You can take the girl out of Disney, BUT……… - The DIS Discussion Forums

jenseib · 04-01-2012, 05:35 PM

Well, maybe you can’t even do that completely……

Hi all. I am Jennifer.
This is a trip that was planned fairly last minute (we booked it 15 days prior to leaving) and something totally different for my family.
We are a Disney family. When I say we, I mean my DD Claire, who is 7 and I. My DH, Skip, likes Disney as well, but will never admit to being a Disney lover. He’s more of a resistor, but we break him down when we can. Lucky for me, Claire can bat her eyes enough to sometimes convince her Daddy to do what she wants.
This is our lovely family.

The guy smiling behind us is NOT part of our family, but it was nice of him to make the picture look better with his smile!

I also have 2 older children; Michael who is 23 and Paige, who is almost 20. They don’t travel with us anymore. They are too cool to hang out with us, I guess. And honestly, they are so different from each other, that there would be a lot of stress involved. Paige is easy going for the most part, but she can do her share of whining, and of course being away from friends and her boyfriend might be torture. Michael has his grumpy moments and I think by the end of the trip, there could be some major arguments.
But don’t feel bad for them. They do stuff with their friends all the time…and they HAVE been to Disney several times each, with me and other family members, as well as other fabulous vacations in their childhood.

My Disney obsession took over in 2007 when I went back for the first time after an 8 year break. This was Claire’s first trip. We have been down a few more times since then, vowing to fit Universal Studios into the mix in the near future, especially since I am a fan of Harry Potter.

I have been to Universal Studios 3 times in the past, but never to Islands of Adventure. My last trip was in 1999, and IoA was being built at that time. I haven’t had a chance to get back since then.

Last year, we debated our options, and planned a new trip for us. We took a Disney cruise! Skip ended up having to cancel about 2 weeks before the cruise due to issues at home with our farm, and my Mom took his place. We also planned 3 more days after the cruise and we debated going to Islands of Adventure. With the Wizarding World of Harry Potter still very new, we decided to wait once again to visit and planned 2 days at Disney and 1 day at Sea World.

Fast forward to this year. I was having the Disney Blues. I have another Disney Cruise planned for next Nov with many members of my family, but because of the time of year, Skip is not joining us. It has been since 2009 since we have actually gone on a family vacation with him. I did some nagging and finally he decided we should go to the “other Disney Park” in Orlando.
Now he is terrible with names and what belongs to who or what. He still calls WDW Disneyland and it drives me batty. I knew what he meant…Universal Studios.

We checked out flights (which were all high because of the last minute planning) and a few different weeks that would work for us. The best time would be when Claire had off school for Spring break. The flight times weren’t ideal, but Skip wanted a cheap and quick trip.
We got it set and booked on Sunday, March11th. I was super excited. Not only was this going to be a fun trip, but a great learning experience for me as well.
Skip wanted it to be as cheap as possible, and I didn’t mind, as I am saving up as much as I can for our Disney cruise and a week at WDW in November. I found the Quality Inn on Canada Ave to be one of the cheapest, with 1 day free and it included a Continental breakfast. It also included early entry to IoA and a breakfast at the Three Broomsticks.
We also flirted with the idea of staying onsite. It was going to be $1000 more basically, and no “free” breakfast and Skip couldn’t get past that. I tried to explain about the express pass benefits with staying onsite, even if we just booked one night there, but he declined. We decided to get the 3 days park to park tickets as well.

The flight times were NOT ideal, but we wanted to fly out of Toledo into Sanford, so we had to take what we could. We got a 6:50 PM out of Toledo on Allegiant Air on Monday, Mar. 26th, and would return March 30th, with the flight leaving at 3:40. This flight cost more than any other flight we have ever taken, but it was last minute and shopping around and looking at flights out of Detroit, we found the prices were all the same.

A few days later we discussed this some more, and he suddenly asked why we weren't just going to Disney instead? Hunh? He said he didn’t want to do Disney…but why argue about that now. Did I mention that Skip doesn’t do well with change….and he is very last minute with everything…..
He decided we must go to the Magic Kingdom at least 1 day during this trip. He figured the money we would put towards express pass would just go to this instead. The plan was to go to Universal for half a day on Thursday and then over to MK for the rest of the day.
We decided to buy our tickets at the gate just in case we changed our minds.

So everything was now set and we just had to wait for our day to come!
I took over 1600 pictures on this short trip, so there will be plenty for me to share and tell you about.
We really enjoyed Universal a lot, but I have to let you in on a secret…..my heart still belongs to Disney!

jenseib · 04-01-2012, 05:37 PM

The 2 week wait

March 26, Monday

On our way

A hotel tour

March 27, Tuesday

Time to Go! City Walk

Running with the Bulls

Entering Hogsmeade

Ollivanders wand show

Forbidden Journey Queue

Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff and Butterbeer

A quick walk through the Lost Continent

On to Seuss Landing

The Once-ler

1 fish 2 fish

The Things

Poseidens Adventure

Back Through Hogsmeade

Jurassic Park

Toon Lagoon

Leaving IoA

Lunch

Shrek

Jaws

The Simpsons

Disaster

Time to head out

We need ice-cream

No Way Jose

Time for Bed

March 28, Wednesday

Starting the Day

Spiderman

Jurassic park

Three Broomsticks

Forbidden Journey, single rider line

Pigmy Puff

Spidey

Scooby and Shaggy

E.T. phone home

Nap Time

Pool Time

Wasting time at Ft. Wilderness

Hoop Dee Doo 1

Hoop Dee Doo 2

Hoop Dee Doo 3

March 29, Thursday

Rise and Shine, MK time

Philharmagic

Small World

Another Walk Down Mainstreet

Aurora and Belle

Belle and Cinderella

Move it Shake it

The Sword and the Stone

Pirates

Off to Tom Sawyers Island

Views from Tom Sawyers island

Haunted Mansion

Newest Ride in Fantasyland

Pooh

On to Storybook Circus

Dumbo and a view of the new Fantasyland

Tomorrowland

Pecos Bill

Splash, Dole Whipe Floats and The Castle Show

Christmas Shop

Main Street Electricl Parade

Ending a Great Day

March 30, Friday

One Last Simpson Ride

Goodbye Universal

The Final Journey

LuvEeyore · 04-01-2012, 05:44 PM

I am with you

pinkxray · 04-01-2012, 05:49 PM

Great start! I love your intro photo with the smiling man behind you. He looks so happy to be in your photo

I really thought he was someone you knew and was supposed to be in the photo.

mom2rtk · 04-01-2012, 05:53 PM

Can't wait to hear all about it!

Please tell me you didn't lose anything this time......

Glitzytraveller · 04-01-2012, 06:07 PM

Can't wait for the details.

mousetravel · 04-01-2012, 06:08 PM

I'm here!!

Can't wait to hear all about this trip!
I love your "photo-bomb" picture! Those always crack me up! There's even an entire thread on here somewhere devoted to photobomb pics!

hardingk · 04-01-2012, 06:14 PM

I'm here!!

Kathy Jetson · 04-01-2012, 05:45 PM

Yeah I get to be first! Can't wait to hear all about your trip!

Kathy Jetson · 04-01-2012, 05:46 PM

Oh poo to late

jedijill · 04-01-2012, 05:53 PM

I'm in!

Jill in CO

NikkiLovesWDW! · 04-01-2012, 05:47 PM

Yay! Can't wait!!

Wicket's Mom · 04-01-2012, 06:06 PM

Hey, I'm here! I've been following on Facebook which has made me anxious for the real TR to start!

sunshineNJ · 04-01-2012, 09:35 PM

Hi, I live in NJ. I have always wanted to be a travel agent. Of course I'm obsessed with Disney. What would be the first step i would take to get started. Thanks

annmarieda · 04-01-2012, 11:11 PM

I always love what you have Claire wear to the parks. Those two outfits are AH-dorable!!!

04-01-2012, 05:35 PM	#1
jenseib Mommy to Claire Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 23,305	You can take the girl out of Disney, BUT……… Well, maybe you can’t even do that completely…… Hi all. I am Jennifer. This is a trip that was planned fairly last minute (we booked it 15 days prior to leaving) and something totally different for my family. We are a Disney family. When I say we, I mean my DD Claire, who is 7 and I. My DH, Skip, likes Disney as well, but will never admit to being a Disney lover. He’s more of a resistor, but we break him down when we can. Lucky for me, Claire can bat her eyes enough to sometimes convince her Daddy to do what she wants. This is our lovely family. The guy smiling behind us is NOT part of our family, but it was nice of him to make the picture look better with his smile! I also have 2 older children; Michael who is 23 and Paige, who is almost 20. They don’t travel with us anymore. They are too cool to hang out with us, I guess. And honestly, they are so different from each other, that there would be a lot of stress involved. Paige is easy going for the most part, but she can do her share of whining, and of course being away from friends and her boyfriend might be torture. Michael has his grumpy moments and I think by the end of the trip, there could be some major arguments. But don’t feel bad for them. They do stuff with their friends all the time…and they HAVE been to Disney several times each, with me and other family members, as well as other fabulous vacations in their childhood. My Disney obsession took over in 2007 when I went back for the first time after an 8 year break. This was Claire’s first trip. We have been down a few more times since then, vowing to fit Universal Studios into the mix in the near future, especially since I am a fan of Harry Potter. I have been to Universal Studios 3 times in the past, but never to Islands of Adventure. My last trip was in 1999, and IoA was being built at that time. I haven’t had a chance to get back since then. Last year, we debated our options, and planned a new trip for us. We took a Disney cruise! Skip ended up having to cancel about 2 weeks before the cruise due to issues at home with our farm, and my Mom took his place. We also planned 3 more days after the cruise and we debated going to Islands of Adventure. With the Wizarding World of Harry Potter still very new, we decided to wait once again to visit and planned 2 days at Disney and 1 day at Sea World. Fast forward to this year. I was having the Disney Blues. I have another Disney Cruise planned for next Nov with many members of my family, but because of the time of year, Skip is not joining us. It has been since 2009 since we have actually gone on a family vacation with him. I did some nagging and finally he decided we should go to the “other Disney Park” in Orlando. Now he is terrible with names and what belongs to who or what. He still calls WDW Disneyland and it drives me batty. I knew what he meant…Universal Studios. We checked out flights (which were all high because of the last minute planning) and a few different weeks that would work for us. The best time would be when Claire had off school for Spring break. The flight times weren’t ideal, but Skip wanted a cheap and quick trip. We got it set and booked on Sunday, March11th. I was super excited. Not only was this going to be a fun trip, but a great learning experience for me as well. Skip wanted it to be as cheap as possible, and I didn’t mind, as I am saving up as much as I can for our Disney cruise and a week at WDW in November. I found the Quality Inn on Canada Ave to be one of the cheapest, with 1 day free and it included a Continental breakfast. It also included early entry to IoA and a breakfast at the Three Broomsticks. We also flirted with the idea of staying onsite. It was going to be $1000 more basically, and no “free” breakfast and Skip couldn’t get past that. I tried to explain about the express pass benefits with staying onsite, even if we just booked one night there, but he declined. We decided to get the 3 days park to park tickets as well. The flight times were NOT ideal, but we wanted to fly out of Toledo into Sanford, so we had to take what we could. We got a 6:50 PM out of Toledo on Allegiant Air on Monday, Mar. 26th, and would return March 30th, with the flight leaving at 3:40. This flight cost more than any other flight we have ever taken, but it was last minute and shopping around and looking at flights out of Detroit, we found the prices were all the same. A few days later we discussed this some more, and he suddenly asked why we weren't just going to Disney instead? Hunh? He said he didn’t want to do Disney…but why argue about that now. Did I mention that Skip doesn’t do well with change….and he is very last minute with everything….. He decided we must go to the Magic Kingdom at least 1 day during this trip. He figured the money we would put towards express pass would just go to this instead. The plan was to go to Universal for half a day on Thursday and then over to MK for the rest of the day. We decided to buy our tickets at the gate just in case we changed our minds. So everything was now set and we just had to wait for our day to come! I took over 1600 pictures on this short trip, so there will be plenty for me to share and tell you about. We really enjoyed Universal a lot, but I have to let you in on a secret…..my heart still belongs to Disney! __________________ Oh the Places We Go, The People We SeeI LOVE Comedians with Guitars...You didn't tell me that PartYou can take the girl out of Disney, BUT..Universal Adventures of Dreams and an Expanding WorldA Hop, NO Skip, and Many Mishaps to a Disney DreamSo This is What a Dream Tastes likeDairy Farmer's Wife IS going to Disney in March/April3Rd Times a Charm Last edited by jenseib; 07-10-2012 at 01:27 PM.

04-01-2012, 05:37 PM	#2
jenseib Mommy to Claire Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 23,305	The 2 week wait March 26, Monday On our way A hotel tour March 27, Tuesday Time to Go! City Walk Running with the Bulls Entering Hogsmeade Ollivanders wand show Forbidden Journey Queue Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff and Butterbeer A quick walk through the Lost Continent On to Seuss Landing The Once-ler 1 fish 2 fish The Things Poseidens Adventure Back Through Hogsmeade Jurassic Park Toon Lagoon Leaving IoA Lunch Shrek Jaws The Simpsons Disaster Time to head out We need ice-cream No Way Jose Time for Bed March 28, Wednesday Starting the Day Spiderman Jurassic park Three Broomsticks Forbidden Journey, single rider line Pigmy Puff Spidey Scooby and Shaggy E.T. phone home Nap Time Pool Time Wasting time at Ft. Wilderness Hoop Dee Doo 1 Hoop Dee Doo 2 Hoop Dee Doo 3 March 29, Thursday Rise and Shine, MK time Philharmagic Small World Another Walk Down Mainstreet Aurora and Belle Belle and Cinderella Move it Shake it The Sword and the Stone Pirates Off to Tom Sawyers Island Views from Tom Sawyers island Haunted Mansion Newest Ride in Fantasyland Pooh On to Storybook Circus Dumbo and a view of the new Fantasyland Tomorrowland Pecos Bill Splash, Dole Whipe Floats and The Castle Show Christmas Shop Main Street Electricl Parade Ending a Great Day March 30, Friday One Last Simpson Ride Goodbye Universal The Final Journey __________________ Oh the Places We Go, The People We SeeI LOVE Comedians with Guitars...You didn't tell me that PartYou can take the girl out of Disney, BUT..Universal Adventures of Dreams and an Expanding WorldA Hop, NO Skip, and Many Mishaps to a Disney DreamSo This is What a Dream Tastes likeDairy Farmer's Wife IS going to Disney in March/April3Rd Times a Charm Last edited by jenseib; 07-27-2012 at 07:18 AM.

04-01-2012, 05:44 PM	#3
LuvEeyore DIS Veteran Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Southwest, Virginis Posts: 1,290	I am with you __________________ DCL Christmas Fantasy Cruise 12/15-12/22/2012 The Girls Ran Away!! WDW-POFQ 7/2010 DL 6/08, Alaska-Sapphire Princess 8-2007, French Quarter-Disney Wonder 12-05, All star-6-1996 Riverside-12/1995 , off property 10-1994, Carribean Beach 1/1994, off property 1977

04-01-2012, 05:49 PM	#4
pinkxray DIS Veteran Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: connecticut Posts: 2,904	Great start! I love your intro photo with the smiling man behind you. He looks so happy to be in your photo I really thought he was someone you knew and was supposed to be in the photo. __________________

04-01-2012, 05:53 PM	#5
mom2rtk DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 19,581	Can't wait to hear all about it! Please tell me you didn't lose anything this time...... __________________ Magic In The Kingdom 2012 Princess Palooza 2011! December 2010: Don't Read This TRIP REPORT If You're A Princess Hater! June 2010: 3000 miles, 3 kids, and too many photos to count! Mom2RTK's FLICKR Photostream

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04-01-2012, 06:07 PM	#6
Glitzytraveller Mouseketeer Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: NC Posts: 133	Can't wait for the details. __________________ DH Phil, Me Trisha, DS Erik, DD Megan Past Trips: Disney Wonder January 2013 Disney Dream Bahamas October 2012 Disney Dream Bahamas January 2012 NCL Epic Europe Cruise May 2011 NCL Pride of Aloha Hawaii Cruise June 2005 Disney Wonder Bahamas August 2000 Disney Big Red Boat Bahamas August 1992

04-01-2012, 06:08 PM	#7
mousetravel DIS Veteran Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: SC Posts: 2,478	I'm here!! Can't wait to hear all about this trip! I love your "photo-bomb" picture! Those always crack me up! There's even an entire thread on here somewhere devoted to photobomb pics! __________________ Mom/Daughter Birthday Celebration! June 2012 http://www.disboards.com/showthread....3#post45286013 Mom/Daughter Christmas TR! 2011 http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2851142 Mom/Daughter PTR: Christmas Trip! 2011 http://www.disboards.com/showthread....2#post42724982 Mom/Daughter Trip Report June 2011: Disney Dream! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2744972 Mom/Daughter Trip Report: Disney & Sea World 2010 http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2443520 Mom/Daughter Trip Report: WDW & Disney Cruise 2009 http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2095302

04-01-2012, 06:14 PM	#8
hardingk DVC Member since 2007 AKV & BLT Join Date: May 2007 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 1,375	I'm here!! __________________ WDW:2/12 AKVJ, 12/11 SSR, 11/11 AKV, 10/11 BLT & VWL, 9/11 AKVJ, 3/11 VBR & AKVK, 8/10 AKVK, 7/10 POFQ, 5/10 AKVK, 1/10 AKVJ, 12/09 OKW, 11/09 AKVK, 9/09 BLT, 8/09 POP, 5/09 AKVK, 1/09 AKVJ, 12/08 AKVJ, 11/08 OKW, 04/08 SSR, 9/07 WL, 8/07 CBR, 7/07 SSR & POP, 05/07 POR, 4/07 CSR, 5/05 CSR, 1/03 AS Sports, 7/90 CR, 7/86 POLY, 7/83 CR, 7/79. DLR: 7/09 GCH, 3/07 DCL: 9/11 Dream, 8/12 Magic, 9/12 Fantasy, 2/13 B2B Wonder Cast: Me , DH , DD

04-01-2012, 05:45 PM	#9
Kathy Jetson DIS Veteran Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Myrtle Beach SC Posts: 4,256	Yeah I get to be first! Can't wait to hear all about your trip! __________________

04-01-2012, 05:46 PM	#10
Kathy Jetson DIS Veteran Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Myrtle Beach SC Posts: 4,256	Oh poo to late __________________

04-01-2012, 05:53 PM	#11
jedijill Chiefs fan living in Bronco country Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 3,219	I'm in! Jill in CO __________________

04-01-2012, 05:47 PM	#12
NikkiLovesWDW! "Are you seeing an increase in lateral forces?" "Sure am!" Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Garwood, NJ Posts: 9,233	Yay! Can't wait!! __________________ My Disney Videos: WDW Through Our Eyes! Growing up Disney Honeymoon Roam Around Walt Disney World My Trip Reports: WDW/DCL~July 2009 Mini-Trip~October 2009 4th of July~2010 Busy, Busy TR~Sept. '11 Feb. 2012 TR

04-01-2012, 06:06 PM	#13
Wicket's Mom DIS Veteran Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,642	Hey, I'm here! I've been following on Facebook which has made me anxious for the real TR to start! __________________ wicket's mom WDW-1975 thru 1985 offsite, stayed FW in '86 CSR '02, CB'06, CSR '09, CBR '11, AKL '12 Fast Passes, We Don't Need No Stinkin' Fast Passes (url)http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3050319 It Was the Best of Times & the Worst, But It Was the Best Trip Evah! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2811518

04-01-2012, 09:35 PM	#14
sunshineNJ DIS Veteran Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 1,447	Hi, I live in NJ. I have always wanted to be a travel agent. Of course I'm obsessed with Disney. What would be the first step i would take to get started. Thanks

04-01-2012, 11:11 PM	#15
annmarieda DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Washington State Posts: 6,325	I always love what you have Claire wear to the parks. Those two outfits are AH-dorable!!! __________________ Joint PTR for Fall 2013 Trip My February 2013 TR PTR for CSR Trip 2/2013 PTR for POFQ/AoA Trip 9/2012 TR for POFQ/AoA 9/12 trip PTR for DLR Trip 7/12 TR for DLR 7/12 PTR for Pop/WL 12/11 TR for Pop/WL 12/11 PTR for Pop Century 9/2010 TR for Pop Century 9/2010 DL ;offsite 2002,2003,2006,2007 and 2012 WDW; offsite 2008, YC 2009, POR 2010, Pop 2010, Pop/WL 2011, POFQ/AoA 2012, CSR 2013

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