How I Survived 11 Days at WDW with a Disney-Resistant Husband **2/20 THE END **

[wendy3]

I just wanted to add that I'm REALLY glad you decided to do a trip report even tho the trip wasn't exactly what you had hoped for or planned. I just finished your pre-trip report and I loved it - love your writing style, love the details, love the photos, love it all.

After having raised three kids as a single mom and taken numerous trips to WDW by myself with them, I know that not every moment on each trip is magical (or even pleasant!). However, I appreciate trip reports that are honest about the good, the bad, and the ugly! I'm truly looking forward to reading your report!

[MickeyisBeast]

Joining in! Can't wait to hear all about your trip

[cherokeemamma]

Count me in! Your TR is great so far!

I am a very lucky girl as my DH loves WDW almost as much as I do. I hope that one day your DH will realize that deep inside he really LOVES Disney!

Oh yeah...your DD party/cake/invitations were fabulous. I have to show the pics to my DD (11) she loves Paris...it is her dream place.

Thanks for sharing and I can't wait to read more...

TTFN
Darlene

[VanessainWonderland]

Subbing! The party looked amazing WOW!

You guys look like an amazing family, and don't feel left out. DH is not a Disney lover either. I think it has something to do with not visiting as a child....That's usually the pattern I see.

Can't wait to read more!

[cdotla]

Originally Posted by kcandbella

I thought it came out tomorrow. I guess I am a day behind. I can't wait to see it! Glad you liked it!

Yes, it was light, fluffy and hilarious! Lots of fun!

Originally Posted by SoonerGirl

I'm planning on seeing this with my girlfriends as part of my birthday jubilee, just as soon as we can all make our schedules work! There is a theater here that has an adults only balcony where you can order food AND cocktails, we really want to see it while it's showing in the balcony, but we have to hurry they don't keep movies on that screen for very long!

Oooohhhh....cocktails in the theatre! Now you're talkin'!

Originally Posted by klacey1

I loved reading about Katie's party-- I'm still in awe looking at those pictures (They also make me crave sugar wafers-- love those things!)!!
That birthday card idea was so cute! Love the card + envelope!
I can't wait to see Sex and the City 2-- my girlfriends are so incredibly busy, I might just have to drag DBF to see it with me!

Thanks! I love my Tinkerbelle stationary!
And have fun at SATC...even if you go once with DBF and then again with your girlfriends, it is definitely the type of movie you could see twice.

Originally Posted by crostorfer

We are taking our first trip to Disney in September, and my husband is less than enthused, LOL. I am very excited to read the rest of your trip report to see how it went!

P.S. My daughter turns 7 next week! Fun age, huh?

How exciting! September is a great time to tour WDW for your 1st time - the crowds won't be overwhelming! Has your husband ever been before? If not, you may be surprised how many people have a vision of Disney as a "theme park", which it really is not. It is so much more. You may find he falls in love with it!

And yes, age 7 is certainly interesting. Still so dependent on us, but yet trying to break free into their own little person. Definitely growing up!

Originally Posted by mom2mek

Great start! Your intro speaks to many people I'm sure, so I'm glad you have decided to do a trip report about it (even the ugly parts)!

Still loving that party!! You are such a great Mom! How fun!

I want to see the movie, but I guess what is missing to me is "the City" - I always thought that a big part of that show was NYC. Without it, I don't know..... I'm sure it was fun though!

Looking forward to hearing more!!

Sara

Thanks Sara! Yes, this will definitely be a full-blown reality style trip report. Believe it or not, the trips featured in my last two TRs really were just about 99% fantastic. So this one will definitely be a bit of a change for me.

Originally Posted by alliebelle3

I just saw SATC2 last night and LOVED it!!! It was so much fun, and hilarious!

That birthday party looks like so much fun. Great job putting everything together. Can't wait to read more about the trip!

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed SATC!

Originally Posted by LovingDisny

I'm subbing. Great start and what a wonderful birthday party! Can't wait to read more

Great! Welcome aboard!

Originally Posted by DREAMS161

nope not even close to being unpacked....I've been dragging my feet. slowly unpacking souvenirs for the kids though always fun!

Originally Posted by wendy3

I'm in!

Awesome! The more the merrier!

Originally Posted by ExpatDisneyLover

What a lovely party!!! Can't wait for more!

Thanks! More coming up soon!

[cdotla]

Originally Posted by BippityBoo

I am going to see SATC tonight I am so happy you had such a great time!

Of course, I loved Katie's party I have to ask, where did you get that WDW card and envelope? It is just beautiful!

Hope you enjoyed SATC as much as I did!

The Tinkerbelle stationary came in a package which included 16 cards, 16 tags with glitter ribbons, 32 envelops and 32 sticker seals. I believe it sold for around $20-25. I purchased it at the World of Disney Store at DTD a couple years ago. While I wasn't looking specifically for it, I don't recall seeing it on my most recent visit. But it may still be there - I can't say for sure. If you can find it, it is a great little stationary set for making pre-trip notes for the kiddos!

Originally Posted by podsnel

OMG!!! The Parisien Party looked FABULOUS!!!! Really, that has to be the prettiest little girl party EVER!!! We had timmy's Bday party last night....let's see how an 11 year old boy party compares- the boys ran around the neighborhood for half an hour so they could be nice and sweaty before we loaded them into our cars to go to the Sports center for laser tag. On the way there, the boys in my DH's car had a farting contest. At the venue, the boys played 2 games of laser tag, where they shot laser guns at each other for half an hour. Followed by devouring 4 pizzas and an ice cream cake. During which they took turns throwing water on Tyler, the birthday boy's big brother. Who eventually punched one of them in the arm. Then it was time for tokens and video games so they could earn enough tickets so they could all get whoopie cushions and dart guns of death to REALLY jazz up the farting contest on the loooooooong ride home.

Yep- girls and boys are SO much alike!!

So, not only were we at WDW at the same time, but we were both at BCV at the same time??? Now that is just WRONG!! Your daughter actually looks familiar- I say that because I remember seeing a little girl who looked EXACTLY like my friend Lonnie when she was a little girl. Could that be right?

Looking foward to more- and so, so sad you couldn't get DH to become a Disnut!!

Hey Ellen!!! OMG - that would be absolutely hysterical if we were sipping cocktails by the pool at SAB right beside each other!

Something tells me that I would have instantly recognized you and Lonnie, but then again, I can also get into my "zone" where I kinda chill out when I am poolside, so you may have slipped by me. (I was also spending 90% of my pool hours actually in the pool with the kids and keeping my eyes on them as opposed to people watching. Much different than my solo trip and mommy-only trip where I was most in the lounge chair! ...Oh boy, what I wouldn't give for a weekend adult trip back there right now!)

Too funny about the differences between a 7yr old girl's birthday party and an 11 yr old boy's party! That is exactly why I enjoy throwing parties for the kids now...I know in just a couple short years there is nothing I will be able to do for them at home that they will like as much as going to places and doing the types of things you describe. Which is fine - but I also realize my party-planning days are soon going to come to an end.

So glad to see you over here! Hope you stick around!

Originally Posted by wendy3

I just wanted to add that I'm REALLY glad you decided to do a trip report even tho the trip wasn't exactly what you had hoped for or planned. I just finished your pre-trip report and I loved it - love your writing style, love the details, love the photos, love it all.

After having raised three kids as a single mom and taken numerous trips to WDW by myself with them, I know that not every moment on each trip is magical (or even pleasant!). However, I appreciate trip reports that are honest about the good, the bad, and the ugly! I'm truly looking forward to reading your report!

Thank you! Glad to hear all you folks with the tough stomachs. Healthy doses of realism and reality will be featured prominently in this report!

Originally Posted by MickeyisBeast

Joining in! Can't wait to hear all about your trip

Thank you! Great to have you along!

[cdotla]

Originally Posted by cherokeemamma

Count me in! Your TR is great so far!

I am a very lucky girl as my DH loves WDW almost as much as I do. I hope that one day your DH will realize that deep inside he really LOVES Disney!

Oh yeah...your DD party/cake/invitations were fabulous. I have to show the pics to my DD (11) she loves Paris...it is her dream place.

Thanks for sharing and I can't wait to read more...

TTFN
Darlene

Thanks Darlene! Glad to hear you lucked out with a Disney-loving guy! Unfortunately I am holding out very little hope that DH will ever be completely on board. I won't say he is a "hater" - still far from that, but definitely a "resister". And if there would have been a trip to convert him over, this would have been it. However, I can say that he is definitely a Lover of the Disney Resorts!

Originally Posted by VanessainWonderland

Subbing! The party looked amazing WOW!

You guys look like an amazing family, and don't feel left out. DH is not a Disney lover either. I think it has something to do with not visiting as a child....That's usually the pattern I see.

Can't wait to read more!

Thank you! Hmmm....you may be onto something there! Glad to have you along!

[cdotla]

We're on our Way!!!

Are you one of those people who has everything packed and ready to go, lists checked and double checked days (or weeks) in advance, and who spends their last evening before the trip relaxing, getting a pedicure, and a good night's sleep?

Not me!

No matter how much time I spend planning my trips (especially the ones to Disney), I am usually running around at the last minute, frantically trying to get everything done in time.

This trip was no exception.

Although I had the kids' clothes packed weeks in advance, with each day's outfits packed into a labelled ziplock bag, I really hadn't done much else until just before the trip.

The day before the trip (Katie's Birthday), I left work, joined the family at Katie's favourite restaurant, had supper, opened gifts, and then came home to a pre-trip nightmare of pulling summer clothes, trying them on, washing them, and packing. Ugh!

I also had to pull all of our Disney trip paraphernalia out of storage (things like autograph books, pens, glow sticks, bike locks for our rented stroller, silver glitter Minnie ears, ponchos, ect).

Then, I had to get the laptop, camera, camcorders, camcorder waterproof storage unit, ipods, Ninetendo DS machines and cases, ready and charged and pack all batteries, power cords, and chargers.

I worked all through the night until the sun came up. And I still wasn't ready.

Normally we would have been leaving for the airport before the sun came up, transferring in Montreal or Toronto, and hitting Orlando by late morning.

This year we were flying direct, with our flight not scheduled to leave until the afternoon, putting us into Orlando at 6pm. At the time we booked the flights, I wasn't thrilled with the late arrival. But in the end, I was thankful for the extra time.

The morning of our departure day, I dropped Katie off at school for the morning, and spent 1 1/2 hours at the spa getting ready for the trip. In retrospect, I would have preferred the extra time to pack, but the appointment had already been booked on my incorrect assumption that the packing would have been finished. Of course, I forgot how draining and time consuming laundry, packing, and trying on clothes can be!

After the spa, I booted it home, frantically finished packing, and then we all hopped in the car to speed to the airport.

This is when I always breathe a sigh of relief. What is done is done. If anything was left behind, it is staying behind. Whatever didn't get done at home or at work will be there to greet us when we return. But for the next 11 days, we would be at Disney!

Finally, we were on our way...to what I was sure was going to be our Best Disney Trip Ever!!!


UP NEXT: Away We Go...

[MadiMouse]

Yay! What a great start! LOL. I so understand those hectic days or day right before vacation...Disney Vacation! Can't wait to read more!

[cdotla]

And Away We Go.....

At long last, after over a year of planning, we were finally off for Disney!

Not sure how much more excited I could have been. This was the first time that either Chris or Declan had stayed on property, and we were staying at some of the best places on property, including the Contemporary, the Beach Club Villas, and the Polynesian.

While everyone in the family had spent time and enjoyed many meals at both the Contemporary and the Polynesian, neither Chris or Declan had ever been to the Crescent Lake area. I was pretty sure Chris thought I was exaggerating when I had told him how close the Beach Club was to Epcot...I couldn't wait to show him!

Our check-in at the airport was seamless and pleasant. We enjoyed a quick lunch at the Gate and soon they were calling all passengers bound for Orlando!

Before we knew it, we were airbound for MCO!





With the kids happily busy with their Ninetendo DS's (thanks Mom!), Chris and I were able to enjoy watching a movie on the way down.

Just over 3 1/2 hours later, we were touching down in sunny Florida. Ahhhhh...looking out the airplane window and seeing palm trees as you cruise down the runway...heaven!

After a short ride on the warm-up monorail, we made our way over to the luggage carrosel to pick up our 2 booster seats. Everything else had been checked for Magical Express.

Then, Chris left with Declan to go pick up the rental car and I took off with Katie for the Magical Express. While we would have preferred to all travel together in the rental car, there was no way we would have been able to fit all of our luggage in the trunk of the car without renting a minivan, which was ridiculously expensive. So we decided in advance that we would split up at the airport and meet at the Resort.

All in all, I think Magical Express works pretty well. The best part is not having to pick up your luggage! When we arrived at the check in, we were promptly escourted onto the bus. After about 10-15 minutes waiting for the bus to fill, we were on our way. About 35 minutes later, we arrived at the Polynesian. Katie and I decided to get off here, and take the monorail over to the Contemporary. We knew from experience that after stopping at the Polynesian, the bus would be stopping again at the Grand Floridian, and then the Wilderness Lodge, before finally making its way to the Contemporary. I think we shaved about 10-15 minutes off the trip by getting off at the Polynesian.

I was pretty anxious to arrive at the Contemporary. For one thing, we were about 5 minutes away from our 6:45pm reservations at Chef Mickey's. I was also trying to meet up with a great Diser who was scheduled to dine here with her husband and daughter at around 6pm. While we knew in advance that there was no guarantee that we would meet up (knowing that our flight or trip in from the airport might be delayed, and also knowing that she would be travelling with an unpredictable 3 year old), I was still very excited as this would be my first Dismeet at WDW. To date, the only other Diser I have met has been Carrie (lurkyloo), who I met in California.


UP NEXT: Arrival Dinner at Chef Mickey's...not exactly as planned

[cdotla]

Originally Posted by MadiMouse

Yay! What a great start! LOL. I so understand those hectic days or day right before vacation...Disney Vacation! Can't wait to read more!

Yes, the pre-trip prep is tough. Thank god there is a pay-off!

[klacey1]

I can relate to the last minute-ness! Glad you got there safely! Love Katie's hair flower-- is that a headband or a bow??

[cdotla]

Originally Posted by klacey1

I can relate to the last minute-ness! Glad you got there safely! Love Katie's hair flower-- is that a headband or a bow??

Yes - our trip down was very smooth sailing!

Katie is actually wearing a headband which has a very large flower on it. Not my favourite to be honest...I find it a bit much. It was her wardrobe pick for the day.

[kate_wdw]

Yay! Today I was really jonesing for a trip report :D and I was super excited to see yours. It sounds like it's going to be quite an interesting trip!

[kcandbella]

I was totally rushing around the night before we left, too. I am not one of those people who gets everything done and can relax, either, though I wish I was!!!

That shot of the airplane wing is so cool! I'm interested to hear how the rest of the night went, even if it wasn't as planned...