A Disney-Addicted mom plans an August, 2013 Autotrain Trip for 7! *Big Update! 11/19*

[natebenma]

We're in the midst of a heat wave where Florida looks cool and refreshing! Tonight when I got home from work, Tom was at the gym and my nanny was taking the boys out for ice cream. Jessica had been dropped off from her playdate/softball practice. We've been having lots of issues with black-outs and brown-outs this week and it's been BRUTAL. Our house is under-air conditioned anyway because of an outdated electrical system. When Jessica got home, the power had just gone out so no a/c. It was hot and sticky and she was tired. She started to whine and complain. I realized that I had recently started a Spotify playlist of Disney songs. So we started playing "Name that Disney Tune" which turned into a Disney Dance Party in the dark living room. Instead of whining about being hot, we actually had tons of fun. When the boys got home, they joined in. It was - perhaps too rare - an example of using Disney to make our life better!

Amanda

Yup, who knew we would be dodging a heat wave by traveling to Florida in July!!!

Sorry that you have been trouble with the heat and especially with the cooling.

Loved hearing your story about the dance party. Way to turn that frown

Amtrak has added a priority off-loading option. Your car can be one of the 1st twenty cars off the train for $50. As a bunch of uptight New Yorkers, we paid to upgrade! Apparently this is a new option...

Amanda

Sounds like a very wise expenditure!

 

[klacey1]

I love London! Going by yourself for the baptism and then again next summer for a family trip sounds perfect. With a family of five, I do think you'll appreciate a one bedroom every other year. The studios do seem a bit small.

 

[DrMomof3]

Yup, who knew we would be dodging a heat wave by traveling to Florida in July!!!

Sorry that you have been trouble with the heat and especially with the cooling.

Loved hearing your story about the dance party. Way to turn that frown




Sounds like a very wise expenditure!

Every day I checked the weather and thought "It's cooler at Disney right now!" This week has been very cool though.
I think we'll love the early offloading of the car. Worth it to get to Disney faster!

I love London! Going by yourself for the baptism and then again next summer for a family trip sounds perfect. With a family of five, I do think you'll appreciate a one bedroom every other year. The studios do seem a bit small.

My husband is focused on saving points but I think he forgets what it's like to have all 5 of us in one room.

Amanda

 

[333disneymom]

Every day I checked the weather and thought "It's cooler at Disney right now!" This week has been very cool though.
I think we'll love the early offloading of the car. Worth it to get to Disney faster!

My husband is focused on saving points but I think he forgets what it's like to have all 5 of us in one room.

Amanda

I think the early off idea is great! We've been considering an owners locker too, but haven't committed yet. I think 5 in a one bedroom sounds good. We have started packing for our trip in two weeks. We also started with the little ones' backpacks.

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[cogero]

Good to know. I'm not sure I'd leave bathing suits for the kids because they grow so fast! How often do you think you need to go to Disney to make it worthwhile?

Amanda

I think if you go more than once a year it is worth it.

We also keep Advil,tummy medicine, a hairbrush and hair ties, Mickey ears and full size toiletries. I can't always find the cheapest flight on JetBlue or southwest so those times itry to pack liter.

Every day I checked the weather and thought "It's cooler at Disney right now!" This week has been very cool though.
I think we'll love the early offloading of the car. Worth it to get to Disney faster!

My husband is focused on saving points but I think he forgets what it's like to have all 5 of us in one room.

Amanda

We were amazed it was cooler in Disney too. We are staying in a one bedroom in February so we will see how that works with 5 people.

I think the early off idea is great! We've been considering an owners locker too, but haven't committed yet. I think 5 in a one bedroom sounds good. We have started packing for our trip in two weeks. We also started with the little ones' backpacks.

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I am going to start this week.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Every day I checked the weather and thought "It's cooler at Disney right now!" This week has been very cool though.
I think we'll love the early offloading of the car. Worth it to get to Disney faster!

Totally agree ! Nothing worse than arriving but not quite being there!!

My husband is focused on saving points but I think he forgets what it's like to have all 5 of us in one room.

Amanda

Just curious is it different when you own DVC regarding numbers in rooms? I thought a studio could only fit 4 people-where does the 5th person sleep?

 

[DrMomof3]

Just curious is it different when you own DVC regarding numbers in rooms? I thought a studio could only fit 4 people-where does the 5th person sleep?

The new studios at GF sleep 5. It's one of the reasons we bought there!
But the room capacity is a little different with DVC. You can sleep 5 in a one bedroom even at the resorts where a one bedroom only sleeps 4. You need to bring your own bed/bedding if you do that (and extra towel).

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

I think the early off idea is great! We've been considering an owners locker too, but haven't committed yet. I think 5 in a one bedroom sounds good. We have started packing for our trip in two weeks. We also started with the little ones' backpacks.

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Yay for packing!!!

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

I think if you go more than once a year it is worth it.

We also keep Advil,tummy medicine, a hairbrush and hair ties, Mickey ears and full size toiletries. I can't always find the cheapest flight on JetBlue or southwest so those times itry to pack liter.

We were amazed it was cooler in Disney too. We are staying in a one bedroom in February so we will see how that works with 5 people.

I am going to start this week.

I'm going to talk to Tom about Owner's Locker. My biggest hesitation is that we don't know when we're returning after January....

Amanda

 

[-Hope-]

Hi, Amanda!

I haven't been on the Disney side of the boards much since we've been planning our trip to the darkside but I found you this morning and had to pop in. Subbing and will be back to catch up later.

 

[DrMomof3]

Hi, Amanda!

I haven't been on the Disney side of the boards much since we've been planning our trip to the darkside but I found you this morning and had to pop in. Subbing and will be back to catch up later.

So nice to see you Hope!!!!

Amanda

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Your plans sound great Amanda. I think the going every other year to get the 1 bedroom is smart, but I would think it will be extremely hard for you b/c you're so used to go more often. I hope it works out. That is the only thing about DVC that I'm not sure i like. My mom has a 2 bedroom timeshare that they can use every year ( very close to "on property") and she can leave it in her will. I know DVC has its own perks but......

We got home yesterday afternoon I'm already depressed, but looking forward to doing some summer things with family and friends the next couple of weeks.

DH wants us to come down again for Labor Day weekend. Couldn't say no to that!!!! It's also my b-day weekend woohoo!!!
Nothing better than a b-day in Disney. My DS16 doesn't want to go (what a surprise...NOT) so he's staying w/ my parents. DS12 however can't wait to go back.

We're also going Columbus Day weekend ( all 4 of us ) and for Christmas week. I'm starting to sound like you with all the trips I have planned LOL

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[DrMomof3]

Your plans sound great Amanda. I think the going every other year to get the 1 bedroom is smart, but I would think it will be extremely hard for you b/c you're so used to go more often. I hope it works out. That is the only thing about DVC that I'm not sure i like. My mom has a 2 bedroom timeshare that they can use every year ( very close to "on property") and she can leave it in her will. I know DVC has its own perks but......

We got home yesterday afternoon I'm already depressed, but looking forward to doing some summer things with family and friends the next couple of weeks.

DH wants us to come down again for Labor Day weekend. Couldn't say no to that!!!! It's also my b-day weekend woohoo!!!
Nothing better than a b-day in Disney. My DS16 doesn't want to go (what a surprise...NOT) so he's staying w/ my parents. DS12 however can't wait to go back.

We're also going Columbus Day weekend ( all 4 of us ) and for Christmas week. I'm starting to sound like you with all the trips I have planned LOL

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I have no problem going on some "cash" trips and some DVC trips. Since we're likely going to Europe next summer (possibly instead of Disney?), we should have some extra points. I'm also hoping to run Wine & Dine next November (2014) and probably the 2015 WDW Marathon (maybe Goofy again for the anniversary?). Those could both use points. Or cash reservations. The possibilities are endless!
We can leave DVC in our wills but it expires after 50 years. I think that's a blessing as our children won't have to pay dues after 50 years if they don't want DVC. If they do want DVC, they can get their own...
Look at you with 3 more trips planned this year!

Amanda

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I have no problem going on some "cash" trips and some DVC trips. Since we're likely going to Europe next summer (possibly instead of Disney?), we should have some extra points. I'm also hoping to run Wine & Dine next November (2014) and probably the 2015 WDW Marathon (maybe Goofy again for the anniversary?). Those could both use points. Or cash reservations. The possibilities are endless!
We can leave DVC in our wills but it expires after 50 years. I think that's a blessing as our children won't have to pay dues after 50 years if they don't want DVC. If they do want DVC, they can get their own...
Look at you with 3 more trips planned this year!

Amanda

Oh that sounds better than I thought

I figured you would just pay to go more than just once....silly me lol.

I know 3 more times! Can you believe it???? I am beyond excited. I just wish the timing was a little better. This would have been awesome when my boys were younger. Better late than never I guess.

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[cogero]

I'm going to talk to Tom about Owner's Locker. My biggest hesitation is that we don't know when we're returning after January....

Amanda

I keep a list with expirations of things on my iPad too.

 

[DrMomof3]

Oh that sounds better than I thought

I figured you would just pay to go more than just once....silly me lol.

I know 3 more times! Can you believe it???? I am beyond excited. I just wish the timing was a little better. This would have been awesome when my boys were younger. Better late than never I guess.

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Who cares if the boys are too old? You're not too old!!!

I keep a list with expirations of things on my iPad too.

You are SO organized.

Amanda

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Who cares if the boys are too old? You're not too old!!!





Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

So here's the fun part about being a DVC member... Tom and I are going to a medical conference in Orlando in May. It's right at the end of Flower and Garden Festival (which I LOVE!). So guess who just booked 2 nights in a studio at the Grand Floridian? Yup! We're going to go a little bit early and enjoy our membership!!! Hopefully they'll have the food and wine booths again in 2014 like they did this year. I was so sad that we missed it in 2013.

Amanda

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

I'm green with envy Amanda
Lucky you

 

[ddluvsdisney]

So here's the fun part about being a DVC member... Tom and I are going to a medical conference in Orlando in May. It's right at the end of Flower and Garden Festival (which I LOVE!). So guess who just booked 2 nights in a studio at the Grand Floridian? Yup! We're going to go a little bit early and enjoy our membership!!! Hopefully they'll have the food and wine booths again in 2014 like they did this year. I was so sad that we missed it in 2013.

Amanda

That is so great!! What a nice getaway. Take advantage of the DVC. That's how I feel w/ the condo. I am going as often as I can!
I love the F & G festival too

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