25th Anniversary trip come find out the five W's

[momabbate]

Omg, I can't believe I am trying this again. My last trip was back in 2011. I never finished my tp. So I need readers to keep me going. I'm looking for suggestions as we are doing alot of first. Please join along and help me plan an amazing trip. I will try to do better and finish my ptr and tp.

Sit back and enjoy the bumps on the ride.

 

[momabbate]

Hi, I'm Sandy. I'm the wife of Chris for last 24 years. The mother of three amazing kids, and Granny to the cutest little boy. My oldest is a 23 year old son, Anthony. He got married last year to Rachel. They are expecting there first child in Feburary. Next is my son Joe. He is 22. Currently he is serving in the Army in Afghanistan. Next is my daughter, Elizabeth. She is engaged to Daniel. Together they have Isaac. He is currently 10 months old. Opps she is 20. And none of the kids are going on trip with us. Nope not a one. Love them all dearly but they weren't there 24 years ago so nope not coming. Only mention them cause they are a big part of my life and will be mentioned in the ptr.

So the first W. Who? That would be Chris and myself. Great I can't find a pic of the two of us together. Will fix that later.

Second W, What? 14 days between Universal and WDW.

Third W When? Sept 21-Oct 4, 2014 Count down right now is at 421 days.

Fourth Where? Still working on that part. If I started this a day or two ago it would have been Royals Pacific Resort (RPR) in Universal from 9/21-23 then move over to CBR on 23 till 10/4. Started thinking maybe I should just stay at CBR and drive to universal the day we choose to go. Any opinions greatly needed. We will be on DDP so staying all nights at CBR will give us more food credits. And we love to eat.

Five Why? If you have to ask maybe the Dis isn't the right place for you. Just saying.

Ok off to find a pic of us and then to remember how to post.

 

[momabbate]

I'm back!! With a pic of famly.

First one is at DS wedding. This was taking last Sept so almost a year ago.



Next one was taking Last time all the kids where home together.



And we can't forget the little one.


Think I figured out how to get my pics to photo bucket. Last time I used photobucket everything was on computer. Now most my pics are on my phone. Anyways thats my family.

 

[momabbate]

Thinking it over, leaning on staying whole trip at DCB. This way we can do universal in middle of trip. Plus the extra credits on ddp means one or two mor signature meals. Although it also means no exploring the universal resorts. But, more time at Disney. This trip started with only being a Disney trip anyways. I need to let Chris win this one. I think.

 

[Sam33]

Joining in!
Where in Iowa are you from? I grew up in Clinton and have my ENTIRE extended family on both sides still living there! Lol, LOVE Iowa

 

[momabbate]

Hi Sam, Your the first to comment Hope you stay around and find out how this trip goes.
I moved to the Cedar Rapid area about 17 years ago from AZ. Not sure I will ever get use to the weather up here.

 

[momabbate]

I know what info I didn't add. This will be my second trip. My first trip was back in 2008. That one Chris and the kids went with me. Plus we had Chris's sister, her husband and their daughter. We stayed at POR. Then in 2011 we did a mother daughter trip. We stayed at POP.

 

[momabbate]

I have made a list of possible ADRS. Some will stay, some will go, some will be added, and I'm sure some will come back. So here it is.

Tusker House For a prerope drop breakfast.

Yak and Yeti Ate here back in 2011. I must have loved it enough that I have had dreams of being back.

50's Prime Time We ate here back in 2008. Were I want to try different places, I also want to try different dishes.

Brown Derby Mostly cause I want to try the grapefruit cake.

Sci-Fi I ate here back in 2011. I know people don't like it. We did like it. I sometimes get a feeling that Chris wants to try it.

Coral Reef I think it would be neat seeing the fish.

Biergarten I'm German and you can't get good German food here.

Chef De France I have heard to many good review. (think this one will go)

Tutto Italia Chris is Itaian and I think he will like this one.

Be Our Guest It's new and is getting good reviews.

Cinderela's Royal Table Would love to eat in the castle.

Crystal Palace Not sure if I want breakfast or dinner. Sure we will do one or the other.

Liberty Tree Tavern This has always made the list but gets dropped.

Boma Great reviews.

Jiko Again always good reviews.

Sanaa Love the look of the restaurant.

California Grill hoping the menu doesn't change but would do it in line with Wishes

Hoop Dee Do Think it would be fun for first night. We would skip doing a park.

Kona Ate here in 2011 and Chris really felt left out.

Ohana Really want to try.

New Additions: Made 7/30/13
Yachtsman Steakhouse
Teppan Edo

I haven't looked to far into DTD restaurants yet.

New Additions Made 7/31/13 After looking over DTD:
Cap'n Jack
Fulton's Crab House
Raglan Road - had adr back in 2011 just never made it. And for those wondering I cancelled the day before.

 

[momabbate]

Sorry no real planning this weekend. Had a family grilling day yesterday. Then worked overnight. House is a mess. Trip is over a year away. I am trying to post something every day just to keep this alive.

Am reading some tr. Did learn about the monkey cupcake at CBR. On must try list. For those that don't know what it is. It's a yellow cupcake with bananas in a syrup filling with peanut butter frosting. Ok I think when I read about it it sounded better. Need to try it so I can give it the respect it needs.

 

[emmysmommy]

Hi Sandy! How exciting to have a 25th anniversary trip to plan!! What a great way to celebrate a milestone anniversary!!

My youngest son is married and in Afghanistan as well. When does you son come home? (If you don't mind me asking.)

Your family is adorable - especially the little guy!

As for your ADRs, oh my gosh, you have some awesome choice - many are my favorites. Actually, I love so many places that there are few that I won't eat at.

You have to try LTT - phenomenal desserts and their pot roast isn't bad either. 'Ohana, Jiko, CRT, and Chefs de France are always on my must do list. Hoop de Doo looks like it would be so much fun and I'm regretting not trying harder to fit that one in.

I'll subscribe so I can follow along!!

 

[momabbate]

OMG its emmysmommy!! Lisa. I have been trying keep up with your tr. I am honored to have someone from a top ten list following along!

Will have to see what happens with LLT. It really is on list to go. Although I want to try Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake. I did learn from you not to have it naked.Chef De France is also a iffy. Thinking we will do HDD first night if we stay at Disney the whole trip.

Joe has been gone since March. Left for a year. They keep talking of bring them home sooner. Have said Oct now Jan. I try not to listen to much till he says he is coming home. This is his first time over there. I know you feel the same pride that comes being a mom of soldier. I think this is one of the hardest things they will put us threw.



I sometimes feel bad to not mention that my oldest to is in the service. Anthony decided to stay in the guards. I am just as proud of him. I'm proud of Elizabeth too. Ok, ok I'm just a proud mom.

 

[momabbate]

I really shouldn't post first thing in morning while drinking my coffee. Emmysmommy isn't Lisa she is Brenda. I feel so bad calling you the wrong name. I do this in real life as well. Please please except my apology.

 

[momabbate]

With reading dis my list is growing instead of shrinking, and I haven't even started looking at DTD. To the list I am adding Yachtsman Steakhouse and Teppan Edo. I will go up and edit the list. Hope I can have it figured out in 235 days.

 

[emmysmommy]

You're cute! No worries... I thought I was commenting to one of my Dis friends that I have met several times and called her a different name when I was commenting not too long ago so it happens!!

Thanks for sharing the photo of your son! That's a long tour oversees. My son's ends in early October (if all goes well.) If that happens we'll see him when he has his mandatory leave mid October. I'm excited!

That's great that your oldest decided to stay in the military. I wouldn't mind if my son stayed in but there's no guarantee that he would not go overseas again. Well, you know how that goes.

As for your plans.... if you are as easily influenced as me for trying new restaurants, you'll need a 3 week trip just to fit it in! I know I'm going to gain 10 lbs next month. Yikes!!

 

[momabbate]

Think I'm only adding three restaurants from DTD. They are Cap' N Jack, Fulton's Crab House, and Raglan Road. RR was on the list back in 2011. I changed it due to change of plans during trip. I never full make up my mind.

 

[momabbate]

You're cute! No worries... I thought I was commenting to one of my Dis friends that I have met several times and called her a different name when I was commenting not too long ago so it happens!!

Thanks for sharing the photo of your son! That's a long tour oversees. My son's ends in early October (if all goes well.) If that happens we'll see him when he has his mandatory leave mid October. I'm excited!

That's great that your oldest decided to stay in the military. I wouldn't mind if my son stayed in but there's no guarantee that he would not go overseas again. Well, you know how that goes.

As for your plans.... if you are as easily influenced as me for trying new restaurants, you'll need a 3 week trip just to fit it in! I know I'm going to gain 10 lbs next month. Yikes!!

I am so ready to see Joe. If not see just to hear his voice. I keep telling Chris that I'm not getting hopes up on him coming home early till he has a date. Even then I know plans can change. As for October, it will be here before we know it.
As for my oldest, Anthony, he never went full service. Signed up in guards. I was so surprised when he came to me one Sunday night and told me he was going to go talk to a recruiting officer on Monday. It has turned out to be the best thing for him.
I have counted that I will have 13 TS credits when we go. Knowing the number and then handing the list over to Chris will help. I wish I could give him last say in where we eat but he will pick some then turn it back to me. I just have to remember that nothing is set in stone till you are seated and have ordered.

 

[momabbate]

Short update. After working 12 hours I came home today and asked Chris if there were any places that we ate back in 08 (his only trip) that he would like to eat again. He told me Le Cellier for the sausage Polenta dish he had. I personal wasn't thrilled. I would go there again but only for one credit on DP not two. Then I went to look for a replacement. I found Tutto Italia. He said that would work. Yey it is already on list. I was happy to look at updated menu that the sausage dish he wanted is no longer served. Then I looked at F&W menu thinking I had seen it there. I had but it looks like it has been taken off for this year.

 

[momabbate]

Small change of plans. I should be sadden by this change but I'm ok with it. I decided to change jobs. What this mean is the trip is cut in half, or not happening this 2015. Chris thought I was sick or something when I mentioned that maybe we should do something else instead of Disney next year. Were I love Disney and I only go every three years or so. Chris doesn't think I will make it to 2015 without Disney so he insist that we do a week at Disney. I did throw in that maybe in 2015 we can try two weeks again. I hope to be making more money by then.

I should back up some. I am at a job that I hate. There is nothing about that place I like. The job I will be going to doesn't have a manager position open so I will be taking a pay cut, and loose the change of having two week vacation. Pay cut may not be that hard cause I will be working less the five miles from home. Right now I'm about 40 miles. So less gas and wear on cars. I will also be looking at getting a realtor licence. I have a few people I want to talk to about this.

I feel that everyday happiness comes before a couple week happiness. So no tears on cutting trip back some. I know deep down that Disney will be waiting for me when I get there. Still need to keep planing. It really is what keeps me going.

 

[lsenquiz]

I'm in. Won't be able to catch up until this weekend but will be able to comment then.

 

[momabbate]

Lisa, Not much to catch up on. Plans are slowly changing. I been busy reading others tr to update mine. Mostly trying to get changes done. I will say I hope to book my room Friday. I want to make sure grown kids are taken care of first. Hope to let everyone in on changes this weekend. Oh I also need to go and steal some more pics to but in report.