Hi Amanda,
I came across your PTR last night and just spent an hour this morning getting caught up. You would be surprised at how much we have in common (I will send you a PM with some details) ... we both have three young kids that we had within a three year span, both have a complicated extended family (doesn't everyone!), and have DHs that are kind and caring but just do not share the Disney passion. So great to have this forum to turn to isn't it ?
We too have gotten spoilt by the Deluxe resorts and it feels like there is no turning back. Great for when we are there but not great because now one has to space the trips out in order to afford them. One thing I have found that works for us is to book CL with the 40% off pin. This has been better for us than going with the dining plan just because of our family's eating habits - the kids are big on breakfast and then like to have smaller meals in the day. We usually use the CL lounge for a good breakfast, do an OOP table service for lunch, and then go the the lounge for their evening appetizers that usually are enough as dinner for the kids. Of course that means being at the resort more but I am also finding that the kids like to have fun at the pools and are not (at least at their current ages - 8, 7, and 5 ) into spending the entire day at the park. There have even been trips where we have spent the mornings and afternoons at the parks and then come back to the hotel for the evening and then I have left the kids and DH after they settle in for the night to go enjoy EMH on my own. There are just so many permutations and I think everyone should just do what works best for their family.
My DH and I did the half marathon in 2004. It was great fun. My only regret is that we literally just went for the weekend and did not really enjoy the parks. We were living in the northeast then and it is great to get a break from the winter time blues and I wish I had made it more of a vacation. So even though I am hoping that you do go in January, if it means too many cutback and compromises to make it happen then maybe you should push the half marathon to the following year (and just do a cruise during value season next year). I would never suggest canceling a disney trip and not replacing it!!!! I have been very bad about physical activity and you are motivating me to get up and get going. So if you do plan on doing the 1/2 marathon in 2012, I will join you.
We also went on our first cruise last year. We absolutely loved it ... enough to go on a second one that same year in the summer. I would be more than happy to give you tips on cruising with three young kids as well as extended family.
Looking forward to reading more of your plans.
Wow!!!! Thanks for coming by! I appreciate your thoughts and insight.
Hi Amanda, I saw your post on carissanboys' PTR and saw you're doing the half next year....then I see that you're about to finish up the C25K. You are pretty much where I was a year ago. I finished the C25K in the spring and did the WDW Half this year.I'm excited for you!
But I guess this PTR isn't about that trip, so I'll have to go read through. We're going to WDW in June (dismagiclover and I will be meeting up).
Thank you for finding me!!!
That's the one I'm doing! I decided to start with week 6 once I finish the C25K. That seemed the best fit for where I am now.
Amanda
We're regulars at Disney so I have confidence that we'll be able to do F! at another time and (hopefully) with better food that H&V.
