A Gem of a Birthday-Celebrating my 40th@AKL(No Kids!)11/03 Link to Next report!

Diamondintheruff · Apr 14, 2009

You won't roll your eyes at me when I say I'm going to Disney again. You won't raise your eyebrows when I tell you I'm going to celebrate my 40th birthday by dining at Cinderella's Castle. You won't laugh at my detailed touring plans that are color coded and lamenated. I won't hear "Are you still talking about Disney?" from you. No, not you.

You might be a little surprised to hear that I'm leaving my three kids behind. That just Dh and I going to recapture some romance and remember our Disneymoon that was what seems like a long 12 years, three kids, one dog, two houses and four careers ago. But once I explain that it is only a weekend, that we have taken our kids to Disney before and that we never took that 10 year anniversary trip we promised ourselves, I think you might understand.

Sure I will miss the kids (not the whole time but I'm sure there will be moments when I wish they were with us) but I know they will be fine with my parents. Plus don't Dh and I deserve a little time alone? What about all those theories where you have to work at your marriage?

After all these years of Mothering and catering to everyone else in the family I am so looking forward to this trip. It's going to be three nights of doing Disney they way we (ahem.. really me) want to do it.

I find myself thinking I can't believe I get to go to Disney for my Birthday all the time.

I can't believe that I get to leave the children behind and make this trip all about me-cause it's my birthday and I get to be the most important person of all on this trip. Not Dh, not my three kids, not my parents. ME ME ME ME!

So if reading about a 40 year old woman celebrating her birthday by leaving her kids and doing disney with her hubby interests you stay tuned. I'd love to have you follow along with me.

I promise to post some pictures and be back with the story behind the trip or how it all came to be.

The next post has the links to each chapter so you can follow along.

Diamondintheruff · Apr 14, 2009

Diamondintheruff · Apr 15, 2009

Honey, you know my 40th birthday is coming up right?

Yeah Dh replies hesitantly.

Do you think maybe, we might possibly go away somewhere for it?

Like where?

Well, I was thinking.. you know, um.. Disney?

You want to take the kids back to Disney for your Birthday?

No. I want just us to go. We could leave the kids with my parents.

Really? You want to go to Disney (Okay wait for it because this is the word we all hear when we talk about going to Disney to non-Disney obsessed people.) AGAIN?

Yup I sure did want to go do Disney. Its really a silly question. Like Im ever going to say no. What was the man thinking? He probably thinks Im crazy to want to go back when we had gone the last two summers with the kids and my parents.

Dh flashes me a look like Im out of my mind.

What about the plan? He asks.

The plan was that we would go back in 2011 with our extended family. In his defense I had promised him we wouldnt go back again until 2011. In my defense, technically we wouldnt be going back again. The whole family was not coming. It was just going to be the two of us. I hadnt promised that us wouldnt go again. I said We.

Amazingly, once I pointed out that Disney can be romantic, that it would be like re-living our Disneymoon from 12 years ago and that we could eat at restaurants that the kids wouldnt step foot into and that we could take it at our pace he actually said YES!

I was so excited. Planning could begin.

It started with a phone call to my Mom. I had to organize the kids before I could even think of booking. She agreed but used that same word that Dh had.

Again? You want to go to Disney again? my Mom asked.

Then I called up my Travel Agent. Shes awesome. I use Christine at Fairytale Destinations. She was the only one who didnt use the word again. She gets it.

So before long we were booked for POP for three nights with three days of tickets and the dinning plan. I re-joined Tour Guide Mike and added a ticker under my Disboard Signature.

I picked out the restaurants we wanted to eat at and waited for the 180-day mark to arrive. Of course as we all know, Disney revamped their reservation system so I had to wait until the 90-day mark. I somehow survived it. In the meantime it gave me more time to play with my plans and I decided to upgrade Dh and I to Deluxe Dinning. The man likes to eat well so it wasnt a hard sell.

Finally the 90 day mark came and I managed to get all the ADRs that I wanted. I had my TA Christine call and I slept in. Ive done the calls before myself and felt okay at letting her handle the reins this time. Its a big move for a control freak like myself. They should make a hallmark card for such an occasion. Also it should be noted again, that she is awesome.

Around the 45 day mark when it was time to pay, I got an email from Christine. Some deluxe resorts were being offered at a discount. I could upgrade from POP if I so wished.

Once again a silly question. Of course I wished but I didnt have the budget for it. Then I had an idea. I called my Mom.

She hadnt decided what to get me for my birthday. So I suggested the upgrade. She agreed and Christine moved us on up from POP to the Animal Kingdom Lodge. I was super psyched.

So it will be Animal Kingdom Lodge just Dh and myself from Friday April 24th (my birthday) until Monday April 27th. Not long I know but since we are leaving the kids and Im a part-time Kindergarten Teacher it was the best I could do.

Dh and I have three wonderful children. I also have a set of wonderful parents who have agree to look after their grandchildren for the weekend so their only daughter can celebrate her 40th birthday at her favorite place.

I told myself I wasnt going to do another Trip Report. I told other people I wasnt going to do another Trip Report. But then, I finished (finally) my first report and instead of feeling good about it, I felt kind of well, kind of empty. So here I am making a liar out of myself and smearing my personal life all over the Internet to boot. Are you sure this is the kind of person you want to read a trip report from? Apparently I have issues setting boundaries and youve already seen me prove how I can twist a promise to suit myself.

If youre still here then let me welcome you to my report. Its always exciting to have readers. Even more exciting to have posters but then I dont want to appear too pushy. I suppose a please post, pretty pretty please would fit into that later category.

Up next the pictures I promised and an introduction to the cast.

akayek31 · Apr 15, 2009

Hey I am here. I can't wait to read more. I am having with drawls since TR is done.

Only 36 days til I go.

shellywalker · Apr 15, 2009

I'm tagging along! I'm excited for you to be able to share this time with your DH! As you know, I'm doing the same! It's always okay to leave your kids behind for a little adult disney fun! Looking forward to hearing more!

tinkermamaof2 · Apr 15, 2009

Can't wait to hear about your plans. You are going to love Animal Kingdom Lodge, so nice of your Mom to pay for the upgrade for your birthday! Just so your husband knows, he has to go along with ALL of your plans, it is YOUR bithday trip!LOL :rotfl:

You deserve it!

Patti

lisalonglash · Apr 15, 2009

I'm in - can't wait to read more! :cool1:

autumnpalm · Apr 15, 2009

I'm in!!!

'

Sounds like it's going to be a great trip. :goodvibes

I think an upgrade to AKL is just about the perfect birthday present. Can't wait to hear about the rest of your plans. :thumbsup2

Diamondintheruff · Apr 15, 2009

lisalonglash said:
I'm in - can't wait to read more!

Good to hear from you again Lisa! I'm heading out your way on Friday to visit a friend in Langley.

autumnpalm said:
I'm in!!!
'

Sounds like it's going to be a great trip. I think an upgrade to AKL is just about the perfect birthday present. Can't wait to hear about the rest of your plans.

You found me! I wish I was going to the Tea at the GF like you. But since it wasn't on the DDP, Dh nixed it. I'll have to wait until I go with my Mom. She'll eat it up.

DearDaisyinDurham · Apr 15, 2009

~I'm in!~

~I'm in!~

lisalonglash · Apr 15, 2009

Diamondintheruff said:
Good to hear from you again Lisa! I'm heading out your way on Friday to visit a friend in Langley.

Make sure you wave to me on your way by :goodvibes

Diamondintheruff · Apr 16, 2009

So I promised to introduce you to the cast. It's quite small. Just Dh and I. We've been married for almost 13 years and have been together for almost 19 years.

We met at University. The Sunday night before our first classes there was a BBQ on the lawn for the freshmen. I saw him leaning in the doorway with the light shining behind him and our eyes locked. It sounds corny but my heart skipped a beat and I just knew he was going to be someone important in my life. We didn't start dating until two years later but we always kept tabs on each other. We were friends of friends and each time we ran into each other the sparks flew.

My 40th birthday trip will not be the first time that Dh and I have been to Disney alone. We went in the early 90's. We were visiting my grandparents in Daytona Beach and drove down for the day. Here are some old pictures I dug up.

Just remember a couple a things while viewing these photos.

1) It was the 90's. Don't judge if you weren't there. Fashion is fickle.

2)These are photos of photos. We have a scanner but if you want to wait until I figure out how to use it the clothes you have on right now will be considered as outdated as the ones I'm wearing in the pictures.

Here is Dh back then just Dboyfriend in front of the castle.

Here I am in front of the castle.

Here is Dh sitting in a stationary car outside the speedway.

Here he is again possibly outside of the enchanted Tiki room. Anyone want to confirm this?

Finally here I am again near the Jungle cruise ride.

Then five years or so after that trip we got married.

We went to Disney for our Honeymoon. I had watched an Oprah show and she did a segment on the Disney Institute. It no longer exists. :sad1:

I believe it is Saratoga Springs now.

Anyhow we loved our time at the Disney Institute. It was like camp for adults. Each day we had three time periods that you could choose different activities to participate in. We went rock climbing, took cooking lessons, had wine tasting classes, massages, golf lessons and even went on a catered canoe picnic. Here are some pictures to prove it. Notice who is "driving" the canoe.

Actually there is a funny story about how we crashed our golf cart after a wine tasting session. Who knew you were supposed to spit out the wine?

We only went into the actual park twice. We did MK again but sadly I don't have any pictures. I did take some at Epcot.

We had dinner at the original Alfredos' which is also gone. :sad1:

Once we returned home, we settled down into married life. We got a dog. We got real grown up jobs, bought a house and started having children.

Here is a current picture of us. This was taken by the bartender at the GF while the kids were at the Wonderland Tea party. We lounged, we napped and we shopped. Okay Dh napped. I shopped but we both lounged which this picture is evidence of.

In seven days we will be throwing the kids, the dog, the house, our adult responsibilities to the wind and taking off for WDW. Woo Hoo!

Next up "THE PLAN" otherwise known as things that Diamond wants to do at WDW and Dh will just have to suffer through it!

Hope you enjoyed my trip down memory lane.

lazydoxy66 · Apr 16, 2009

Yay!!!!! Great start. You 2 are so cute!

I think I saw you had posted this on Enchanted too. I'll probably follow this over there.

roxannensteve · Apr 16, 2009

Hi - you are reading my PTR so I needed to come check out yours.

We are very much alike. We took our Honeymoon in Disney as well & you are already know we are doing a kid free trip too.

We are staying at POR but I saw the discounts for the deluxes & AKL was a thought. Glad you ugraded from POP, deffinhately a step or 2 or 3 above.

Can't wait to read more...

CanadianWDWfan · Apr 17, 2009

Hi, followed you over here from another TR. :wave2:

I can't wait to hear how your bday trip unfolds....

Diamondintheruff · Apr 17, 2009

lazydoxy66 said:
Yay!!!!! Great start. You 2 are so cute!

I think I saw you had posted this on Enchanted too. I'll probably follow this over there.

Yes, I'm doing one on enchanted as well.

roxannensteve said:
Hi - you are reading my PTR so I needed to come check out yours.

We are very much alike. We took our Honeymoon in Disney as well & you are already know we are doing a kid free trip too.

We are staying at POR but I saw the discounts for the deluxes & AKL was a thought. Glad you ugraded from POP, deffinhately a step or 2 or 3 above.

Can't wait to read more...

I'm looking forward to reading your report too!

CanadianWDWfan said:
Hi, followed you over here from another TR.

I can't wait to hear how your bday trip unfolds....

Well, welcome!

DearDaisyinDurham said:
~I'm in!~
~I'm in!~

I was wondering when you would show up.

lisalonglash said:
Make sure you wave to me on your way by

I'm here!

Nemo32 · Apr 19, 2009

I'm here! Can't wait to hear all about your trip. AKL is so cool, I wish I could've stayed there. I hope you try Boma.

Have a magical birthday and getaway! :wizard:

Diamondintheruff · Apr 21, 2009

I've been in Vancouver visiting friends for the weekend so I haven't had a chance to update. I flew through the states from Buffalo to Seattle instead of doing the Toronto to Vancouver thing. Southwest had a destination sale a few months ago for Seattle and all fares were 50% off. This weekend were the only dates open because I would never have choosen to make this trip a weekend before my Disney weekend. But I couldn't resist.

I drove myself and pulled into my driveway at 3:30 this morning. Needless to say I was not the most effective teacher today for my kindergarten class. I'll probably even less so next tuesday when I return home from Disney. It's sad to realize that next week at this time my trip will be all over.

Speaking of my trip, It's time for the reveal of the "Plan".

Keep in mind that it's a short trip, we're doing the deluxe dinning plan and we really aren't thrill ride people. In fact we are just thrilled to spend some time alone together and at disney to boot. Okay truthfully Dh would rather just stay in the hotel the whole time but too bad mister. We are at disney and we will be getting out and about.

Thurs April 23
-Stay in hotel in buffalo overnight. It takes a little over 3 hours to drive to the buffalo airport in good traffic and I don't want to be tired on my arrival day considering I'm only there 3 nights.

Fri April 24

MY 40th Birthday
-fly to MCO to arrive early afternoon.
-check into AKL
-Go to MK, get birthday giftcard
-Dinner at Cindy's castle (never been)
-Watch Wishes, no spectro tonight (never seen either)

Sat April 25
-Breakfast CP before park opening
-keys to kingdom tour
-afternoon at pool
-dinner at the waves
-watch spectro

Sun April 26
-Breakfast kona (trying Tonga Toast!)
-epcot trying Test track and mission space (never done)
-lunch chefs du france
-drinking around the world (not totally but definatly a grey goose slushy)
-want to see the Canada movie
-afternoon at pool
-very late le cellier dinner

Mon April 27
-Breakfast Boma
-Massages at GF spa
-lunch wolfgang pucks downtown disney
-use snack credits at goofy's for covered pretzels.
-plane departs dinnertime, drive home for early am arrival the next day and go to work!

Diamondintheruff · Apr 21, 2009

Nemo32 said:
I'm here! Can't wait to hear all about your trip. AKL is so cool, I wish I could've stayed there. I hope you try Boma.

Have a magical birthday and getaway!

Yeah! You made it! :cheer2:

DearDaisyinDurham · Apr 21, 2009

oooooooooooh! L-O-V-E the plans! A+++++++! Can't wait to hear more!

don't you love Vancouver? I could happily move there. next time I go, I want to see Seattle as well.

A Gem of a Birthday-Celebrating my 40th@AKL(No Kids!)11/03 Link to Next report!

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Live, love, and laugh!

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