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05-07-2011, 09:18 PM
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#1 |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Iowa
Posts: 4,130
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Celebrating my big 4-0 with the Big Cheese - Update 11/13, page 19
Welcome everyone to my quickie PTR which will segue into the real thing upon return. I leave just 1 short month from today
My elementary school son tells me that all good stories explain who, what, when, where and how. So in order to do my best to make this a good story, that seems like a good place to begin… WHO? I suspect most of you who have wandered over here already know me but in case you are a new friend, let me take a second to introduce myself. I’m Katie…  I am a mom, a teacher and a Disneyaholic. Those who have been around my TR’s before know that I grew up with Disney in my life. Both sets of my grandparents had winter homes in Florida and we made trips down there every couple years and these trips often included a visit to Disney. I loved it dearly as a child and wanted to go back for a long time as a young adult but didn’t have the chance to again until 2008 when my parents took the whole family to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary  It was a fabulous trip and renewed my love for the place! Last year I somehow managed to convince my husband to allow me to go without him and the kids. I travelled for a week with my sister-in-law and had lots of awesome Dismeets!!  So did I convince hubby again to let me go without him? Well, the full story will soon follow but in short…no way! So I will once again be accompanied by my 3 favorite boys in the whole world.  My hubby Greg: also a teacher and a coach as well. He’s a hard working guy who sometimes forgets to stop and appreciate the little things in life. He enjoyed bits and pieces of our 2008 trip but would never call himself a fan. However, he’s actually looking forward to visiting with just the 4 of us and getting away from the real world for awhile (yes, it’s been a stressful school year) Our 9 year old Patrick: a smart and funny kid who is a Star Wars fanatic! He’s grown up a lot since our last trip and I’m hoping he will find the courage to try some of the bigger rides this year. He’s very sweet and affectionate and I’m excited to get to spend some time with him like this while he still thinks I’m cool! Our 6 year old Daniel. He is a bit more daring than his big brother and I think will willingly go on most rides unless they have a fright factor (like the haunted mansion). He is also very shy and doesn’t particularly like people in costumes so it will be interesting to see how he handles the characters this time (he wanted nothing to do with them 3 years ago!) WHAT We will be spending 15 glorious days travelling “the world”!! We have 10 day tickets with the water parks add-on which should keep us plenty busy. We also will be on the dining plan which will take us to most of the restaurants I’ve had on my “someday” list for awhile now…yummy! WHEN We are leaving at 6:00 am on Tuesday June 7. Those who just finished reading my 2010 TR may find this quite amusing after my horror tales of having to leave Disney last year at this same ridiculously early hour. Somehow though it seems much more reasonable when you are leaving FOR Disney. HOW This trip came after quite a bit of discussion and negotiation! Back in 2008, I commented to Greg that it would be fun to return in 2011 for my 40th birthday and I had this dream in my mind for the last few years. About the time I turned 39, I started to bring up the idea whenever I could work it in and even talked about it in hushed tones with the boys who of course loved the idea! Greg basically ignored me at first but after awhile started responding, but not positively like I had hoped. He basically questioned what made me think it would be OK for the kids and I to go without him. You see, Greg is a basketball coach and my birthday is the week after Thanksgiving which would have meant he couldn’t come. After pouting about it and trying to get my way, I realized he wasn’t going to budge on the point. My tactics then changed to see when I could convince him to go. His first suggestion was spring break since his coaching season would be over. Unfortunately our spring break backs up to Easter next year and although I liked the idea of going during that time of year, the thought of those crowds just didn’t appeal to me. I had been thinking so much about a winter visit and really wanted to share Christmas-time at Disney with my boys so I suggested our winter break. Unfortunately this also falls during basketball season and although they don’t have games, he would have had to miss a week of practice and he just didn’t feel like he could do that (plus of course, the whole crowds thing again!) I really had my heart set on going in 2011 since it not only is my 40th birthday but also the 40th anniversary of the opening of Magic Kingdom so I started looking at the crowd calendar. I commented to Greg that crowds are still not too bad in early June. The best deal out at the time was the free kids ticket and we realized that this would be our last chance to go before Patrick becomes a Disney “adult”. So a plan was set in motion! Being teachers, we obviously have flexibility during our summer vacation and the ability to take the time we want (wouldn’t it be great to say the same thing about our finances). Greg knows about the ticket pricing and immediately started talking about a 10 day trip. I suggested we maybe add a day or two so we could have some rest time in the middle so we started to price out plane tickets. As it turns out, the best deal we could find was for a 15 night trip. We debated whether we could make it work and I decided to call Disney to find out if I had any PIN codes attached to my name and it turns out I did….Free Dining!! That basically sealed the deal for Greg, with that, we actually saved money by staying longer and taking the cheaper flights and so a trip was born! So although I won’t be spending my birthday with the mouse, I am considering this my birthday trip and plan to wear the button and celebrate anyway!! Next up…how will we tell the boys?
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 Me (Katie)  DH (Greg)  DS11 (Patrick)  DS8 (Daniel)  June 2011: Celebrating my big 4-0 with the Big Cheese May 2010: Where did this heat and all these people come from? June 2008: My Better Late Than Never TR Last edited by kschafer; 11-13-2011 at 09:49 AM. |
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05-07-2011, 09:21 PM
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#2 |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Iowa
Posts: 4,130
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PTR Stuff
The Reveal The Forgotten WHERE Let's Eat!! More food talk To-do's The Plan! Day 1 Part I Part II Day 2 Part I Part II Part III Part IV Part V Day 3 Part I Part II Part III Part IV Part V Phineas and Ferb LIVE on Stage
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Me (Katie) DH (Greg) DS11 (Patrick) DS8 (Daniel) June 2011: Celebrating my big 4-0 with the Big Cheese May 2010: Where did this heat and all these people come from? June 2008: My Better Late Than Never TR Last edited by kschafer; 11-13-2011 at 09:51 AM. |
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05-07-2011, 10:02 PM
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#3 |
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What do you mean I am not a princess, don't you see my crown!!!
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Northern Illinois
Posts: 1,946
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Spending your 40th with the mouse sounds like a good idea to me, might have to barrow that from you. But than again I am planning on taking my DD in 2013 for her birthday witch also happens to be the year of my 40th.
  We will be there not to long before you in late May/early June and will also be celebrating some birthdays that are not actually happening during our trip. My DS's b-day is 4 days before our trip and mine is in mid august. I have already added his birthday as a celebration to the room and several ADR's but I am not against wearing a B-day button as well. Can't wait to read more.  And am honored to be considered one of your new friends.
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Me  , DS10 , DD7 , DS5 , and DS3 So What If Our Trip Is 527 Days Away, I Need Some Disney Magic Now!-May 2013 PTR Around the World in 4 days...Disney World that is-March 2012 TR Chicken boy went on the thrill rides and begged for more! A May/June TR!!May/June PTR   Sept. 2009-GKTW May 2011-POP March 2012-POFQ May 2013-POR |
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05-07-2011, 10:03 PM
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#4 |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 2,107
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I'm here Katie!
 I know I fell behind on your other report but it will not happen on this one!
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*Meghan* In the moments of our lives Both the joyous and the tragic If the truth is to be told We are all pursuing magic 1994: CBR // 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004: POR // 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013: Pop Century |
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05-08-2011, 12:09 AM
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#5 |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Derby, Kansas
Posts: 7,990
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Here! Here! Here!
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05-08-2011, 06:47 AM
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#6 |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,091
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I'm here! Woo hoo - one month from today!
 I picked up the park maps/info you wanted and will stick that in the mail to you, hopefully tomorrow! 
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Christine
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05-08-2011, 07:08 AM
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#7 |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 14,247
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What an awesome birthday present - two weeks in Disney World!
 With us having to cut our summer trip short, even one week is sounding exciting right now, but two is just fabulous!!!  Your Star Wars boy is going to be one happy fella!   
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So Much to Celebrate http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3066162
I Don't Know, I Don't Speak Wind http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2962147 All I want for Christmas http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2860915 Mingos in da Watah! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2758143 Geen Yight: She's Out of Sight! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2677011 My Name is NOT Broccoli www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2611094 From Pop to the Top www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2495977 Mother, May I? Yes, You May www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2448482 Ringing in 2010 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2356794 Brooklynn Takes Bella to Meet Cinderella www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2209387 A Two Short, Too Different Spring Break Trip www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2122295 Over the river and through the FUN! http://www.disboards.com/showthread....1#post29060069 A Ten Day Ride on a Magic Camel www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1869591 Baby and the Tramp...and a Pop Half Century www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1470678 We've stayed at Pop Century, All Star Sports, All Star Movies, All Star Music, French Quarter, Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Art of Animation, Beach Club, and Saratoga Springs - many trips, and many wonderful, magical memories made. |
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05-08-2011, 07:27 AM
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#9 |
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Loves All Things Disney!
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Home in Florida and Texas
Posts: 8,157
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I'm so in Katie!! I can't wait to hear all about your trip!! And I made 1st page to boot WOOT WOOT!!!
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 My Magical Trips to Disney:6/2012,1/2012,10/2011, 6/2011, 5/2011, 1/2011, 5/2010, 1/2010, 10/2009, 5/2009, 1/2009, 3/2007, 5/2005 , 10/1992: First Trip to Disney (Thanks Dad!) |
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05-08-2011, 09:05 AM
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#10 |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Southern Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2,707
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I'm here!! Can't wait to hear more and more as we get closer!
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 Stacy |
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05-08-2011, 09:19 AM
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#11 |
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Disney is my Happy Place
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Iowa
Posts: 3,750
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Wow. What a way to spend your 40th birthday but with 15 days at WDW. Have a great trip!
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Chris
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05-08-2011, 09:51 AM
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#12 |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Posts: 4,508
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I'm in
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 She's Legal Around the World Dec 2013 PTR It's a Stroller Sir, Not a Battering Ram May 2012 TR It was to be a SURPRISE...but I blew it a May 2012 PTR JAMBO Everybody...An August 2011 TR We dealt with the SPIDERS..what will it be this time? Aug 2011 PTR SPIDERS why did it have to be SPIDERS 2010 PTR - Queen and Jasmine's Magical Birthday Trip 2010 Queen, Jasmine and a Disney Virgin..will he love it like we do? 2010 Coming From The Great White North in August We're Back 2009 |
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05-08-2011, 11:27 AM
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#13 |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Indiana
Posts: 1,470
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I'm here! What an awesome birthday present!
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 Janell DH-Ben DD-Hannah (7) DS-Owen (4)Our July 2011 TR: Surf, Sun, and Big Family FUN! Our July 2011 PTR: Big Family Fun...Hopefully! Our 2009 PTR: Twice the Excitement, Twice the Fun Our 2009 TR:Plans Change with a 4 year old! Honeymoon-Yacht Club July 2001 All Star Movies July 2003 Hannah's First Trip-All Star Movies September 2006 Owen's First Trip-Pop Century June 2009 Our 10 year Anniversary - Caribbean Beach July 2011 |
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05-08-2011, 03:51 PM
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#14 | |||||||||||
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Iowa
Posts: 4,130
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Quote:
 new friend! We didn't celebrate any birthdays on our first trip since it was my parents anniversary celebration. I'm excited to feel like the birthday girl, nobody needs to know it will be a few months earlyQuote:
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Thanks for the maps, do you still have my address? Quote:
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************************************** To all my fellow Mom's:  Happy Mother's Day!!!! Hope you are all given the royal treatment!
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Me (Katie) DH (Greg) DS11 (Patrick) DS8 (Daniel) June 2011: Celebrating my big 4-0 with the Big Cheese May 2010: Where did this heat and all these people come from? June 2008: My Better Late Than Never TR Last edited by kschafer; 05-08-2011 at 04:05 PM. |
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05-08-2011, 07:23 PM
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#15 |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 2,911
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I'm here!! And I'm not even LATE for a change!!!
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