We're off to see the wizards! Movie day and trip update - The DIS Discussion Forums

-Hope- · 09-10-2012, 10:01 AM

Hi everyone!

I've made a few posts here on the dark side forums but not many. We've been talking, thinking, tentatively planning and fantasizing about a trip to UO for a while now and I decided that it's time to put some things down in writing.

I was hesitant because my trip is just over a year away (leaving home 9/21/13) and I've noticed that here on the dark side people just don't seem to start PTRs as early as those who are visiting Mickey and the gang. But I'm a planner. An obsessive planner actually. I love making and fine tuning plans only to completely upend everything and make new plans. Hopefully you guys won't get too frustrated with me and my constant plan tweaking!

So, lets get started with a little background about us...

That's me, Hope, on the far right with my mom, Bobbi, son, Jace, and daughter, Kya. This pic was snapped in July 2011 at the American Girl Cafe in Chicago. My hubby likes more laid back (think beach or mountains) vacations so when we want to venture to a theme park or large city we usually take my mom along. My hubby has been to WDW but didn't really like it!

Yes, I'm still married to him, even with this unthinkable character flaw. What can I say, love is blind.

Anyway... we decided that this trip is definitely more of a Grandma trip than a Dad trip, especially since my mom loved Harry before Harry was cool.

It's great fun AND saves us some money since she helps pay for hotels, gas, food, etc.

A little about each of us. As I said, I'm Hope (I know, my username is sooo creative)

I teach GED classes part time while I also homeschool my kids. I have a bad case of Wanderlust that just doesn't match up with my budget... but right now time with the kids is more important than traveling to other continents so I make due with finding fabulous places to visit with a classic road trip once or twice a year.

My mom, Bobbi, works at a bank and had always been happy to stay home. We didn't take family vacations when I was a kid and that suited her fine. However, now that I've started dragging her along with the kids and I she's gotten a bitten by the travel bug. She's actually headed out for a cruise with 7 of her friends in just a few weeks only to turn around and go to the beach a week later with my family (hubby and my dad are going along for that trip). I'm really happy that we've been able to share our adventures with my mom and that it has inspired her to go out and find some of her own. She's a typical self-sacrificing, always-putting-everyone-else-first lady from her generation and it's nice to see her doing things for herself. If we had anything to do with that it makes me extremely happy.

My son, Jace, is 13 and pretty much the inspiration behind this trip. He loves all things Lego- still- and I don't think he'll ever outgrow it. He's even looked into conventions for AFoL (Adult Fans of Legos) and researched the degrees and skills he'll need if he wants to work for Lego someday. We've been to the Legoland Discovery Centers in Chicago and Kansas City and he loved them both!

But he's really always wanted to see Legoland. When the new park opened in Florida I figured we could pair it with a trip to WWoHP and he'd finally get his wish. Honestly, none of the rest of us are all that excited about Legoland (though we do enjoy the elaborate builds we've seen in other places) but he's so looking forward to it that we'll make it work.

(We may also sneak in a trip to the Lego store at DTD since we haven't seen the new one.)

In addition to Legos Jace also loves sci-fi, gaming and all things technological. He's a self described geek and happy to have that label. He's fiercely intelligent and in addition to inspiring this trip he's also the reason we homeschool.

My daughter, Kya, is 12 and she definitely inherited the wanderlust gene. She dreams of Paris and starts each day with the same question, "Where are we going today?"

She also loves classical ballet, animals and, most of all, her friends. Though she inherited a love of travel from me she definitely got her sense of humor from her dad. She is a completely silly girl who takes most things in stride and never takes life too seriously. She is the perfect balance for me and a reminder not to spend too much time in my head.

So, that's us in a (rather large) nutshell. More about our tentative plans in my next post along with some questions for you experienced dark siders.

(Just threw that last smiley in because he has a bowtie and bowties are cool).

-Hope- · 09-10-2012, 10:10 AM

Table of Contents

Mini shopping update- collapsible water bottles
Decisions, Decisions... On site, partner hotel or vacation rental?
And the decision is...
One Year Celebration: Despicable Me movie night
Discovery Cove??
A different dolphin experience...
Let's go to the beach! Our family trip to Gulf Shores, AL
Back to the Beach- adding some beach fun to our trip to the dark side
Family Movie Night: Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!
Big, exciting, WDW related news!
Family movie day: Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?
Ch ch changes... fewer nights, fewer people and a hotel decision!

couturelover · 09-10-2012, 10:14 AM

I'm definitely not an expert but I'd be happy to talk your ear off!! Looks like you'll be going an AWESOME time of year

Tink-erin-belle · 09-10-2012, 10:19 AM

I'm here, Hope! I can't wait to see what you have planned!

-Hope- · 09-10-2012, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by couturelover

I'm definitely not an expert but I'd be happy to talk your ear off!! Looks like you'll be going an AWESOME time of year

I'll be happy to listen!

We love the low crowds and low prices of late September. The heat and lovebugs are another story but it's worth enduring them for the perks of traveling in the low season!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tink-erin-belle

I'm here, Hope! I can't wait to see what you have planned!

Yay, Erin! You are the main reason I started my PTR so I'm definitely glad you're here!

Tink-erin-belle · 09-10-2012, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -Hope-

Yay, Erin! You are the main reason I started my PTR so I'm definitely glad you're here!

Well, you know I want to steal your ideas… I mean, plan along with you

As far as I am concerned, it is never too early to start a PTR!

Twoboysnmygirl · 09-10-2012, 12:03 PM

OMG, Erin got here before me?!?!?!?

BTW, you are on my FAR RIGHT in the picture, not LEFT...don't want anyone thinking you are your mom!

Tink-erin-belle · 09-10-2012, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twoboysnmygirl

OMG, Erin got here before me?!?!?!?

Hello? Bored at work!

-Hope- · 09-10-2012, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twoboysnmygirl

OMG, Erin got here before me?!?!?!?

BTW, you are on my FAR RIGHT in the picture, not LEFT...don't want anyone thinking you are your mom!

What are you talking about??? I said I'm on the right.

reelmom · 09-10-2012, 03:57 PM

I'm in. We have a little bit longer until we return to Universal in October of next year. We were bitten by the dark side bug on our last trip. We stayed onsite and the rest is history. I look forward to planning along side of you.

JessicaR · 09-10-2012, 04:01 PM

I'm in and looking forward to reading all about your planning!

couturelover · 09-10-2012, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -Hope-

We love the low crowds and low prices of late September. The heat and lovebugs are another story but it's worth enduring them for the perks of traveling in the low season!

Yes, the whole melting thing isn't too bad when you don't have to stand in line for 3 hours!

-Hope- · 09-10-2012, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tink-erin-belle

Well, you know I want to steal your ideas… I mean, plan along with you

As far as I am concerned, it is never too early to start a PTR!

I've actually been thinking about and researching for months- two years out might have been too early, even for me!

Quote:

Originally Posted by reelmom

I'm in. We have a little bit longer until we return to Universal in October of next year. We were bitten by the dark side bug on our last trip. We stayed onsite and the rest is history. I look forward to planning along side of you.

I'm waffling so much about where we'll stay- onsite, partner hotel or condo?? They all have advantages and disadvantages, especially since we're going at a time of year with low crowds so it's hard to choose! This is definitely one of the reasons I started this PTR- to help me decide!

Quote:

Originally Posted by JessicaR

I'm in and looking forward to reading all about your planning!

Yay!

Quote:

Originally Posted by couturelover

Yes, the whole melting thing isn't too bad when you don't have to stand in line for 3 hours!

Exactly!

BabyEeyore · 09-12-2012, 07:57 AM

I'm here! We really want to go to WWoHP someday. We live 2 1/2 hours away, maybe we can plan a time for us to come down and meet you! Can't wait for more of your PTR.

Oh, and bowties ARE cool! Love the smilie. Ashlyn and I took a picture during our trip to Epcot last week with fezes on. I put it up on my family blog saying "oh, and we wear fezes now... fezes are cool." No one got it.

reelmom · 09-12-2012, 03:42 PM

We stayed onsite for the first time last June. It was amazing. We got a great rate using our AP's. With that comes the perks of unlimited express pass and early entry into WWoHP. It was so nice not having to wait in a long line. Plus you are within walking distance to the parks. We used the water taxi a couple of times but found it faster to walk back to the Portofino Bay Hotel.

09-10-2012, 10:01 AM	#1
-Hope- DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 2,282	We're off to see the wizards! Movie day and trip update Hi everyone! I've made a few posts here on the dark side forums but not many. We've been talking, thinking, tentatively planning and fantasizing about a trip to UO for a while now and I decided that it's time to put some things down in writing. I was hesitant because my trip is just over a year away (leaving home 9/21/13) and I've noticed that here on the dark side people just don't seem to start PTRs as early as those who are visiting Mickey and the gang. But I'm a planner. An obsessive planner actually. I love making and fine tuning plans only to completely upend everything and make new plans. Hopefully you guys won't get too frustrated with me and my constant plan tweaking! So, lets get started with a little background about us... That's me, Hope, on the far right with my mom, Bobbi, son, Jace, and daughter, Kya. This pic was snapped in July 2011 at the American Girl Cafe in Chicago. My hubby likes more laid back (think beach or mountains) vacations so when we want to venture to a theme park or large city we usually take my mom along. My hubby has been to WDW but didn't really like it! Yes, I'm still married to him, even with this unthinkable character flaw. What can I say, love is blind. Anyway... we decided that this trip is definitely more of a Grandma trip than a Dad trip, especially since my mom loved Harry before Harry was cool. It's great fun AND saves us some money since she helps pay for hotels, gas, food, etc. A little about each of us. As I said, I'm Hope (I know, my username is sooo creative) I teach GED classes part time while I also homeschool my kids. I have a bad case of Wanderlust that just doesn't match up with my budget... but right now time with the kids is more important than traveling to other continents so I make due with finding fabulous places to visit with a classic road trip once or twice a year. My mom, Bobbi, works at a bank and had always been happy to stay home. We didn't take family vacations when I was a kid and that suited her fine. However, now that I've started dragging her along with the kids and I she's gotten a bitten by the travel bug. She's actually headed out for a cruise with 7 of her friends in just a few weeks only to turn around and go to the beach a week later with my family (hubby and my dad are going along for that trip). I'm really happy that we've been able to share our adventures with my mom and that it has inspired her to go out and find some of her own. She's a typical self-sacrificing, always-putting-everyone-else-first lady from her generation and it's nice to see her doing things for herself. If we had anything to do with that it makes me extremely happy. My son, Jace, is 13 and pretty much the inspiration behind this trip. He loves all things Lego- still- and I don't think he'll ever outgrow it. He's even looked into conventions for AFoL (Adult Fans of Legos) and researched the degrees and skills he'll need if he wants to work for Lego someday. We've been to the Legoland Discovery Centers in Chicago and Kansas City and he loved them both! But he's really always wanted to see Legoland. When the new park opened in Florida I figured we could pair it with a trip to WWoHP and he'd finally get his wish. Honestly, none of the rest of us are all that excited about Legoland (though we do enjoy the elaborate builds we've seen in other places) but he's so looking forward to it that we'll make it work. (We may also sneak in a trip to the Lego store at DTD since we haven't seen the new one.) In addition to Legos Jace also loves sci-fi, gaming and all things technological. He's a self described geek and happy to have that label. He's fiercely intelligent and in addition to inspiring this trip he's also the reason we homeschool. My daughter, Kya, is 12 and she definitely inherited the wanderlust gene. She dreams of Paris and starts each day with the same question, "Where are we going today?" She also loves classical ballet, animals and, most of all, her friends. Though she inherited a love of travel from me she definitely got her sense of humor from her dad. She is a completely silly girl who takes most things in stride and never takes life too seriously. She is the perfect balance for me and a reminder not to spend too much time in my head. So, that's us in a (rather large) nutshell. More about our tentative plans in my next post along with some questions for you experienced dark siders. (Just threw that last smiley in because he has a bowtie and bowties are cool). __________________ We're off to see the wizards! A rambling, way to early to be starting this, PTR for our venture over to the dark side of Orlando My picture filled September 2010 trip report: An obsessive planner learns to go with the flow Last edited by -Hope-; 11-21-2012 at 07:16 PM.

09-10-2012, 10:10 AM	#2
-Hope- DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 2,282	Table of Contents Mini shopping update- collapsible water bottles Decisions, Decisions... On site, partner hotel or vacation rental? And the decision is... One Year Celebration: Despicable Me movie night Discovery Cove?? A different dolphin experience... Let's go to the beach! Our family trip to Gulf Shores, AL Back to the Beach- adding some beach fun to our trip to the dark side Family Movie Night: Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice! Big, exciting, WDW related news! Family movie day: Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Ch ch changes... fewer nights, fewer people and a hotel decision! __________________ We're off to see the wizards! A rambling, way to early to be starting this, PTR for our venture over to the dark side of Orlando My picture filled September 2010 trip report: An obsessive planner learns to go with the flow Last edited by -Hope-; 11-21-2012 at 07:19 PM.

09-10-2012, 10:14 AM	#3
couturelover Earning My Ears Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 18	I'm definitely not an expert but I'd be happy to talk your ear off!! Looks like you'll be going an AWESOME time of year __________________ Can't wait to plan another great trip! August 2012 at HRH, awesome time Many trips to WDW, Disney Cruises, & UOR "May the odds be EVER in your favor" Keeping the Phillies PHAITH.. Here's to 2013!

09-10-2012, 10:19 AM	#4
Tink-erin-belle DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,043	I'm here, Hope! I can't wait to see what you have planned! __________________ Erin - 40 - Single Mom of: DS - 14 and DD - 10 Disney Every Day - An August 2013 PTR “That’s brimstone…we must be close.” The UO Only Portion of the Aug 2013 PTR

09-10-2012, 12:03 PM	#7
Twoboysnmygirl DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 5,109	OMG, Erin got here before me?!?!?!? BTW, you are on my FAR RIGHT in the picture, not LEFT...don't want anyone thinking you are your mom! __________________ ~Karen 2014 PTR: Losing The Glass Slippers to RUN like a Princess! ~EVERYBODY DANCE NOW!~ A Mother/Daughter February 2013 Trip Report!GREEN APPLE. November 2012 Anniversary TR! "Are you done with that?!?!" A photo heavy, gluttonous, January 2012 Trip Report! My Running Blog: Losing The Glass Slippers

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09-10-2012, 03:57 PM	#10
reelmom If I don't get tagged, I am gonna hold my breath until I am blue! Didn't work. The tag turned blue instead! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Newnan, GA Posts: 5,148	I'm in. We have a little bit longer until we return to Universal in October of next year. We were bitten by the dark side bug on our last trip. We stayed onsite and the rest is history. I look forward to planning along side of you.

09-10-2012, 04:01 PM	#11
JessicaR DIS Veteran I wanna shoot aliens in the AM too! The Grinch is rude in a funny sorta way run to the hams! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 14,894	I'm in and looking forward to reading all about your planning! __________________

09-12-2012, 07:57 AM	#14
BabyEeyore DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 760	I'm here! We really want to go to WWoHP someday. We live 2 1/2 hours away, maybe we can plan a time for us to come down and meet you! Can't wait for more of your PTR. Oh, and bowties ARE cool! Love the smilie. Ashlyn and I took a picture during our trip to Epcot last week with fezes on. I put it up on my family blog saying "oh, and we wear fezes now... fezes are cool." No one got it. __________________ My blog! Disney in Our Blood DH and me: DD (4): Ali: Prim: Multiple trips as a kid (DL) & lots of day trips to WDW as an adult Off-site: First trip with DH and DD, WDW Nov. 2008 Pop Century: Oct. 2009, March 2010 POFQ: Sept. 2010 (MNSSHP), Jan. 2011 CBR: Sept. 2011 (MNSSHP) Art of Animation: Sept. 2012 (MNSSHP)

09-12-2012, 03:42 PM	#15
reelmom If I don't get tagged, I am gonna hold my breath until I am blue! Didn't work. The tag turned blue instead! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Newnan, GA Posts: 5,148	We stayed onsite for the first time last June. It was amazing. We got a great rate using our AP's. With that comes the perks of unlimited express pass and early entry into WWoHP. It was so nice not having to wait in a long line. Plus you are within walking distance to the parks. We used the water taxi a couple of times but found it faster to walk back to the Portofino Bay Hotel.

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