happybratpack
<font color=green>Just Maryann :)<br><font color=b
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2005
- Messages
- 3,682
OK, here goes. I was a total loser and didn't complete the last TR but I promise on Mickey that I will this one. 
The Travelers
Maryann (M), 33
Bazillionth trip to WDW, went to school at UCF so lived down there a while too I used to be commando, but the only time Im commando now is if I forget my underwear. Ive become a lazy planner these last couple years and am in search of a vacation inside the trip.
Larry (L), 39
(enchanteddisney on the DIS)
I converted L to Disney in 2004 and hes been a psycho ever since. We visited 3.5 weeks last year, he has a Disney shopping problem and sometimes I wonder if hed turn tricks just to get back to the World.
L & I on our December 06 trip...
Hallie, 8 & Baker, 4
This will be their third annual trip to WDW and since Baker is on the short side the first time for LOTS of the big rides. Hes just at 40 now so this will be huge this trip. Both WDW park fanatics, they study and plot the park maps whenever were in the car and have all the attractions loaded on their iPods. Hallie has been reading the WDW Guide for Kids over and over as well so Im curious to see what trivia shes memorized this time around. I can definitely see their fathers gazed stare in their faces when it comes to WDW. They start asking to earn Disney Dollars for the next trip as soon as were home from the last one.
At the Barbershop last Summer...
(Yes, L & I take several other WDW trips during the year that are childless. Horrible, I know)
Jan & Paul (both in their 50s, apparently this is highly confidential information)
Larrys parents and therefore Grandparents to Hallie & Baker
Jan came with us on the kids first trip in 2005, Paul hasnt visited WDW ever and it's been since the 60's at DL where he was stuck on IASW for 45 minutes so has some issues to work through. They are coming to spend quality time with H&B who they dont see very much as they dont live in Texas.
Well be celebrating both Bakers 5th and Pauls 50-something birthday during this trip.
A little background (so nobody is wondering)
I met L in 2003 and since then we have become what I jokingly refer to as life partners, a term which he doesnt find amusing. We have both been married before, him twice. (sorry, L, had to say it) A little secret, L wants to get married bad. He wants the whole Disney Fairy Tale Wedding and I cant tell you how many times Ive caught him watching the Disney Wedding special on TV. He says its because he likes the cakes but who believes that?! He takes each trip to WDW as an opportunity to point out the Wedding Pavilion and any other wedding festivities we happen upon. Ill be sure to count the times on the Monorail loop it comes up this trip.
All kidding aside, were the best of friends and are fortunate enough to share a love of all thats Disney.
So anyway .
I wasnt going to do a Pre-Trip report but Im really slacking in getting prepared both physically and mentally for this trip. We leave on Tuesday morning and I really havent done much at all. Im hoping after I write this Ill be super motivated, hop up from the couch and get it all done in like 3 hours. Hey, it could happen. To be honest, the trips with the kids stress me out because Im just not made of the right parental preparation material. I can barely get all my own stuff done on a daily basis much less the needs of two little ones. It sounds bad, but at least Im honest. The two trips Ive taken w/ H&B are the only ones Ive taken with kids in my life. Im getting better but Im still tragically slow and grumpy about things sometimes. I hope you guys dont mind but Ill be using this as somewhat of a blog until the trip. (Just thank your lucky stars its only a few days away)
Up until a couple days ago there was a chance I wouldnt be going, one of the dogs has been really sick and if she was going to be hospitalized I wasnt leaving town. Thankfully shes better. Im still super stressed about leaving them though, the last couple trips I had memorable crying breakdowns on Main Street because I couldnt get hold of my nephew who was staying with them. (I have five SUPER high maintenance special needs Angels) Due to this a close family friend is spending the week at my house since they cant be left alone overnight and Im hoping this allows me a much better vacation stress-wise. (Well, that and Xanax) Im spending the evening tonight getting things prepared for him and making all of the direction sheets about each dog, their diet, meds, etc.
The Plan
is coming. Im still working on our schedule. Ill be fitting that in this weekend between packing, cleaning, laundry, etc, etc, etc. BWWAAAHAHAHAHAHA. I dont know why I procrastinate. I just cant help myself sometimes.
Dining
see above. I have a few made but am working on the schedule still. When our party turned from four to six it totally screwed us. Its not often you will hear a word negative about Disney from me, but its a PIA to get a table together for more than four. I know the seating arrangements and all make it tough, but who wants to be split up?? (Remind me of this when Im moaning and complaining a few days in)
The Resort
.is POP! Until 2006 I had never stayed at a Value, Larry and I tried it out on one of our adult trips and loved it. We then booked it for the Summer trip w/ the kids last year and didnt love it so much. I admit it was hard (especially for me) space wise and such there w/ the kids. We drove from Dallas (never again) and transporting all of our crap to and from the car was a beating. Im no snob (a weenie, yes, but not a snob), but bag service is way under-rated with so much stuff plus the kids. In a nutshell, after this trip we decided that if he and I were going solo Pop would be great otherwise wed go Moderate or above. We then took two more adult trips since at Pop and had a great time.
However. (you knew there was a however coming) With the addition of Paul & Jan to the trip it changed the budget quite a bit so were giving Pop another try. Im going in with a good attitude because I do really like the resort and since Mimi and Pawpaw are going there should be lots of slumber parties in their room. We have stayed at Pop four times now and have always been in the 50s on Ladys side. L doesnt want the 50s again, but I like it so well see. Im more concerned with trying the Mojitos I hear so much about on the DIS.
The Money
This is an extreme budget trip for a few different reasons
1. I didnt plan ahead.
2. Our APs expired in March.
3. Addition of a second room and park passes
4. My wonderful pack of dogs have been having one issue after another and Ive bought our Vet a new vacation home since the New Year.
Due to our procrastination issues we were reamed on airfare by the time we bought them. We paid almost $1,400 for 4 tickets from DFW on AirTran. (Dont even ask what American was at this point) This hurt, badly. The last several times weve flown its been for about $200 each, sometimes even less on AirTran. I cant blame anyone but us so lets just cut this paragraph short.
The resort ended up being $858.50 per room for seven nights. (not in a preferred location) It took three weeks of calling to get a room at Pop during this time, it was always booked then we lucked out one day.
Since this IS a budget trip Im being pretty nit-picky on ADRs. Were sticking to our tried & true mostly and unfortunately not doing a lot of big meals. Typically Larry and I eat our way through the World but thatll have to wait to the next trip. Well be trying all the counter service places we always miss!
OK, if youve made it this far Im very impressed. Writing this has cleared my mind and helped me procrastinate another hour on starting the laundry so thanks. Coming up
packing (hopefully) and prep work.
PS I'm a trip report ding-bat and always have trouble finding one post to the next so I'll add an index on this first post as the trip goes.
The Travelers
Maryann (M), 33
Bazillionth trip to WDW, went to school at UCF so lived down there a while too I used to be commando, but the only time Im commando now is if I forget my underwear. Ive become a lazy planner these last couple years and am in search of a vacation inside the trip.
Larry (L), 39
(enchanteddisney on the DIS)I converted L to Disney in 2004 and hes been a psycho ever since. We visited 3.5 weeks last year, he has a Disney shopping problem and sometimes I wonder if hed turn tricks just to get back to the World.
L & I on our December 06 trip...
Hallie, 8 & Baker, 4
This will be their third annual trip to WDW and since Baker is on the short side the first time for LOTS of the big rides. Hes just at 40 now so this will be huge this trip. Both WDW park fanatics, they study and plot the park maps whenever were in the car and have all the attractions loaded on their iPods. Hallie has been reading the WDW Guide for Kids over and over as well so Im curious to see what trivia shes memorized this time around. I can definitely see their fathers gazed stare in their faces when it comes to WDW. They start asking to earn Disney Dollars for the next trip as soon as were home from the last one.
At the Barbershop last Summer...
(Yes, L & I take several other WDW trips during the year that are childless. Horrible, I know)
Jan & Paul (both in their 50s, apparently this is highly confidential information)
Larrys parents and therefore Grandparents to Hallie & Baker
Jan came with us on the kids first trip in 2005, Paul hasnt visited WDW ever and it's been since the 60's at DL where he was stuck on IASW for 45 minutes so has some issues to work through. They are coming to spend quality time with H&B who they dont see very much as they dont live in Texas.
Well be celebrating both Bakers 5th and Pauls 50-something birthday during this trip. A little background (so nobody is wondering)
I met L in 2003 and since then we have become what I jokingly refer to as life partners, a term which he doesnt find amusing. We have both been married before, him twice. (sorry, L, had to say it) A little secret, L wants to get married bad. He wants the whole Disney Fairy Tale Wedding and I cant tell you how many times Ive caught him watching the Disney Wedding special on TV. He says its because he likes the cakes but who believes that?! He takes each trip to WDW as an opportunity to point out the Wedding Pavilion and any other wedding festivities we happen upon. Ill be sure to count the times on the Monorail loop it comes up this trip.
All kidding aside, were the best of friends and are fortunate enough to share a love of all thats Disney. So anyway .
I wasnt going to do a Pre-Trip report but Im really slacking in getting prepared both physically and mentally for this trip. We leave on Tuesday morning and I really havent done much at all. Im hoping after I write this Ill be super motivated, hop up from the couch and get it all done in like 3 hours. Hey, it could happen. To be honest, the trips with the kids stress me out because Im just not made of the right parental preparation material. I can barely get all my own stuff done on a daily basis much less the needs of two little ones. It sounds bad, but at least Im honest. The two trips Ive taken w/ H&B are the only ones Ive taken with kids in my life. Im getting better but Im still tragically slow and grumpy about things sometimes. I hope you guys dont mind but Ill be using this as somewhat of a blog until the trip. (Just thank your lucky stars its only a few days away)
Up until a couple days ago there was a chance I wouldnt be going, one of the dogs has been really sick and if she was going to be hospitalized I wasnt leaving town. Thankfully shes better. Im still super stressed about leaving them though, the last couple trips I had memorable crying breakdowns on Main Street because I couldnt get hold of my nephew who was staying with them. (I have five SUPER high maintenance special needs Angels) Due to this a close family friend is spending the week at my house since they cant be left alone overnight and Im hoping this allows me a much better vacation stress-wise. (Well, that and Xanax) Im spending the evening tonight getting things prepared for him and making all of the direction sheets about each dog, their diet, meds, etc.
The Plan
is coming. Im still working on our schedule. Ill be fitting that in this weekend between packing, cleaning, laundry, etc, etc, etc. BWWAAAHAHAHAHAHA. I dont know why I procrastinate. I just cant help myself sometimes.
Dining
see above. I have a few made but am working on the schedule still. When our party turned from four to six it totally screwed us. Its not often you will hear a word negative about Disney from me, but its a PIA to get a table together for more than four. I know the seating arrangements and all make it tough, but who wants to be split up?? (Remind me of this when Im moaning and complaining a few days in)
The Resort
.is POP! Until 2006 I had never stayed at a Value, Larry and I tried it out on one of our adult trips and loved it. We then booked it for the Summer trip w/ the kids last year and didnt love it so much. I admit it was hard (especially for me) space wise and such there w/ the kids. We drove from Dallas (never again) and transporting all of our crap to and from the car was a beating. Im no snob (a weenie, yes, but not a snob), but bag service is way under-rated with so much stuff plus the kids. In a nutshell, after this trip we decided that if he and I were going solo Pop would be great otherwise wed go Moderate or above. We then took two more adult trips since at Pop and had a great time.
However. (you knew there was a however coming) With the addition of Paul & Jan to the trip it changed the budget quite a bit so were giving Pop another try. Im going in with a good attitude because I do really like the resort and since Mimi and Pawpaw are going there should be lots of slumber parties in their room.
We have stayed at Pop four times now and have always been in the 50s on Ladys side. L doesnt want the 50s again, but I like it so well see. Im more concerned with trying the Mojitos I hear so much about on the DIS. The Money
This is an extreme budget trip for a few different reasons
1. I didnt plan ahead.
2. Our APs expired in March.
3. Addition of a second room and park passes
4. My wonderful pack of dogs have been having one issue after another and Ive bought our Vet a new vacation home since the New Year.
Due to our procrastination issues we were reamed on airfare by the time we bought them. We paid almost $1,400 for 4 tickets from DFW on AirTran. (Dont even ask what American was at this point) This hurt, badly. The last several times weve flown its been for about $200 each, sometimes even less on AirTran. I cant blame anyone but us so lets just cut this paragraph short.
The resort ended up being $858.50 per room for seven nights. (not in a preferred location) It took three weeks of calling to get a room at Pop during this time, it was always booked then we lucked out one day.
Since this IS a budget trip Im being pretty nit-picky on ADRs. Were sticking to our tried & true mostly and unfortunately not doing a lot of big meals. Typically Larry and I eat our way through the World but thatll have to wait to the next trip. Well be trying all the counter service places we always miss!
OK, if youve made it this far Im very impressed.
Writing this has cleared my mind and helped me procrastinate another hour on starting the laundry so thanks. Coming up
packing (hopefully) and prep work.PS I'm a trip report ding-bat and always have trouble finding one post to the next so I'll add an index on this first post as the trip goes.
First i have to say your kids are beyond gorgeous, secondly I am actually really jealous of your laid-back attitude to trip-planning and aspire to be more like you one day, sadly i still love the whirl of ADRs and touring plans
heres hoping you get everything done in the next 3 days and I look forward to hearing all about it
