30 Years in the Making...

[JenH1969]

When I was a little girl- I dreamed and dreamed of going to Disney. I had a very complicated family-biological, adoptive, and step parents plus half, adopted and step siblings. Almost all of them at one time or another went to Disney- some of them every year- but for some reason I never seemed to qualify Did I feel sorry for myself? You bet ya! I always felt like the odd duck- and me being the only one to not get to go to Disney just amplified it all. But- I continued to dream.

I can still feel my eyes- those sad puppy dog eyes as I watched those around me prepare, enjoy, return and tell the stories- if only they knew how lucky they were and how I ached to be a part of it all.

Gosh- writing this makes me feel almost as sad and heartbroken as I did 25 years ago-

Can I continue- hmmm- I dunno- gonna let this digest first

Still dreaming~ Jen

 

[Avivasmom]

That must have been tough....but look as your ticker says 5 1/2 months to go...you can do it.

Think positive and think of all the things yet to come.

HUGS!

 

[JenH1969]

Thanks for your reply- no worries- it all works out-

As I got older- it seemed even more difficult. I often wondered how families did it- if those kids knew how lucky they were. I use to babysit all the time. I almost got to go to Disney with one family I babysat for- but it didn't work out in the end. . Then during universtiy my friends were going for spring break- just how does one do that? It still baffles me- I was lucky enough to finance my way through school let alone travel to Europe or the Wonderful World of Disney.

All through these years- I knew- that one day I WOULD get there and if I had kids they would get there too. I didn't want my kids to ever feel like I did growning up. I WOULD make this happen.

To be continued Jen

 

[JenH1969]

Dh and I met in 1990- married in 1993, had dd in 1995 and ds in 2002. Early in our marriage we had a piggy bank labeled Disneyworld- but we were young, just starting out and I couldn't imagine it would happen. The piggy bank got packed away and disappeared for years until my dd was old enough to start asking about Disney- then we dug it out and continued to put the odd (and I mean odd) quarter in.

I never quite knew when it would happen- but I still knew in my heart that I would get me and my family to WDW.

Fast forward many years- just wanted to start this on the basis that it has been a HUGE dream of mine and a long anticipated wish

I have been telling dd for years that we would go. When I figured out when I thought the best time would be - mainly thinking of my ds being at the right age and size- I thought April of 2009. I was so excited to think we were actually thinking of dates.

We were hoping to go with good friends of ours- the Griffens- they are our kids Godparents- they have 2 children, ages 20 and 18- we call them our Godfamily. Originally they said April 2009 sounded good. I was so excited- not only was this actually going to happen but we were going to be able to share it with our friends.

Then one day Joan calls. Jen- we have been thinking about Disney- heart stops- yes Joan- we want to do it in April 2008 instead of 2009. We are afraid if we wait another year the kids won't be in a position to join us. I totally understood her reasoning but aghhhhhh- it gave me a whole lot less time to save and Joshua would be 6 on the trip rather than 7. I told her I would talk to my dh and get back to her.

We talked and decided that we would do our best to save and make this happen as we really wanted to share this experience with the Griffens (it is their first time too)- This was about April of 2007.

So- we start saving loonies at this point- up from nickels and quarters. We got our income tax back and put $1000 in our Disney account- this was sooo exciting- it was the first time I thought- HEY- I think this may really happen.

Dh is in the Canadian Air Force and I am a SAHM. With my kids ages spread- I have been home a long time. I have babysat for years to make a bit extra. We have everything we need- and even some wants- but things like Disney just seemed so out of reach.

Joan called one day and said the Spurrels are going to join us in WDW. - hmmm- don't get me wrong- I know the Spurrels- they are a great family- BUT the reason we changed our original time frame was to share this with the Griffens- The Griffens kids love my kids and treat them like little siblings. The Spurrels have older kids too- now with 4 older kids and my two little ones- the whole vision changed- I can honestly say it took the wind out my sails. I never let this be known though- at this point the Griffens knew that we were going to try to save enough to go a year earlier but not positive it could happen. After much thought and heartache I decided that since the Spurrels were going too that we would wait till our original planned date of April 2009.

A couple of days later I called Joan to let her know( it is now September and we have moved form Nova Scotia to Ontario over the summer - the Griffens are still in Nova Scotia) that we were not going to be going with them and the Spurrels. Before I got it out she told me the Spurrels were now NOT going. - oh my after all this turmoil (in my mind and heart) things just changed- aghhhhh- I explained to her how we had changed our minds but now I would talk to dh again and see what we were going to do. We decided ( dh had pretty well let me do all the deciding ) that we WOULD go with them in April 2008. Holy Moly!! This was mid September- I had to get packed!!!!!!

 

[JenH1969]

Oh my gosh- see my ticker now? Do you know what? I really think this may happen. I say this to myself at least a few times a week. 58 days from today. I have waited 30 years- yes 30 whole years for this- and now not only do I get to experience it but even better- I get to experience it with my own kids- there really is a reason for everything.

I am the type of person (and really "we" as a family) that work for what we get- no hand outs, no special treatment, just plain hard work and do you know what- this makes us so much more grateful for all we have and all we achieve. I am truly grateful for our blessings. Don't get me wrong- someone passed me a bag of money I wouldn't turn it down- but I do know thlat I would make sure that others could share the extra blessings with us. If we don't have obstacles in life I don't think we can truly appreciate the good times and see exactly how good they are.

Anyway- enough about that for now- well, where have I been since my last entry in November? Gosh- most living and dreaming Disney. I know those around me think I am losing it- it really is quite amusing.

I have taken a few little breaks with the planning- sometimes I get overwhelmed and overloaded with info and have to take a breather- then in a few days I get back to it- at this point- I have an itinerary I am pretty happy with
Once in a Lifetime Trip

Cast- myself, my ds, dd12 and ds6 ( and our friends and their ds 20 and dd18). We will be on DDP but they will not- we know our interests will be different and will be together or apart as it flows- we are doing Chef Mickeys together (their only ADR)

Disney transportation used first 6 days - then rental car from May3-11 then back to Disney transportation

Sunday, April 26- arrive at Pop about 7pm- check out resort,unpack,. early to bed-

Monday, April 28 (will have been in bed around 9:30 night before)
Epcot-FW
9am rope drop-
early lunch at Epcot -11am Garden Grill
break 12:45-4:00
head back to Epcot
early dinner 5pm at Le Cellier-
Stay for Illuminations at 9pm
Bed 10:45ish


Tuesday, April 29
sleep in
slow day- DTD- 9-1 or so
lunch DTD-Wolfgang Express
break in afternoon
Dinner 7;05pm - Chef Mickey
bed- 9-9:30

Wednesday, April 30
DHS
9am RD
lunch at DS-Sci Fi OOP
stay till block party at 3 then leave
break4-7pm
Dinner at Pop Food Court
Back to DS
Fantasmic 8:30pm
Bed 10ish

Thursday, May 1
Sleep in- swim-
AK 11:45-6pm
Leave for AK around 11:00
Lunch-Flame Tree
Jammin 4pm
Stay till 5:40ish
Boma 6:25pm
Early night

Friday, May 2
MK
9am -2pm RD
lunch at MK -Cosmic Rays
rest- 2:30-6
7:15pm Hoop De Doo
back to Pop around 9:30pm

Saturday, May 3- our last day on DDP
7:30am Ohana-OOP- will take cab- I know it is early but we can relax all afternoon and evening
9:30 -11:30am Pirate Cruise from GF
(ideas what dh, dd (12) and I could do while he is on cruise?)
pick up rental car from Grand Floridian
Drive to Pepper market for lunch
Leave for rental home after lunch- hang out there for rest of day- swimming- groceries- relax

Sunday, May 4
IOA or Clearwater


Monday, May 5 sleep in
arrive at Epcot around 11 for WS
ts supper at Epcot -Biergarten-4:40pm
Leave between 6-7- early night

Tuesday, May 6
IOA or Clearwater- will wait on weather to decide
Bed by 9pm

Wednesday, May 7
MK
9am RD
9-4pm at MK
lunch at MK -Peco Bills
3pm Dreams
Leave MK at 4- relaxing evening

Thursday, May 8
Sea World- 9-3:30
rest- 4-7
La Nouba 9:00pm

Friday, May 9
sleep in- swim
Universal Studios 12-9pm

Saturday, May 10- (our friends last full day)
sleep in
Rest most of day and pack
4pm head to MK
MK dinner-6:30pm Crystal Palace
Spectro 9 or 11
Wishes 10

Sunday, May 11 leave rental home at 9am or so-
Head to WDW-
check into AS Movies
Have rental car picked up at Epcot if possible
11:40 am - light lunch at Coral Reef
afternoon at Epcot-
Whispering Canyon at 5:50pm-
Wishes Cruise check in at 7:45pm

Monday, May 12
sleep in , pack and morning swim-
12:20 leave for MK
1:20pm- both kids to BBB
2:45pm- CRT late lunch
stay at MK till 10:30pm
MK late Dinner
spectro 9
wishes 10

On one of our off days we may come in from house and go to Beaches and Cream for a Kitchen Sink

Gosh- it sounds so exciting- is this really my life?

 

[JenH1969]

I had originally made our reservations through CAA but the whole scenario drove me crazy so I ended up cancelling with them and booking directly through Disney. The reason was that I couldn't deal with my own reservation directly and I was far too involved not be able to ask my own questions and make my own changes. I then rebooked our whole vacation.

After spending many hours on our itinerary it became very clear that I had planned too much and that some things were going to have to be eliminated. I chose to give up Busch Gardens, Aquatica and the water parks. This made me sad and the planner that I am secretly still thinks we could have done it all but the the pros know I can't so I officially dropped them from our itinerary giving us some more down time and some more time to enjoy the other things we are doing. I really struggled with the thought that I may be depriving my family of something but I then came to the conclusion that the book of memories we make will be more detailed memories- just with less chapters and I am now ok with this.

From very early on one of few things my kids specifically asked for was to go to "La Nouba"- I looked into it and saw that 90 minutes of entertainment was going to cost over $350 for the 4 of us. - I just couldn't get my head around this at all- although if we put too much thought into anything financial about Disney we wouldn't leave our home towns- lol- Anyways- at that time I told the kids the price and |I told them that we wouldn't be going- that we would just stick to the things that Disney offered with the tickets we knew we would be purchasing. I told them that Cirque to Soleil comes to Toronto and sometime we would go there- although the more I thought about this the more I knew it was even less likely to happen- so- to make a long story short- when I eliminated some things from our itinerary- I freed up some money and you guessed it- I put that money towards La Nouba tickets. But- the kids don't know- I have the tickets here at our house right now- I am going to wrap them and the night of, we will get all dressed up for a night out at Downtown Disney and I will give them their tickets- they will be sooooo excited- I can't wait.

To be continued - Jen

 

[JenH1969]

I am going to fast forward to present and go back as it is relevant.

I have been doing a lot of Disney reading lately (last 9 months or so ). When I first started reading things went right over my head as I wasn't at all familiar with the parks, rides, shows, restaurants etc. Now as I read it is finally starting to piece together. It is kind of neat when it just clicks-it often amazes me . I am the planner for my family and the other family that is going with us- I know they are amazed with what I have picked up-

I am very overweight. One of my fears was that I wouldn't fit in the rides-many months ago that fear was put to rest by many wonderful posters- I have recently re-read that thread and made notes so that I will be prepared for certain situations that may arise. I am still nervous about this but not nearly to the extent I was. My family and I are also going to start walking this week to get our bodies a little more in shape for our big trip (only 55 more days)

I got the kids new crocks today-they both have some from last year that still fit but my ds has his almost worn out so I thought a new pair for Disney would be great (thanks Grandma) and I picked out one Disney Jibbit for each of them to with their new crocs. They will be tickled and I know will collect many more while in WDW.

I finally convinced dh to get crocs a few weeks ago- so funny how men resist- he now loves them- we are also looking at new sneakers for him- we will go again this weekend to give us time to break them in ( I got new ones a few weeks ago).

So many times lately I have said to myself or someone else "I think this may really happen"- it really seems so surreal- I have been dreaming about it for 30 years- some of the little things that have been so exciting are- finding and buying body glide, getting moleskin, ponchos, my bagallinin arriving in mail, bagging up the kids outfits in ziplocs, making lists for carryons, looking at the rides on you tube with the kids- hearing my ds |(6) wake in the morning with the new countdown number,adding to our glowstick collection, etc, etc, etc. These little things have been like rungs in a ladder- every one being one step closer to my dream-.

I did up our forcasted budget yesterday- we are going for 17 days- right now it looks like about $9400.00- a year ago when we started talking about it - the more experienced around us told us we would need ten thousand- we now see how right they were- now of course we could do it on a lot less- but this is a trip of a lifetime- we want no regrets- we have splurged in some areas and cut back on others- all in all it evens out-

I am a little worried about how things will go with our friends- they are fabulous people but we have a couple of major differences- our kids are 6 and 12 and theirs are 18 and 20- so this will obviously lead us in separate directions at times but also-I am a big planner- they have done no planning or research- everything in my itinerary has a reason and makes sense to me- I don't want to have to defend our choices to them- I think it will work out ok- but a bit of a worry although we have talked a few times about not being together all the time- we hope to have connecting rooms at Pop for the first 6 nights then we are sharing a 4 bedroom rental home for 8 nights- then they go home and we got back to WDW to AS Movies for 2 nights- so I am sure we will have lots of togetherness-

There is something that keeps popping into my head- what am |I going to do with my time after our trip- I have spent almost every free moment (and many not meant to be free moments) planning and researching Disney-what happens when I get home? Really- what happens?

I should go for now- I am obviously going to treat this as a blog type thing- not sure if anyone will read or relate but if you are out there please wave and say hello- glad to have you along-

TBC- Jen

 

[JenH1969]

Oh my gosh- it is only 54 days now- I really can't believe it- the kids and I watched some more ride videos on you tube tonight- my 6 year old is quite nervous about a lot of the rides so I am hoping seeing some of them and knowing what to expect will ease some of his fears- we watched TOT tonight- holy moly- his Mom is not sure about that one - my dd is excited though-

I had a busy day today so not a lot of time to lose myself in Disney stuff today- but tomorrow is a brand new day- I ordered Pal Mickey and ears for the kids to be delivered to the resort for the day we arrive- they will be so excited- tomorrow I must pay for those and in 10 more days I have to pay the remaining balance on our trip- oh my word- it is seeming so real- do you think it may really happen?

TBC, Jen

 

[JenH1969]

Aghhhhhh- I woke up today thinking- oh my gosh I only have 53 more days to prepare- like panicky- I have so much more to learn, more touring plans to do, many more details to iron out, oh my word- I only have 53 more days- I better get movin!!

TBC, Jen

 

[JenH1969]

Yes- I changed my title once again- this has been a bit of a journey for me-

Today- I started sort some of the important info- into piles- according to park- thinking I would take that duo-tang of info with me to that park that day? Does anyone else do something silly like this?

Helllllooooooo?????????? Hope you pop in to say hello- Jen

 

[JenH1969]

Help, Help!

I only have 38 more days to get everything ready

Really- sometimes I feel overwhelmed cause there is still so much I want to learn-

Since I wrote last-
-we paid our final instalment to Disney
-paid for our house rental in Davenport
-changed our car rental from- only the time while we are at the house to- the whole time (17 days)
-I have all our suitcases on the bed in the guest room and I would say I have everyone 75% packed- and what is left is written down- which is crucial for me as the more I can let go from my muttled brain the better

You know what- I really think this may happen- I can't tell you the joy and excitement I feel jus thinking about it-

Remember- I have been waiting for this day for 30 whole years- all my siblings and parents went- but never me- this is a painful memory from my childhood- one I am so happy to be able to let go- and share the joy with my own kids- there was a reason I never got to go as a kid-

Everyone around me thinks I am obsessed- and maybe I am- but if we are going to do this I need to know I went as prepared as I could and I also hope that by doing all this preparation I will be able to better relax once we are there as it will all be written out- I won't need to think "where should we stand for wishes"- I am not a relaxed person by nature- but I am so looking forward to this being a therapeutic and relaxing adventure for my whole family- dh and the kids so enjoy when I let my hair down(it doesn't happen very often)- I hope and pray I can

The main parts of my research are 4- here at the Disboards of course, TGM, and reading the Passporter and UG- I am taking bits and pieces and trying to put it all together

Well I better sign off for now- I have TONS to do and only 38 more days to do it-

TBC, Jen

 

[JenH1969]

Woo Hoo- our Magical Express package arrived today- oh my word- I think this may really happen - Seeing our name in print is just so exciting- by the way what does "AK" mean in the Mickey head on the luggage tags?

I am thrilled this arrived- however we have decided to rent a car for our whole trip so we won't be taking the magical express- but they sure will make great souveniers.

I was at the chiropractor this afternoon and one of the doctors was asking me some things about our plans as she has been there before. She was amazed with what I know and how prepared I am- however- I feel so unprepared- like there is so much more to take in- will this feeling go away I wonder.

I think I have our touring plans finished for Epcot- I can't believe how much info there is- I can't write it all down or take it all in but I hope I have captured the most important tips

I started measuring out my pills today- one more step closer

Can you tell I am excited?

I hope that someone will stop in and say hello- I can see that I have a couple fo readers- please feel free to post- I would love to hear from you (and I am starting to feel a little bit like a crazy lady )

TBC- Jen

 

[lowe@massed.net]

Woo Hoo- our Magical Express package arrived today- oh my word- I think this may really happen

Hey Jen - DH and I arrive the same day you do! We'll be at the BCV. I know just how you feel about waiting your whole life to go to WDW. I felt that way about Disneyland, having grown up in the 50s. My dream came true last December when we visited DLR for the first time. It was even better than my dreams. I hope your trip will be too!

 

[lowe@massed.net]

Oh! I meant to add that what caught my eye is that you got your Magical Express package today and I didn't! Hope mine comes tomorrow or I'll start getting nervous!

BTW- my itinerary is here.

 

[michellem1118]

Woo Hoo- our Magical Express package arrived today- oh my word- I think this may really happen - Seeing our name in print is just so exciting- by the way what does "AK" mean in the Mickey head on the luggage tags?

Hi! I'm glad you're finally getting to go to WDW!

The "AK" on the ME tags means your resort is in the Animal Kingdom resort area - baggage is sorted based on general area to facilitate delivery from the airport.

Your post said "help" at the beginning - what do you need help with? You seem to have everything under control.

 

[JenH1969]

Hey Jen - DH and I arrive the same day you do! We'll be at the BCV. I know just how you feel about waiting your whole life to go to WDW. I felt that way about Disneyland, having grown up in the 50s. My dream came true last December when we visited DLR for the first time. It was even better than my dreams. I hope your trip will be too!

Hi Kay-lo- thanks so much for your post- I was starting to feel really strange and kind of like a crazy lady-

I am so glad to hear that your first time surpassed your expectations- sometimes when we hope and dream for so long we set ourselves up for disappoinment- I am still such a little girl at heart that I really think I will be in complete awe while I am there-

I was quite surprised to get my Magical Express (isn't it funny how we so easily capital all things Disney-lol) package- I thought it came only a few weeks before so I was pleasantly surprised- I am sure yours is right around the corner

I checked your itinerary- looks like we are both at MK on May 2-

Thanks again for stopping by- I will follow your pre-trip report too- Jen

 

[JenH1969]

Thanks Michelle for your post- very nice to know I am not alone

Hi! I'm glad you're finally getting to go to WDW! Thank-you Michelle-me too I am beyond excited-

The "AK" on the ME tags means your resort is in the Animal Kingdom resort area - baggage is sorted based on general area to facilitate delivery from the airport. Makes good sense- thanks for passing that on

Your post said "help" at the beginning - what do you need help with? You seem to have everything under control.

Well- it is more of kind of a panic feeling that I get sometimes when I think of all the things I still want to learn about before I go- there isn't anything in particular that I feel overwhelmed about - I am presently working on touring plans- I am going to start AK today- there are just so many details about WDW and Florida out there- I want to take in as much as I can- thanks for asking

 

[JenH1969]

Oh and Kay-lo- check out our tickers today!!! Woo HOO

 

[JenH1969]

We just got back from a walk- this is our 3rd walk - our intention is to get us a little into shape and build up our stamina and endurance for Disney- the kids did great- where do they get their energy? Ds didn't even complain he was tired which was wonderful and a surprise cause this was our longest walk since last summer- it is hard after being relatively sendentary during the snowy winter- dh and I both have new sneakers and so far so good- we are both very pleased- we plan to keep walking- get them broken in before they touch down at WDW-

Going to sit down now and start working on AK touring plans-

TBC- Jen

 

[lowe@massed.net]

Oh and Kay-lo- check out our tickers today!!! Woo HOO

Yes - exciting isn't it? BTW - got my ME package today!

Don't fret too much about your touring plan. The important thing is that you have one and are going in prepared, but also be just as prepared to throw it out the window once you get there. Don't let trying to stick to your plan cause you even more stress. Try and go with the flow - magical things you never expected will happen at the World if you let them.