disney_mommy
"Dear god, what am I doing? This is half a man."
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2005
- Messages
- 3,075
Okay, this is my first ever pre-trip report. Actually, it's my very first report of any kind! 
I am a long-time Disney lover, ever since my parents treated us with a Disney trip for my son's fifth birthday. While we all had a spectacular time, it's fair to say that I loved it the most!
We've been several times since then, but this time, it will just be the Divas!
This past May, two close friends and I were kicking around some vacation ideas (we had previously been reserved on a cruise but then one friend was laid off and that was canceled; then we were planning a weekend in New York but that became prohibitively expensive) and I said "Why not Disney World?" 
I was expecting a snort or a chuckle, and even a sarcastic remark would not have surprised me. Instead, I heard "I haven't been there since I was a kid," and "That might be fun!"
I immediately went into 'Convince-them' mode and talked up all of the great coasters (that I actually have never ridden because nobody else in my family can take them), and the gazillion yummy restaurants and the spas, oh the spas we could see!
They were so excited at the idea of the three of us actually taking a vacation together that they agreed, though it was ultimately dependant on the money situation.
Being the obsessive compulsive planner that I am, as soon as I got home, I hit the internet looking for deals.
I came up with a chart showing hotels and dates and rates and options. I think I overwhelmed them!
I was finally able to make all of the options make sense (because, think about it - as an outsider, it can be very overwhelming; with different rates at different resorts, 4 different parks, the ADR's, not to mention all of the different ticket options!), and we chose to stay at Pop Century in January of 09.
Though that was basically the end for them, it was only the beginning for me. I found the airline tickets (and I strongly suggested they pay for them right then, which is good because today the ticket price is double what it was). I contacted the travel agent and got everything booked. I paid the deposit with my credit card. I got them moving on choosing restaurants. I gathered all of the restaurant choices together and linked each menu for them. I found the spa brochures and linked them. I found a great rental car deal. I found a few tours I thought they might like.
Let me say right here that it might sound like I'm being whiny and all "poor me," but truly I don't mean to be. And we did have to have it out about that once. I was really annoying them with all of my emails and suggestions and questions, and they were annoying me because they never made any decisions or voiced any opinions, so I was left to make all the plans. I finally realized that just because they don't show the same level of obsessive compulsive planning that I do doesn't mean that they aren't looking forward to it like I am. They finally realized that I wasn't trying to annoy them, that this is just what I do when I am enthusiastic about something, and I am very enthusiastic about this trip!
Right now, I am in the process of forming a loose touring plan based on what I think we would all enjoy at the three parks we are going to. I know these are not morning people, and I need to find a way to fit all of the good stuff in, especially because they don't want to feel like they are rushing from one place to another. That one's going to be a doozy!
So I guess that's where we stand right now... I'm sorry this has been so long, but I wanted to give this pre/post-trip report thing a try. I certainly welcome any suggestions and feedback that all of you veteran DISers might have.
I am a long-time Disney lover, ever since my parents treated us with a Disney trip for my son's fifth birthday. While we all had a spectacular time, it's fair to say that I loved it the most!
We've been several times since then, but this time, it will just be the Divas!
This past May, two close friends and I were kicking around some vacation ideas (we had previously been reserved on a cruise but then one friend was laid off and that was canceled; then we were planning a weekend in New York but that became prohibitively expensive) and I said "Why not Disney World?" I was expecting a snort or a chuckle, and even a sarcastic remark would not have surprised me. Instead, I heard "I haven't been there since I was a kid," and "That might be fun!" I immediately went into 'Convince-them' mode and talked up all of the great coasters (that I actually have never ridden because nobody else in my family can take them), and the gazillion yummy restaurants and the spas, oh the spas we could see!
They were so excited at the idea of the three of us actually taking a vacation together that they agreed, though it was ultimately dependant on the money situation.
Being the obsessive compulsive planner that I am, as soon as I got home, I hit the internet looking for deals.
I came up with a chart showing hotels and dates and rates and options. I think I overwhelmed them!I was finally able to make all of the options make sense (because, think about it - as an outsider, it can be very overwhelming; with different rates at different resorts, 4 different parks, the ADR's, not to mention all of the different ticket options!), and we chose to stay at Pop Century in January of 09.
Though that was basically the end for them, it was only the beginning for me. I found the airline tickets (and I strongly suggested they pay for them right then, which is good because today the ticket price is double what it was). I contacted the travel agent and got everything booked. I paid the deposit with my credit card. I got them moving on choosing restaurants. I gathered all of the restaurant choices together and linked each menu for them. I found the spa brochures and linked them. I found a great rental car deal. I found a few tours I thought they might like.
Let me say right here that it might sound like I'm being whiny and all "poor me," but truly I don't mean to be. And we did have to have it out about that once. I was really annoying them with all of my emails and suggestions and questions, and they were annoying me because they never made any decisions or voiced any opinions, so I was left to make all the plans. I finally realized that just because they don't show the same level of obsessive compulsive planning that I do doesn't mean that they aren't looking forward to it like I am. They finally realized that I wasn't trying to annoy them, that this is just what I do when I am enthusiastic about something, and I am very enthusiastic about this trip!
Right now, I am in the process of forming a loose touring plan based on what I think we would all enjoy at the three parks we are going to. I know these are not morning people, and I need to find a way to fit all of the good stuff in, especially because they don't want to feel like they are rushing from one place to another. That one's going to be a doozy!
So I guess that's where we stand right now... I'm sorry this has been so long, but I wanted to give this pre/post-trip report thing a try. I certainly welcome any suggestions and feedback that all of you veteran DISers might have.
I think it makes all the difference in the world to have a good plan to make sure you're doing things everyone wants to do. It sounds like you're doing a good job of that so far!
Oh well, something to think about...
from 
I would love to hear them! 
Then I call my mom to tell her that it will be a solo trip after all, and she says "maybe I'll go with you!" And I can't very well tell her no!
), so she'll 'get' the Disney "experience" like the other two divas probably couldn't have. And her budget isn't an issue either. And hey, maybe she'll buy me a few souvenirs! 
. We're also at Pop!
