3 little boys, 2 new parks to explore & 1 first time onsite & ddp!

[Dylan_&_Blake's_mom]

I also meant to tell you that I love the matching shirts on your last trip. Did you make these yourself or order them? I would love some information on this.

I am getting things packed up to leave for a week but wanted to say WELCOME and thanks for coming over. That is cool that our dates are at the same time. Where are you staying? I'm going to kind of leave it open to decide which park/s we want to do on the last two park days. Since we've never been to DHS or Epcot I guessed those two but we will know after we spend the first day there. I just figured with my boys being big time into Star Wars, Monsters Inc, Cars, Indiana Jones, etc. that they would want to go back but we will see. I did find out about the pirate league and already have an appt. It is in my itenerary for the day we do MNSSHP. The shirts I made using iron on transfers. The images came from the amazingly talented and generous people on the creative DISigns thread here on the dis. Be warned, it is very addicting.

 

[Dylan_&_Blake's_mom]

I'm sorry I don't have time right now to reply to everyone individually. I am packing the car and getting ready to leave for a week. We are going to stay up by where Jerry is working for a week to be closer to him and get to see him more before the boys head back to school. (he is 4 hours away now) The only down side is that the house we are renting for the week doesn't have internet access. I promise though that when we return I will have an update including pics of my new ride!!! Talk to you all soon and thank you so much for hanging in there with me.

 

[disneyscrappinjan]

We are staying 26 & 27 at ASM, then to Boardwalk Villas 28-31, then finish off at Saratoga. Added days and couldn't stay at the same place.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I hope your week away is a restful and fun time!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Have a great trip!!

 

[Dylan_&_Blake's_mom]

Ok, We are back from our week of spending time with Jerry and no internet. We only have 40 days to go til we leave for disney I will come back with a life update and general update soon but I have a VERY BIG DECISION to make and I need some help. I got to thinking about something and now might change our plans again. A friend of mine here on the dis told me about how they end their vacations. Instead of going to the beach once during their disney time they stop at the beach on the way home and spend 2 nights there unwinding before they head home. What a perfect way to end our vacation. We always feel like we need a vacation from our vacation when we get home from disney due to all the running. How perfect to have 2 whole days at the beach to relax afterwards. ANYWAY, we could easily pay for two nights at the beach and the stuff for those days as well as have at least $500 left to put towards our vacation if we switched from CBR to Pop or ASMovies. It is a $1000 difference. We just paid it off on Thursday so we would get that $1000 back. We wouldn't really have time to spend at the resort anyway so the only real difference is that we wouldn't have the pirate themed room. A bummer yes but worth the extra money????? Are the values just as nice for the most part as the moderates? I'm curious mainly about room size and how comfortable the beds are. I know there are lots of people who love Pop and I'm sure lots who love ASM (to me it looks like ASMovies has nicer rooms from the online pics) so I really need your opinions. PLEASE HELP

 

[princess&her4princes]

Hey Tracy!

My 1st thought is to do it, stay at POP or ASMo and go to the beach, and to save that $1000, I think it's so worth it. But on that same note....we have stayed at both POP and ASM our last two trips and I will tell you, they are small rooms. We did fine, we didn't spend much time in our rooms at all, but Cole was in a pack and play in the corner so it worked for us. Not so sure next time we go as a family it will though....Coley has been in a bed for months now and unless you bring an air mattress, which will make it that much tighter for you, it's not going to work. And they won't book one of their rooms to you for a party of 5 unless Cole will sleep in a pack and play. Just as an fyi. I think it's doable though if he will, if you're okay with what it is.....a clean, disney themed typical hotel room.....just a place to sleep and get clean, you know? The theming is cute, the food courts are great for the kids, IMO, after a long day or for a quick breakfast. I don't think you can beat the cost. Like I said, we've stayed at both and I prefer POP to ASMo because of the buses primarily....with litlte ones, you need to get home , when you're ready to....Asmo, was the last stop and it took forever to get home some nights....POP is direct so it was so much better for us. I would say they are comparable room wise though.....just different theming. HOpe this helps...... and hope you guys are well!!!!

 

[cmskok]

Hi! Since your youngest is 2, call and double check if he counts for occupancy..If not, then Pop would be a good choice. Keeep in mind that some of the value resorts are oversold so getting in on your dates may be tricky. I love the idea of decompress time, but we are doing that there this time! 10 days in Disney, only 7 in parks......

Good Luck!!!

 

[Dylan_&_Blake's_mom]

Hey Tracy!

My 1st thought is to do it, stay at POP or ASMo and go to the beach, and to save that $1000, I think it's so worth it. But on that same note....we have stayed at both POP and ASM our last two trips and I will tell you, they are small rooms. We did fine, we didn't spend much time in our rooms at all, but Cole was in a pack and play in the corner so it worked for us. Not so sure next time we go as a family it will though....Coley has been in a bed for months now and unless you bring an air mattress, which will make it that much tighter for you, it's not going to work. And they won't book one of their rooms to you for a party of 5 unless Cole will sleep in a pack and play. Just as an fyi. I think it's doable though if he will, if you're okay with what it is.....a clean, disney themed typical hotel room.....just a place to sleep and get clean, you know? The theming is cute, the food courts are great for the kids, IMO, after a long day or for a quick breakfast. I don't think you can beat the cost. Like I said, we've stayed at both and I prefer POP to ASMo because of the buses primarily....with litlte ones, you need to get home , when you're ready to....Asmo, was the last stop and it took forever to get home some nights....POP is direct so it was so much better for us. I would say they are comparable room wise though.....just different theming. HOpe this helps...... and hope you guys are well!!!!

Hi Kristen!! It has been way too long since I have spent much time on here. Thank you so much for the advice. I was a little worried about the room size because we are bringing a twin size air mattress for Dylan to sleep on. I was really excited about the $1000 price difference though (especially since Jerry is laid off, hopefully just for this week) and staying where there are some huge icons. I called today though since I had made up my mind as to which value I wanted (ASMovies) and they don't have any values available for our dates with the free dining offer. Apparantly that affects it? I guess we were just meant to go to CBR. It's ok because I still want to tour the different resorts so we will still get to see the big icons. Things are going good here, just busy of course. Hope to be able to talk to you more soon.

Hi! Since your youngest is 2, call and double check if he counts for occupancy..If not, then Pop would be a good choice. Keeep in mind that some of the value resorts are oversold so getting in on your dates may be tricky. I love the idea of decompress time, but we are doing that there this time! 10 days in Disney, only 7 in parks......

Good Luck!!!

He doesn't count for occupancy yet thank goodness. That's why we are trying the on site thing this year to see if next time it will be worth the extra or if we'll just stay off site. And as I'm about to post the values are all booked so I guess it doesn't matter anyway. Thanks for the advice though.

 

[Dylan_&_Blake's_mom]

Ok, I was really excited about the $1000 price difference if we switched to a value (especially since Jerry is laid off, hopefully just for this week) and staying where there are some huge icons. I called today though since I had made up my mind as to which value I wanted (ASMovies) and they don't have any values available for our dates with the free dining offer. Apparantly that affects it? I guess we were just meant to go to CBR. It's ok because I still want to tour the different resorts so we will still get to see the big icons. And at least this way we will have bigger rooms. It is "officially" paid off as of last Thursday we still have $2000 to come up with for all the miscellaneous things though, yikes. With only 38 days to go it is getting very exciting because I know it will go quickly but that is also scary. With our current situation the money issue is quite frightening but I have faith it will all work out. I still have many shirts to make, passports, invites, character treats, etc. To make things more crazy we just returned home yesterday from a week away and the older two started school today. Well, one did,lol. We weren't aware Dylan needed a physical before school started this year until the school called us while we were gone last week to remind us. Jerry took him to school this morning but they won't let him attend until he has the physical so we are doing that this afternoon

I'm also a little curious and was hoping you guys could help me out since you are experienced on site people,lol. I know you get some kind of disney mail when staying at the resorts (due to reading other TR) but was wondering if you could tell me when it usually comes and what it is. Also, if we decide to drive our car to the parks some do you have to pay to park at the resorts if you are a guest of one of the resorts? Thanks for any info and again THANKS FOR STICKING WITH ME

Will return with some pics later.

 

[Chelley00]

Subbing to follow along as we are staying at CBR in November.


I also have 3 boys, but threw a girl in the middle as well (only she's a total tomboy!)

 

[Dylan_&_Blake's_mom]

Subbing to follow along as we are staying at CBR in November.


I also have 3 boys, but threw a girl in the middle as well (only she's a total tomboy!)

Thanks for coming along. I just went over and read your whole TR from last time. Very good, I love the way you wrote it. So sorry it wasn't exactly the best vacation. That scares me as to what could happen. I was going to write this over there but it's not letting post a reply there. I would love to see more pics of the hotel at Cocoa beach and IOA if you still have them loaded. We are doing the beach for a day also and we are contemplating doing IOA for the older two boys as a surprise. Do you think it was worth the extra money and chaos of adding it in with everything else? I am sure the older two would absolutely love it as they are all about super heroes but I don't know if the little one would have anything to do. I would love any input.

 

[princess&her4princes]

Hi Tracy!

So sorry to hear about Jerry's job! Fingers crossed here that things work out and soon!!! :hug

To answer some of your questions, I've never driven to the parks before, always take the buses but since my sister is driving this trip, I inquired about it and I'm pretty sure it was an extra cost to park....if you have AAA you can get a discount, but maybe someone else can confirm this?

Mickey mail....if you're flying, you will get a package about 35 days or so in advance and you will get your Magical express vouchers and that sort and then a few days later you will get a hard copy of your reservations, coupons for various things like Planet Hollywood, mini golf, sea racer, that sort, you will also get cute luggage tags with the castle on them!! They are the best!!!

I hope that helps!!!
Kristen

 

[Dylan_&_Blake's_mom]

I don't really have anything disney to update but wanted to post some new pics of what has been going on here lately like our latest trip to see Jerry, my new car, our disney nights and my new tattoo.

I finally got a new car (well new to me). It was much needed as my van was falling apart. It's a 2001 Dodge Durango and I LOVE it. I have always wanted one but for some reason thought they had only 2 rows of seats and I wanted 3. When I found out they had 3 I was sold.

Cole relaxing at home with his Pooh (he loves Pooh and I can't wait til he sees the real thing)

Next is our first disney night. Starting at 6 weeks out I wrote different things under one of the mickey heads on our countdown. There is one a week to start and then they get more frequent towards the end. It is either a disney movie with popcorn and such or we play disney games together. The boys LOVE this idea. The first disney night was Wall-E and popcorn (unfortunately Jerry was gone on this night).

look at that face,lol

and Cole thought Pebbles should be included

he's not real good with the 'one at a time' thing

can u tell he really likes popcorn?

We went to Tuscola, Il. to be closer to Jerry for a week as I recently posted. We did such things as walk along the creek, visit the Amish towns near by (LOVE their food by the way) and go to the town pool.

all my boys

This shot reminds me of Forest Gump but I love it (nevermind Jerry's shirt)

this shot of Jerry diving cracks me up

love having the waterproof digital camera. Can't wait to use it at disney!

Cole LOVES the water and his favorite thing to do is jump in

love this picture. Do you think Jerry has gotten a tan working out on the pipeline? lol

Blake trying to relax in the warmer water of the kiddie pool

can I have a bite uncle Jason? My brother went with us to watch the boys while I got my tattoo and keep me company during the day and drive up.

I know some people look down on them but I had been wanting a tattoo with my boys' names on it for years now. I just had to wait until we were all done having kids before I did it. It was going to just be and ankle wrap (like a bracelet) but he said those don't flow right with your body so we were going to do it as a vine kind of wrapping around and down my ankle. We then decided to see what it would look like just on the side of my ankle so that nobody's name would be hidden on the inside of my leg. Since it's all in one spot it is bigger than I originally planned but that's ok. There is nothing I am more proud of than my babies and they will always be my babies (whether they like it or not,lol) so I don't mind showing that off.

before shot

here we go

the boys peeking in on me

the finished product (daisies are my favorite by the way)

CONTINUED.....

 

[Dylan_&_Blake's_mom]

An Amish school house

I love this rocking chair, it makes all my boys look little still

playing tic tac toe with a real chicken. This was really neat and the boys loved it

a real teepee

our 2nd disney night was The Incredibles

I guess I forgot to upload more pics of that night. Well that is all for now. I also forgot to upload the pics of the boys on their first day of school so I will get those soon.

 

[Dylan_&_Blake's_mom]

Hi Tracy!

So sorry to hear about Jerry's job! Fingers crossed here that things work out and soon!!! :hug

To answer some of your questions, I've never driven to the parks before, always take the buses but since my sister is driving this trip, I inquired about it and I'm pretty sure it was an extra cost to park....if you have AAA you can get a discount, but maybe someone else can confirm this?

Mickey mail....if you're flying, you will get a package about 35 days or so in advance and you will get your Magical express vouchers and that sort and then a few days later you will get a hard copy of your reservations, coupons for various things like Planet Hollywood, mini golf, sea racer, that sort, you will also get cute luggage tags with the castle on them!! They are the best!!!

I hope that helps!!!
Kristen

Hey Kristen

Thanks for wishing us luck with Jerry's job. I have heard from a few people that they give you something to hang in your window for free parking if you stay at a resort. I am not sure though so I budgeted for parking just in case.

Thanks for the info on the mickey mail. I can't wait to get it We are both getting so close to our trips now

 

[princess&her4princes]

Great update Tracy!!

Love that you're doing a Disney themed activity with the boys..how fun, i'm sure they love it (and you do, too!!)!! You're on countdown girl!!!!

Love the tattoo!!! It's really pretty and sweet! And you're so right...they will always be your babies!! I always tell Ethan that and he always says Mommmmm.....lol!!

Looks like a great trip with Jerry! And wow, he's getting a nice tan!!!

Loving all the pics...keep them coming!!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Hey Kristen

Thanks for wishing us luck with Jerry's job. I have heard from a few people that they give you something to hang in your window for free parking if you stay at a resort. I am not sure though so I budgeted for parking just in case.

Thanks for the info on the mickey mail. I can't wait to get it We are both getting so close to our trips now

Oh good...wasn't so sure about that!! You're Mickey mail shoudl be coming any day now......yay!!

 

[Chelley00]

I would love to see more pics of the hotel at Cocoa beach and IOA if you still have them loaded. We are doing the beach for a day also and we are contemplating doing IOA for the older two boys as a surprise. Do you think it was worth the extra money and chaos of adding it in with everything else?

Sorry! I missed your reply!

We loved US/IOA. The younger ones loved Seuss area and the Woody Woodpecker rollercoaster. The only thing is that there aren't a ton of bigger rides for kids who are too old for the baby stuff but not tall enough for the big roller coasters, but DD7 did just fine (she rode Mummy, Men in Black, Spiderman etc) DS4 loved seeing Spiderman and the smaller rides, but hated Spiderman ride (it's intense) However he LOVED the Jimmy Neutron and Shrek stuff. It was fun because we saw different characters than usual, and since we had already been to Disney once before, it was a nice change. The older boys loves all the thrill rides.

We wouldn't do Cocoa Beach again, just because we didn't like taking that time away from the parks. We always stay where there is a pool, so we can swim there. It was just a long trip for a little ocean, but now my kids can say they've actually seen the ocean!



I keep saying I"m going to get a tattoo, but I'm too chicken (never mind i've given birth 4 times!)

 

[brookelizabeth]

Oooh, I love the Disney Nights idea!! I bet the boys get very excited when they get one of those on the coutndown.

Our Mickey Mail came right around 30 days - so you should be getting it VERY soon. It's such a thrill to see and to know your trip is so close.

Love the tattoo! I like tattoos-I have one as well, but NEVER AGAIN it was so painful I was in tears. I have friends though that have several and don't think they are painful at all. And I'm with ya-they will always be our babies!

From what I know you DO have to pay for parking at the parks. But, I think you can leave and come back to that same park (if you take a break), and not have to pay twice. I bet there are discounts out there for various programs too.