! I keep changing my mind enough as it is! Not sure I need other people giving input on what to change!

I can't believe it gets dark by 4 there! That would drive me mad! The earliest it really ever gets dark here is around 7:30 in the winter. And that is way too early for me! I like lots of sun light!

Hope the weather clears soon and you can get back out!

Can't wait to see the outfits. When I see what people have done I always think - what a good idea - but I know I don't have the time to do it.

Dark nights are a pain but dusk it getting later already and in the summer it can be 10.30/11pm before it is truely dark so we can it good in the summer. (well its daylight - the sun actually shining through the clouds is somethign totally different!!!!!!)

Hi! I'm joining in. You have a lovely family and I'm looking forward to reading more.

Glad you are joining in!

Hi ScotsMinnie! I am joining in too! Looking forward to hearing your plans! (doing the walking plans too! I decided this after Christmas! )

Glad you have joined us! I have a great poem about post Christmas diets someone sent me. I will look it out and post it - it did make me laugh!

Great start and good luck on the interview and fitness programme. Do you think the exchange rate is going to get any worse? We've been debating whether to change our spenders to $ just now or to leave it til nearer the time

Thanks for the good luck vibes! We shall see how things go!

We are also debating changing our money as I am worried the exchange rate gets worse. Last year we got $2 to the £ and right now they are offering $1.42 to the £. Makes things a lot more expensive when you are there. The web forcast looks like it might increase slightly but not sure how much you can bank on that.

Where are you in Scotland?

 

[ScotsMinnie]

As promised got this sent to me and it made me laugh!!!!


Twas The Month after Christmas


Twas the month after Christmas,
and all through the house,
Nothing would fit me,
not even a blouse.

The cookies I'd nibbled,
the chocolate I'd taste
At the holiday parties
had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales
there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store
(less a walk than a lumber),

I'd remember the marvellous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,
The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."

As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt...
I said to myself, as I only can,
"You can't spend a winter, disguised as a man!"

So, away with the last of the sour cream dip.
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip.
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
Till all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won't have a cookie, not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.
I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie.
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore...
But isn't that what January is for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all, and to all a good diet.

 

[carissanboys]

Had a look at your trip report - went on to look at the Windsor Hills pics and ended up reading it all! You all had a great trip. Strange to see you in jackets. I have never been to WDW when it wasn't really hot. The kids playground looks fantastic. I can just see my girls having a lot of fun in there.

I'm glad you enjoyed it. And, yes, we had a wonderful trip.

The mornings were chilly the first half of the week, but it got plenty warm later in the day. We don't do well in the heat/sun so we much prefer to go during cooler months.

 

[disneydusted]

Loved the poem!!!

 

[The Moonk's Mom]

That poem is too funny!

 

[jmskinner]

Hi Laura. Saw you had posted on my TR. Haven't heard from you in awhile. Hope you had a nice Christmas and New Year!

I hope everything goes well with the changing of the jobs. I learned the hard way, do not stay in a job you hate if possible. My last one got so bad, I still have nightmares about it. I'm not kidding, had one just this last week and I left at the first of July.

I haven't posted on my TR yet, but we will be at WDW just a little after you leave. Booked July 17th through the 21st. Of course, being I am so close now, I may make a trip over and see if I bump into you, if that is ok?

I'm another trying to lose weight. I was doing so good walking every morning, but the holidays destroyed that and then I have been sick and know better than to start working out yet. Plus, it is actually chilly here now and I know I will just get sick again.

Oh, one type of exercise I do at home is dance. I love to dance, nothing fancy or anything, but you really do use muscles you don't use everyday. I will go in the bedroom, shut door, put the music on and just have fun. The DH laughs at me, but it works. Are they selling the dance workout videos there? I say, who needs to spend money on a video, just do your own thing.

Oh, would you be willing to post some photos of your area? Another family from Edinburgh did, Dr_Finkelstien (Di and Grumpy) and I just loved them. I am sure others would also.
Melissa

 

[2ScottishPrincesses]

Thanks for the good luck vibes! We shall see how things go!

We are also debating changing our money as I am worried the exchange rate gets worse. Last year we got $2 to the £ and right now they are offering $1.42 to the £. Makes things a lot more expensive when you are there. The web forcast looks like it might increase slightly but not sure how much you can bank on that.

Where are you in Scotland? [/FONT]

Loved the poem Laura and it definately struck more than one chord with me . Paul McKenna promised last week me on tv that he could make me thin and I have chosen to believe him ...we'll see how that works out

We've decided to hold off and see how the rate goes over the next month or so....we will of course combine this with alot of prayer

I live just outside of Glasgow

 

[ScotsMinnie]

Loved the poem Laura and it definately struck more than one chord with me . Paul McKenna promised last week me on tv that he could make me thin and I have chosen to believe him ...we'll see how that works out

We've decided to hold off and see how the rate goes over the next month or so....we will of course combine this with alot of prayer

I live just outside of Glasgow

We were in Stirling today and checked some of the travel agents for rates. Seems to be around 1.42 or 1.43. Not fantastic. Think it is just that last year we got 2 to the pound so were spoiled. Don't think we are going to leave it much longer.

We are in Falkirk so not far from you.

 

[ScotsMinnie]

Hi Laura. Saw you had posted on my TR. Haven't heard from you in awhile. Hope you had a nice Christmas and New Year!

I hope everything goes well with the changing of the jobs. I learned the hard way, do not stay in a job you hate if possible. My last one got so bad, I still have nightmares about it. I'm not kidding, had one just this last week and I left at the first of July.

I haven't posted on my TR yet, but we will be at WDW just a little after you leave. Booked July 17th through the 21st. Of course, being I am so close now, I may make a trip over and see if I bump into you, if that is ok?

I'm another trying to lose weight. I was doing so good walking every morning, but the holidays destroyed that and then I have been sick and know better than to start working out yet. Plus, it is actually chilly here now and I know I will just get sick again.

Oh, one type of exercise I do at home is dance. I love to dance, nothing fancy or anything, but you really do use muscles you don't use everyday. I will go in the bedroom, shut door, put the music on and just have fun. The DH laughs at me, but it works. Are they selling the dance workout videos there? I say, who needs to spend money on a video, just do your own thing.

Oh, would you be willing to post some photos of your area? Another family from Edinburgh did, Dr_Finkelstien (Di and Grumpy) and I just loved them. I am sure others would also.
Melissa

Hi! Nice to hear from you! Would love it if we bumped into each other whilst we are over there. We can make a plan!

I will try to load some pics of where we are. Nothing very exciting here I am afraid but we have been out and about over Christmas so I will have a look and add a few of places near here. May be a bit boring though!!!!!

 

[2ScottishPrincesses]

We were in Stirling today and checked some of the travel agents for rates. Seems to be around 1.42 or 1.43. Not fantastic. Think it is just that last year we got 2 to the pound so were spoiled. Don't think we are going to leave it much longer.

We are in Falkirk so not far from you.

That rate is pretty naff isn't it . We last went in June'07 and were getting around 1.95, just need to keep our fingers crossed eh?

Falkirk's not too far from Glasgow, I went to see a fortune teller in Falkirk years ago and it didn't take us too long to get there at all. I have also just revealed myself to be a complete nutter haven't I