A Not So Scary 5th Birthday PTR; October 2013 UPDATE 6/5/13 DD25's Wedding: Part 5

[LadyBeBop]

Well, one year from today, we'll be at Walt Disney World. Or probably in our condo at Wyndham Bonnet Creek. I don't know if we'll getting there Saturday October 26 or Sunday October 27. But we're officially at the one year mark.

Anyway, I'm Kathy, AKA Lady BeBop. Together, we'll go through the next year of either OCD planning or total winging it. I haven't decided yet.

Anyway, the cast of characters:

That's me. First visit to WDW was Easter 1972 as a teen ager; however our family went to Disneyland in Summer of 1970. Probably been about six or seven times since then. Last time to WDW was Feb. 2010, and that was only a day at AK. We haven't been on an extended vacation to WDW in almost 20 years. So a lot of the park is going to be new to me. (What's Soarin? What's Toy Story Mania? And what in the heck is a Beverly? Besides my DMIL, of course.) My all time favorite Disney movie is The Little Mermaid, and I'm a huge Sebastian fan.

That's Dave, my DH. His first visit was Christmas of 1972 (he thinks). Doesn't remember too much of it.

That's Mary Ann, DD 25, and her fiance, Kyle. They're getting married in May, so a lot of this PTR will also be a wedding report as well. However, it won't be too much wedding, since they live out of state in Louisiana, and the wedding is close to Kyle's relatives in Tennessee. They're going to try to make it to Disney next October, but it's not for certain. Mary's first trip to WDW was in 1990 when her grandparents took her to a day at then Disney/MGM. Her first extended trip was in 1993 when her mother (me) won a trip. Her last time at WDW was 1997 when we spent a day at the MK in what was supposed to be an all Universal Studios trip. Once in Orlando, you can't stay away from the Mouse. Her all time favorite movie is Moulin Rouge; however Beauty and the Beast is in her top five.

That's Theresa, DD 24, along with Cincinnati Bengals fullback, Brian Leonard. Brian has nothing to do with the trip, but I just like the picture. I'm a huge Cincinnati Bengals fan. Her first trip was in 1993; her last time there was 1997. Her all time favorite movie is The Lion King.

Last, but not least, that's Cora, DGD 3...will be 4 this Wednesday. Yes, she was born on Halloween. She is the reason for this trip. Ever since DH and I took her to Orlando and AK when she was 15 months old, we have been talking about this trip. We decided on her fifth birthday; she will be old enough to fully appreciate WDW, and this is the last year we cn go and not take her out of school. .She's actually more into the Nickelodeon characters, but she also likes Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. She's not too much into the Disney princesses yet, but we haven't really tried yet. (Note to self...make sure to pick up that DVD of Cinderella for her birthday.)

Next...Our Plans....sorta.

 

[LadyBeBop]

We'll probably get a two bedroom condo at Wyndham Bonnet Creek. We own at Wyndham Smokey Mountains, so we'll use our points to reserve the condo at the ten-month mark, right after Christmas. We'll go over Halloween/Cora's birthday, but we haven't decided if we want to arrive on Saturday and leave the following Saturday or arrive on Sunday and leave the following Sunday. If DH 25 and her new hubby come, they'll fly down midweek and fly back home on Sunday...that's why we're debating which day. Else we'd do Saturday to Saturday for sure.

DH, DD24 and I will drive from the Greater Cincinnati area, and we'll do it over two days. So we have to take six days off. It's easier for all three of us to take the Friday off rather than the Monday off. It's a little over 900 miles from here to Orlando, so we'll drive to somewhere south of Macon the first day, then hit Orlando around midday the second day. Coming home (I don't want to think about that), we'll drive to my inlaws right outside of Knoxville the first day, then get home around midday the last day. I'm on the 2,000 Mile Round Trip thread over the Transportation Board a lot. Yes, I know RT is only about 1,800 miles...I justify it by stating that we'll travel a couple of hundred miles around Orlando in the week.

ADRs...We'll probably do a few, although I don't know what. I know we have to do a character meal or two. I don't know which ones though. When we went on our trip 20 years ago, we ate at the castle (before they had the princesses) and Chef Mickey's (when it was still in DTD). Both were good, but not great. And DD24 wants to take DGD to BBB for her birthday. I just hope we can get her in....I think Halloween would be the busiest day of the year. And since we aren't staying onsite, we can't make reservations until the 180 day mark. Actually, we'd probably do BBB at DTD anyway; not in the castle. My idea scenerio for her birthday...a fairly early appointment at BBB at DTD, then spend the rest of the day at Epcot with a fairly early princess dinner at Akershus. But everything is still up in the air.

I'll get the Photopass, but I don't think we'll get the Photopass +. DH and I won't ride most of the rides, and DGD will probably be too small for a lot of them. We won't do enough character meals to make it worthwhile. Of course, everything is still up in the air.

 

[Eoywin]

Joining from the October 2013 FB group!

 

[DMGeurts]

Hi Kathy!!!

I am here from the Oct FB group, as well!

Loved meeting your family, and I think your plans sound perfect!

Can't wait to follow along and hear how your trip progresses.

D~

 

[PrincessInOz]

Joining in as well....but NOT from the FB group.

Your plans sound great and I can't wait to see how your planning comes along.

And I think your dates and mine might overlap a little.

 

[LadyBeBop]

Joining in as well....but NOT from the FB group.

Oh, you should join us. There's a lot of us over there already.

And thanks for the good words, y'all

Today, we were talking about the trip. I bought up the idea of DGD doing BBB on her birthday, immediately followed by a princess meal. Although DH is in favor of doing both, he thought they should be on separate days. I countered with, you dress up as a princess to eat with the princesses. DD24 agrees with me, but also understands her father's POV. Those are probably the two big ticket events of the week, and they are both on the same day.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Oh, you should join us. There's a lot of us over there already.

And thanks for the good words, y'all

Today, we were talking about the trip. I bought up the idea of DGD doing BBB on her birthday, immediately followed by a princess meal. Although DH is in favor of doing both, he thought they should be on separate days. I countered with, you dress up as a princess to eat with the princesses. DD24 agrees with me, but also understands her father's POV. Those are probably the two big ticket events of the week, and they are both on the same day.

Thank you.

I'm not on FB by choice so I guess I'll just have to live on the Dis instead.

 

[DMGeurts]

Oh, you should join us. There's a lot of us over there already.

And thanks for the good words, y'all

Today, we were talking about the trip. I bought up the idea of DGD doing BBB on her birthday, immediately followed by a princess meal. Although DH is in favor of doing both, he thought they should be on separate days. I countered with, you dress up as a princess to eat with the princesses. DD24 agrees with me, but also understands her father's POV. Those are probably the two big ticket events of the week, and they are both on the same day.

Thank you.

I'm not on FB by choice so I guess I'll just have to live on the Dis instead.

I was going to invite you too... Oh well - we are all on The Dis anyways. Personally, I spend more time here than I do there (most days). LOL

D~

 

[PrincessInOz]

I was going to invite you too... Oh well - we are all on The Dis anyways. Personally, I spend more time here than I do there (most days). LOL

D~

Thanks D! I've been seriously considering signing up to FB...but I really AM the shy, retiring type in real life.

But I've got a PTR going on this board; so feel free to join my planning...er...blog. Link is in my siggie below.

 

[oopsiDAISY]

I'm subbing to yours now, too!!! . Now I need to finish comments on my own page and come back here to catch up...

All caught up now! Your plans sound great...what a wonderful birthday for your DGD!!! This trip will be great for all of you. It is just such a joy to take children to Disney. Don't get me wrong, Disney is AWESOME...but it just adds so much magic when it is seen through a child's eyes. Do you plan to surprise her with BBB and the princess meal?

 

[DMGeurts]

Thanks D! I've been seriously considering signing up to FB...but I really AM the shy, retiring type in real life.

But I've got a PTR going on this board; so feel free to join my planning...er...blog. Link is in my siggie below.

Well, if you do join... We have a spot for you in the Oct 13 group. I will go find your PTR, just as soon as I get done wishing everyone a Happy Halloween...

*****************************

Soooo... Happy Halloween Kathy and family!

D~

 

[PrincessInOz]

Well, if you do join... We have a spot for you in the Oct 13 group. I will go find your PTR, just as soon as I get done wishing everyone a Happy Halloween...

*****************************

Soooo... Happy Halloween Kathy and family!

D~

Funny coincidence! I just updated my PTR...er....blog with Halloween scenes from Melbourne.


I'll be heading to California tomorrow for 11 days. So, I won't be on the boards much. Catch you all when I return.

Happy Halloween everyone.

 

[LadyBeBop]

Actually, it's more than Halloween here in our household. It's DGD's fourth birthday.

This is more a hit and run posting. Have to pick her up from daycare now, before lunch. I'm taking her to Chuck E Cheese's for lunch.

Hoping to be back later on tonight with birthday pictures.

 

[DMGeurts]

Funny coincidence! I just updated my PTR...er....blog with Halloween scenes from Melbourne.


I'll be heading to California tomorrow for 11 days. So, I won't be on the boards much. Catch you all when I return.

Happy Halloween everyone.

I promise to check it out sometime today... I had to fight dd for the computer because she is trying to tackle her mountain of homework today.

Actually, it's more than Halloween here in our household. It's DGD's fourth birthday.

This is more a hit and run posting. Have to pick her up from daycare now, before lunch. I'm taking her to Chuck E Cheese's for lunch.

Hoping to be back later on tonight with birthday pictures.

Happy Birthday to DGD!!!! What a fabulous day to have a birthday! And CEC is always a hit!!! Have fun!

D~

 

[ash-n-brensmom]

Hey! I'm here!! Glad you started a PTR!! So, we are owners at Smokey Mountains as well, and we plan to stay at WBC too! However, we are going to be traveling in the early part of the month. We love WBC! Just so you know, you don't have to book a Sat-Sat or a Sun-Sun there. You can check in any day of the week at WBC. Not sure if that helps at all, but just wanted to make sure you knew about their flexibility.

Can't wait to read and plan along with you! Happy belated Birthday to DGD!

 

[LadyBeBop]

Hey! I'm here!! Glad you started a PTR!! So, we are owners at Smokey Mountains as well, and we plan to stay at WBC too! However, we are going to be traveling in the early part of the month. We love WBC! Just so you know, you don't have to book a Sat-Sat or a Sun-Sun there. You can check in any day of the week at WBC. Not sure if that helps at all, but just wanted to make sure you knew about their flexibility.

That's true. But it's easier to start and end on a weekend. We'll still have to take two days down and two days back. If we go from like a Wednesday to Wednesday, we'd have to take more time off.

One option is to only go for six days at WBC. Technically, we only have enough points for six days. We'd either have to borrow or buy points for the seventh day. I've been floating the option of spending the first night at Nickelodeon Hotel. DGD loves all of the Nick Jr. characters (Dora, Diego, Blues's Clues, Backyardigans, Team Umizoomi), as well as Spongebob. But in crunching the numbers, it still would be cheaper to buy the additional points at WBC, plus add on an additional day at WDW. If we splurge and go to the Nick Hotel, we'd check in mid-afternoon on Saturday, and wouldn't leave until dinnertime on Sunday.

Can't wait to read and plan along with you! Happy belated Birthday to DGD!

Thanks. I promise to get the birthday pictures up soon. I didn't last night. Spent most of the night reading a 40 page instruction manual on a video game geared toward children 3 to 9. If a 53-year old, college educated grandmother can't understand it, what makes them think a four-year old can understand it?

Budget buster today. DH hit a deer with his car. Car is driveable, but the front, left side is smashed in. There goes a $500 deductable. At least DH is OK.

 

[LadyBeBop]

First, hoping that we get the car repaired for our Thanksgiving trip to my inlaws in Tennessee. We leave two weeks from tomorrow. Can't believe it's coing up this soon, but Thanksgiving is early this year.

Now back to happy stuff.

DGD had a great birthday. I normally have Wednesdays off, so I took her to Chuck E Cheese for lunch.

A birthday pizza lunch at her favorite restaurant.

Riding in the Ken Chuck E Derby.

Meeting the big Cheese himself.

More birthday pix later.

 

[Alysa]

Joining in - your grandaughter is beautiful - hope she had a wonderful birthday!

 

[DMGeurts]

Awww... Love your GDG's pictures - It looks like she had a wonderful birthday!

I am super excited for the holidays... I am just this large kid - I swear - and every year the holidays come around and I get more excited than the year before. I love everything about them, the food... the smells... the family... - the only thing I don't enjoy is the traveling when the roads are bad.

D~

 

[nannye]

Jumping on board!

I will be in an out but hope to read often!