A Summer Wedding and a Disney Trip CANCELLED, HELP DECIDE WHEN WE'LL GO IN 2011

[3princesses+aprince]

Ok, Emily has decided what she wants to be for Mickey's not so scary Halloween Party! She is a HUGE, I can't stress that enough, HUGE fan of the Haunted Mansion. I mean if we would have just rode that over and over while we were there and nothing else she would have been totally satisfied She's the biggest lover of Halloween ever, so i'm sure that's where her fascination with the mansion lies! So, she is going to be one of the dead happy haunts. She wants to look like one of the ghosts dancing in the ballroom. She said she needs to have a puffy dress, cause that's what they wore back then. But, I then explained to her that she would sweat. So, I need to find something white and with the looks of the ones that these "lovely ladies" in the mansion wear, but a short dress! Oh, this is going to be so much fun to put this costume together. I have very crafty friends! I just need to find the right dress! I was thinking maybe the thrift shops will have different things like that!
OH BOY, WE'RE GOING TO THE BEST HALLOWEEN PARTY EVER THIS YEAR!

I'm so excited about that and so aren't the kids. I'm hoping we can get Anthony to dress up too. But..... I don't know! That may be pushing it! I guess i'll be happy if he at least wears the MNSSHP t shirt i'm making them.
Lizzie and Sam keep saying Tinkerbell, and all of the different princesses. So, we'll just see what they pick when we're ready to buy costumes!

DRIVING OR FLYING: So, i'm debating with myself over if we are going to fly or drive. I have a credit with southwest, so that will take almost 1 ticket price away. I'm guessing we'll end up paying around 1400/1500 for airfare. Now, if anyone remembers from my PTR for last May I was petrified to fly, and Anthony was not happy about it as well ( although he would not say if he was "scared", so i'm not sure) I was actually giving myself anxiety months before the trip because of the plane. See, I get stressed easily and my heart will race and everything, and I've recently found out how to stop that on my own! And guess what, I learned that on the morning we got on that plane. I thought I was going to pass out once we were seated and started strapping in. My heart was racing. I said to myself, "oh my god, you're going to make yourself sick, or worse, really pass out" I just stopped. I stopped thinking about it! I started talking to Lizzie and Sam who were my seat buddies and looking out the window and started thinking and talking about our lovely Disney trip! It worked, I was so proud of myself, I really couldn't believe it, still to this day, I can't believe it. I would get on a plane again in a minute. Does it make me uncomfortable when I really think about.... a little, but that's my trick, I do not think about it! I just do it! So flying is no longer an issue for me!!!! Thought i'd never say that!

Now driving: I have always thought a road trip would be super fun, especially to Disney! At first I thought that was definitely going to be the plan, but then Manny started saying he wasn't sure if it was a good idea. He of course brought up some things that could go wrong, like flat tires or breakdowns. What if our truck broke down 500 miles from home. How/when would we get to Disney? How would we get our truck home if it was something major. Our truck is fairly new, but you never know. That would really suck! So we could go with a rental! But, that would end up costing us pretty much the same price if not more than flying. We would need it for 11 nights, it would need to be a minivan or SUV! Not cheap at all, especially after factoring in tolls and gas!

So, we shall see! Still thinking about it, but leaning towards flying right now!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Pam, the driving/flying thing is forever an issue for us too! For me, it's about having a car AT WDW. I really don't care for the buses, so I'm contemplating renting a car once we fly.

We will NOT drive again! It's a 17 hour drive (that's without stopping, but obviously we have to stop!) and it took us 2 days. The hotel we stopped at was not very nice, even though we paid almost 100$ for it and we spent a ton of money in food that we would have saved if we flew. My back hurt from sitting so much and even though we brought the video game, the kids were restless after a while. The drive back was much worse b/c there was nothing to look forward to! On the way back I swore that our next trip we would fly and that's exactly what we are going to do!

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Pam, the driving/flying thing is forever an issue for us too! For me, it's about having a car AT WDW. I really don't care for the buses, so I'm contemplating renting a car once we fly.

We will NOT drive again! It's a 17 hour drive (that's without stopping, but obviously we have to stop!) and it took us 2 days. The hotel we stopped at was not very nice, even though we paid almost 100$ for it and we spent a ton of money in food that we would have saved if we flew. My back hurt from sitting so much and even though we brought the video game, the kids were restless after a while. The drive back was much worse b/c there was nothing to look forward to! On the way back I swore that our next trip we would fly and that's exactly what we are going to do!

Thanks! Yeah, i'm afraid of miserable kids, breakdowns, nasty hotels along the way etc... I have also heard from many other disers who drive too that the drive home is NOT FUN! If your vacation has to come to an end, why drag it out, lets just get home already!!!

 

[3princesses+aprince]

So, what do you think of my new ticker! Still the same number of days, nothing will change there ( unless it's by a day for cheaper airfare) I just figured i'd make it more personal! It is a honeymoon trip, but it's a Halloween party too!!!!!! I love the little bride and groom, mickey and minnie!!!

 

[klacey1]

Hi, Pam! I've been MIA, so I had a lot to catch up on. I've never been to any of the "special parties," but I've heard MNSSHP is great for the kids!!
I love Emily's "happy haunt" costume idea! So original-- I bet she'll be the only one!
Love the ticker!

 

[disneycat_f2008]

Ok, Emily has decided what she wants to be for Mickey's not so scary Halloween Party! She is a HUGE, I can't stress that enough, HUGE fan of the Haunted Mansion. I mean if we would have just rode that over and over while we were there and nothing else she would have been totally satisfied She's the biggest lover of Halloween ever, so i'm sure that's where her fascination with the mansion lies! So, she is going to be one of the dead happy haunts. She wants to look like one of the ghosts dancing in the ballroom. She said she needs to have a puffy dress, cause that's what they wore back then. But, I then explained to her that she would sweat. So, I need to find something white and with the looks of the ones that these "lovely ladies" in the mansion wear, but a short dress! Oh, this is going to be so much fun to put this costume together. I have very crafty friends! I just need to find the right dress! I was thinking maybe the thrift shops will have different things like that!
OH BOY, WE'RE GOING TO THE BEST HALLOWEEN PARTY EVER THIS YEAR!

I'm so excited about that and so aren't the kids. I'm hoping we can get Anthony to dress up too. But..... I don't know! That may be pushing it! I guess i'll be happy if he at least wears the MNSSHP t shirt i'm making them.
Lizzie and Sam keep saying Tinkerbell, and all of the different princesses. So, we'll just see what they pick when we're ready to buy costumes!

Emily's costume idea sounds amazing, you will have so much fun setting that one up & it will look great at the end. I'm sure Lizzie & Sam will make up their minds when you come to picking out your outfits

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Hi, Pam! I've been MIA, so I had a lot to catch up on. I've never been to any of the "special parties," but I've heard MNSSHP is great for the kids!!
I love Emily's "happy haunt" costume idea! So original-- I bet she'll be the only one!
Love the ticker!

Oh, Hi!!! How are you? Yea, I think her costume is going to come out great! I have some crafty friends to help out! I'm not too bad, but, not the greatest when it comes to creativity.

Emily's costume idea sounds amazing, you will have so much fun setting that one up & it will look great at the end. I'm sure Lizzie & Sam will make up their minds when you come to picking out your outfits

Yeah, Lizzie and Sam, being younger, I don't think are thinking of anything past what we're doing this weekend. Silly girls! When the time comes to really decide, they will be as excited as Emily. To them it feels like Halloween just passed, so it's so far away......... But, luckily, it's not that far away!

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Ok, i'm going to be booking soon and i'm really having a problem choosing a resort! It would of course be so much easier to pay for a trip to POP this year with the wedding and all, but I really would like to stay in a moderate this year, especially because it's a honeymoon trip, i'd like for it to be a little more special than usual!

Ok, so for a moderate I know I was originally looking at Coronado Springs, then changed my mind to Caribbean Beach resort, well, now i'm thinking the junior suite at Coronado Springs again.

Oh, I don't know!!!!!! I kind of gotta decide soon though. I know I can change resorts even after I book ,but of course i'd rather not.

I've been going through the CBR and CSR threads with the pictures and that's not really helping because they are both great! And when I look at one, I want that one, then i'll go to the other thread and i'll want that resort!

So, that's the decision that needs to be made by me shortly! Manny or the girls cannot help because 1: Manny doesn't plan anyway and 2: I would like the resort to stay a surprise until we get there!

I've also been working on some tentative plans going by last year's park hours. Not sure how similar they are from year to year, but we'll see how much I have to tweak it when the 2010 hours come out. But at least for now I have an idea. I will post those later on!

 

[leamom2princesses]

Cute ticker Pam and Emily's costume idea is so creative. I've never stayed at CSR but can tell you that we do enjoy CBR. The girls really loved the new pool area in May. I'm a fan also a huge fan of tropical theming. If you stay at CBR I would definitely recommend a preferred room. It's a very big resort and some of the standard rooms can be a huge trek. Walking is no problem for us but after a long day and with sleepy kids and can be a little bit of a pain. I would stay there again in a minute though.

 

[klacey1]

I'm going to reccomend CBR, Pam! It just has such a "tropical" theme, which is the first thing I think of when I think "honeymoon." I feel like it will be visually appealing to the girls and Anthony.
I also reccomend flying-- with food, gas, and the added expense of "car toys," from most people I've heard the cost just about evens out with flying. Plus, I wouldn't want to waste your SW credit. If you put mind over matter with flying last time (as far as your fear), you can definitely do it again!

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Cute ticker Pam and Emily's costume idea is so creative. I've never stayed at CSR but can tell you that we do enjoy CBR. The girls really loved the new pool area in May. I'm a fan also a huge fan of tropical theming. If you stay at CBR I would definitely recommend a preferred room. It's a very big resort and some of the standard rooms can be a huge trek. Walking is no problem for us but after a long day and with sleepy kids and can be a little bit of a pain. I would stay there again in a minute though.

Thanks, the pool looks really awesome! I also like the tropical theme! I have a question for you. Do what is the difference between water view and preferred, I would love to have a water view but does that mean that I could be farther from the bus stops and the food court?

I'm going to reccomend CBR, Pam! It just has such a "tropical" theme, which is the first thing I think of when I think "honeymoon." I feel like it will be visually appealing to the girls and Anthony.
I also reccomend flying-- with food, gas, and the added expense of "car toys," from most people I've heard the cost just about evens out with flying. Plus, I wouldn't want to waste your SW credit. If you put mind over matter with flying last time (as far as your fear), you can definitely do it again!

I know, CBR looks so pretty. And yes, we probably will go with flying! I don't want to waste my credit ,plus I do think it would end up costing us a little more than flying, so really no point.

 

[leamom2princesses]

Water view gets you a look at the lake and could be anywhere around it. Preferred will get you close to the food court, arcade, and main themed pools. The bus stops aren't too bad at any of the rooms/sections but the food court can be a trek for sure. The bonus of a moderate is that there are usually several fairly close bus stops.

When we stayed at ASports we had a long walk to the one bus stop. We were in Barbados (standard Nemo room) at CBR this last trip. It was close to a bus stop but it was a hike to Port Royale (that's CBR's main area, so in the rain, it just didn't happen). If you can afford the preferred room I would defintely go for it. The way the buildings are laid out at CBR you can't really get a bad view. There are lush tropical courtyards around the buildings and the side of the building faces the parking lot not the windows. I could be wrong but I think the rooms at CBR are the biggest of the moderates by a few feet also. Decisions, decisions, decisions. Good luck Pam!

Lisa, (mickeystoontown) will correct me if I'm wrong. She's stayed there several times also.

 

[BelleTinkMom]

Where is the best place to buy pins? Before we get to Disney that is! We started on our last trip but they only had 3 a piece and I made the mistake of buying them their favorite characters. They didn't want to trade them Of course they wouldn't want to. I don't know what I was thinking. Emily did do 1 trade and had so much fun with it. I know they'll all enjoy it next time. I want them to have at least 8 a piece. I have bought some from mousepinsonline before and through disneyshopping. I just want to make sure i'm not missing out on any "hot spots" to buy them. Thanks!!!

I have purchased pins on mousepinsoline.com also. I thought I was getting a really good price. Then I discovered pins on ebay. They were much cheaper.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Water view gets you a look at the lake and could be anywhere around it. Preferred will get you close to the food court, arcade, and main themed pools. The bus stops aren't too bad at any of the rooms/sections but the food court can be a trek for sure. The bonus of a moderate is that there are usually several fairly close bus stops.

When we stayed at ASports we had a long walk to the one bus stop. We were in Barbados (standard Nemo room) at CBR this last trip. It was close to a bus stop but it was a hike to Port Royale (that's CBR's main area, so in the rain, it just didn't happen). If you can afford the preferred room I would defintely go for it. The way the buildings are laid out at CBR you can't really get a bad view. There are lush tropical courtyards around the buildings and the side of the building faces the parking lot not the windows. I could be wrong but I think the rooms at CBR are the biggest of the moderates by a few feet also. Decisions, decisions, decisions. Good luck Pam!

Lisa, (mickeystoontown) will correct me if I'm wrong. She's stayed there several times also.

You got everything right! The CBR rooms are 340 square feet and the other moderates are 314 square feet.

I wouldn't pay for a water view room at the CBR. In Disney's eyes a water view room (at any resort) is either looking at a lake or a swimming pool...hey that's water.

The promenade around the entire resort is 1.4 miles long. Old Port Royale is located roughly in the middle. So, you're walk from the furthest point in the resort won't be more than (again roughly) half of 1.4 miles.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Sounds like a great idea for Emily's costume! MNSSHP is a blast.

Good luck choosing your resort. Sorry I don't have any input since we've never stayed at any of those resorts!

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Water view gets you a look at the lake and could be anywhere around it. Preferred will get you close to the food court, arcade, and main themed pools. The bus stops aren't too bad at any of the rooms/sections but the food court can be a trek for sure. The bonus of a moderate is that there are usually several fairly close bus stops.

When we stayed at ASports we had a long walk to the one bus stop. We were in Barbados (standard Nemo room) at CBR this last trip. It was close to a bus stop but it was a hike to Port Royale (that's CBR's main area, so in the rain, it just didn't happen). If you can afford the preferred room I would defintely go for it. The way the buildings are laid out at CBR you can't really get a bad view. There are lush tropical courtyards around the buildings and the side of the building faces the parking lot not the windows. I could be wrong but I think the rooms at CBR are the biggest of the moderates by a few feet also. Decisions, decisions, decisions. Good luck Pam!

Lisa, (mickeystoontown) will correct me if I'm wrong. She's stayed there several times also.

Hmm, ok, I get it now. In looking at the prices you can get a preferred room or water view. I think both options cost the same. I'd like the water view but would really like to be close to the food court and pool. So we'll see, maybe i'll go with preferred instead of water view then! Thanks so much for clearing that up. I don't want to be a hike from pools and food! We're there too often!

I have purchased pins on mousepinsoline.com also. I thought I was getting a really good price. Then I discovered pins on ebay. They were much cheaper.

Thanks, I have heard of others purchasing them on ebay, just never tried. Maybe i'll give it a try this time! If it's cheaper that'll work for me

You got everything right! The CBR rooms are 340 square feet and the other moderates are 314 square feet.

I wouldn't pay for a water view room at the CBR. In Disney's eyes a water view room (at any resort) is either looking at a lake or a swimming pool...hey that's water.

The promenade around the entire resort is 1.4 miles long. Old Port Royale is located roughly in the middle. So, you're walk from the furthest point in the resort won't be more than (again roughly) half of 1.4 miles.

Thanks so much for more of your info. Your a pro on this resort. I love it!

Sounds like a great idea for Emily's costume! MNSSHP is a blast.

Good luck choosing your resort. Sorry I don't have any input since we've never stayed at any of those resorts!

Thanks, I thought her idea for that costume was awesome too! She's a creative little one!

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Ok, so first of all: We are having a Disney themed "day" today instead of night. Cause there's no school and we have the day, It's raining/sleeting/snowing. Perfect stay home weather. So we're starting soon!

We are having an Animal Kingdom Safari day! The girls got planet earth stuffed animals for christmas and they each came with dvds on that animal. We have not watched any of them yet. We are going to start by watching them while we have a picnic lunch surrounded by "animals"

Next, we are getting ready to go on a Safari around the house! I'll post all about it later tonight!



NEXT: I AM BOOKING CARIBBEAN BEACH RESORT IN 2 WEEKS!!!! NOT SAYING THAT MY CRAZY MIND CAN'T CHANGE AGAIN, BUT I THINK I'M SET! NO MATTER WHAT I LOOK AT OR THINK ABOUT, I KEEP COMING BACK TO THAT RESORT!!!

MICKEYSTOONTOWN, I'LL ALSO COME OVER AND SIGN UP FOR YOUR COUNTDOWN TO CBR THREAD!!! THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR INFO!!!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Hi! Pam
I love Emily's costume idea...one year I dressed Gwendolyn up as Frankenstien's wife (that is what I pictured when you said the ballroom scene)...I bought a used wedding dress, you could do something like that and shred the bottom out to thin it out (to make it cooler) and give it the illusion of decay. We put baby powder on her skin and sprinkled in her hair with some dark shadow along the bone lines and under the eyes...HAVE FUN WITH IT!

CBR! great resort choice!!! we are leaning that way for the Nov trip if we go mod and POP if we chose value... and I think if I had four kids going I would prefer to fly too! so you don't have to hear she is in my space and so on

Sounds like ya'll are having a great Disney day!!!! have fun!!!
Connie

 

[klacey1]

Yay for CBR! I'm sure your family will love it-- and be VERY surprised!
I hope you all had fun with your Animal Kingdom day, too.

 

[PixieDustPrincess05]

Yippie!!! An Animal Kingdom Day- that is awesome!!!!! Where can you find those Planet Earth animals- they look so soft and adorable!!!

That is also great that you are booking soon- I'm sure the girls are really excited!!!