7 Days at Disney & the MANY Lessons We Learned Along the Way! My Jan 2010 TR

[Monny2AE]

I made it! Great start, can't wait to hear all about your week and see your awesome pictures!

Thanks for joining in! I'm uploading all of my pics as I type! I can't believe I took so many!

Great start Kim! I never seemed to makeit over to your PTR.



But I am in for the TR!!!

I need something to get me through the next 7 1/2 months!

The PTR's are boring... the TR is where the good stuff is! Hope to help you with your Disney fix but I doubt I can stretch it for 7 1/2 months.

Hey I'm here..... YAY for a TR to read.... can't wait to read more.....

Welcome! So many Mayers stopping by- I feel so loved!

I made it! I did! I really did! Thanks for the link!

Gonna get me some snacks and settle in for the long haul......

Jo

So glad you could join me! Want a soda to go with that popcorn?

I'm here but I will have to come back and read after my class!!

Shh-break in class so I jumped on to read the first page!! Great start!!




You know you REALLY do want to do a TR!!!

I shall not be held responsible if you fail your class because of DISsing.

Whew! Just barely made it. Story of my life!

It's barely started...you've made it in plenty of time!

Hey Girl!

I am here! Barely!

We got into MSP yesterday afternoon. Just gor home a couple of hours ago! It was so good to meet you! Hope the rest of your trip was good and that nasty sinus infection is under control.

Lots to do - I'll be back to catch up real soon!

YEAH!!!!! Welcome back Kim! Glad to hear you made it home safe and sound! It was wonderful to meet you in person too, even if it was for a brief moment. Keep an eye out for your guest appearance in the TR! Get unpacked and get that TR of yours started ASAP!

 

[JoBird]

Welcome! So many Mayers stopping by- I feel so loved!



So glad you could join me! Want a soda to go with that popcorn?

We MAYers do tend to swoop in all at once. Can be a bit overwhelming, sorry.
Just showin' the love....


Look- even NC made it early!
That's one in a row!!!!!





Thanks for the soda- I'll have a coke.

Unless you've put on a pot of coffee.

Waiting patiently...

 

[Monny2AE]

We MAYers do tend to swoop in all at once. Can be a bit overwhelming, sorry.
Just showin' the love....


Look- even NC made it early!
That's one in a row!!!!!





Thanks for the soda- I'll have a coke.

Unless you've put on a pot of coffee.

Waiting patiently...

Not overwhelming at all- it's nice to feel the love. I sure could use it as I try to get accustomed again to real life. I am missing Disney and already trying to scheme a little plan to get back there but it probably won't be for at least a couple years at this point. We'll see....

No coffee here. We were given a coffee pot for our wedding and it's still collecting dust in our cupboard 8+ years later. I'm a tea girl. I'm having some Irish Breakfast this morning if you would like some.

 

[JoBird]

awww- we're here to hold your hand and help you get through the rough patch of getting back to reality. I'll need the same when I get back in May.

We always say that we aren't going back for a couple of years- and we always end up there, every year. I'm thinking my gravy train is gonna run out soon.

ooh- tea! I love hot tea- but I usually only drink that in the afternoon for a pick me up caffiene hit before the kids get home from school. Gotta get over that after school/do homework hump.

I've never had Irish Breakfast before- thanks for the offer. Guess I need to try that-
hum, could I drink it in the afternoon even though it's called Irish Breakfast???
Hum,,,,,,,,,,,, the things Jo ponders in life.




That coffee pot--- sell it in a garage sale! $$ for WDW!!!!!

 

[Monny2AE]

awww- we're here to hold your hand and help you get through the rough patch of getting back to reality. I'll need the same when I get back in May.

We always say that we aren't going back for a couple of years- and we always end up there, every year. I'm thinking my gravy train is gonna run out soon.

ooh- tea! I love hot tea- but I usually only drink that in the afternoon for a pick me up caffiene hit before the kids get home from school. Gotta get over that after school/do homework hump.

I've never had Irish Breakfast before- thanks for the offer. Guess I need to try that-
hum, could I drink it in the afternoon even though it's called Irish Breakfast???
Hum,,,,,,,,,,,, the things Jo ponders in life.




That coffee pot--- sell it in a garage sale! $$ for WDW!!!!!

Thanks for holding my hand. It just feels like this trip flew by. This week of being home of course is dragging like always.

Irish Breakfast has a good bit of caffeine in it which is why I chose it this morning. I needed the get up and go juice to get me motivated. I'll let you know when it starts working.

I've always hung on to the coffee pot in case I ever have company that drinks coffee. It hasn't happened for over 8 years so I think it's safe to sell it this spring at a yard sale.

 

[Monny2AE]

Our Disney History-

This was our 4th trip as a couple/family and my 5th trip to the World!

May 1987- I was lucky to go as a child when I was 9. That’s when I fell in love with the magic of it all. Those of you that followed my PTR saw the embarrassing pics so I’ll spare you from having to see them again! For those of you that missed the awful pics, let’s just say it was the 80’s and perms, big glasses, jams and jelly shoes were cool back then. I give full blame to my mom since I was under 10.

July 2001- Jason had never been as a child and agreed to go for our honeymoon. Poor guy didn’t know what he was starting by agreeing to go back then. It was hot and humid and tropical storm Barry made it’s way over FL during our trip. We didn’t mind. We grabbed our ponchos and umbrellas and were good to go. It cooled things down and kept the crowds at bay.

October 2004- Our son Andrew was born in April of 2004 and my whole family was planning trip to Disney in May so his first trip was at the tender age of 6 months. He spent most of it napping in the stroller but loved it just the same. One of my favorite memories of that trip was of him trying to eat the big soft Pooh characters at Crystal Palace!

January 2009- I convinced my entire family to go once again! This time Andrew was 4 and Emily was 1. We chose to go in January and take advantage of the 4/3 deal and value season prices. The weather was wonderful. Warm enough to swim on a few days but not unbearably hot like our honeymoon. We had a blast and once home the kids were begging to go back to Disney everyday, mommy was too.

This was our Grand Gatherings crew in Jan 2009- My sister’s family, my parents and my family.

Which leads us to this trip…

January 2010-
When the 4/3 deal was released for Jan 2010 I convinced Jason that we should go again. Not only was the 4/3 being offered but Em was still under 3 so that kept our cost down a little. No Grand Gatherings this time. My parents took a cruise this past Oct. and my sister's family went skiing the week before we went to Disney so this trip was just going to be my little family of four. While my family is great to travel with. They don’t interfere and we go our separate ways to do what each of our families want to do and meet up for certain things. Still, it’s nice just to go once in a while for a vacation with your own little family so we were looking forward to it. Jason probably more than anyone. I also promised him that this trip would be a little different and that we would take it at a more relaxed approach than on our past trips. Not too many ADR’s and no preset detailed daily itinerary. After all, it is supposed to be a vacation isn’t it!


Up next…

Day One of our Trip!

 

[Charlefours]

Don't worry Kim, I am an excellent student!! : (Truly--I am)

So lucky to get to Disney 5 times!! I have only been once but it was enough to start the love affair and this upcoming trip sure has been adding to the fever!!

(sounds kinda good--might have to have some later )

 

[esddk]

Really enjoying your TR! We got back about 3 weeks ago but I would never be motivated or organized enough to do one. We won't be able to go back for another couple years as well so I feel your pain!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I didn't realize this was your 5th trip too! November was our 5th trip! It was so liberating when I called to book the next trip and could finally answer "yes" to the infamous question -- "Have you been to the Walt Disney World resort 5 or more times in your lifetime?" I felt so special!!

Glad to hear that you were able to take a more relaxed approach to this trip. Can't wait to hear all about how it went!

 

[Monny2AE]

Don't worry Kim, I am an excellent student!! : (Truly--I am)

So lucky to get to Disney 5 times!! I have only been once but it was enough to start the love affair and this upcoming trip sure has been adding to the fever!!

(sounds kinda good--might have to have some later )

Once is better than not having gone at all! Keep up the good work in school...good luck trying to stay focused while excitedly planning for your trip!

Really enjoying your TR! We got back about 3 weeks ago but I would never be motivated or organized enough to do one. We won't be able to go back for another couple years as well so I feel your pain!

You should do one- it helps relive the memories. Waiting a couple years is going to be tough. Perhaps I can drag this TR out until then to make it easier.

I didn't realize this was your 5th trip too! November was our 5th trip! It was so liberating when I called to book the next trip and could finally answer "yes" to the infamous question -- "Have you been to the Walt Disney World resort 5 or more times in your lifetime?" I felt so special!!

Glad to hear that you were able to take a more relaxed approach to this trip. Can't wait to hear all about how it went!

I guess I get to answer that question as a yes from now on too. Too bad it doesn't get you anything special. My luck it will probably take my name off the mysterious pin code list and I won't get any future pins.

 

[Monny2AE]

Oh and Jo- about the coffee pot. If you felt a sudden twinge of sadness a while back and don't know why, it's because you must have been feeling sad about my poor little wedding gift coffee pot. Apparently the glass part broke at some point a while ago and we don't have it anymore. I had forgotten and DH reminded me. I'm sure all coffee drinkers across the globe felt her go.

 

[Pluto_fan]

I'm here, Kim!
Can't wait to hear about your adventures and lessons learned!
That's a mug of tea in my hand--I'm also a fan of Irish Breakfast, especially when I'm dragging more than usual. We have a coffee maker that we pull out when we have guests. I have to ask them to make the coffee 'cause DH and I don't know how!

 

[JoBird]

Well woo hoo to all you 5 trip-er's! You can press that button now!

I go way too often and they know it- when I get Disney mail now it always starts off with "Welcome back JoBird Family--- as someone who visits often, you already know how great everything is so we don't have to tell you, blah blah blah, *yawn*."

Sort of makes me feel special and not so special at the same time. Like a backhanded compliment.

Kind of like when family comes over- you're happy to see them but since you just saw them last week, it isn't that great of an occurrance.

Disney's probably like--- "Oh. Whoopee. Yay. The JoBirds are coming back. Like we didn't see that coming."


Whereas you guys with the five times they're like "WOO-THE-FREAK-HOO!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay!!! WE'RE SO GLAD YOU'RE COMING BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!! CAN'T WAIT FOR YOU TO GET HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LET US TELL YOU ALL ABOUT THE AMAAAAAZING STUFF THAT'S AWAITING YOU AND HANG ON MY EVERY WRITTEN WORD WHILE I EXPLAIN IT ALLLLLLLL TO YOU!!!!!!!!!! WE LOOOOOOOOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!"









I can't believe you did a Grand Gathering and didn't lose your mind. We have gone with our inlaws for a couple of days a few times and we all went in a thousand different directions all at once and there were only 9 of us.

You do the math.




Looking forward to hearing alll the gory details. I have nothing to do today, so I'm sitting here, snacks and coffee in hand.

Sorry about your poor little old new coffee maker than never had a chance to feel the drip upon her bosom. I shall have a moment of reverent silence to mourn her passing.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I guess I get to answer that question as a yes from now on too. Too bad it doesn't get you anything special. My luck it will probably take my name off the mysterious pin code list and I won't get any future pins.

Nope - you'll still get pins - heck, we've gotten 3 since we got back from our December trip!!
I always get hung up (not literally) on that automated thing when they ask you to say and spell your last name. It NEVER hears it right. So i have to ask for an operator. You should have heard me in the car on our way down to WDW in Dec when I was trying to book an extra night b/c we got there early. It was pouring rain, the kids were just cracking up b/c I spelled my name loudly and s-l-o-w-l-y 3 times before giving up!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I guess I get to answer that question as a yes from now on too. Too bad it doesn't get you anything special. My luck it will probably take my name off the mysterious pin code list and I won't get any future pins.

Nope, doesn't get you anything special. Although it should!

Don't worry, I have gotten 2 more pins since booking my 5th trip!

 

[Monny2AE]

I'm here, Kim!
Can't wait to hear about your adventures and lessons learned!
That's a mug of tea in my hand--I'm also a fan of Irish Breakfast, especially when I'm dragging more than usual. We have a coffee maker that we pull out when we have guests. I have to ask them to make the coffee 'cause DH and I don't know how!

Another tea drinker! I wouldn't know how to make it either unless is was one of those Krupps kind that you stick the little single serve cup in and press go.

Well woo hoo to all you 5 trip-er's! You can press that button now!

I go way too often and they know it- when I get Disney mail now it always starts off with "Welcome back JoBird Family--- as someone who visits often, you already know how great everything is so we don't have to tell you, blah blah blah, *yawn*."

Sort of makes me feel special and not so special at the same time. Like a backhanded compliment.

Kind of like when family comes over- you're happy to see them but since you just saw them last week, it isn't that great of an occurrance.

Disney's probably like--- "Oh. Whoopee. Yay. The JoBirds are coming back. Like we didn't see that coming."


Whereas you guys with the five times they're like "WOO-THE-FREAK-HOO!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay!!! WE'RE SO GLAD YOU'RE COMING BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!! CAN'T WAIT FOR YOU TO GET HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LET US TELL YOU ALL ABOUT THE AMAAAAAZING STUFF THAT'S AWAITING YOU AND HANG ON MY EVERY WRITTEN WORD WHILE I EXPLAIN IT ALLLLLLLL TO YOU!!!!!!!!!! WE LOOOOOOOOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!"




I can't believe you did a Grand Gathering and didn't lose your mind. We have gone with our inlaws for a couple of days a few times and we all went in a thousand different directions all at once and there were only 9 of us.

You do the math.




Looking forward to hearing alll the gory details. I have nothing to do today, so I'm sitting here, snacks and coffee in hand.

Sorry about your poor little old new coffee maker than never had a chance to feel the drip upon her bosom. I shall have a moment of reverent silence to mourn her passing.

A moment of silence! It meant so much to me I had completely forgotten that it had broken long ago!

A grand gathering with my family isn't so bad. My sister's kids are a little older and aren't into the preschool stuff like mine. My parent's like to go their own way too. Most days we would head to the same park then split up. We all agreed ahead of time that we would do what we wanted to do and meet up for certain things like ADR's. Plus it was nice to see my parent's enjoy all the grandkids at Disney. The only thing we didn't like was that last time our room was connected to my parents room. My parents wanted the connecting door open so the kids could visit when they wanted. Got annoying after a while having to politely say no again and again.

 

[Monny2AE]

Nope - you'll still get pins - heck, we've gotten 3 since we got back from our December trip!!
I always get hung up (not literally) on that automated thing when they ask you to say and spell your last name. It NEVER hears it right. So i have to ask for an operator. You should have heard me in the car on our way down to WDW in Dec when I was trying to book an extra night b/c we got there early. It was pouring rain, the kids were just cracking up b/c I spelled my name loudly and s-l-o-w-l-y 3 times before giving up!

I hate that automated phone system. Try calling with a half a dozen kids in the background. It's enough to send someone over the edge!

Nope, doesn't get you anything special. Although it should!

Don't worry, I have gotten 2 more pins since booking my 5th trip!

Good to hear I won't be taken off that wonderful pin list! Although it may be a while before I can use one.

 

[MelXThree]

Hey Kim!! I'm here...I just started a full time job this week so I've been trying not to check the Dis every 5 mins That lasted 3 days...now I'm all caught up and looking forward to hearing all the details.

 

[Monny2AE]

It's naptime at the Monny2AE house so you know what that means...

Time for an update!!!!!!

I'm sure you have all just been on the edge of your seats with nothing better to do than to sit around and wait for an update on my boring little TR.

Here goes... drum roll please...the trip begins!

DAY ONE
Friday January 22nd

8AM
The kids took the last link off of their countdown chains! Can you tell they are excited to meet their favorite Disney characters?

6PM
We loaded all of this

Plus this

into our Explorer. Amazingly it all fit!

8PM
After getting the car all packed, we went to bed to get some sleep before we left- well we tried to anyway. Andrew was so anxious and excited that he had the most difficult time of all getting some sleep. At 11ish he was next to my bed asking if it was time to go yet.

2AM
The alarm went off and we started getting ready to hit the road. We walked out into the hall way to find vomit on the floor. Apparently Andrew had been so excited/nervous that he got sick at some point. Funny thing is he did the same thing last year the night before we left! I think he just gets so anxious that he gets sick. Plus he gets nauseated if he hasn’t had enough sleep so I think that contributed to it. We cleaned it up and got our sleeping, pajama clad kids in the car. I grabbed a box of gallon bags- just in case we needed them. This was not the way I pictured our vacation starting.

We drove for a while stopping every so often to *ahem* well, I’ll spare you the details, but let’s just say bringing those gallon bags was a very good idea. In between those stops we had to stop for Em who had to potty it seemed every half hour. At one point we considered turning back and heading home but once we got Andrew some Dramamine things got a little better.

7:30PM
We pulled into CBR. We didn’t have ressies for this night but I had called about an hour outside of Disney and asked if we could make a room only ressie for that night. They had a room available for us! Andrew, who hadn't gotten sick since we had given him the Dramamine 5 hours prior, was feeling better and happy to be out of the car. We went to check in and headed to a room in Barbados. Boy were we glad to finally get out of that car. We entered the room and within 5 minutes Andrew got sick again all over the floor. At this point we were done! DH was looking like he was really regretting this trip. Poor Andrew looked awful. Em had to potty again. I was just praying this trip wasn't a mistake. We got everything all taken care of, showered, and put our exhausted selves to bed. Andrew’s eyes were closed before his head even touched the pillow. I laid in bed that night praying for a little pixie dust to make tomorrow a much better day for us and praying that Andrew‘s upset tummy was just the result of lack of sleep combined with nervous excitement and nothing more.

As I’m sure you understand there are no pictures of this horrible road trip. I was in no mood for taking pics and it’s not something I’d like to remember in pictures!!

Lessons from Day One-

• Always buy Dramamine ahead of time and bring gallon Ziplocs with you- just in case!
• Don’t tell young children that are prone to anxiety and having upset tummies ahead of time about the trip. Wait and just wake them up and say *surprise we are going to Disney*!
• Fly- don’t drive, especially if you have a toddler with a small bladder.

 

[heaven2dc]

Poor Andrew! What a way to start the trip but here's some hoping he feels better and Emily's bladder gives her a break! What cuties they are