A Pre Thanksgiving/Christmas Vacation, Our First Split Stay & Our 5th Trip to Disney!

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Morning PTR friends!

Shelly... not sure if you are interested or not but I will be at Disney in three weeks... would you like me to send along some post cards to the boys from their fav characters .... if so you can PM me your address ..

Thanks Wendy! I actually already have someone doing it. But thanks for the offer. I really appreciate it. I may have to take you up on it someday, with all of your trips I'm sure you'll be going right before me again sometime!!

I didn't realize you were going in 3 weeks. How exciting!! Where are you staying? Didn't you stay at POR last time? How did you like it?

I LOVE that pic of you guys kissing and the boys covering their eyes!

I'll be crossing my fingers and sending some pixie dust that Space Mountain will be open earlier for you!

We usually spend more time at MK than at any other park. It has more for little ones than the other parks do so I'm sure we'll change our tune in a few years when our kids get a little older.

Thanks! We had 2 different photographers that had us do that. The kids of course thought it was hilarious!

That would be such a great bonus if Space opened a bit early!

Your photos are wonderful....

we love MK... mostly for the history.. for rides we like HS... AK for a lazy day of strolling and Epcot for everything... we love the food and learning about all the countries!!

Thanks!

Yep, it's so great that each park has something unique to offer. Definitely something for everyone!

Forgot to ask if you ended up having to coach the game?

Well yes and no. DH called and said he didn't know when he was going to get home. So I made up his playbook - basically who is playing where and when. He made it there halfway into DS10's game. Which they lost, badly. They really got their behinds handed to them in a 5-0 loss. But hey, DS still had a good time and he was happy that his dad got to see half of his game! So DH was there to coach DS7's game. Well basically just stand there like a zombie since he had been up since 3:00am. He has an assistant coach who did most of this coaching on the field, while I took care of the kids and told them who was going in what position and so on. And we had a 5-3 win!!

 

[JoBird]

Just thought I'd slide in here with my Swiney self and catch up a bit while I'm infecting all of you.



Wooo Pig Flu-ey.


Alright-- seriously. I have no clue how you tour at such a relaxed pace. I really want to do that. Really I do. I think Mark would love me for it. But it would drive me crazy. I would be constantly wondering what I was missing.

When I read your plans and see "sleep in" I want to yell "No, no no! Don't do it-- you'll miss it all!!!!!!!!!!!"

I think next time, I'll let you plan my days and I'll see if I can stick to it.
What a challenge for me.

Mark would be soooooo happy. I would be sooooooooo miserable.

Jo

 

[mickeystoontown]

Of course, I love the picture of the two of you kissing and the boys being totally disgusted. Hunter always shudders when he sees John and I hugging or kissing. I just tell him....hey you want parents who love each other or parents who fight all the time? Usually shuts him up.

Sorry that ya'll lost the first soccer game. At least your son had a good time and that's what really matters.

Aren't you glad that your hubby showed up and you didn't have to do the coaching. I know I would have been.

While we don't sleep in and then go to the parks in the middle of the day, we do schedule some sleep-in days where we don't have a lot planned. It sure does make for a much happier family.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Just thought I'd slide in here with my Swiney self and catch up a bit while I'm infecting all of you.



Wooo Pig Flu-ey.


Alright-- seriously. I have no clue how you tour at such a relaxed pace. I really want to do that. Really I do. I think Mark would love me for it. But it would drive me crazy. I would be constantly wondering what I was missing.

When I read your plans and see "sleep in" I want to yell "No, no no! Don't do it-- you'll miss it all!!!!!!!!!!!"

I think next time, I'll let you plan my days and I'll see if I can stick to it.
What a challenge for me.

Mark would be soooooo happy. I would be sooooooooo miserable.

Jo

Okay, you can post here today, just don't breathe on anyone!

No seriously, I sure hope you feel better soon.

You should try the relaxed approach at WDW! Just think of it this way - Disney is not going anywhere! It will still be there later. Whether it's that evening, the next day, or even the next trip. I think I am able to take this trip so slow because we have 8 nights/9 days. We have never gone for that long, so I feel like we have plenty of time.

So there's all that, plus the fact that if we went from morning to night at the parks everyday DH would never take me back!

Of course, I love the picture of the two of you kissing and the boys being totally disgusted. Hunter always shudders when he sees John and I hugging or kissing. I just tell him....hey you want parents who love each other or parents who fight all the time? Usually shuts him up.

Sorry that ya'll lost the first soccer game. At least your son had a good time and that's what really matters.

Aren't you glad that your hubby showed up and you didn't have to do the coaching. I know I would have been.

While we don't sleep in and then go to the parks in the middle of the day, we do schedule some sleep-in days where we don't have a lot planned. It sure does make for a much happier family.

Yes it does. If I try to do too much all I hear is whining all day anyway! When can we go back to the hotel? It's hot! I'm tired! ETC! (from all 3 of them!) So it's only in my best interest to go at their pace.

 

[JoBird]

Okay, you can post here today, just don't breathe on anyone!

No seriously, I sure hope you feel better soon.

You should try the relaxed approach at WDW! Just think of it this way - Disney is not going anywhere! It will still be there later. Whether it's that evening, the next day, or even the next trip. I think I am able to take this trip so slow because we have 8 nights/9 days. We have never gone for that long, so I feel like we have plenty of time.

So there's all that, plus the fact that if we went from morning to night at the parks everyday DH would never take me back!



Yes it does. If I try to do too much all I hear is whining all day anyway! When can we go back to the hotel? It's hot! I'm tired! ETC! (from all 3 of them!) So it's only in my best interest to go at their pace.

Cough, cough, Swine, Swine.

I'll try not to breathe. Y'all got your face masks on??????

As far as the relaxed approach- when the kids are with us-- it's very hard to keep everyone happy. They want to get to the parks at RD and leave after the park closes. Mark wants to sleep late, mosey to the pool and arrive around 4 pm and stay an hour then leave for dinner.

And I say- we did all that in Hawaii. We can sleep late and go to the pool at home.
We're in Disney. I wanna chase the Mouse.

So-- it's hard- when we're with the kids- we do mostly what they want to do, when we're by ourselves w/o the kids, we do mostly what Mark wants to do.
(which we did in DL and got NOTHING accomplished.)

I think I would be a great solo trip person.

Jo

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Cough, cough, Swine, Swine.

I'll try not to breathe. Y'all got your face masks on??????

As far as the relaxed approach- when the kids are with us-- it's very hard to keep everyone happy. They want to get to the parks at RD and leave after the park closes. Mark wants to sleep late, mosey to the pool and arrive around 4 pm and stay an hour then leave for dinner.

And I say- we did all that in Hawaii. We can sleep late and go to the pool at home.
We're in Disney. I wanna chase the Mouse.

So-- it's hard- when we're with the kids- we do mostly what they want to do, when we're by ourselves w/o the kids, we do mostly what Mark wants to do.
(which we did in DL and got NOTHING accomplished.)

I think I would be a great solo trip person.

Jo

See my kids are just the opposite. They like hanging out at the resort just as much as they like the parks. I guess because we don't have a pool and they really don't get to go swimming that much and because with school, work (DH goes to work very, very early most days), and an early Church service on Sundays we really don't do a whole lot of sleeping in around here.

They are happy to just do a half of a day in the parks and spend the other half of the day walking around the resort, swimming, shopping, going to DTD or the Boardwalk and things like that.

*Just so everybody knows when I say "sleep in" I mean like 8 maybe 9 o'clock. Sleep in just means that we are not getting up at the crack of dawn that day to make it to rope drop or an early breakfast ADR! I just didn't want anyone to think we were going to Disney and sleeping til noon everyday!

 

[JoJo1980]

Your plans sounds great! I love having a lazy morning and getting to the parks mid-afternoon and staying til closing, they are my favourite type of disney day


I can't wait to try a dole whip!!

I love the photo where the boys are covering their eyes - that is too cute!!

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

*Just so everybody knows when I say "sleep in" I mean like 8 maybe 9 o'clock. Sleep in just means that we are not getting up at the crack of dawn that day to make it to rope drop or an early breakfast ADR! I just didn't want anyone to think we were going to Disney and sleeping til noon everyday!

Oh, I for one am very glad you cleared that up! I had images of all of you sleeping the day away while at Disney! THAT would be a crime! I mean, seriously, who goes to Disney just to sleep?

Your plans look AWESOME Shelly! You guys are going to have a great time! Isn't that the best part of Disney - you make your plans to fit you and your family and everybody can be happy!

As much as it is absolutely killing me to hold off on planning our days, I am waiting! If the crowd calendar looks good, we WILL have some "sleep in" days and try to go at a more relaxed pace!

I keep hearing rumours of "something BIG" dropping for 2010 very soon! I may not have to wait too long before making my plans!

Glad your boys enjoyed their games!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Your plans sounds great! I love having a lazy morning and getting to the parks mid-afternoon and staying til closing, they are my favourite type of disney day


I can't wait to try a dole whip!!

I love the photo where the boys are covering their eyes - that is too cute!!

Thanks!

Yes, if we are going to stay til closing we just take it easy in the mornings. Plus it gets us to the parks when a lot of people are heading back to their resort for a mid-afternoon break!

You definitely have to get a Dole Whip! I was just thinking about them last night. After we got home from soccer we went to a neighbor's picnic and when we finally got home and I got the boys showered and ready for bed I fell onto the couch and said - I sure could go for a Dole Whip float!! It was probably on my mind since I posted that picture yesterday!

Oh, I for one am very glad you cleared that up! I had images of all of you sleeping the day away while at Disney! THAT would be a crime! I mean, seriously, who goes to Disney just to sleep?

Your plans look AWESOME Shelly! You guys are going to have a great time! Isn't that the best part of Disney - you make your plans to fit you and your family and everybody can be happy!

As much as it is absolutely killing me to hold off on planning our days, I am waiting! If the crowd calendar looks good, we WILL have some "sleep in" days and try to go at a more relaxed pace!

I keep hearing rumours of "something BIG" dropping for 2010 very soon! I may not have to wait too long before making my plans!

Glad your boys enjoyed their games!

I'm glad I cleared that up too!

I hope your January hours are up soon and that there is an awesome deal coming your way!

 

[JoBird]

Morning PTR friends!



Thanks Wendy! I actually already have someone doing it. But thanks for the offer. I really appreciate it. I may have to take you up on it someday, with all of your trips I'm sure you'll be going right before me again sometime!!

I didn't realize you were going in 3 weeks. How exciting!! Where are you staying? Didn't you stay at POR last time? How did you like it?


Thanks! We had 2 different photographers that had us do that. The kids of course thought it was hilarious!

That would be such a great bonus if Space opened a bit early!


Thanks!

Yep, it's so great that each park has something unique to offer. Definitely something for everyone!


Well yes and no. DH called and said he didn't know when he was going to get home. So I made up his playbook - basically who is playing where and when. He made it there halfway into DS10's game. Which they lost, badly. They really got their behinds handed to them in a 5-0 loss. But hey, DS still had a good time and he was happy that his dad got to see half of his game! So DH was there to coach DS7's game. Well basically just stand there like a zombie since he had been up since 3:00am. He has an assistant coach who did most of this coaching on the field, while I took care of the kids and told them who was going in what position and so on. And we had a 5-3 win!!

FOUND IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



LOL!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the search! It kept me busy for a bit! the Swine's got me loopy!

(And FTR- I do think it's hilarious you think of me everytime you hear "BEHIND".)

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

FOUND IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



LOL!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the search! It kept me busy for a bit! the Swine's got me loopy!

(And FTR- I do think it's hilarious you think of me everytime you hear "BEHIND".)

Glad you found my little funny I threw in there for ya!!

 

[MAGGIED]

Shelly... we are staying at OKW this time.... and then in February we are staying at SOG....

We did stay at POR in May... it was nice. I thought the rooms were okay... the pool was ok... the food court was pretyy good. I would stay there again but if I had my choice of all the moderates it would CSR... we like the queen beds, the pool and the Pepper market.... we always request the cabanas section so it isn't far to anything... and we really don't mind the sink situation... for our family if we are NOT getting the dining plan we go to SOG... it is close to the golf courses and the rooms are HUGE... if we are getting the dining plan then CSR is our first choice, followed by POP or AKL, then POR, then POFQ... of course I would take POLY or GF if someone else wanted to pay for them....

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Shelly... we are staying at OKW this time.... and then in February we are staying at SOG....

We did stay at POR in May... it was nice. I thought the rooms were okay... the pool was ok... the food court was pretyy good. I would stay there again but if I had my choice of all the moderates it would CSR... we like the queen beds, the pool and the Pepper market.... we always request the cabanas section so it isn't far to anything... and we really don't mind the sink situation... for our family if we are NOT getting the dining plan we go to SOG... it is close to the golf courses and the rooms are HUGE... if we are getting the dining plan then CSR is our first choice, followed by POP or AKL, then POR, then POFQ... of course I would take POLY or GF if someone else wanted to pay for them....

Isn't it funny how people see resorts differently? We would never go back to CSR! I guess there is something for everyone! We don't really care for the sink situation at any of the moderates except for CBR. CSR's is single, and POFQ has those pedestal type sinks. And I believe POR has them too. So we are going in knowing that we are not going to have enough space for all our stuff.

I think the POR rooms look just okay too (from pictures). I really like the outside looks of the resort much better than the rooms! The grounds look beautiful. I'm hoping the pool is nice and DS10 will like the slide. He is convinced that no other pool will live up to CBR's. He's probably right unless of course I can take him to the YC/BC one day - like you said, if someone else wants to pay for it!

Will this be your first time at OKW? I can't wait to get there!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

So does everyone else have to do a written request for an excused educational absence for their children's school? Ours has to be in no later than 2 weeks before we leave, but I like to have it in at least a month in advance. So I really need to get working on it! I used to just write random stuff about how educational WDW is and what I hoped they would learn on the trip and so on. Last year I used that excuse letter that is floating around here on the DIS somewhere and tweaked it a bit. Not sure what to say this year. I feel like I keep repeating the same stuff year after year! Of course it probably doesn't matter since it gets approved every time anyway! That is of course until DS10 hits middle school in 2 years!

 

[seacrestpromo]

Never had to do that for any of the schools my boys have been in. I just request the work they need to do in advance, so that can work on it before the trip. I have never had explain why or where I was taking them. Is that a requirement now at some schools? Sea

So does everyone else have to do a written request for an excused educational absence for their children's school? Ours has to be in no later than 2 weeks before we leave, but I like to have it in at least a month in advance. So I really need to get working on it! I used to just write random stuff about how educational WDW is and what I hoped they would learn on the trip and so on. Last year I used that excuse letter that is floating around here on the DIS somewhere and tweaked it a bit. Not sure what to say this year. I feel like I keep repeating the same stuff year after year! Of course it probably doesn't matter since it gets approved every time anyway! That is of course until DS10 hits middle school in 2 years!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Never had to do that for any of the schools my boys have been in. I just request the work they need to do in advance, so that can work on it before the trip. I have never had explain why or where I was taking them. Is that a requirement now at some schools? Sea

Yep, I think a lot public schools require something. There are truancy laws and things like that. Our form is called an excused absence request. Once it is approved it makes the absence legal, rather than illegal. Just asks for the dates the child will miss school and what s/he will be learning on your "educational trip"! There is a sample school excuse posted somewhere on the DIS. I thought I had it copied to my computer but I can't seem to find it now. It could be on my old computer downstairs. It gives a lot of examples of what can be learned at WDW. Pretty neat actually. Maybe JO has it. . .

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Hey Shelly! I too consider 8:30, 9...sleeping in!! but, we always stay late, so my kids do sleep till then...and we get up and start all over again!! Gonna hit some RD early in the trip so they will be energized!!!toward the end of the trip, I will ease up....I have done the commando...doesn't work for us because I am sooooo stressed at making them keep up with me that then Mike is aggravated and the kids whine. So... we are changing how we do it. I like going for the 8/9....it truly takes the pressure off for getting it all done. We started that 2 or 3 trips ago, ( the 8nights 9days )and it makes 'commando' not necessary!!

 

[seacrestpromo]

Interesting...I have never had write a letter before explaining why we were going to miss school. My boys have been in both private and public schools. This is a new thing to me.

Yep, I think a lot public schools require something. There are truancy laws and things like that. Our form is called an excused absence request. Once it is approved it makes the absence legal, rather than illegal. Just asks for the dates the child will miss school and what s/he will be learning on your "educational trip"! There is a sample school excuse posted somewhere on the DIS. I thought I had it copied to my computer but I can't seem to find it now. It could be on my old computer downstairs. It gives a lot of examples of what can be learned at WDW. Pretty neat actually. Maybe JO has it. . .

 

[MAGGIED]

I have never had to write an excuse before... I have emailed the teachers and let them know we were going to be out of town and made arrangments but not to the extent of having to get it "approved".....

 

[MAGGIED]

Yes this will be my first time at OKW .... I am very excited... I stayed at SSR with them before... it was okay... I thought the resort was way to big and it took forever to get anyplace.... though the rooms were nice and the resort was pretty.... it didn't have that lush look like CSR or CBR... they have also stayed at AK villas... they are staying at a treehouse villa in April!!!