**A YEAR in the Making of a Disney Trip-Sept. 2011**9/28 TR Link Added!**

[Fantasyland Mom]

(Links to all my updates can be found in the next post.)
September 2011...yes, I realize it's a year away. I may be crazy to start planning this far in advance, but did anyone ever call a DISer sane!?!

Honestly, this PTR is what's keeping me sane! We just returned from a trip in May when we decided to start planning our trip for next year. We've never done MNSSHP, so we decided on September and the waiting began! I'm getting a little ahead of myself here, so I guess I should introduce the cast of characters with whom you'll be taking this magical journey.

Here I am. I'm Jenn, and I'm a 27 year old stay-at-home mom (formerly an elementary school teacher). I became Disney-obsessed a year ago while planning our family's first trip, and it just has not stopped. I love watching my kids enjoy Disney almost as much as I love riding things. Due to the fact that my youngest daughter was quite small on our first trip, and the fact that I was 31 weeks pregnant on our most recent trip, I have yet to ride ANY of the Mountains, and that's my goal this time!! I'm tired of hearing from my oldest DD just how wonderful they are; I need to experience some action, baby!!!


Here's my DH, Brandon. He's a 30 year old Civil Designer for the water resources department of an engineering firm...which to me means "he does some stuff on some computers and gets paid for it." I have no clue. Anyway, luckily this man fell in love with Disney on his first walk down Main St. USA, and he shares a love of watching the planning video and YouTube clips with me. He hasn't joined the DISboards yet, but he swears he's going to. He's our girls' perfect Prince Charming when they dress up, and he loves it. A total hands-on dad and a big ol' softy! Here he is with our girls on our last trip (mommy was a bit preggo and couldn't do Kilimanjaro Safari, so they were happily on their way).


Here's our oldest Princess, who we affectionately call JuJu (not her actual name). She's 4 right now, but when we go next year, she'll be in kindergarten . I can't believe my baby is growing up so fast! This kid got us into Disney in the first place. She is all about Princesses. She especially loves Cinderella and Ariel. At WDW, she loves anything fast-paced. LOVES Splash Mountain and Soarin' the best, but she is terrified of...wait for it....PUSH the trashcan!!! To her credit, he taunted her a little on our last visit, and since then she's never trusted any trashcan she's passed. This picture is from right before she got her first haircut ever at (where else?) the Harmony Barber Shop.


Next up, Bebo (nickname again). She's our youngest daughter, and she is currently 2 years old. She has followed in her sister's footsteps and loves all the Princesses. She is also obsessed with Stacey. You know Stacey, yes? The Must Do Disney girl on a loop in the resorts? Bebo is famous for saying "It's a small world" while doing the finger pinching thingy, just like her idol. Oh, my. The girl needs to learn some taste. Anyway, Bebo is a curly-headed daredevil who is up for just about anything, so far.


This is our newest addition! His nickname is Bubba or SySy, and he's 2 months old in a couple of days! I was 31 weeks pregnant with him on our last trip, so he's been to WDW, though he probably doesn't realize it! I can't believe he'll be over a year old when we go!


And this is my MIL, and the girls call her Mamie. Her age is undisclosed (you're welcome, Mamie!). She went with us on our first trip, and she's coming on this trip for crowd control, as we call it. One kid per adult this way. We're paying for her to come and she will work for it! She is excellent at playing Minnie dress-up in the hotel at night. A real pro. She's diabetic, and because of this we ended up with a handicapped room with fridge last time, though her diabetes doesn't keep her down!


Okay, here's a couple of family shots, just because I'm impressed that DH and I are in any photos with all 3 kids. Ironically, Mamie took both of these pictures.



So far, our wild bunch has planned this much: we want to stay at POP Century from September 17-25, 2011. We'll hopefully have connecting rooms, and we'll be there for Free Dining (yay!). Our trip must include a water park and MNSSHP. So, let the planning begin!

Next up, RESERVATIONS! Do we book for POP? Are there any rooms that meet our needs available for Free Dining? Upgrades!?!

Join in, and let me know you're along for the wild ride!!

[Fantasyland Mom]

Links to Updated Posts:

We Booked It!
We're in the Money!
A Dining Dilemma
A little of this, a little of that.
Counter Service Picks
Fall is in the air!
Ways to Keep the Magic Going
Coral Reef Ruined My Day
Boo To You!!
I'm ALIVE!!!
It's NOT a Small World--Which Parks to Visit?
Life Update: Juju's Princess Room Makeover!
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes!!
Thingamabobs--A Shopping Update!!
Hopeful ADR List
Disney Killed My Computer--An ADR Saga
Driving Day & Day 1 MK Plans
Day 2 Plans--Early Entry to EMH at MK
Day 3 Plans--Epcot. Also, life.
Sawyer's First Birthday--A Mickey Party!
Day 4 Plans--Animal Kingdom--A Look Back and a Look Forward
School Days
HELP US!! (Please?)
CELEBRATE WITH US!! (And Special Diets)
The one with Insanity and Pictures and Pictures of Insanity! Prep and Packing.
Touring Plans and Last-Minute Details WRAPPED UP
Leaving today

[Fantasyland Mom]

Today is the one-year anniversary of the first day of our first trip to WDW, so what did I do to celebrate??

I BOOKED OUR TRIP!

Heck, yes! And I have to say that each time I book a trip, I get better and better at it. I love the whole process. I love hearing the magical tinkling (er, probably not the right word for that) sound that plays as soon as you dial. I love the voice prompts that ask questions, just building up my excitement along the way. But most of all, I love the cast member I talk to. This time was no different. His name was Coleman, and I love him. Coleman and I worked together to book my packages (my family's and my MIL, who we are paying for so she'll help us wrangle kiddos at the World). Coleman and I talked numbers, dates, and plans. And Coleman and I also compared kids and kid stories and tips. Now, if you know me, you know my kids are my life. I quit teaching to be a stay-at-home mom to them because I absolutely cannot stand being away from them...okay, maybe sometimes I want to be away, but you know what I mean. They are the air I breathe and all that sappy stuff. Coleman also has three kids that he loves to talk about. And I love that.

After a very long conversation, I managed to book the following:

*September 17-25, 2011
*POP Century Resort, standard rooms (two of them), connecting, one with fridge for my MIL's diabetic supplies
*Requested 50's section, 4th floor
*Put in request for 2 sets of bed rails and one pack-n-play
*7 park base tickets
And best of all....

FREE DINING!! And not just the quick-service dining that comes with value resorts. We upgraded to the regular dining plan, and Coleman said we can start booking our ADRs on March 21! Yes, we had to pay for the upgrade, but we love to have table service meals...more on that later...

For now, let me tell you about why we chose POP Century yet again.
POP was the first hotel we booked on our first trip, so maybe the love has something to do with nostalgia. At first I thought that we would have fallen in love with the first place we stayed, no matter what it was. Now, I'm not so sure. I really think POP has something special. Last trip, we split our stay between POP and CBR, and while CBR was nice, it just didn't scream Disney to our kids, I think. Honestly, I don't think it screamed Disney to me, either! Yes, POP Century is a value resort. It's painted in bright colors, it can get loud, the rooms are small, and it can get crowded. But gosh darn it, it's MAGICAL.

JuJu calls Mousekeeping the Disney Magic. On our first stay, the "Disney Magic" came to our rooms while we were at the parks and did this:

We thought it was a little Magic next trip when we got an updated room:

But just look at this Magical place! In our favorite area, the 50's section...as JuJu calls it, "Staying behind Tramp's Head."


You know what POP Century has more than any other resort, in our opinion?? FUN!!!
And that's what our family is all about!

If you're reading and haven't said anything (oh, wait, NOBODY has posted...hrmmm...sad face), please let me know you're here and ready to join in our adventure!

[OhioDisneyLover]

Joining in.... You have a beautiful family.

We will be there at the same time in Sept 2011. We love Sept at Disney and MNSSHP's are great fun.

Looking forward to hearing more about your planning.

[OhioDisneyLover]

Double post....sorry about that.

[Fantasyland Mom]

Originally Posted by OhioDisneyLover

Joining in.... You have a beautiful family.

We will be there at the same time in Sept 2011. We love Sept at Disney and MNSSHP's are great fun.

Looking forward to hearing more about your planning.

Thanks so much! Maybe we'll run into each other, then! I've never met a DISer before, though I've been on the lookout for LGMHs!
Also, so excited to know someone's reading!! Thanks for being the first!

[inkedupmomma]

hey, I'm here!! Thanks for posting on my PTR, and it looks as though Sophia has introduced herslef already (she is the one I told you to look for in addition to me )

Great start so far! I plan on following along step by step! your fam is beautiful and baby boy is gorgeous!It will be fun to see his progression over the next year!

I have yet to stay at Pop, but would like to one day. My fav value so far was ASMO!I love the larger than life Toy Story characters!

Can't wait to read more about your dining choices, etc..!

[starann]

Popping over to say "HI"

Our trip is THIS September, but it will be our last for awhile (so says DH!). I'm hoping to get back in 3 or 4 years (WOW, 4 years seems SO far away), but DS1 is 6.5, so we will HAVE to go before he turns 10!!! LOL!

[Fantasyland Mom]

Originally Posted by inkedupmomma

hey, I'm here!! Thanks for posting on my PTR, and it looks as though Sophia has introduced herslef already (she is the one I told you to look for in addition to me )

Great start so far! I plan on following along step by step! your fam is beautiful and baby boy is gorgeous!It will be fun to see his progression over the next year!

I have yet to stay at Pop, but would like to one day. My fav value so far was ASMO!I love the larger than life Toy Story characters!

Can't wait to read more about your dining choices, etc..!

So glad you're here, and Sophia, too!!! I guess you guys can be my mentors for this PTR, as I'm not all that experienced...and after all, you inspired me to write it so soon! I can't wait to see Bubba's progression over the year, either. They do grow up fast!
We thought about staying at ASMO to change things up because JuJu LOVES Toy Story, but she still insisted on Pop Century. Maybe one day!

Originally Posted by starann

Popping over to say "HI"

Our trip is THIS September, but it will be our last for awhile (so says DH!). I'm hoping to get back in 3 or 4 years (WOW, 4 years seems SO far away), but DS1 is 6.5, so we will HAVE to go before he turns 10!!! LOL!

So happy to have you! Have fun this September; you'll have to bring back lots of tips for me! And yes, you must get back before he's 10. I'm still wondering when 10 started being considered an adult...I mean, I am way past 10 and still don't feel like one.

[999ghostslover]

Great start! Love it. That is a cool shot of tramp's head and beyond at POP. I vow to get there one day. We figure we will be in two rooms next time. I would rather get two rooms at a value than one deluxe room anywhere. And I am intrigued to stay at the new Animation resort when it is done.
Glad yu got the dining plan that you wanted and glad it didn't hurt the wallet to bad with the free CS dining plan toward it. Yeah!

Beautiful family. I'm subbing now!

[Fantasyland Mom]

Originally Posted by 999ghostslover

Great start! Love it. That is a cool shot of tramp's head and beyond at POP. I vow to get there one day. We figure we will be in two rooms next time. I would rather get two rooms at a value than one deluxe room anywhere. And I am intrigued to stay at the new Animation resort when it is done.
Glad yu got the dining plan that you wanted and glad it didn't hurt the wallet to bad with the free CS dining plan toward it. Yeah!

Beautiful family. I'm subbing now!

That photo is one of my faves. My husband took it right when a storm was rolling in. I am also ready for that new Animation Resort! I hear they're supposed to be family suites, so fingers crossed! Thanks for subbing.

[Fantasyland Mom]

Happy Wednesday, everybody! Hope you all had a great Labor Day! Disney's been on our minds since the last post, so here's a little update:

We had a huge multi-family cookout Sunday night at Mamie and Pop's house, and one of the food items served was a gigantic can of baked beans. We're talking one of those institution-sized cans that's bigger than my head. And, of course, as soon as I see it, a Disney thought crosses my mind. This could be our change bucket to collect money for Disney!!! Soooo, fast-forward to Monday, when JuJu and I decorated our bucket with construction paper, foam letters, and stickers! It turned out great....see?

We explained to Juju that if she finds any sort of change around the house, she should put it in the Disney Fund. All our pocket change will go in here, as well as any loose dollar bills or donations from people visiting us (well, we can hope, haha!). It has a resting spot on top of our refrigerator now so we can always see it and be reminded of what we're working for. It already has a good amount of money in it. Every time I put a coin in it, I smile! One step closer to a magical vacation! We have a long time to save, and I can't wait to see how much we can come up with.

Here are some pictures during our Labor Day celebration at Mamie and Pop's house:
Juju with Pop, taking a little break from the party to rest.

Bebo with Mamie just after taking a swim (love her curls--they are wild, just like her personality!).

Bubba being his sweet baby self! He turned 2 months old yesterday! Time flies when you're in love.


I decided, now that the Disney Spirit was well within me, to pull out my favorite planning books last night. I only have the 2009 versions of UG and Steve Barrett's Hassle-free Disney. I have loved these books to pieces, but reading through last night, I realized how much information has changed, been outdated, or was just plain incorrect! I think this is an excuse for new books, am I right!?! I mean, I didn't even spring for the 2010 versions, so surely I need some for next year! When do those new versions come out?

Up next will probably be a look at food...yummo...

Join in, and let us know you're following along. Beware: this could be a bumpy ride!

[njtinkmom]

Ok I am in...You have a lovely family Can't wait to see how your trip takes shape over the next year. I love planning them as much as actually going!

[Fantasyland Mom]

Originally Posted by njtinkmom

Ok I am in...You have a lovely family Can't wait to see how your trip takes shape over the next year. I love planning them as much as actually going!

Thanks! I love the planning, too, and I love getting input from lots of people! Glad to have your reading along!

[999ghostslover]

Beautiful pics and I love your can. Our jar is getting full again and I am about to cash out $300 and put it into a Disney GC for the trip. Yeah for progress!

PS-what kind of cloth do you use? I got id of all of my BG and now do fitteds and covers.