2 or 3 TRIPS in 2012! Celebrating my bday DISNEY STYLE - 3/12 & 11/12 and ?? PTRs!

[kittylady1972]

You could do WonderWorks in Pigeon Forge and come see me.

That's precious that they took votes and came up with some great suggestions!

Actually we were in Pigeon Forge two years ago for the very first time. Some day we'd like to return and do the Dollywood thing. We rented a cabin in the mountains for a few days and did some touristy things, but did not do WonderWorks or Dollywood. DH would LOVE to go back and it's not off the table completely for this year...but we'll see!

I just loved seeing what their favorites were and if they would pick any of the Disney parks. Even though I think that's the only one that got two votes...we will probably just do Disney water parks and do a SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Tampa trip. We'll see what happens...anything can change!

 

[kittylady1972]

ONE MORE SLEEP!!!

It's hard to believe that we are already so close to our trip. This morning my youngest said to me "don't forget to pack for me too mom" and I told him he wasn't going with us. His response: "But I really want to go with Disney with you and spend your birthday with you!".

That really was a tough decision for me. I wanted to spend my 40th birthday with my WHOLE family...but I wanted to wake up in Disney on my birthday as well. Our flight puts us home close to the kids' bedtime but I may tell my in-laws that they can stay up and wait for us if they want to do so. I know they have school the next day, but that's okay.

I did pack last night for the most part. I still have to put together my travel toiletries since we are not checking luggage...so I have to do that ziploc baggie with my travel stuff thing! Plus I need to put together my stuff for entertaining myself on the flight: Nook for reading, Nook Color for movies, and pack my cameras and batteries and battery chargers. I think that's it though, but I am notorious for packing too much stuff! I just can't stand to NOT be prepared for EVERYTHING!

I know this trip will be over before I know it, so I'm trying to make time go by a little bit slower so that it will go by slowly next week too!

At least when it's over...I'll occupy myself making plans for our summer and our possible little bit o'Disney in June trip!

 

[Lidian]

We actually honeymooned in cabins in Pigeon Forge. We didn't do DollyWood, but we did a lot of touristy things (WonderWorks and the dinner show -- where we danced in front of everyone as Newlyweds; Ripley's Aquarium and Believe It or Not museum; Dixie Stampede; etc). We usually "vacation" there every couple of years with the kids and do a few activities. The kids love the "upside down house" and have asked to return this year. We were considering a stay at the Wilderness Lodge (in Pigeon Forge). It has two waterparks (one indoors) included in the stay.

If you guys are in the area, don't hesitate to PM me and schedule a quick meet-up! Would love to say "hi"!

If the kids are going to stay up, perhaps a nap that afternoon would help with staying up later so they'll be refreshed for school? I know my kids won't nap if their lives depended on it ...

 

[kittylady1972]

We actually honeymooned in cabins in Pigeon Forge. We didn't do DollyWood, but we did a lot of touristy things (WonderWorks and the dinner show -- where we danced in front of everyone as Newlyweds; Ripley's Aquarium and Believe It or Not museum; Dixie Stampede; etc). We usually "vacation" there every couple of years with the kids and do a few activities. The kids love the "upside down house" and have asked to return this year. We were considering a stay at the Wilderness Lodge (in Pigeon Forge). It has two waterparks (one indoors) included in the stay.

If you guys are in the area, don't hesitate to PM me and schedule a quick meet-up! Would love to say "hi"!

Sounds great! Yes I've looked at that Wilderness in the Smokies water park place too. It looks very cool.

If the kids are going to stay up, perhaps a nap that afternoon would help with staying up later so they'll be refreshed for school? I know my kids won't nap if their lives depended on it ...

Well since they will be in school during the day Thursday, then have to come home and do homework, have dinner, etc. I don't think a nap will happen on Thursday. I will mention to the in-laws if they want to keep them up they can, but if not that's fine too. I'm still not sure if I'll go to work on Friday or not.

 

[kittylady1972]

Well we are here ALREADY and our 3rd full day is almost over...so hard to believe! Why must it go by so quickly? Our weather has been interesting...but overall we were prepared for it. I'm off to begin a few trip reports now while it's fresh in my head, so check my siggy for those links!

 

[kittylady1972]

Ok, so my March trip report is in progress. The link is in my siggy...it's coming along slowly. Now for an update on our other upcoming trip...or trips??

Last week they released the last day of school date which is June 8th. This means we will be out before the last weekend of Star Wars Weekends in Disney. While I think that would be cool to see...I'm just not sure about spending the money for one park day. I think we are leaning towards a June trip to Florida, but to do SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Tampa instead. I think the kids would love that and we *MIGHT* still try to sqeeze in a Disney water park as well. My in-laws have also mentioned Cirque as well, but not sure I want to spend the money for that one too.

Now my hope was the kids would get out on Thursday, so we could leave Thursday afternoon. However even DH says it's not like they will really DO anything the last day of school, so why not just skip Friday of school and still leave Thursday. I am still considering this.

We are also just one month away from the first date when I can switch our DVC stay for November. I am still thinking of changing our first two nights from Saratoga Springs to somewhere else. Right now it appears my in-laws vote is for Beach Club but I'm also thinking Boardwalk would work. We love the proximity to EPCOT and DHS so I'm going to check into that. We'll still do the Treehouse at SSR for the last 3 nights AFTER our cruise.

 

[Lidian]

Usually the last couple of days of school is just reviewing, transitioning kids for their next grade, and cleaning/packing up desks and classroom. I think you'd be fine for them to miss a day or two of those last days without any issues. Just give the teacher a heads up in case there was something that needed to be sent home, and so the kids could clean our their desks earlier.

I'd love to go to SWW ... and even though we've been to WDW twice during the event, DH has refused to go. I guess he just doesn't feel it's worth it for the crowds.

 

[kittylady1972]

Usually the last couple of days of school is just reviewing, transitioning kids for their next grade, and cleaning/packing up desks and classroom. I think you'd be fine for them to miss a day or two of those last days without any issues. Just give the teacher a heads up in case there was something that needed to be sent home, and so the kids could clean our their desks earlier.

I'd love to go to SWW ... and even though we've been to WDW twice during the event, DH has refused to go. I guess he just doesn't feel it's worth it for the crowds.

I agree about the last day as well. Right now I am leaning towards them missing Friday for sure and MAYBE Thursday too. We'll see how things go.

Yes I don't think DH feels a need to do SWW again as the last time we really did spend MOST of our time in lines for autographs, but that was what DS (who was 8 at the time) wanted to do anyway. Part of me is still considering springing for a one-day park hopper ticket even for our short trip and maybe seeing a little bit of SWW on Sunday and possibly even hopping over to EPCOT for dinner at Rose & Crown Pub. Or perhaps we'll just eat at 50s Prime Time on Sunday for dinner! YUMMY pot roast!

 

[Lidian]

I agree about the last day as well. Right now I am leaning towards them missing Friday for sure and MAYBE Thursday too. We'll see how things go.

Yes I don't think DH feels a need to do SWW again as the last time we really did spend MOST of our time in lines for autographs, but that was what DS (who was 8 at the time) wanted to do anyway. Part of me is still considering springing for a one-day park hopper ticket even for our short trip and maybe seeing a little bit of SWW on Sunday and possibly even hopping over to EPCOT for dinner at Rose & Crown Pub. Or perhaps we'll just eat at 50s Prime Time on Sunday for dinner! YUMMY pot roast!

Did someone say Pot Roast?

 

[kittylady1972]

Did someone say Pot Roast?

DE-LIC-IOUS!!

 

[kittylady1972]

TRIP #2 in 2012 UPDATE

A quick up date on our plans for trip #2 to Florida, which is now looking more like a non-Disney trip...but I'll update here all the same.

Yesterday I was called about a new job, the one I interviewed for just about two weeks ago...and just when I was beginning to think I did NOT get it. I accepted the offer...which is exciting and petrifying at the same time!

Why is this important? Because with a new job comes a start over in terms of time off and that means I need to plan my summer out carefully. Now it seems that June may be our only chance for me to take a family trip until November and our cruise.

Plus there is my mom and her health. She started chemotherapy this week and will also being radiation very soon. Talking to her this week she already sounds like she's exhausted, from all of the doctor visits and treatments and surgeries. We have opted against visiting for Easter to give her time to get through treatment and feel better. With any luck by June she'll be back on the road to recovery and done with most of her treatments. Even so, we would probably only choose to visit them for a day or so as part of our trip south or our trip back home.

So....that means I am moving forward with plans for a June trip. I've decided it's okay for the kids to miss TWO days of school on their last week...Thursday and Friday. So they will go to school Wednesday, and while they are there we will pack up the car, and when they get home around 1pm we'll hit the road and drive and drive as far as we can until we can drive no longer!

With any luck we'll make it to southern South Carolina or Georgia, but we'll just see how it goes. We'll get a hotel for the night and resume our drive the next morning, arriving in Orlando sometime on Thursday.

The plan is to stay the night Thursday, Friday, Saturday and maybe Sunday. Friday we will try to visit Busch Gardens Tampa, Saturday and Sunday will be for Sea World. Perhaps we'll try to visit a water park as well, but we'll see how things go.

I think my in-laws will join us for this trip as well. My FIL turns 70 in just two months...but I know he would love to check out Busch Gardens and ride the rides there!

So I have a hotel room booked for our timeframe and I've checked into tickets. They actually have packages where kids get in for free so we may end up going with one of those, but for now I just have the room booked, one of the Sea World partner hotels.

It's going to be very tough for me to NOT plan any other trips for the summer, but unfortunately that's just the way things go. I know for sure I won't start the new job until after June, but there's a good chance I could start in July or August or as late as the fall...we'll just have to see how things go.

I still can't believe I'm doing this because I am not one that likes change all that much. However I am excited about some new opportunities even if I'm dreading the day when I have to tell everybody at my current job that I'm leaving.

 

[Lidian]

Grats on the new job! And don't stress over what little they will miss! Plus, with enough planning in advance, you can get anything that will be covered those days taken care of.

 

[kittylady1972]

Grats on the new job! And don't stress over what little they will miss! Plus, with enough planning in advance, you can get anything that will be covered those days taken care of.

Believe me, I'm not worried at all about them missing the last two days of school! They are mostly clean-up days not real-work days anyway!

And thanks about the job...I'm terribly nervous and excited at the same time.

 

[kittylady1972]

Gas prices making the train worth it?

So today I got an email from Amtrak regarding the AutoTrain and it looks like they have released some new fares for the summer for kids. Kids can travel by train for $25 with an adult...instead of $48 which is the normal fare for them.

Tempting. With our plan of leaving on Wednesday and driving and stopping overnight anyway...we might be better off taking the train down which would put is in Orlando in the early morning.

The only issue is with the type of travel, as I am just not up for also springing for rooms for the trip. If we just do the five of us and split the cost of our vehicle with my in-laws it would cost us about $328 to travel in coach.

When you figure the cost of the hotel room being about $100 or so, plus the cost of gas...well it just might be worth it to try coach travel.

It may be something we discuss soon as I'd have to book pretty soon for sure.

I've also mentioned...what else...FOOD to my husband as well. Just because we aren't doing the Disney parks does not mean we can't do restaurants! We may just try T-Rex one day for lunch or maybe even Beaches and Cream! Honestly it's not too difficult to do the Disney Restaurants at the resorts that we love even if we aren't doing the parks. I was even considering booking a Hoop-de-Doo Dinner since our kids have never done that either!

I'll admit part of me would still love to spring for a 1-day Disney park ticket for the kids (DH and I have annual passes) but I really think we need to stick to the other parks. I'm even thinking about Discovery Cove as an option and then adding Sea World and Busch Gardens. Legoland is still in the running as is a trip out to Clearwater Marine Rescue to visit Winter the Dolphin.

Too bad we don't have a week but we really need to return home since we have plans to visit Hershey Park on the Wednesday after we return!

 

[Lidian]

Sea World! Ugh, now I have to see where I can add in a day at Sea World for our 2013 trip.

 

[kittylady1972]

Sea World! Ugh, now I have to see where I can add in a day at Sea World for our 2013 trip.

Good luck!!!

 

[kittylady1972]

June non-Disney with maybe some Disney flair update

So I texted my DH yesterday about the train prices, and he agreed it would be worth it for the trip south, even if we do have to ride in coach. We didn't get a chance to talk to her parents about it...but I made an executive decision and purchased the tickets for all of us!

His parents, as we expected, were perfectly fine with that. I think they are very excited about taking the train down. The kids...still don't have any clue of any of our plans. Obviously we will have to let them in on some of it since we'll need to make sure they bring all of their school stuff home early. We probably won't tell them much beyond that, other than that we are going on an early vacation!

Besides, we still don't know for sure what we'll do while there. SeaWorld is definite, as is Busch Gardens Tampa Bay...but other stuff is still up in the air. We may have to do some Disney restaurants as I'd love to try Sanaa again. We may have to do the Boardwalk too...maybe Beaches and Cream? I'm really tempted to perhaps try to book a Disney room so we could enjoy some of the Disney atmosphere as well...but I just don't know yet!

The only thing definitive is we are going to Florida...in June...for a few days. We will do SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Tampa. We will take a train. We do NOT know where we are staying yet, since I tend to change hotel reservations a LOT as things become available, so it's not just a Disney Resort Changer thing for me!

So that means as of this week we can begin my vacation countdown...we leave for Florida in NINE WEEKS

 

[Lidian]

Anxiously waiting to hear what you decide! Grats on booking the train! I looked into it, and there's not one nearby -- and the closest one was like a 48 hour ride.

I'm looking forward to hearing about your trip! I want to hear/see pics of Sea World and Busch Gardens. I wanted to plan a Busch trip ... but just can't work it out anywhere.

 

[kittylady1972]

Anxiously waiting to hear what you decide! Grats on booking the train! I looked into it, and there's not one nearby -- and the closest one was like a 48 hour ride.

I'm looking forward to hearing about your trip! I want to hear/see pics of Sea World and Busch Gardens. I wanted to plan a Busch trip ... but just can't work it out anywhere.

YIKES...that's a bit far! Yes the AutoTrain is the way to go and I know the kids will be excited when they learn about it. They may not be as thrilled when they don't have BEDS to sleep on that night...so we'll see how that all goes!

I am really looking forward to checking out Busch Gardens Tampa...we love the BG Williamsburg that is much closer to us up here. It's a beautiful park.

I know the kids will be excited about SeaWorld as well. After all, it's been 8 years since any of us have been there. It should be fun!

 

[kittylady1972]

SEAWORLD BLAST FROM THE PAST PHOTOS
I thought it would be fun to find some photos taken of us the last time we visited SeaWorld Orlando, back in February of 2004. So here you go!

Our little family at the time:

I was pregnant with Noah at the time of this photo...he would be born about 4.5 months later!

Kids feeding the dolphins:

Those were the professional photos they take from across the feeding area and then sell to you later. Of course we bought them. I did take two of my own though:

My now 12-year-old swears he remembers feeding the dolphins...I think maybe he remembers seeing photos of him feeding them! He is the one who picked SeaWorld as a vacation spot for this year.

My kids were not old enough to do most of the rides at SeaWorld at the time. I didn't brave many myself. My husband and FIL went off and rode this big boat ride...and my children entertained themselves in the splash zone area next to the ride:

Shoes? Who needs shoes? She has only been walking for a few months anyway!

This was much more fun:

So there you have it...a blast from Feburary 2004 and our trip to SeaWorld. I really am looking forward to returning to this park this year!