"My 40th Birthday Do Over" PTR May 2009 - ** Updated 4/1/09 with Itinerary **

[APB513]

Hello everyone!! Welcome to my first pre trip report! At first, I wasn’t going to do one. But then I figured I am soooo excited about this trip, I need to do something to keep my mind occupied until it’s time to leave.

Since I started planning this trip last November, I guess I should get everyone caught up on what’s happened so far.

First, the cast of characters:

Me - – a die hard, tried and true, unabashed, Disneyphile!!!! I LOVE all things Disney and I’m not afraid to say it!!! I have been a fan of Disney since my first visit to Disneyland as a child. Some of my most treasured memories are of the times I spent at Disneyland with my Mother and my brother.

And that’s it!! Just me, myself and I spending time at my most favoriest place on earth!!!

Now, I know you have questions. I can hearing you saying “Angela, when are you going? What are you celebrating? Why are you going solo? Patience everyone. Your questions will all be answered in due time!

To answer your first question – “When are you going?” – I will be going to WDW from May 12th – May 19th

Next question – “What are you celebrating?” - I will be celebrating both my 40th and my 41st birthdays. “Two birthdays?” you ask. Why, yes! At WDW anything is possible!!! Last January I started thinking that I would love to celebrate my 40th birthday at Disney. I scoured the web for deals trying to make my dream a reality. But alas, it was not meant to be. As a substitute, I spent my 40th birthday at the Disney Store (it was the closest I could get to Disney ). But I vowed that day, that next year, I WOULD celebrate my 41st birthday at WDW no matter what!!!

So thanks to the wonderful “Stay 4 nights, get 3 nights free” promotion and a great deal on airfare – I’m going to Disneyworld!!!! Since you weren’t there to experience my joy at being able to go to Disneyworld for my birthday – here’s a reenactment for you – enjoy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrfBLxkOfJ8

Now to answer your last question, “Why are you going solo?” I’ll tell you why – because I’m tired of doing things other people want to do – namely my children!! I am a single mom to two great sons – ages 20 and 15! They both love Disney (Momma raised them right!). The problem is that my oldest likes to sleep in (what and miss rope drop ). And then most times, neither of them likes to do the “corny attractions” – Hall of Presidents, One Man’s Dream, Country Bear Jamboree, World Showcase and parades. I usually have to drag them to these things (which usually means I don’t enjoy them) or they complain so much that I usually give in and do what they want.

But not this time!!! Momma is going to do what Momma likes!!! I’m going to every rope drop, I’m going to greet characters, I’m going to watch parades and fireworks sitting down instead of trying to steal a glance as I am walking by!!! I’m going to…OK, so I can’t go to the Hall of Presidents because it’s closed but I’m going to the Tiki Room and Country Bear Jamboree. And I am going to tour EVERY country in EPCOT!!! I think it bears repeating – I’M GOING TO DISNEYWORLD!!!!

Next time – I’m going to Disneyworld!!! – now what?

 

[DisneyDreams21]

Love the TR so far, Angela! That video clip was hilarious!!!

I think your post-trip report will be a convincing argument for annual "Mom Trips to Disney!" My trips are now designated as kid/adult trips, and yes I need them both

You could potentially celebrate your perfectly timed May b'day every year at Disney since there always seems to be a Dismeet at that time of year.

 

[APB513]

Love the TR so far, Angela! That video clip was hilarious!!!

I think your post-trip report will be a convincing argument for annual "Mom Trips to Disney!" My trips are now designated as kid/adult trips, and yes I need them both

You could potentially celebrate your perfectly timed May b'day every year at Disney since there always seems to be a Dismeet at that time of year.

Thanks for stopping by Robin!!! I'm glad you are enjoying it!

I don't think I would need much convincing to make this an annual event!! My kids are getting older so it's time for me to have some fun!!! And being able to spend my birthday at WDW would just be the icing on the (pardon the pun! )

 

[SondraC]

I think your trip sounds WONDERFUL!! Moms usually take the back seat on vacations...trying to please everyone else...going to the places others want to go to...and so on.


Sondra

 

[APB513]

I think your trip sounds WONDERFUL!! Moms usually take the back seat on vacations...trying to please everyone else...going to the places others want to go to...and so on.


Sondra

Thanks, Sondra

 

[Disney_Mama]

Happy 40th and 41st Birthday. Hope you have a wonderful and safe trip. I'm going to be celebrating my 40th at WDW too. I turned 40 in December, BFF#1 in January and BFF#2 this weekend. So off to WDW we three are going at the end of this month

 

[APB513]

When I first thought about doing a solo trip, my first thought was “How are the kids going to feel about me leaving them behind?” My second thought was “Am I crazy for thinking about leaving those two home alone?” LOL

I have never left my kids home alone. I was having visions of every teen movie where the kids have a party when their parents go on vacation But I trust my kids and I believe that they will do the right thing or at least they will clean up before I get home so I will never know

At first I thought about letting them come. I even booked a family suite at the ASMu resort. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I deserved to be selfish for once.

Next, came the task of telling the boys. My oldest DH (20) was upset about not going until he realized that I would be gone for 7 days and he would have the house and the car to himself. At that point he smiled a sly grin and said “OK Ma. I hope you have a great time.” I almost changed my mind but I told him that we would talk about the ground rules in terms of what he would be allowed to do while I was gone. And that was that.

Well, that was the easy part. I didn’t think my oldest DS would protest too much. He likes Disney but can take it or leave it. He would just as soon go to any theme park. I don’t know where I went wrong

My youngest DS (15) on the other hand, is a whole other story!!! This is my Disney child. He has inherited my love for Disney! His favorite character is Stitch. His favorite ride is Tower of Terror. He even went online and found the video that they show at the TOT and memorized the dialogue!! Every time we went into the library, he would recite it word for word He has watched the Disney Travel Channel specials so many times that I have lost count. We read the Passporter and quiz each other on the attractions and restaurants at each park. He helps me with the touring plan. He LOVES all things Disney and he LOVES going to WDW!!! So I knew that telling him that I was going to Disney and I would not be taking him – would not be easy.

The time came to tell him about my trip. I was nervous because I knew he would be disappointed. When I told him about the trip, of course he thought I was saying that “we” were going to WDW. I had to explain to him that I was going alone. The look on his face was heartbreaking. How could I be so cruel? What kind of mother am I? Well, apparently I’m the kind of mother that goes to WDW without her children He was upset for several days. But eventually he came around and starting speaking to me again. Phew! Glad that’s done!!!

So I cancelled my ressie at ASMu. My goal is to stay at every resort in WDW. So far I have stayed at Pop and AKL. I wanted to try an All Star resort but wanted to save ASMu for when I stayed in a family suite with the boys, so I switched to a room at ASMo.

Here's a picture of my boys:

Next time --- I’ve found my home away from home – or have I?

 

[APB513]

Happy 40th and 41st Birthday. Hope you have a wonderful and safe trip. I'm going to be celebrating my 40th at WDW too. I turned 40 in December, BFF#1 in January and BFF#2 this weekend. So off to WDW we three are going at the end of this month

Hi Disney_Mama -

Thanks and Happy birthday to you too!!!

I hope you guys have a great time on your trip!!!

 

[bettyann29]

Hi Angela.. Loving reading your PTR..

How exciting to be celebrating your birthday at DisneyWorld!!

I know how you feel about wanting to go by yourself and do what you want to do.. I am also doing a kid free- only me- mom trip- no kids with me- woohoo-celebrating my birthday- solo trip next month I havent told my kiddos yet.. I confronted DH earlier in the week about wanting to do a solo trip for my birthday.. now my birthday is this coming Monday and there was no way I could go now since DD11 just had major surgery last week, but I asked if I could go in the next month or 2.. He agreed .. so off I will be going..

Cant wait to hear more about your plans..

 

[APB513]

Hi Angela.. Loving reading your PTR..

How exciting to be celebrating your birthday at DisneyWorld!!

I know how you feel about wanting to go by yourself and do what you want to do.. I am also doing a kid free- only me- mom trip- no kids with me- woohoo-celebrating my birthday- solo trip next month I havent told my kiddos yet.. I confronted DH earlier in the week about wanting to do a solo trip for my birthday.. now my birthday is this coming Monday and there was no way I could go now since DD11 just had major surgery last week, but I asked if I could go in the next month or 2.. He agreed .. so off I will be going..

Cant wait to hear more about your plans..

Thanks, Bettyann! I just read your PTR. I am amazed at how quickly you got your trip planned. I hope you have a great time!!!

 

[karajeboo]

Hey Angela! I saw you on the Mammoth May Meet thread and thought I'd check out your PTR! I applaud you going to Disney alone! And you're never really alone in Disney, especially with all us DISers there this time! I often say I'd LOVE to go by myself!!!

And your boys are so handsome!!! But FYI, if you think they will NOT "enjoy themselves" while you are gone, honey, we need to talk!!! Been there done that, and still have the scars to remind me!

And we have so much in common - it is MY goal also to stay in EVERY resort at some point. Except maybe GF - I priced it today for ha ha's and it was $600/night for a "cheap" view!!! Not on your life!

 

[APB513]

Hey Angela! I saw you on the Mammoth May Meet thread and thought I'd check out your PTR! I applaud you going to Disney alone! And you're never really alone in Disney, especially with all us DISers there this time! I often say I'd LOVE to go by myself!!!

And your boys are so handsome!!! But FYI, if you think they will NOT "enjoy themselves" while you are gone, honey, we need to talk!!! Been there done that, and still have the scars to remind me!

And we have so much in common - it is MY goal also to stay in EVERY resort at some point. Except maybe GF - I priced it today for ha ha's and it was $600/night for a "cheap" view!!! Not on your life!

Hi Karajeboo!!

Welcome aboard Thanks for checking out my PTR!

Believe me, even after I booked this trip I had doubts about the "solo" part of this trip. But thanks to the DIS, I won't be alone the whole time. Plus I get to share my favorite place with people who feel the exact same way I do - it doesn't get any better than that!

Thanks, I think they are handsome too! (and my oldest son agrees with us because he tells me how handsome he is EVERYDAY )

As far as leaving them at home alone is concerned don't scare me any more than I already am! I am just hoping (and praying) that everything will be just the way I left it!

Maybe you and I can plan to go halfsies on the GF - or better still, invite 98 of our closest DISfriends to share the room with us

 

[APB513]

Welcome back! Ok, at this point I had decided I was going to celebrate my birthday at WDW and that I was not taking my kids. I told them that they were not going and WWIII did not break out – so far, so good.

I decided that I would stay at ASMo since I had never stayed at an All Star Resort. Until one day, I was innocently reading the DIS when out of nowhere, someone posted that they were considering changing their ressies from ASMo to POFQ. And the cost was only $222 more. And they were going around the same time as me. Wait a darn minute! You mean there may be availability at POFQ??!!!! That can’t be. Why, you ask? Because there is never availability at POFQ when I’m at WDW. I know because I always check. There are rooms at POR but never at POFQ.

So I go to Disneyworld.com just to see if I’m wrong. Lo and behold there are rooms available at POFQ. So I get on the phone and call Disney. And 20 minutes later – I am staying at POFQ (insert “Hallelujah Chorus)! Oh man, this trip is getting good!!!!
(I’d like to give a shout out to Aubriee for posting her resort quandary. If it hadn’t been for your post, I never would have looked at POFQ )

One of my concerns about going solo is what would I do in the evenings since the parks close kinda early and there is no more Adventurer’s Club (Kungaloosh). If I went back to my room, I’d be alone and bored. I wasn’t looking forward to spending time at ASMo. Don’t get me wrong, the themeing looks cute but I didn’t see myself spending much time exploring the resort.

POFQ solved that problem. The resort looks beautiful, calm and serene!!! I love New Orleans and I am looking forward to exploring the Port Orleans resort. I got even more excited about my choice once I read about the carriage ride, the Scat Cat Club and the beignets. Yes, I had truly found my home away from home

Part 4: Table for one????

 

[DisneyDreams21]

Enjoying the PTR! The cool thing is that when you finish this, I will actually get to meet up with you.

Your sons have the smile of boys whose mom takes them to Disney World! Nice work!

This is the best time to go solo, IMO, especially since it's your first venture solo. You'll have plenty of Disers around to meet up with and still have the chance to escape if you want and get some alone time.

Looking forward to more PTR

 

[APB513]

Enjoying the PTR! The cool thing is that when you finish this, I will actually get to meet up with you.

Your sons have the smile of boys whose mom takes them to Disney World! Nice work!

This is the best time to go solo, IMO, especially since it's your first venture solo. You'll have plenty of Disers around to meet up with and still have the chance to escape if you want and get some alone time.

Looking forward to more PTR

Hi Robin -

I am looking forward to meeting you and Tracy! I just hope I can keep up with you guys. I tend to be a light weight in the adult beverage department

 

[karajeboo]

Thanks, I think they are handsome too! (and my oldest son agrees with us because he tells me how handsome he is EVERYDAY )

Crazy boys!!!!

As far as leaving them at home alone is concerned don't scare me any more than I already am! I am just hoping (and praying) that everything will be just the way I left it!

Don't worry, if they are responsible, they'll get it cleaned up before you get home!

Maybe you and I can plan to go halfsies on the GF - or better still, invite 98 of our closest DISfriends to share the room with us

I swear, that's the only way I could do it. I mean, it IS pretty, and I want to give it a shot one day, but there is no way I can justify that for a bed and bath! I even priced Poly for my family weekend in May (about 2 weeks before the big DIS meet), and it was $390/night. Couldn't do it. We are fortunate to live just over 2 hrs from Disney now so we go for 2 or 3 nights every 2-3 months. For that we usually do a mod or low end deluxe becuase it's not as "painful" that way. But whenever we have gone for a week we've always stayed at Pop and love it! We said next time we might do 7 nights and do 4 at Pop and 3 at a Deluxe because we'd probably spend more time at the resort near the end of the trip when we're starting to poop out.

So I go to Disneyworld.com just to see if I’m wrong. Lo and behold there are rooms available at POFQ. So I get on the phone and call Disney. And 20 minutes later – I am staying at POFQ (insert “Hallelujah Chorus)! Oh man, this trip is getting good!!!!
(I’d like to give a shout out to Aubriee for posting her resort quandary. If it hadn’t been for your post, I never would have looked at POFQ )

One of my concerns about going solo is what would I do in the evenings since the parks close kinda early and there is no more Adventurer’s Club (Kungaloosh). If I went back to my room, I’d be alone and bored. I wasn’t looking forward to spending time at ASMo. Don’t get me wrong, the themeing looks cute but I didn’t see myself spending much time exploring the resort.

POFQ solved that problem. The resort looks beautiful, calm and serene!!! I love New Orleans and I am looking forward to exploring the Port Orleans resort. I got even more excited about my choice once I read about the carriage ride, the Scat Cat Club and the beignets. Yes, I had truly found my home away from home

Part 4: Table for one????

Excellent!!!! Isn't it a great feeling when you get a "score" like that??? I've never stayed at POFQ but I know most people love it! We've done POR once and I was NOT impressed at all. But we do love CSR despite what people say.

So which resorts have you stayed in? We can compare notes!

 

[APB513]

Excellent!!!! Isn't it a great feeling when you get a "score" like that??? I've never stayed at POFQ but I know most people love it! We've done POR once and I was NOT impressed at all. But we do love CSR despite what people say.

So which resorts have you stayed in? We can compare notes!

I can't tell you how excited I am about staying at POFQ. When we have visited WDW in the past, we have only stayed for a few days each trip. That means we have always toured the parks commando style. We were up at dawn, at every rope drop, and stayed all day till the park closed.

This trip, I want to take it a bit slower. I want to enjoy everything that each park has to offer. And I might even want to go back to the resort to relax a bit. That's why I wanted to stay at a resort where I would enjoy the surroundings.

So far, we have only stayed at Pop and AKL. I LOVE both resorts I love Pop for the price, the themeing and the fact that it has its own bus We've stayed at Pop three times. We have always stayed in a preferred building so we would be close to the food court and the bus stop. In hindsight, I probably should have tried an All Star Resort but each of those were short trips and I wanted to stay at Pop because of the buses.

The only down side to a preferred building is the proximity to the pool. On one trip, our room faced the pool. One night after we had gone to bed we could hear a lot of laughing and loud talking coming from the pool area. I figured it was some teenagers. When I looked out, to my surprise, it was a group of women whooping it up and having a great time. I just went back to bed and eventually fell asleep.

We stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge for our post cruise stay. I took the boys on a Disney Cruise for their 18th and 13th birthdays. We had the best time that trip!!!

We stayed in a Savannah View room (I was able to get a 30% discount). It was amazing!!! Waking up every morning and seeing the animals grazing in our "backyard." I would wake up early and sit on the balcony and watch the animals until the boys woke up. It was a pretty cool way to start the day!!

As you can see, I have a long way to go until I've stayed at every resort. But that just gives me a good reason to keep coming back

 

[bettyann29]

I absolutely love POFQ!! I know you will too!

It is by far my favorite resort so far.. Me and DD17 stayed there when we went on a mother/daughter trip and I loved it.. Its not as huge as some of the other resorts and decorated so pretty..

I would also love one day to say that I have stayed at all of the Disney resorts, but I have a long way to go..

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Hi, I just found your PTR. Congrats on the solo trip and POFQ. I really, really love POFQ. We were there one year at Christmastime. It was so beautiful.

Looking forward to hearing more about your plans.

 

[MaryAz]

Way to go on the solo trip! Someday I hope to do one as well! Kids will be fine.
If you are looking for a Tikki Room companion my 5 year old is super excited to go and knows almost all the words to the song! And she is pretty cute and fun.
Looking forward to seeing you at the Meet!