Dreams Do Come True (and we are not even there yet)!-Trip 4 Started-6/28

[jeremysdisneymom]

Yes, the title says it all! This trip has already had two dreams come true and we are not even there yet. I will explain later on in my post.

Let me start by saying I attempted a pre-trip already on this trip. The post looked horrible and you had to scroll over to read the entire page. So, since it looked bad (and there were few readers ) I decided to try once again. Plus, the best magic happened upon us this week and I wanted to share!

Let me start by introducing the list of characters.

Me-Erika DW to Tom and DM to Jeremy

I am an accountant/finance manager by day. I have worked in the same industry for over 15 years now and absolutely love my job. I also do a lot of volunteer work in my community at Jeremy's school and with other organizations. My goal before Disney is to lose weight. I am slowly making progress. My love for Disney came five years ago when we took our first trip as a family. DS was 4 at the time and I can still remember the tears as I stood on the train station and looked out at the great land and adventure that awaited us. I had been to Disney twice before with my parents and once to Disneyland in high school but nothing compared to the feeling that day. When I am not at Disney, I am on the Dis, reading Disney books, or watching Disney shows. My favorite character is Daisy, favorite park is Magic Kingdom with Epcot a close second, favorite resort I have stayed at is Wilderness Lodge, and favorite restaurant is the Garden Grill.

DH-Tom

DH works in law enforcement by day and drives our local life squad at night. He is den leader for DS's cub scout pack and helps with DS's baseball team. His love for Disney has evolved. It took time, let me tell you, but he loves going now more than ever. This trip was actually his idea. I am not sure what his favorite character is but his favorite park is Epcot, favorite restaurant is Garden Grill or Liberty Tavern, and favorite lodge is Wilderness Lodge.

DS-soon to be 8-Jeremy

Jeremy is our one and only, plus all grandparent's one and only so he is spoiled rotten. He is an honor roll student at school, plays baseball and piano, is in Cub Scout and 4-H, and loves swimming in the summer. Like his father, his love for Disney evolved. After our second trip, he did not want to go back. Then, we planned a trip to see MVMCP and he changed his mind. He only went last year as we invited his mamaw to go. But, it seems the bug hit him after that trip and he can hardly wait to go this year. He is even more excited about our 2011 trip (more to come later on that one----I will have to keep you guessing on what we have planned for that year!!!)

Here is my family at Tybee Island last year near Savannah:

<a href="http://s456.photobucket.com/albums/qq289/yelkca/?action=view&current=IMG_2214_1-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq289/yelkca/IMG_2214_1-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Here we go again with the picture! Boy, I am having trouble getting the hang of this picture thing !

Let me give you some history about our Disney vacationing. Our first family trip came in 2006. I was fortunate to have a work meeting in Orlando and my family always traveled with me at that time. We took a few extra days and decided to go to Disney. We went to Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. In 2007, we took a much needed spur of the moment trip to Disney after we had finished building our house and went to Magic Kingdom, Sea World, and Animal Kingdom. We also added two days at the beach where it was below freezing both days ! In 2008, we went to Disney over Thanksgiving and experienced all the Christmas offerings and MVMCP plus all the parks. In 2009, we went over Labor Day and did MNSSHP plus all the parks. Our plans have been to always go back over Easter to experience the Flower and Garden Festival and then to go over the 4th of July. So, this year we are going over the 4th of July and will be there for 10 days, 9 nights ! This is the most we have ever stayed.

So, here is where our Dreams Came True. Our original plan was to spend four nights at Coronado Springs and then go to the Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level Savanna View ! DH has always wanted to stay at this lodge and we knew we wanted to experience the Sunrise Safari so Club Level was a must. DH likes Club Level. He gets tired of me packing cereal every morning for breakfast and packing bottled water. Plus, let's face it, the man likes to eat--We all do! I like the thought of the planning assistance. So, dream 1 was accomplished for DH.

We live in Ohio so this past snow storm kept me home the first part of the week. I happened to see the end of a commercial where it advertised discounts for the summer. So, I called Disney and was able to save $1100 for our summer vacation. After thinking about the savings and knowing the money was already there, I convinced DH to make my resort dream come true! Soooooo, we are no longer staying at Coronado Springs but have switched to the Poly Club Level (DH insisted) Garden View ! I am sooooo excited. This is going to be the best trip ever!

Well, I have a lot more to share on this exciting 10 day adventure plus a big reveal for next year's vacation plans.

Please come along for the ride! It is going to be magical!

Erika

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Okay, I'm in! I love any PTR that starts with a picture! Plus, we'll be there at the same time so maybe our paths will cross!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Okay, I'm in! I love any PTR that starts with a picture! Plus, we'll be there at the same time so maybe our paths will cross!

I have my first poster! Thanks for joining. I am finishing up my itinerary so hopefully our paths will cross during our stay. I hope to post by tomorrow. I am glad you like pictures---so do I! I am going to post some tonight of our first trip as a family.

Erika

 

[reyasmommy]

YAY for you!!!! Sounds like a wonderful time is in store for you.

I'll always have a special place in my heart for the Poly, because that's where my husband and I got married almost 9 years ago.

I look foward to more.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

YAY for you!!!! Sounds like a wonderful time is in store for you.

I'll always have a special place in my heart for the Poly, because that's where my husband and I got married almost 9 years ago.

I look foward to more.

Oh, I am sooo envious. A Disney wedding would be magical! DH and I will be married 9 years on Friday. We have something special planned for our 10th next year so you will have to keep reading. That is our special vacation in 2011.

Thanks for joining!

Erika

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

I am still working on my itinerary. I have some dining ressies I need to sort out and a few to cancel. So, to keep you interested, I thought I would share some memories of our four Disney trips as a family, starting with trip 1.

Now, before I start, let me tell you, something always happens on our family trips. Sometimes its extremely good, sometimes bad, or sometimes just a good laugh but there is always some story to tell when we get home. Let me give you some examples. We went to New Orleans several years ago. It was the week before Mardi Gras. Our flight was late coming in and it was rainy. We arrived at our hotel, the W, I believe. We were tired and worn out and did not want to go out for dinner so DH goes across the street to Subway to get sandwiches. At the time he was a smoker and was out side innocently standing on street smoking when a black SUV roles up, cops jump out, and put him against the wall. Now, DH is big man--6.5 over 250 pounds. So, they immediately take out his wallet to get id and find out that he is a cop also so that was a good thing. He asked what the deal was and they politely told him that during Mardi Gras you do not want to stand on a street without a purpose. I don't know if it was that part of town or what. He ended up meeting up with the cops every night as the parades came by so it worked out well.

Go back three years and we were in Boston. We leave to fly home and cannot check in at the airport for some reason. I go to the desk and they politely tell me that we cannot check in until 24 hours before departure---two days later. I had booked the wrong day to fly home . All I could figure out was that I had scrolled down on the website when my cursor was in the departure date without double checking. Needless to say, after some begging and explaining that I was subpoenaed to testify in a work case the next day, the airline found us flights home without charging. They had one seat directly to the airport and two flying to Atlanta with a connecting flight. So, DH flew solo and DS and I flew for the first time by ourselves .

Stuff like this happens to us all the time and it has happened on every Disney trip we take. So, sit back and laugh with us as some are doozies .

Now, on with our first trip. I had a meeting for work in Orlando in February 2005 so we added a few days and went to MK, DHS, and AK. It was over President's Day weekend. We stayed at the Royal Plaza near Downtown Disney---beautiful resort with spacious rooms. We easily walked to DTD. Bus service to the parks was okay with the exception to MK. For some reason, there was only bus running that day and we waited forever to get back.

We started with MK for a full day. Here is DS meeting Mickey for the first time:

Here are pictures of us on the train station waiting to ride the railroad. This is when my love for Disney started. DS was soooo excited and it was magical watching him. I felt so much joy being there at that moment with my family. I couldn't hold back the tears.

We took the train to Toon Town. DS got scared on the way to Frontierland so the conductor in the back let him stand with him the rest of the ride. It was fabulous. DS was and still does love trains. He is fascinated by them.

We get off in Toon Town and that was when the theme for the whole vacation was set-----He had to meet Characters! I don't remember doing this when I was a child but honestly, I loved it more than he did. It was wonderful watching him interact with each one. We have some memorable photos. The princesses were my favorite. They would call him little prince and get down to his level and it was absolutely precious.

Here is a photo with he and Eeyore:

It is funny looking back on this how much I can remember. I know we rode Dumbo first. He loved that but would not let me go high which was okay. After that, we went on Pooh and believe it or not, that did it for rides the rest of the trip. When the honey pot started bouncing, he totally lost it and refused to ride anything else. I remember going to Philharmagic and setting down, the show started, and he says "I have to go to the bathroom." We have sense learned that when DS did not want to do something that was his number one way out. So, what to do when you child refuses to ride, -- you meet characters!

I remember DS sleeping in his stroller before the afternoon parade. During the time we were there, they had baton twirlers parading before the parades (both afternoon and evening) so I enjoyed that as I was a baton twirler when I was younger. We watched the afternoon parade, met characters, had dinner, met characters, and watched Spectro Magic and Wishes. It was after midnight when we got back to the room. Looking back it is funny as we would never do that now. We were sooo tired I can remember and was exhausted at DHS the next day.

Up next: DHS and the "something always happens to us on vacation" moment along with our first time in AK.

 

[martinolichfamily]

I'm in!
Jumped over from my PTR! I will have to get all caught up tomorrow on reading your PTR!!

 

[pooh'smate]

Joining in.

 

[MommyMcQueen]

Hi Erika!
I just found your PTR and joining in! Your past trips look wonderful! What great memories! I loved your story about standing at the train station and getting teary-eyed! I'm planning our first trip with DS6 and DS4 and just know I'll have some of those moments too! That's what makes it so great...I just can't wait! Looking forward to seeing your plans!
Karen

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

I'm in!
Jumped over from my PTR! I will have to get all caught up tomorrow on reading your PTR!!

So glad you joined in for the fun! I am getting so excited for the
4th of July, aren't you? It is going to be amazing!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Joining in.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope to have an update up this evening!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Hi Erika!
I just found your PTR and joining in! Your past trips look wonderful! What great memories! I loved your story about standing at the train station and getting teary-eyed! I'm planning our first trip with DS6 and DS4 and just know I'll have some of those moments too! That's what makes it so great...I just can't wait! Looking forward to seeing your plans!
Karen

Karen, so glad you joined us. I looked at your pre-trip and remembered that I had been lurking there last week so I will come over and join. Yay, for your first trip with DS's. You will have so much fun. That is such a great age to be going. You know, I still have that feeling whenever we walk into the Magic Kingdom the first time of each trip. I don't cry but I feel so good to be there with my family. It is such a magical place! I hope to update the rest of trip 1 and get my itinerary up tonight. DS's birthday is Thursday and I am trying to get the house cleaned !

Erika

 

[reyasmommy]

Congratulations on your upcoming Anniversary!

I can't believe that my husband and I will be celebrating 10 years next year. Our first official date was my High School Senior prom. Where does the time go??!?!

I also cry every time I walk through the gates of Disney. It's amazing how a "place" can have so much sentimental value. This year I'm sure the waterworks will be out of control since I'll also be celebrating with my new baby boy.

Love your pictures.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

I left off at the end of our Magic Kingdom Day on our first trip. Well, I forgot to add one picture that is one of my favorites. As you will remember, DS did not want nothing to do with the rides-- it was all about characters. So, that afternoon we waited in the sun to meet Ariel. DS had such fun playing in the Grotto that I had to share this photo.

I had to change his clothes before we went to meet Ariel as he was soaking wet but he had so much fun it was worth it.

So, on to the next day at Disney's MGM Studios, as it was called then. I remember being so worn out. We got there late that morning and was exhausted. I don't think we did a lot in that park. I know we saw Playhouse Disney but DS was not into it that day. I think the night before had worn him out. We saw Beauty and the Beast. I know we met Jo Jo and Goliath as he loved that show then but I cannot find the picture. His best character experience was that day. DS loved Chicken Little at the time. We had gone and saw the movie and I believe that was the year he had a Chicken Little bday party. Chicken Little took his pen and wouldn't give it back. Jeremy just loved it.

This is one of my favorite photos. Jeremy just snuggled right in with him.

Now, I told you we always have a moment on our vacation. Well, it happened at the park and it was not a good moment. We wondered over that afternoon to the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Play area. Jeremy was starting to get more alert and ready to enjoy the day. We played for a while and then headed to the slide-I believe it is the one that looks like a roll of film you go in and then slide out. Well, DS is ready for his turn and before you know it he is laying down to go head first. Well, the CM SCREAMED (and I emphasize SCREAMED) at him to not do that ! DS quickly scooted back into the roll of film and would not come out. The CM then turns around, looks at everyone standing there, puts his hands in the air and shakes his head, and then start complaining about kids like that. Well, that did not set well with DH. I had to calm him down and then I had to go up into the roll of film to get DS out. The CM starts saying something to me and I quickly let him have it. I was so upset I got DS and we left. Now, we didn't leave the park. We took a break, regrouped and decided we were not going to let this ruin our day. We stayed for the Stars Cars parade (sorry, I can't remember what it was called) which we actually really enjoyed. We did leave after.

Looking back, I wish had made a complaint on the CM. To this day, DS will not go to that play area-absolutely refuses to. I just hope the CM learned his lesson and did not do it again.

Coming Up: Our first visit to AK and my 4th of July itinerary--I promise!!

 

[martinolichfamily]

So glad you joined in for the fun! I am getting so excited for the
4th of July, aren't you? It is going to be amazing!

Yes!!!! We can't wait til the 4th! I just called WDW to add the % off to my package so I saved some $$...DH will be glad to hear that!!

Last year we went for 4th of July but spent the 4th in DTD b/c we didnt check into our resort until the 5th. Excited to see what we missed last year.....although I would be happy to miss one thing.................the RAIN! It was bad last year...maybe we can luck out this time around. Keeping fingers crossed!

THe Poly looks so neat! Enjoy!! I hope to stay there one day! I had to make a ADR for O'hana so I could check out Poly!

 

[martinolichfamily]

Loving the flashbacks... Love Chicken Little...such a cute movie!
Poor DS getting screamed at. Yes, you do have interesting things that happen to yall during vacation.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Congratulations on your upcoming Anniversary!

I can't believe that my husband and I will be celebrating 10 years next year. Our first official date was my High School Senior prom. Where does the time go??!?!

I also cry every time I walk through the gates of Disney. It's amazing how a "place" can have so much sentimental value. This year I'm sure the waterworks will be out of control since I'll also be celebrating with my new baby boy.

Love your pictures.

DH and I both met after we each had a bad relationship. It was love at first sight. We dated for 3 months, married, and had Jeremy 364 days later! Even though we have not been together since high school I know the feeling. I feel like we have known each other forever. Our anniversary is Friday so stay tuned, I am going to reveal next year's big trip on that day!

BTW, your little boy's pictures are precious!

Erika

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

THe Poly looks so neat! Enjoy!! I hope to stay there one day! I had to make a ADR for O'hana so I could check out Poly!

I saw on your trip that you are going to O'hana for breakfast. You will love it. The food and atmosphere is awesome. That was our favorite character breakfast yet!

Erika

 

[mom2mek]

Yay!!!! Erika is doing a trip report!!! I'm so excited that you decided to do one for this trip! It sounds like it is going to be just MAGICAL!!! The AKL is so pretty and the Poly.... We loved it there!!! Can't wait to hear all about your plans!!

Sara