don't know if i'm elated or gassy, but i'm somewhere in that zone...fall 2014 PTR

[STLMickeyMom]

don't know if i'm elated or gassy, but i'm somewhere in that zone.....

HI!! thanks for joining me on my SECOND ptr! I actually still have a TR going from our trip last month. i'd love it if you'd like to join in over there too....

first trip do-over, the TR: or.....sorry, i got stuck in a tour group!

....but i just had to start this PTR. there is too much info swirling around in my head and little post it notes and papers swirling around the house. i had to have somewhere to share! so and thanks in advance for your thoughts!

yes, you read that right and i am that crazy. we just got back from a fabulous trip on January 11, 2014. our plan was to go on a Disney cruise in 2015, probably October sometime. well.....i was just thinking one day about how great our trip was and how much fun we had, which led me to thinking about the next fun thing i could plan, our girls birthday party. i always do a party for both our girls together in the fall since our youngest has a Christmas time birthday (plus, one party to throw for a lot of people seems easier than two parties). and, since i always like to have lots of ideas floating around (i did mention i was crazy, right?), i started thinking about this year's wedding anniversary too. it's sort of a big one....10 years! i was tossing around a lot of ideas and was thinking about doing something Disney themed, since my DH proposed there...



then i thought....what if we just went to Disney for a quick weekend trip?!? i really thought that my DH would tell me i was crazy as a loon since we, seriously, had JUST gotten back from Disney about a week before. but, he totally shocked me and when i suggested it, said "that sounds like a great idea!" so, there you have it, we're going to Disney twice this year!!!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

the info
costumes
day 1 plans
day 2 plans
day 3 plans
costume change
MNSSHP
autograph idea
fabric
pennies
movie night
sewing
changing plans?
MK and HDDMR
a little off topic
fantasmic dinner package
we're booked!!!
ADRs made
movie night and some sewing
random question and MK plans
tony's vs LTT
MNSSHP and HS plans
an update!
elsa?
sewing
mary poppins movie night!
i'm back!
have you seen this?
hello?
the "box"
iron on help
vacation week!
plans MK day
plans MNSSHP day
plans HS day
fastpasses
tea party movie night
lost my mind
iron ons
so excited!
last minute ADR
costumes are done!
last of the sewing
window decoration ideas
window decorating update
another movie night
one more movie lunch!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

so you can put a face with this PTR, here's us last fall, rich, lori, hannah (6) and madison (4).....lost in a corn maze, i believe!

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and again at our DDs trunk or treat. of course i did a Disney theme!

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DH has been to Disney 3 times. the girls have been twice and i have been 4 times. this will be rich's 4th trip, 3rd for the girls and 5th for me. we all like different things; the girls love the characters, i love the rides, and rich loves the animation classes and learning about Walt and Pixar....but we all LOVE going!


WHERE?

i have made one decision. i picked our resort! we are going to stay at Caribbean Beach Resort. can't wait to try out one of those hammocks!

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we were going to stay here last time, but then the rates for a royal room at port orleans riverside were so good, i couldn't resist giving them a try. we really loved staying at POR, but we want to try something different, so CBR it is! i am going to request a room in the Jamaica section. i'm excited to try this resort out! the pictures remind me of our honeymoon in Hawaii and look so relaxing and peaceful!

even though i think the pirate rooms look so fun, we are going to stick with a regular, standard view room. to make this trip more doable, i am trying to save as much money as possible. besides, since this trip will be so short, we won't be spending a lot of time in the room anyway.


WHEN?

one decision i haven't made is a firm date yet. we have several options and I priced them all out. they are pretty much the same amount for all of the dates, which is nice!

first is September 18-20/21. this is a good date because hannah would only miss one day of school since there's no school on the 19. also, projected dates for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party say there should be a party that Friday night. the bad part is that my in laws 50th wedding anniversary is the 19, so there may be a party in the works for that weekend. if so, we absolutely can NOT do this weekend.

next would be September 25-27/28. our anniversary is on the 25th. it'd be fun to be there on our actual special day, but not really a necessity, of course. there should be a MNSSHP. the bad part is hannah would miss two days of school.

another choice would be October 16-18/19. this choice is good because again, hannah wouldn't miss any school due to two days off for teacher in services or something. there's a MNSSHP. the rates are the same. the bad parts are that it's farther away and, i am sort of hoping for free dining which i know is offered quite regularly in September, but i don't know if that happens much in October. like i said, trying to save some money and free dining is pretty tempting.

we could also do the first two weekends in October, but hannah would miss school those weeks too. if she's going to miss, i'd rather she miss in September when school is just starting.

i really want to do the 18-20, but am pretty sure that's not going to end up as a choice. i'm leaning towards the 25-27 so we can hopefully get free dining and be there on our actual anniversary. hannah will miss school, but....i can live with that! bad parenting moment?

the other thing.....does anyone know the answer to this? do you have to stay a certain number of nights to qualify for free dining? this was our plan--leave as early as we can Thursday morning. stay Thursday night and Friday night and leave sometime on Saturday. but, then i got to thinking that there might be a minimum number of nights you have to stay to get free dining? if that's so (and it's something we can swing, like 3 nights minimum) we might have to consider either staying Saturday night and leaving at the crack of dawn on sunday or just throwing out free dining hopes.

if we have to skip out on free dining (or any discount due to not staying enough nights?), i might think about changing our resort to one of the all stars to save a little more money. we stayed at all stars movies on the girls first trip. it was fine, but we had some complaints. if we stayed there, i'd probably pay for a preferred room to be closer to things. i guess i should price that out and not pin all our hopes on CBR quite yet.


WHAT?

some things we would like to do this trip....

mickey's not so scary halloween party

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pirate adventures for the girls at CBR

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hoop de doo musical review

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FINALLY see some fireworks!

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ok, that's about it for today. thanks for letting me get some thoughts out of my head!

oh! and, if you saw the title of this PTR--it's definitely more elated than gassy!

 

[sweetpeaandevie]

I'm in!!!

I'm partial to the last week in Sept cause that's when we are going

Yeah, she'll miss two days of school. not the greatest, but hey, mine's missing 8 I sure hope the teachers give us assignments to have her work on while we're gone!!!

ooooooh, CBR! Looks like a great place

we actually changed our dates from Oct 11-20 because they usually do not offer free dining then (fall break) I'm not sure about the minimum # of nights

 

[STLMickeyMom]

I'm in!!!

I'm partial to the last week in Sept cause that's when we are going

Yeah, she'll miss two days of school. not the greatest, but hey, mine's missing 8 I sure hope the teachers give us assignments to have her work on while we're gone!!!

ooooooh, CBR! Looks like a great place

we actually changed our dates from Oct 11-20 because they usually do not offer free dining then (fall break) I'm not sure about the minimum # of nights

yay! my first comment! well, if that's when all the cool people are going, then I guess we'll have to go the last week of September too!

I am so indecisive! I just can't make up my mind, although I am over worrying about missing school. she's only going to be in first grade and two days isn't going to make that big of a difference. when we went in January, her teacher sent home some work so she wouldn't be behind when she came back. we actually did it all before we left so we didn't have to worry about homework on vacation! the biggest problem we had was that she ended up being gone 3 weeks (Christmas break and then a week of vacation) and had a hard time getting back into the school routine and behaving herself the first few days.

we've never gotten free dining or the room only discount, so i'm not sure how they work. we did get the stay, play and dine deal in January, but since we were there for 6 nights, I didn't pay attention to any restrictions. i'm going to have to do some checking...

 

[LB1122]

YEAH for second trip in the same year....we are thinking about adding a day at the MK on a road trip we are hoping to do in June so maybe twice in 6 months will happen for me??

MNSSHP is such a blast. Hope you will get the dates you want and get to attend.

 

[Denovagirl]

I'm here!!!! How funny, I was going to name my PTR the same thing! I ended up changing my mind, but boy great minds think alike!! Ok- going to go read your PTR so far!

 

[Denovagirl]

Ok- I vote last week if sept! You'll be there on your special day, you won't miss the 50th anniversary and the crowds are insanely low! Plus you can do MNSSHP & F&W at Epcot! We will miss seeing you by a day though we get in the 29th!

As for the minimum stay for free dining, I believe it is a 3 night. From what I've seen if last years promo it was 3 night minimum and those 3 nights had to fall on exact free dining dates. So if part of your days did fall on them and part didn't you still had to have 3 nights that did. So I would try to plan not to have to be on the safe side! But maybe still book CBR, and then downgrade if it doesn't work out, the crowds are low so it shouldn't be an issue to switch down. Also the dining plan may cost you more for only a few days, I would price out your meals bc it's probably cheaper to pay OOP.

Either way it will be tons of fun!!!

 

[AprilRenee]

I think it's usually a 3 night minimum for free dining. And here's a link to see historical discounts....http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/#2013 so you can see what dates had free dining in the past.
if you don't get free dining because of length of stay, room only discounts don't have a minimum stay, so you could still get some sort of discount!

nice title! lol *cough* copycat *cough LOL

Oh and I can't wait to hear how you like Caribbean Beach. I want to stay there so badly but can't talk myself into spending the money LOL

 

[wiigirl]

Following along!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

YEAH for second trip in the same year....we are thinking about adding a day at the MK on a road trip we are hoping to do in June so maybe twice in 6 months will happen for me??

MNSSHP is such a blast. Hope you will get the dates you want and get to attend.

second trip is 6 months?!? awesome! i'll keep you posted on what dates we end up with. we HAVE to get to a Halloween party--it looks like so much fun!

Ok- I vote last week if sept! You'll be there on your special day, you won't miss the 50th anniversary and the crowds are insanely low! Plus you can do MNSSHP & F&W at Epcot! We will miss seeing you by a day though we get in the 29th!

As for the minimum stay for free dining, I believe it is a 3 night. From what I've seen if last years promo it was 3 night minimum and those 3 nights had to fall on exact free dining dates. So if part of your days did fall on them and part didn't you still had to have 3 nights that did. So I would try to plan not to have to be on the safe side! But maybe still book CBR, and then downgrade if it doesn't work out, the crowds are low so it shouldn't be an issue to switch down. Also the dining plan may cost you more for only a few days, I would price out your meals bc it's probably cheaper to pay OOP.

Either way it will be tons of fun!!!

thanks for the info! I thought I had seen something about a 3 night minimum stay. I priced it out with staying only 2 nights and paying for the dining plan and it was still reasonable. I just really like not having to worry about paying for meals when we're there. just one less thing to worry about, you know? when I figure out ADRs i'll have to price it paying out of pocket vs. dining plan and see what's up. thanks again!

and I forgot food and wine at epcot. that may change my mind again....I want to go to epcot to do some things we missed, but I don't know if we want to deal with the crowd at f&w. hhmmm.....more to think about!

I think it's usually a 3 night minimum for free dining. And here's a link to see historical discounts....http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/#2013 so you can see what dates had free dining in the past.
if you don't get free dining because of length of stay, room only discounts don't have a minimum stay, so you could still get some sort of discount!

nice title! lol *cough* copycat *cough LOL

Oh and I can't wait to hear how you like Caribbean Beach. I want to stay there so badly but can't talk myself into spending the money LOL

thanks for the link! I did a little research when I couldn't sleep last night and was thinking it would require 3 nights. I didn't think about a room only discount though. i'll take any discount we can get!

I totally thought of you when I named this PTR! imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? we're just so into frozen right now, I couldn't resist!

I know--I can only justify staying at a moderate when it's value season (or whatever "hey, i'm being a total cheapskate" season is called). but i'd totally stay at all stars movies again or try pop too. we're saving AoA for a future trip with friends, but that'd be a choice too really. whatever gets us back to Disney!

Following along!

yay! glad you're here!

 

[Imbri]

Yay, new PTR!

So since it's an anniversary thread, I wanna ask, did you know he was gonna propose, or was it a complete suprise?

We never really took trips together before we got engaged, so I probably would have known something was up.

 

[STLMickeyMom]

Yay, new PTR!

So since it's an anniversary thread, I wanna ask, did you know he was gonna propose, or was it a complete suprise?

We never really took trips together before we got engaged, so I probably would have known something was up.

well, I knew he was going to propose sometime. we were living together (sinners, I know--hope I don't lose anybody with that news) and had looked at rings and even sort of picked a time of year when we'd like to have a wedding. we knew we'd get married sometime, but I didn't know he was planning to ask while we were at Disney. the year before we had taken a trip to Jamaica and everyone was convinced i'd be coming back with a ring, but it didn't happen, so I really wasn't expecting anything. I also wasn't expecting anything since my mom was with us on this trip. I mean, it wasn't like a romantic vacation, just the two of us kind of thing.

and now I have to tell the story, because who doesn't love to tell their story, right? I guess before we left, he asked my mom permission to ask me (sweet or what?!!?). then, he totally used my mom to get the ring onto the plane and to disney. of course, there wasn't any place he could hide it in the luggage since I was packing everything and in and out of all our stuff. and he wasn't about to put in the checked bag since you know that's the time they'd lose the luggage. my mom had recently had a knee replacement and was using a wheelchair to avoid the walking at the airport, so she went through a different security line than we did. she had it in her purse the whole time and was super nervous about it, but I had no clue.

I should have known something was up because the morning we were going to MK, I had my mom help me put my hair up in two buns like mickey ears. when I came back to our room, rich was like "uuhhh....you're not wearing your hair like that are you? you don't want it like that for pictures and stuff, do you?" I was all indignant and said "where else can I have mickey hair and look totally normal? of course i'm wearing it this way!" that really should have been a tip off--since when does he ever comment on my hair, really?

anyway, so that day, he kept asking to take a picture over by the castle and we kept getting distracted, or it was sprinkling, or whatever. finally we were in line for haunted mansion and the sun started coming out. rich said that he wanted to get a picture afterwards. of course, when we got off the ride, I was all "on to splash mountain!" and he basically had to drag me over to take a picture. I was like "but splash!" and he just said "picture...now!" it's surprising he even wanted to ask anymore with the hair and my stubbornness! so, we get over there and my mom is taking a picture and then I look over and he's down on one knee. I know he said a bunch of sweet stuff, but I don't remember any of it because I was bawling like a baby and freaking out! it was so awesome though! people walked by and clapped and CMs stopped to say congratulations. one of the CMs told us that she and her husband both worked at Disney and she pointed him out and said they had been together for 25 years or something....it was so sweet! and a great memory!

so we've been together 14 years, married for 10, and have 2 beautiful girls. what a life! and thanks for giving me a chance to tell the story. I love it, of course!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

I wanted to get some more thoughts out while I have a minute to sit down. what better thing to talk about than.....costumes!!! I know that I want to dress up as a family for MNSSHP, but I also know that I don't want to do anything too crazy. one, because I don't want to lug it all down there and two, I don't think I can get rich to be too crazy. he loves Halloween, but I don't think he'll want to get too into a costume when it'll be hot and we'll be getting in and out of rides. I have two ideas....well, 3.

the first one is to just do whatever. maddie wants to be a princess (she can't decide which, but we have ariel, snow white, tiana and aurora dress up dresses she can choose from) and Hannah says she wants to be a pirate/pirate princess or ironman again. I have my vampire mickey shirt from last year and I could find something for rich. we'd all have Halloween stuff on, but not exactly go together.

second would be to have rich wear his princess protection shirt, the girls wear their princess outfits from this trip, and I could wear something princess inspired. i would love the excuse to wear my tiara from our wedding again. i do love wearing a tiara! I sort of like this idea since I have everything for the kids already and we'd all go together. Hannah isn't too excited about this choice but said it'd be ok if she could be a pirate princess. I could live with that and she could wear her stuff from the pirate league. my only problem with that is that, even though I like all the princess movies, there isn't one that I really love and would want to dress up as.

my last choice is kind of my favorite, but i'm not sure if I can talk the girls into it. i'd love to go as characters from monsters, inc. I just want to do easy tshirt costumes. I was thinking rich could be a CDA agent with a bright yellow shirt that I could add some details to. Madison said she wanted to be boo, so she just needs a pink shirt and ponytails. Hannah said she'd be mike, but then she said she wanted to be randall. still, either a green or purple shirt and something fun to wear in her hair. I'd really like it if she'd be sully since he sort of goes with boo more than randall or mike. then, I really want to be the orange monster with the sock on his back. it makes me laugh just thinking about it. i'd just need an orange shirt and could add some yellow stripes to it. I even found the perfect shirts online last night for super cheap.

no matter what we do, I want to figure out a way to make them light up somehow. I think that'd be fun!

sooo.....thoughts? i just can't decide.....

 

[Denovagirl]

I'm a fan of group costumes! So I like Monsters Inc best! But you could always let the girls dress up as what they want and you and the hubs just do a couples monsters thing! I love the idea you have for the monster with the sock on his back! Cute idea!

 

[Jackiemarie21]

I seriously think Maddie and Charlotte are kindred spirits or something. Their brains work the same! Charlotte changes from Belle, to Ariel, to Rapunzel to Cinderella every day! Some days she goes through all three in one day.
I think all your ideas sound good, but I like the monsters inc idea the best!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

I'm a fan of group costumes! So I like Monsters Inc best! But you could always let the girls dress up as what they want and you and the hubs just do a couples monsters thing! I love the idea you have for the monster with the sock on his back! Cute idea!

I kind of like the idea of letting the girls do what they want. at least everyone would be happy then and I wouldn't have to listen to any whining about clothes! I asked rich last night about the princesses and the monsters. he said he didn't care and would do either one, but he did laugh (actually giggle like a kid) about the monsters one. i'm leaning that way I think....

I seriously think Maddie and Charlotte are kindred spirits or something. Their brains work the same! Charlotte changes from Belle, to Ariel, to Rapunzel to Cinderella every day! Some days she goes through all three in one day.
I think all your ideas sound good, but I like the monsters inc idea the best!

lol! that makes me laugh that charlotte has to have her costume changes (as we call them) like Madison does! maddie's not as bad as she used to be (don't tell her I had to get rid of the Cinderella dress she used to wear 24/7--it was falling apart!) but she still loves wearing a princess dress. and really, who can blame her, right? she dresses all her barbies (princess ones and regular barbies) in princess dresses or whatever fancy dress she can find. she even had her ken in a ball gown the other day!

I really do like the monsters idea! I might try to bribe the girls to go along with it by letting them wear princess or pirate princess costumes the next day. we will be in Disney where that's totally acceptable!

 

[sweetpeaandevie]

I also like the monster's inc idea!!! I have a princess too so I don't think that I will be able to get her in something besides a princess dress. I am thinking of making mickey bat shirts and just making her a tutu to go with it....she can wear her princess dresses on the other days. I would go with that compromise...maybe then they wouldn't mind doing what you want for the night, they could wear their dresses the WHOLE next day

 

[twinsouvenirs]

Love the proposal story!!! Following along

 

[STLMickeyMom]

I also like the monster's inc idea!!! I have a princess too so I don't think that I will be able to get her in something besides a princess dress. I am thinking of making mickey bat shirts and just making her a tutu to go with it....she can wear her princess dresses on the other days. I would go with that compromise...maybe then they wouldn't mind doing what you want for the night, they could wear their dresses the WHOLE next day

the more I think about it, the more I like the monsters inc idea better too. I'm thinking if I make it girly--like add a tutu or big something for their hair--they might go for it.

Love the proposal story!!! Following along

thanks! I think its pretty awesome. And thanks for following along!