school is stressing me OUT! best de-stressor? a trip to Disney of course! pg 25 p 364

[longing2Batdisney]

NEW DATES! ALL INFO COMINg SOON!!!!
update: April 21, 2012....our plans listed by daily adventures


Hello! to all my dis buds and hopefully some new friends will join me (so let me know if you drop by!) in some planning fun. This will be my third PTR (continued!!!) After many tears and heart felt discussions DH and I finally agreed on our new dates! and I HAVE PAID it in full! so he cannot change his mind....BUT in the agreement, this will be our last trip for a few years!

my last update is PAGE 25 POST 364--I will be back with our new updates (if anyone out there plans to join along...I don't blame you if you don't as I have not been a very good disser, myself, for quite some time!

So, join me for some planning fun (and help with a catchy title, if you have any ideas)...


The basics of this adventure:
the place: Walt Disney World Resort, of course POP
Time: SATURDAY MAY 12 - MAY 18
FIRST TIME ON DDP--I will need plenty of help getting it down to just five TS (after following TR's for the past three years, so many places I want to try and only 4 to choose from)
cast continued in next post

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Here we are using the Friendship Boats for the first time last year:

First up: Ashton
I have managed to help develop his love for all that is Disney: he loves all the characters, loves to meet them, hug them, high five!, and have his picture taken! (I am really enjoying this part of his life; he was a wonderful surprise angel that we were Blessed with--since he was the only one of the three that was not in our plan. When he came along Danny and I thought we were getting ready to move on to the next phase of our lives together...no small children, adult children, and getting to know one another all over again. But, Ashton had other plans and we are loving the ride! I know Ashton and his love of Disney is one of the reasons Danny keeps agreeing to return to Disney for the past three years).

Danny (DH)
Now, Danny does not share our love of Disney! BUT! he has a wonderful time each and every time we go
If you ask Danny his favorite he will honestly tell you Islands of Adventure at Universal. BUT, he has attractions at Disney that he loves! and he will tell you that unlike US he enjoys each and every park that Disney offers and Disney is the best with quality, design, and MAGIC!

(I know it is not a Disney picture; but, it is one of my favorites of DH from last year and since he poses with Ashton all the time you will see lots of great shots of him along in this PTR--I hope to add a few of my favorite shots from our previous trips as I progress with this PTR)

and than there is yours truly: me, Connie
(not many pics for me to pick from as I am usually the picture taker and not comfortable being in front of the lens)
and yes! almost any pic you catch of me will have these huge out of date sun glasses...I will definatley have to bring contacts and updates shades this year

HOPING, but not thinking it will happen that our son, Dayne 19, will join us again this year. He loves Disney and Universal! he is always wanting to plan a trip and looks forward to the year he can talk a few of his friends into going with him. Last year he brought along a friend and he can't wait to return, too! So, who knows before all is said and done Dayne and possilby Luke may be joining us again this year.
in this picture is Dayne (who would not let me take any pictures of him this past year) and his sister, Gwendolyn (in the green shirt) more about her later.

so, this is our cast this year...I'm sure I will find different pictures to share as we go along!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

update: April 21, 2012 FINALLY!!! our daily magical plans -- but, still need to do some small changes--I have one too many ADR's made and need to CX one?!?




THE Beginning: TENATIVE PLANS AND ROUGH DRAFT
Making changes already?!? really...will I make it to September
LET THE REAL PLANNING BEGIN!!!

OT: sharing info on our 25th Anniversary cruise--tyring to build the excitement
cruise wear photo's and a photo of Ashton

ADR's

 

[longing2Batdisney]

This post reserved for (hopefully pics) dis buds we plan to celebrate the magic:

This planned trip came about when several of dis friends started talking about the Wine & Dine marathon in Oct. many are planning to run! although, I am not a runner I have been wanting to meet (face to face -as I feel I know them so well already) them for so long now. I can't wait for Ashton (and me too!) to see WDW dressed up for Halloween (how fun)...many of the dissers I follow have been lucky enough this past year to visit for Halloween and Christmas; and have commented that their children (as well as themselves included) prefer the Halloween party to the Christmas party (I'm holding on to this as I have wanted to visit WDW at Christmas for many of years now but looks to be in our 2013 future).
So, that I know of we will be meeting up with:
(if I get your dis name wrong--I'll come back to fill it in-I'm trying to do this quickly as I am suppose to be getting ready to leave and instead I'm dissing
Kathy and Mark (KatMark) AKL 9/23 and 9/24 and then the CSR 9/25 - 9/29

Mary, Jeff, Avery, & Cayley (MaryAZ) Sep 24-Oct 3rd AKV Kidani

Leanne, Joe, Lindsey, & Josie (leamom2princesses) Sept. 29-Oct. 6 at AKV Kidani

Wendy, Mike, Emily, and Eva (wlwilliams9 ) 9/28-10/4: Pop

Stephanie, Alyan (sp), Lillian (Charlefours) 9/28-10/4: Pop

Kayce, Bella, and friends (kcandbella) 9/28-10/5: ASMu

hopefully, Nickie, Wayne, Miles, and Owen (my2disneyboys) [ I cannot wait to meet Nickie--she is the one who started me posting a few years back and I know Ashton cannot wait to meet her boys]--well, we can't wait to meet ALL our friends! Nickie and Wayne have decided to join us! they will be staying at the POR 9/30/11 - 10/3/11 .

Jill and her friend Lisa will be joining in the fun!!!! AKV 09/30/11 - 10/2/11


I'll be back for more in a bit....I really am not suppose to be dissing at this time, so I'll bid adieu for the moment and re-join you guys later!
Connie

 

[KatMark]

I'm here, Connie. Great start. We have to go to wrestling later this afternoon after my new washing machine is here and installed, but I'll try to think of a title (although I'm not very imaginative with stuff like that).

And Mark and I can't wait to meet you, Danny and Ashton.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I'm here Connie! Hopefully you'll come up with a fun title soon. I'll put on my thinking cap and see if I can think of something for ya.

 

[chicagoshannon]

I'm here. Now I'm gonna want to try to talk DH into an October trip to meet everyone. Fat chance though since we're going in June. Maybe we can meet up in 2013 at Christmas.

 

[kcandbella]

I'm here Connie!

Can't wait to plan along with you, and REALLY can't wait until we all meet at the World!

 

[MaryAz]

I am here too!!Very excited you started your PTR!! We cannnot wait to meet you guys-I am always wearing sunglasses as well Hmmm, will think about a fun title!

 

[disney<333]

I'm here! What fun-- CBR, Halloween, dining plan, and DIS MEETS! Sounds perfect.
Will you be running the race, too?

 

[longing2Batdisney]

I'm here, Connie. Great start. We have to go to wrestling later this afternoon after my new washing machine is here and installed, but I'll try to think of a title (although I'm not very imaginative with stuff like that).

And Mark and I can't wait to meet you, Danny and Ashton.

Hello! Kathy
Thanks! for joining me, I am so happy to have you along. I will need lots of help getting my ADR's down to five....we can't wait to meet you guys too! on our 3.5 hr ride last night we were talking about all you guys!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

I'm here Connie! Hopefully you'll come up with a fun title soon. I'll put on my thinking cap and see if I can think of something for ya.

Hello! Lisa
still working on that title....
hoping you and Mary (everyone for that matter) can help with a catchy title, but I'm thinking about it....
thank you for joining me and getting my butt in gear to get this PTR started,
needs lots of help from you guys that dine in the world; if you remember we are CS budget people so this should be a fun experience. We just need to remember Danny and I are both from New Orleans and are food snobs.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

I'm here. Now I'm gonna want to try to talk DH into an October trip to meet everyone. Fat chance though since we're going in June. Maybe we can meet up in 2013 at Christmas.

Hello! Shannon
Oh! that would be so AWESOME if you guys could figure out a trip in October. I am really hoping Nickie and Wayne will be able to join us. It is going to be so much fun. But, if not planning a trip with you guys for Christmas 2013 would be alot of fun too!.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

I'm here Connie!

Can't wait to plan along with you, and REALLY can't wait until we all meet at the World!

Hello! Kayce

thanks! for joining in!!! I can't wait to plan along with you guys as well...I cannot wait to meet you and Bella and your friends! this is going to be such an awesome magical experience!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

I am here too!!Very excited you started your PTR!! We cannnot wait to meet you guys-I am always wearing sunglasses as well Hmmm, will think about a fun title!

Hello! Mary

We cannot wait to meet you guys!!! Ashton is so excited to meet with Cayley and AVery, I told him we are going to visit with Crush with you and the girls! I was telling Danny and Jeff & Joe and their drinking adventures he is stoked (he is actually getting excited and can't wait to meet up with all the guys!).

The glasses are prescription, but from the '90's. I had an updated pair and they broke, I love my old lenses they have a rose tone and I can wear day or night. I can't find any new ones like that. I really need to get my contacts updated but you will still see sunglasses on me can't stand the glare so I'm normally sporting them anytime there is any bright light around.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

I'm here! What fun-- CBR, Halloween, dining plan, and DIS MEETS! Sounds perfect.
Will you be running the race, too?

Hello! Barbara
thanks! for joining me I can use your expertise as we plan.
No, I will not be running...I never could run, I can sprint but not run. But, I am thinking about doing the children's one with Ashton, I need to read up on it just a little more.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Ok! everyone as I mentioned before we are doing the DDP this go round. We normally bring our older children along and I usually pay for their dining. So, in the past we have allotted $25 per person per day, my DD and her DBF have managed to do a great job with their allotment and save for one sit down meal while there. DS18 on the first trip brought his own money to offset the shortage, on our last trip he was saving money for souvie's . Danny and I did very well but spent alot last year on Ashton, if he said he wanted it we bought it (Ashton is a very picky eater and not a big eater so if he says he wants it we normally buy it trying to put a little weight on him).

My thoughts so far with the DDP at the moment would be three character dining experiences with two sit down dinners.

so, our plans at this time

Tuesday Sep 27 we will check Ashton our of school around 12 and hit the road; plans at this time would be to drive up to Lake City for the night. Thinking to be sure to stop where they have breakfast and hit the road bright and early to head the rest of the way to WDW.

Wednesday Sep 28: (we were orginally leaving this day--but, I have a very dear friend I need to meet this day)
Plans for this day is to meet up with Kathy & Mark and Mary and her family, so at this point I will need to follow along with them to see what their plans are (park, resort, etc--to find a meet up place). I can't think of a better way to start the magic meeting up with friends! to kick start our adventure.

Thur Sep 29:

Friday Sep 30:

Sat Oct 1:

Sun Oct 2: as of now we will be checking out of CBR

Mon Oct 3: I would like to do SeaWorld here, Danny wants to return to Universal/Islands of Adventure.....I do want to visit Harry Potter

Tuesday Oct 4: home


So, as you see I have alot of planning to do! and need lots of help!!!
so, if you are lurking please join us we would love to have your ideas....
Park hours come out in March, I was told when I booked and I get to book our ADR's on April 1st.

At this moment dining experiences I have been thinking about are:
Wilderness Lodge-Whispering Canyon
Crystal Palace
the Hoop de doo (2 credits )
Donald's Tusker House breakfast --had fun here last year
Ohana's breakfast with friends

need help with the rest....
Connie

 

[laashley]

Hey Connie I am here! Sounds like such a fun trip.

As far as the meals you have chosen, I can say that we really love 'Ohana breakfast and the Tusker house one as well. Crystal Palace was just ok for us, but if Ashton likes the Pooh characters then I would go for it (the kids really only were interested in Tigger). WCC was good and fun, but the meal lasted over 2 hours, so I would say if you do that one make sure you factor in a lot of time for it. I would recommend 'Ohana for dinner- pot stickers, noodles, steak, chicken, pork, and shrimp- and they have special things for the kids like coconut races. Again, Ohana dinner was a long experience, but well worth it. Haven't tried Hoop dee doo, but I am thinking if we did I would probably pay OOP instead of using the DDP. Garden Grill at Epcot is another character meal that was fun- Chip, Dale, farmer Mickey, and Pluto. The characters were great and Chris and I enjoyed the food. Chloe and Noah weren't as thrilled with the food though.

 

[disney<333]

Nice dining choices! What meal are you doing at CP? I've eaten dinner there numerous times and it never disappoints. I'll be having lunch there next trip just because it is much cheaper than dinner.
I've heard that 'Ohana breakfast isn't that great! We enjoyed our dinner at 'Ohana a lot this past trip! It was worth every penny.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Hey Connie I am here! Sounds like such a fun trip.

As far as the meals you have chosen, I can say that we really love 'Ohana breakfast and the Tusker house one as well. Crystal Palace was just ok for us, but if Ashton likes the Pooh characters then I would go for it (the kids really only were interested in Tigger). WCC was good and fun, but the meal lasted over 2 hours, so I would say if you do that one make sure you factor in a lot of time for it. I would recommend 'Ohana for dinner- pot stickers, noodles, steak, chicken, pork, and shrimp- and they have special things for the kids like coconut races. Again, Ohana dinner was a long experience, but well worth it. Haven't tried Hoop dee doo, but I am thinking if we did I would probably pay OOP instead of using the DDP. Garden Grill at Epcot is another character meal that was fun- Chip, Dale, farmer Mickey, and Pluto. The characters were great and Chris and I enjoyed the food. Chloe and Noah weren't as thrilled with the food though.

Hello! Ashley
so happy you made it! and I can't wait to get the boys together at the children's museum, I'm really looking forward to meeting you guys.

I brought Danny for a late lunch for sushi today (he does not adventure eat well...but, he loved it ). Anyway, we were talking about our ADR's, I was telling him of all the character meals. He said he thought Ashton would really enjoy Ohana's friendship breakfast and he really enjoyed Donald's Tusker house breakfast last year. So, I'm thinking that is two of our five. I was telling him about WC and he appeared to like the sound of it. That is good to know that is takes about two hours, thanks!