Celebrating A 5th Birthday with Mickey & Rain,May 2009! Completed..

[kaysmommie]

Hello and Welcome!
I finally decided I should get to work on my Pre Trip report for our vacation this May. I'll start with telling you a little bit about us. For those of who aren't familiar with my family, feel free to check out one of my past trip reports.


First there is me Nichole, the DW and mom. I love Disney and travel. Planning is the most fun but can get me stressed a bit too. I love to plan the perfect vacation and make sure my kids get to experience the most fun possible. Sometimes everything doesn't go as planned though I spend way too much time on DIS when I should be doing other things . But I'm addicted to reading friends trip reports. My first trip to Disney was when I was 6 years old. This will be my 9th trip to Disney. My favorite character is Tink .

My husband of 10 years is Tommy. He likes Disney but doesn't love it. He has fun when we get there but doesn't want anything to do with the planning. He also doesn't want to hear me talk constantly about Disney. That is just another reason why I spend time on DIS. He is a great dad and husband. Not sure he has a favorite character, maybe , most like Grumpy though . This will be his 7th trip to Disney!

Then there is my DD 8, Kaylee she will be 9 by time we go on this trip though. She loves Disney and is a great student and spends lots of time at the Dance Studio since she has been taking dance since she was 3. She collects pins and loves to get autograph's and hairwraps on vacation. Her favorite resort is Poly (like me) but she is constantly asking why we are not staying there again . She is most like Tink . Some of her other favorite things are Webkinz, High School Musical, Jonas Brothers, playing Wii and American Girl dolls/ books. We took Kaylee to Disney last March just to celebrate her 8th Birthday. She got tons of pixie dust! This will be her 7th trip also.

Finally we have my DS4 Thomas, who is turning 5 on our trip. Disney is his favorite place in the world, he can't understand why we can't live there . Thomas can't wait to go back to Disney since he got sick on our October trip and missed out a bit. He is looking forward to celebrating his Bday with Mickey! That is his favorite character but he loves most of them. He can be very shy with new people and situations. He doesn't love Preschool like most kids do. Some of his favorite things are riding his bike, playing Wii, Cars, trucks, and Webkinz. This Thomas' 5th trip to Disney!

My kids look thrilled ,don't they??

 

[LaurenMic]

Yay! I was hoping you would do a PTR I can't wait to hear all about the plans for your next trip...cut pictures, I especially love the one of you and your DF and the one of the kids hugging at the Poly!

 

[kaysmommie]

After our last trip in October of 2008. Tom said no more trips until 2010 for a number of reasons. After the ride home even I needed a break from Disney. But after about a month I was already wishing to go back. October was fun but seems like the last 2 years it rained alot. Then the new promotion came out. I already knew I was going to take Thomas for His Birthday, it was just a matter of when. Tom didn't really have any vacation time until July of 2009. No way was I willing to go in July with the crowds and heat.

So Tom agreed after some badgering on our part. That we could just take a short 5-6 night trip this May over Thomas' 5th Birthday. He would of course have to take it without pay . The good part is that we have 2 Free Airline tickets and just need to buy two more for the kids . It does stink that we have to drive 3 hours west to Nashville and by then we could be almost halfway to Disney in our minivan. But we are tired of driving so looks like we are flying for sure!

I decided that maybe renting points from a DVC memeber would be a good idea. So I inquired about this back in January. Found someone on here that had rented before and was easy to work with. The only places available were Saratoga Springs and Old Key West. I was hoping for Beach Club or Animal Kingdom though. After some thining it over we picked Saratoga Springs. It is a very pretty place but not as themed as some of my favorite resorts. But I'm still looking foward to staying there. Thomas was dissapointed we were not staying at CBR again, he was really wanting to try a new Pirate room. If I had known how much he wanted to stay there I probably would have just booked that to make him happy.

A few weeks after we made our Saratoga reservation, I was looking at flights . I thought that flying the night before might be better so we don't have to stay in Nashville overnight. Instead well stay in Disney . Most likely it will be Pop or ASMu since we won't even arrive until 8 PM.

So there you have it. Our dates are May 16th - May 21st at Saratoga Springs! Kaylee will be missing the last week of school which at first she was happy to be going then changed her mind and is sad about the fun week. Well be back just in time for her Studios recital rehearsals. Sadly well miss Star Wars Weekend, which both my kids have started to like a lot.

My ADR's are already made and my itinerary is a work in progress since I have 2 Itineraries and am having trouble decided because some of the days are rated better than others on Tour Guide Mike. Maybe I can post both of the schedules and you all can vote for which you think is better.


Coming up: Dining reservations and Itinerary help!!

 

[kaysmommie]

Yay! I was hoping you would do a PTR I can't wait to hear all about the plans for your next trip...cut pictures, I especially love the one of you and your DF and the one of the kids hugging at the Poly!

Hi Lauren .
Thanks. Nice to see you here, your my first reader. I'm sad your trippie is coming to and end. But at least you have another trip coming up in June .

 

[29apr00]

Woo hoo another TR!! Can't wait, you always seem to get so much pixie dust! Hopefully Thomas has a great birthday trip!

And Yeah for flying finally!!

 

[kaysmommie]

Woo hoo another TR!! Can't wait, you always seem to get so much pixie dust! Hopefully Thomas has a great birthday trip!

And Yeah for flying finally!!

Hi Jen . glad to have you onboard. You know I'm hoping Thomas gets his share of Pixie dust this trip. How's the vow renewal planning? I have to come by and check it on now that I'm on the pretrip board more often.

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

Heck yeah I'm with you girl! I can't wait to see all your new D60 pics!!! I'm waiting!!! As soon as it warms up again I'm doing some at the beach. Ya know...I was studying all of the cams. The 60 is just as good and the 300 in many ways. The 300 is built better and the 90 has recording capabilities but overall they're pretty much the same. The 60 is not as "tough built" as the others but it should still last many years as long as you take care of it and keep it cleaned. I think the Olympus just needed a cleaning but I wanted a different brand. We were looking at lenses last night and some of them were $10,000! That's crazy for one lens! Add your prom pics on the PTR if ya have them around....would love to see those too. I am going to locate my old stuff later tonight.

 

[Poohtigeey]

Hi Nichole!! I'm glad you mentioned this on your FB page or I wouldn't have known since I don't come over here anymore. Have you gone in May before? I can't believe Thomas will be 5!! You're going to have such a great time. I'm glad you get to stay somewhere new. I look forward to hearing about all of your plans.

 

[29apr00]

Hi Jen . glad to have you onboard. You know I'm hoping Thomas gets his share of Pixie dust this trip. How's the vow renewal planning? I have to come by and check it on now that I'm on the pretrip board more often.

It would be great if he got the first ride on Goofys Barnstormer with Goofy!! I bet he would be so happy! Let's hope he doesn't get sick this time!!

Plans are coming along! Less than 10 months now! Guests are buying airfare. Got my Minnie Bride Ears! having fun...until the bill comes in!

 

[crgfsu1]

Here I am!!!!!!!!!!!! Ready for the next report Renting DVC points - sounds cool, I hope you like Saratoga Springs.

Cathy

 

[kaysmommie]

Heck yeah I'm with you girl! I can't wait to see all your new D60 pics!!! I'm waiting!!! As soon as it warms up again I'm doing some at the beach. Ya know...I was studying all of the cams. The 60 is just as good and the 300 in many ways. The 300 is built better and the 90 has recording capabilities but overall they're pretty much the same. The 60 is not as "tough built" as the others but it should still last many years as long as you take care of it and keep it cleaned. I think the Olympus just needed a cleaning but I wanted a different brand. We were looking at lenses last night and some of them were $10,000! That's crazy for one lens! Add your prom pics on the PTR if ya have them around....would love to see those too. I am going to locate my old stuff later tonight.

So far I love the new camera! Thanks for all your help with that. We have to take care of it because we charged it on best Buy. I'll have to take the kids outside to get some pics. I have just been taking a few inside to learn how to use it. Wow $1000 is crazy for one lens!! Even if you photographer. Sorry no prom pics. My BF at the time didn't want to go because he hated dancing , so we skipped our prom. I should have found someone else to go with instead .

Hi Nichole!! I'm glad you mentioned this on your FB page or I wouldn't have known since I don't come over here anymore. Have you gone in May before? I can't believe Thomas will be 5!! You're going to have such a great time. I'm glad you get to stay somewhere new. I look forward to hearing about all of your plans.

Hi Monica. glad you are here. I posted on your wall about my pain in the butt friend Genya. I don't care about the other ones comment because she is totally kidding. But that one is constantly being jealous because she is a
miserable B. I shouldn't have even bothered going off on her.

I can't believe Thomas will be turning 5 already on this trip and Kaylee will be 9 in March. I have never been in May, but am really looking forward to Flower & Garden at Epcot. I have heard it's a great time to go though. I have to figure out my itinerary. One plan includes a Dis Meet and the other plan has better park days according to TGM . Wish a few other Dis friends were going .

It would be great if he got the first ride on Goofys Barnstormer with Goofy!! I bet he would be so happy! Let's hope he doesn't get sick this time!!

Plans are coming along! Less than 10 months now! Guests are buying airfare. Got my Minnie Bride Ears! having fun...until the bill comes in!

Thomas is very excited for this trip. Unfortunately they told us back in October that Goofy doesn't ride Barnstormer anymore since he was moved to Frontier land to make room for the fairies. Your plans sound great! You must have Minnie bride ears . The bill is the only part that stinks.

 

[kaysmommie]

Here I am!!!!!!!!!!!! Ready for the next report Renting DVC points - sounds cool, I hope you like Saratoga Springs.

Cathy

Hi Cathy,
I'm ready to read your report too ! We are looking forward to trying a new resort. It's not Poly but I'm sure well like it. I have liked every resort we have stayed in so far. Thomas really wanted CBR again.

 

[mom2mek]

I'm checking in....will be back to read in a bit! I can't believe we are going to miss eachother! Well, unless you want to come to breakfast with us on your first day (since we will be leaving right after that) - and I'm so sure that's exactly what you want to do, huh? LOL!

Sara

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

So far I love the new camera! I knew you would! Thanks for all your help with that. We have to take care of it because we charged it on best Buy. I'll have to take the kids outside to get some pics. I have just been taking a few inside to learn how to use it. Wow $1000 $10,000!!!! I would NEVER pay ten grand for a lens! There is one I want for $500. is crazy for one lens!! Even if you photographer. Sorry no prom pics. My BF at the time didn't want to go because he hated dancing , so we skipped our prom. I should have found someone else to go with instead .

It was those darn boys we used to date.

 

[LaurenMic]

Hi Lauren .
Thanks. Nice to see you here, your my first reader. I'm sad your trippie is coming to and end. But at least you have another trip coming up in June .

I was so excited to be the first one to comment! I'm definitely starting my PTR very soon too! Can't wait to hear what you have for Thomas's bday!

 

[dddisrunner]

Hey Nichole! I was wondering when you were going to start your PTR! Yay for Thomas! I hope he gets LOTS of pixie dust on this trip! I can't wait to here what you guys think of SSR! I am glad you got all of your ADR'S too! So excited to be going on another journey with you guys

 

[hlrababy]

Man!!! You just started it today and already I am on page 2!!!! lol!!!!!

 

[IluvXU]

Another fun trip! I sure hope Thomas stays healthy this trip. I think the Flower and Garden show will be so pretty, can't wait to see pics.

 

[crgfsu1]

Another fun trip! I sure hope Thomas stays healthy this trip. I think the Flower and Garden show will be so pretty, can't wait to see pics.

You know Nichole, I went to WDW during FLower & Garden show SEVERLA years ago - it was nice. You'll love it.

 

[kaysmommie]

I'm checking in....will be back to read in a bit! I can't believe we are going to miss eachother! Well, unless you want to come to breakfast with us on your first day (since we will be leaving right after that) - and I'm so sure that's exactly what you want to do, huh? LOL!

Sara

Darn you are leaving right after breakfast , That stinks. Where are you having breakast, Captain Cooks?? They do have Tonga Toast there . I would love to stay the first night at Poly. Right now I have us going to Epcot for Rope drop on the 17th. I'll try to figure something out.

It was those darn boys we used to date.

I was so excited to be the first one to comment! I'm definitely starting my PTR very soon too! Can't wait to hear what you have for Thomas's bday!

Working on Bday details now. Looking at cakes. Let me know when you start your pretrip.

Hey Nichole! I was wondering when you were going to start your PTR! Yay for Thomas! I hope he gets LOTS of pixie dust on this trip! I can't wait to here what you guys think of SSR! I am glad you got all of your ADR'S too! So excited to be going on another journey with you guys

Hi Diane,
Thanks for reading, I know your busy with your new job . Me too! I hope we like SSR. I have to post my ADR's and park plans in a bit because I will need some feedback from you guys.

Man!!! You just started it today and already I am on page 2!!!! lol!!!!!

Hi Heather , Glad to have you onboard.

Another fun trip! I sure hope Thomas stays healthy this trip. I think the Flower and Garden show will be so pretty, can't wait to see pics.

Hi and Welcome!! Oh me too on the healthy thing. I can't wait to see Flower & Garden at Epcot.

You know Nichole, I went to WDW during FLower & Garden show SEVERLA years ago - it was nice. You'll love it.

Glad to hear you loved it. I'm sure I will too! So May is a nice time to go then?