A Holly Jolly Christmas.....in Orlando! December 2015 PTR

[dsmom]

Thanks my friend! His incision is not in his hand, though, its in his side. About half way between his arm pit and his waistline. Like he's a Build A Bear and its a hole to add his stuffing .

Hi Gina, joining in over here....hope Steve is feeling better. I have to say, as the mom of a special needs son, you must be so proud of your son and his chosen field. He really is a special person.

I know what you mean about overwhelmed before a trip. I get that before every trip and we are only a two and a half hour drive away!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Hi Gina, joining in over here....hope Steve is feeling better. I have to say, as the mom of a special needs son, you must be so proud of your son and his chosen field. He really is a special person.

I know what you mean about overwhelmed before a trip. I get that before every trip and we are only a two and a half hour drive away!

Yes, my Jake makes me proud....in many ways. Most especially because he has a tender heart. It's always been much more important to me that he become a good person ..... becoming successful is just a happy bonus .

2.5 hours away by car.....I am super envious! I hope to be living that dream someday. How awesome that you are so accessible to all the wonder and excitement of Orlando!

 

[dsmom]

Yes, my Jake makes me proud....in many ways. Most especially because he has a tender heart. It's always been much more important to me that he become a good person ..... becoming successful is just a happy bonus .

2.5 hours away by car.....I am super envious! I hope to be living that dream someday. How awesome that you are so accessible to all the wonder and excitement of Orlando!

We are thinking about a last minute trip to universal. Had some car trouble and that is now fixed. Do you know what day will be your universal day? Would LOVE to run into you!!!! Maybe Steve can give Robert some tips on the sledgehammer?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We are thinking about a last minute trip to universal. Had some car trouble and that is now fixed. Do you know what day will be your universal day? Would LOVE to run into you!!!! Maybe Steve can give Robert some tips on the sledgehammer?

So sorry to hear about your car troubles!!! Glad to know you got everything fixed....hope the bill wasn't too hard to swallow! (doesn't it always seem to be that those kind of expenses crop up RIGHT before Christmas? )

Our *tentative* stop at Universal is slotted in for Tuesday morning (December 22nd). It won't be a long stop, just enough for a ride or two and hopefully a minion (or two, lol! ) . If you're going to be there too, absolutely let me know and we'll try to at least say hello! PM me your cell number and then I can let you know if/when we go.

 

[bankr63]

I hope to be on the road at this time next Friday. I also hope the weather is as spectacular for travel day as it is today: we've got sunshine and are on our way to a record high here in the non-frosty north.

Well you've got our prayers on that too. I'll be zooming by your neck of the woods about 7 hours after you fly the coop. Next weekend in our annual Christmas pilgrimage to visit the Toronto branches of the family (4 days, 6 stops, 3 different beds). Leaving right after work on Friday, with maybe a dinner stop in Kingston if everyone behaves...

First time going the week before Christmas; we usually visit starting the 26th or 27th. Really looking forward to actually having some time to relax after Christmas for a change.

 

[dsmom]

Yes, my Jake makes me proud....in many ways. Most especially because he has a tender heart. It's always been much more important to me that he become a good person ..... becoming successful is just a happy bonus .

2

So sorry to hear about your car troubles!!! Glad to know you got everything fixed....hope the bill wasn't too hard to swallow! (doesn't it always seem to be that those kind of expenses crop up RIGHT before Christmas? )

Our *tentative* stop at Universal is slotted in for Tuesday morning (December 22nd). It won't be a long stop, just enough for a ride or two and hopefully a minion (or two, lol! ) . If you're going to be there too, absolutely let me know and we'll try to at least say hello! PM me your cell number and then I can let you know if/when we go.

Looks like we will just miss you, we are arriving at portofino bay Tuesday the 15th and headed home the next Sunday. We will probably make a spring trip so maybe we can meet up then? I would love for my David to meet your Jake, i think David would be very impressed with him.

I hope you have safe travels and can't wait to read along!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Well you've got our prayers on that too. I'll be zooming by your neck of the woods about 7 hours after you fly the coop. Next weekend in our annual Christmas pilgrimage to visit the Toronto branches of the family (4 days, 6 stops, 3 different beds). Leaving right after work on Friday, with maybe a dinner stop in Kingston if everyone behaves...

First time going the week before Christmas; we usually visit starting the 26th or 27th. Really looking forward to actually having some time to relax after Christmas for a change.

Wow....that's a lot of houses (and turkey dinners.....and relatives!! ) in such a short timeframe! Safe travels to you and your family.....Ottawa to Toronto is a long time on the highway. I will cross my fingers that the weather (and traffic ) will be favourable for you in BOTH directions.

Are you guys into Chinese food? A brand new Mandarin just opened in Kingston not long ago that might be worth a stop. The ones in the Toronto an Niagara regions are always a hit with my fellows (oh wait....I just remembered that one of your young'uns has some specific dietary restrictions.....perhaps a buffet might not be the best idea for you after all.... ).

Looks like we will just miss you, we are arriving at portofino bay Tuesday the 15th and headed home the next Sunday. We will probably make a spring trip so maybe we can meet up then? I would love for my David to meet your Jake, i think David would be very impressed with him.

I hope you have safe travels and can't wait to read along!

My Jake would be delighted to make the acquaintance of your David! Definitely keep us in mind for April . And have an awesome, fantastic time this week! I am betting you will have great crowd levels....you'll be heading home just as pandemonium descends on Orlando!!

 

[pepperandchips]

Some introductions are in order for those who haven’t joined in any of my previous threads from our past adventures down south (the links to all of which can be found in my signature, if you are interested in checking those out too).

WARNING: do not start them or you will have to read them all!

Thanks for the link to your current pre-trip plans, Gina! Looking forward to following along and getting excited about our upcoming trips to Florida! We are headed to Orlando on December 18th as well, staying there and doing Disney for a few days before we head even further south on the 22nd to celebrate the holidays with family.

To make matters even a little weirder, we also visited Orlando in August 2014, May (14-18 or somewhere thereabouts) 2015, October 2-11 2015, and now we'll be there during some of the same dates in December. Let's just say I think you have great taste in choosing vacation times

I can't believe it's gotten so close. I have nothing packed and we're leaving in 5 days! This is so not my usual MO. Thankfully we don't have to fly, so I can sort of throw everything in as many bags as necessary this week and rest on the promise we can always stop at a store if needed. We live in Atlanta and have decided once again to leave in the wee small hours of the morning (so really midnightish or 1:00 on the 19th) and drive right through to save the cost of the hotel room but get in a full day on the first day down there, taking naps later to make up for the long drive.

Can't wait to see what you all get up to in Florida! This time we're mainly just doing Disney but I think based on your excellent reviews we may be leaving the area to visit Hash House a Go Go. Based on the other recommendations from the good folks in your much-discussed threads, we're also seriously considering Teak. I guess it depends how bad the crowds are in the parks! (I know, they will be bad!)

Hope you guys have another lovely stay at the Vistana. We are trying Hilton Bonnet Creek this time since it will just be me and my partner. I must say that the pictures of your 1 br premium over at Vistana during your couples trip with Steve did make me wonder what we are doing going back to hotel rooms after enjoying the Wyndham time share at Bonnet Creek. I think for such a short trip we'll be okay but we are going to try out the Sheraton Suites later in the week in another Florida city while we visit family. Thinking that may give us a little more space and sanity!!

 

[Lynne G]

Gosh, it's creeping up so fast. Yes, I'm going to spend Christmas on the beach, well, stay on the beach, but visit SW for the day. I figure we did Discovery Cove for Christmas a few years ago, so SW for this trip. Hope to hear of all the places you are going. Maybe I'll finally do a trip report. Now where is my luggage?

 

[goofygal531]

I spent all weekend reading your last two TRs and I'm so looking forward to your next adventure!!

I just wanted to mention that Disney sells a HUGE (24 inch by 24 inch) reusable plastic tote with a zipper closure near the gift shop registers I think it's either $6.99 or $9.99.

My friend bought so much unexpected stuff on our girls only trip she needed another bag. We were really concerned Jet Blue would make her check it, but she took it on board as her carry on and it squished into the overhead. We noticed others in the airport had the bag as well. I think everyone experiences over buying at times!

It a perfect "extra" tote. It can be folded into nothing and kept in a luggage pocket for those "oh cr@p we bought to much moments"!

Safe travels!

 

[pigletto]

Doing the rental car happy dance!

I finally got my rental vehicle down to something reasonable.....I just picked up an intermediate SUV with Budget for $249 Canadian via the Royal Bank Visa Rewards website. By the time exchange was factored in to the $272 US that we had been holding since last March, this is a savings of about $120 Canadian for us.

No codes, no coupons, just a great rate (and an added bonus....I saved another $20 by using the Visa points I had accumulated....so our out of pocket cost was really only $230. Whoop!)

I'm glad to see this method is still working out! I plan to try again for our trip. I only have about $100 in points, but it will help, and the prices seem to to be so much more reasonable for us once we factor in exchange. My dates are still high right now but my fingers are crossed. Looks like I may have to wait until the last minute.

I'm glad to see it came down for you Gina!! A Christmas rental of a larger vehicle could have been terrible!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

WARNING: do not start them or you will have to read them all!

Thanks for the link to your current pre-trip plans, Gina! Looking forward to following along and getting excited about our upcoming trips to Florida! We are headed to Orlando on December 18th as well, staying there and doing Disney for a few days before we head even further south on the 22nd to celebrate the holidays with family.

To make matters even a little weirder, we also visited Orlando in August 2014, May (14-18 or somewhere thereabouts) 2015, October 2-11 2015, and now we'll be there during some of the same dates in December. Let's just say I think you have great taste in choosing vacation times

I can't believe it's gotten so close. I have nothing packed and we're leaving in 5 days! This is so not my usual MO. Thankfully we don't have to fly, so I can sort of throw everything in as many bags as necessary this week and rest on the promise we can always stop at a store if needed. We live in Atlanta and have decided once again to leave in the wee small hours of the morning (so really midnightish or 1:00 on the 19th) and drive right through to save the cost of the hotel room but get in a full day on the first day down there, taking naps later to make up for the long drive.

Can't wait to see what you all get up to in Florida! This time we're mainly just doing Disney but I think based on your excellent reviews we may be leaving the area to visit Hash House a Go Go. Based on the other recommendations from the good folks in your much-discussed threads, we're also seriously considering Teak. I guess it depends how bad the crowds are in the parks! (I know, they will be bad!)

Hope you guys have another lovely stay at the Vistana. We are trying Hilton Bonnet Creek this time since it will just be me and my partner. I must say that the pictures of your 1 br premium over at Vistana during your couples trip with Steve did make me wonder what we are doing going back to hotel rooms after enjoying the Wyndham time share at Bonnet Creek. I think for such a short trip we'll be okay but we are going to try out the Sheraton Suites later in the week in another Florida city while we visit family. Thinking that may give us a little more space and sanity!!

Gosh, it's creeping up so fast. Yes, I'm going to spend Christmas on the beach, well, stay on the beach, but visit SW for the day. I figure we did Discovery Cove for Christmas a few years ago, so SW for this trip. Hope to hear of all the places you are going. Maybe I'll finally do a trip report. Now where is my luggage?

I spent all weekend reading your last two TRs and I'm so looking forward to your next adventure!!

I just wanted to mention that Disney sells a HUGE (24 inch by 24 inch) reusable plastic tote with a zipper closure near the gift shop registers I think it's either $6.99 or $9.99.

My friend bought so much unexpected stuff on our girls only trip she needed another bag. We were really concerned Jet Blue would make her check it, but she took it on board as her carry on and it squished into the overhead. We noticed others in the airport had the bag as well. I think everyone experiences over buying at times!

It a perfect "extra" tote. It can be folded into nothing and kept in a luggage pocket for those "oh cr@p we bought to much moments"!

Safe travels!

I'm glad to see this method is still working out! I plan to try again for our trip. I only have about $100 in points, but it will help, and the prices seem to to be so much more reasonable for us once we factor in exchange. My dates are still high right now but my fingers are crossed. Looks like I may have to wait until the last minute.

I'm glad to see it came down for you Gina!! A Christmas rental of a larger vehicle could have been terrible!

Hey everyone!

I have been super tardy at updating this PTR.....not my style at all . My apologies for not being very chatty lately......we have had so many extra to-do with the approaching Christmas season that I feel like my life is out of control (in a good way, but still wonky!). Holiday luncheons, open houses, staff dinners, haircuts, meetings..... . The one good thing in it all is that time is FLYING by!

After today, I am down to just two more days of work. Steve's last shift is tonight. Jake works a 12 hour shift on Thursday (11 am to 11 pm), so he should sleep all the way to Buffalo .

The weather here has been ridiculously warm for December in Canada. Lots of rain , unseasonable highs. I am super happy that our commute to the airport looks like it will be snow-free.

I will try and check in again here and there before we go. In the midst of the pre-vacation chaos, I still enjoy the chance to sit down and chat with my Dis friends. Even if I'm not very good at responding to posts these days, rest assured I *am* taking the time to read them all!

 

[ArwenMarie]

It's been so warm here too, loving it! Whatever is causing this, I hope it stays.

Good luck with the last minute prep work!

 

[pigletto]

Sending you hugs! I know intimately how crazy it is to plan a trip this time of year. It's always busy planning a trip. But our last two Christmas trips just took it to an entirely different level with the parties and shopping and crowds and Christmas events for the kids and extra planning on top of packing and laundry and work.... I hear you and I empathize. As much as I miss our Christmas trip this year, I am enjoying prepping for Christmas at a more relaxed pace I suppose.

The good news is that you will have every reason to relax and enjoy yourself in just a few short days!

 

[sk8jdgca]

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...980_705294262941272_4219531262935393676_o.jpg

Snowfall for this weekend, which is getting to close to your departure date and too close to Buffalo

 

[cantoine]

Yeah another Gina PT report! Joining in. I can't believe you guys get to go back so soon and for the Christmas season! I hope soon to be able to head to Orlando for the Christmas season. Maybe next year! Can't wait to read all the plans!!!!

 

[pepperandchips]

Tomorrow!!! Who's excited?! MEEEEE

safe travels Bo-Bina family! Take lots of pictures Gina!!! (As if there is a risk...)

 

[ArwenMarie]

Yes, happy travels to you!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

It's been so warm here too, loving it! Whatever is causing this, I hope it stays.

Good luck with the last minute prep work!

Sending you hugs! I know intimately how crazy it is to plan a trip this time of year. It's always busy planning a trip. But our last two Christmas trips just took it to an entirely different level with the parties and shopping and crowds and Christmas events for the kids and extra planning on top of packing and laundry and work.... I hear you and I empathize. As much as I miss our Christmas trip this year, I am enjoying prepping for Christmas at a more relaxed pace I suppose.

The good news is that you will have every reason to relax and enjoy yourself in just a few short days!

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...980_705294262941272_4219531262935393676_o.jpg

Snowfall for this weekend, which is getting to close to your departure date and too close to Buffalo

Yeah another Gina PT report! Joining in. I can't believe you guys get to go back so soon and for the Christmas season! I hope soon to be able to head to Orlando for the Christmas season. Maybe next year! Can't wait to read all the plans!!!!

Tomorrow!!! Who's excited?! MEEEEE

safe travels Bo-Bina family! Take lots of pictures Gina!!! (As if there is a risk...)

Yes, happy travels to you!

Thank you everyone for the good travel wishes! What a busy, chaotic, nutty....but fun and festive....week! Two board meetings, two Open Houses, one staff Christmas dinner, 4 days of work, hair cuts for all.....and a partridge in a pear tree .

I just finished the rest of the packing.....all that's left are a few items which are currently in the load of laundry that I just put in the dryer. We took my mom shopping tonight for one last time (she won't go again until we return from our trip), had dinner with her, and exchanged our Christmas gifts. She cried when we left, and I just felt so bad. I know she misses us terrribly when we're gone, and being the holidays just makes it worse.

We're planning to hit the road by noon tomorrow so we can enjoy a nice dinner in Buffalo. Fingers crossed that we don't run into any nasty weather, traffic tie ups, or delays at the border to slow our progress. Steve and I will clean the house, vacuum the Journey, gas up, and do all the final prep while Jake grabs a few extra hours of sleep. He's on a 12 hour shift right now and won't be home until 11:30-ish, so he'll appreciate a good night's rest before we roll.....especially when no one sleeps well the night before we fly out.

My bro arrived in Tampa today and texted me to say it was HOT.....so that's great news! Weather predictions suggest we're in for some very warm days this week, so I tossed in a couple of extra pairs of shorts for everyone. Save for our arrival day, it sure looks like that will be our clothing item of choice for pretty much the entire week.

I will definitely try to check in from time to time with a brief update or two. And pepperandchips, you can be assured there will be lots of photos.....I bought a brand new SD card with extra memory just for the occasion!

So excited that we leave tomorrow!!!

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Have a good trip Gina