2 MOMS, 2 BOYS AND A VAN Pre-Trip Report

[TinkerChelle]

Introductions and logisticals:

Hi! I’m Mom#1 The planner, organizer and all around Whackadoo.

Mom#2 is my DP (Disney Partner) Amy. We have been together 13 years and have been married/committed/living together/whatever makes you, as my reader, most comfortable for 10 years.

We are both lovers of all things fun, crazy and especially Disney.

We had our first child in 2009. Baby boy#1, Albert!

After many years of my whining, complaining and calculating all the $$$ it would save us through the years, Amy finally relented and we became DVC owners in 2010. Albert was the biggest beneficiary of these DVC points inasmuch as he has been to Disney World twice and is only 2 years old.

We had our second child in 2011. Baby boy#2, Drew!

Our trip dates: 11/5/11 thru 11/20/11

Transportation: Driving . Yes, that’s right, we are driving 1177 miles with a 2 year old and a 8 month old. I told you I was a Whackadoo!

Destination: Animal Kingdom Lodge. Week#1 at Kidani Village (2 bedroom Villa/Standard View) and Week#2 at Jambo House (1 bedroom Villa/Standard View)

Week#1: We will be joined by Amy’s family: Dad, Mom, Sister and Nephew.
Week#2: We will be joined by My family: Papa, Bubbe and Unca

So, we have decided to rent a Mini-Van for our travels. I guess this once-upon-a-time punk rock grrl is now officially a Soccer Momma! Teehee! With our entertainment discount we are paying $974.00 for 17 days unlimited mileage which includes all fees and taxes. Such a deal! Thanks Hertz of DeKalb!

Park Tickets: 2 annual passes (which, of course, means I can talk Amy into a couple more trips in the next year....we have annual passes after all....) At this point both boys are free. Albert does not turn 3 until July, 2012 so we may have to squeeze a couple more trips in before he is 3!

So, now we just have to figure out how the rest of our family members will be arriving. No worries, The Planner (me!) can handle it!

 

[TinkerChelle]

Resort Reservations made. Yes.
Rental Van Reservations made. Yes


Feasting Reservations….But where to eat?


Places that are a must: Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey’s and Boma. We always eat at least one meal at these places and I know if we don’t, Unca’s head may explode. (I got nothing but LOVE for him and he knows it!) So we will probably run into this guy again

Not to mention Albert-who has a deep Mickey obsession and a love for all things Pooh-including bees! “A bee! A bee!” can be heard echoing throughout our home at any given moment. I do, however, take full responsibility for these obsessions.

Dad is a major meat eater-must make sure he gets lots of meat. Amy suggests Ohana’s and Beirgarten. Lots of skewered meat at Ohana’s and her family loves German cooking…. But, Me….not so much

Amy has to have that ginormous stein of brew.

What about all the places I want to try? Jiko? Bistro de Paris? Via Napoli? Some other trip....some other time....I don’t suspect many diners would be pleased with an 8 month old and a 2 year old sitting next to them at Bistro de Paris?

So, here is our lineup:
Dinner @Boma
Dinner @Ohana’s
Lunch @Biergarten
Breakfast @Tusker House
Breakfast @Crystal Palace
Dinner @Chef Mickey’s
Breakfast @Boma
Lunch @Rainforest Café/AK
Dinner @Sanaa while Papa, Bubbe & Unca enjoy California Grill. Amy is not a big fan of California Grill but they LOVE IT-so we aren’t dining together that evening. Albert will more than likely be heartbroken that his dear Unca has abandoned him but Unca needs that Filet!

Albert and his beloved Unca

So now dining ADRs are done and finalized.

But we have different modes of transportation being used to get to our lovely vacation destination. 2 adults and 1 child flying and 1 adult driving by himself (he should be taking the train…then I could have written Planes, Trains and Automobiles…) and 2 adults and 2 children driving and all of us arriving on November 6th. Then on November 12th we have 2 adults and 1 almost adult flying and the other group leaving via plane and car. This is too much information to continue….my head hurts… Me, Amy and the boys leave our humble abode on November 5th and arrive the afternoon of November 6th. We are departing on November 19th and should arrive home the afternoon of November 20th. The others, well…..they are on their own! I’m out! Too much craziness! Teehee!

 

[bkandreu]

This sounds like it will be a great trip!!
All of your ADRs sounds DELICIOUS! I love all of those restaraunts!
I hope all goes well with the two precious little boys! Do you think there will be any temper tantrum throwing?

Keep posting!

 

[TinkerChelle]

Do you think there will be any temper tantrum throwing?

Keep posting!

Thanks! I'm sure there will be a couple of meltdowns along the way-maybe even a Mom meltdown!

 

[ButchMommy]

Sounds like fun! Mommy #2 is probably really awesome.

 

[TinkerChelle]

Sounds like fun! Mommy #2 is probably really awesome.

 

[dmwang9]

I saw your PTR posting over on the LGBT boards and thought I'd hop on for the journey!

 

[TinkerChelle]

I saw your PTR posting over on the LGBT boards and thought I'd hop on for the journey!

Hi..Welcome aboard!

 

[TagsMissy]

I am subscribing! Who can't when you see those adorable kids! How quickly they are growing.

 

[TagsMissy]

Sounds like fun! Mommy #2 is probably really awesome.

I bet you are equally awesome!! Welcome to Dis

 

[TinkerChelle]

I am subscribing! Who can't when you see those adorable kids! How quickly they are growing.

So grown up so fast!

 

[TinkerChelle]

Sorry my PTR fizzled out....things have been very hectic. I guess all our lives are hectic, aren't they?

But, we are leaving at 1:00am tomorrow morning to begin our trek down to Florida.

We are picking up the rental car tonight and then packing it up with ALL of our luggage and supplies! It is a lot of stuff!

We are staying in Macon, Georgia overnight and hope to arrive at WDW by 3:00pm on Sunday afternoon!

I am a little anxious to see how the theme park touring works with Amy's family. It seems a little daunting to keep everybody happy but I'll take Kathy Werling's advice and "Pack my Patience!"

I will be posting live reports via Facebook so PM if you would like to be added to the list.

Now time for some Zen!!

 

[jkCT]

YAY! Have a blast! Safe travels! We did WDW with extended family a few years ago...the key was not feeling like we had to spend every minute together, but doing some of the big things together and eating dinner together so we were making memories without wanting to kill each other lol .