A trip for Mommy and Daddy... ONLY! With more PICS (Okay.. I'm DONE finally! #124)

[Sooze]

Well, I can't wait any longer. After several Disney trips with family, friends, husband, etc.... After lurking around reading (and thoroughly enjoying) everyone else's trip reports... IT'S MY TURN!!!

But before I begin, I have two questions for everyone:

1. Our trip begins on January 4. Is it too soon to start my pre-trip report?

2. We have a six-year-old who is becoming quite obsessed with trips to WDW. Since this is an adult only trip (just DH and me), we are debating what to tell the DS!! I think we should tell him the truth, even if it means sending him into a depression! DH thinks we should just tell him "Mommy and Daddy are going away on a trip". I'll post later to give more thoughts.. but I was wondering what everyone else thought. What do YOU think?

BTW.. We joined DVC in 04. We have taken a "family trip" with kids on Labor Day of 05, 06, (and continue to do the same every year). We will then take our "mommy/daddy" trip in January each year. So don't you think the boy just needs to get over it?

Thanks all! Can't wait to get started!

Counting the minutes.....

Susie

 

[OhMari]

It's never to soon to start a pre-trip report. I think planning is just about as much fun as being there. Hope to see your itinerary.

 

[Sooze]

Well, since you're my only vote.. I'll go ahead and get started! Look for more after the weekend.

Hopefully, posting a pre-trip report will also help with the planning!

 

[Sooze]

<<Deep breath>> Ok. Here I go!

First of all, the cast

ME! (33) I am a third grade teacher in Indianapolis. I have been a Disney fan my whole life and can't wait to retire so I can move to Orlando and work at WDW!! I'm also very involved with the pagentry arts (marching band, color guard, drum corps) and THEATER!

DH (34) My husband, Matt. He is a band director here.. and he's FABULOUS at it! State champion marching band 5 years in a row! He also teaches a brass line in drum & bugle corps during the summer. Thank the heavens, he is a Disney fanatic as well.

We joined DVC in 2004 as a way to "force" ourselves to take vacations. We bought enough points (that we could afford... both being teachers... kinda hard!!) to take 2 vacations a year. One for the family... one for just us! I can't tell you what a spark that brought back to our marriage!!!

Anyhoo..

Here are our plans:

Basic facts. 1/4- 1/8 Thursday-Monday trip. Staying at SSR with DDP. We are both AP holders as well.

Thursday 1/4 We have afternoon flights on NW Airlines DIRECT from Indy!! Let's hope that NW doesn't change this on us at the last minute... which happened to us last year,when they decided to route us through DETROIT

We are taking ME to our home resort SSR. This will be our first time staying here. Can't wait to tell y'all how it goes!

On Thursday night, we are hoping to run over to EPCOT for Illuminations (if we arrive on time) or else DTD. It will all depend on how our flight goes and how long we have to wait on ME!

Friday 1/5 DH will be running in the 5K this morning at MGM. Go him! I despise running. So it will be great to see him do this, or maybe I'll have to venture over to TOT while he does his thing.. hmm.. decisions...

After that, we will return to the resort for a nap, pool time, or whatever else

That evening, we have ADRs at Rose & Crown. We are praying we get a patio table with a view of the lagoon. We will MILK our dinner for as long as possible and hopefully enjoy Illuminations from our table. This will all require a bit of ... well....

Saturday 1/6 We will spend the morning at MGM. Unfortunately, I heard that Rockin' Roller Coaster will be closed due to refurbishing. This STINKS I haven't ridden that baby since January 05. After a pregnancy, and a trip with kids (who are too young to ride), I was READY READY READY to get back on this... my favorite WDW thrill ride. bummer....

We have ADRs at 50's Prime Time Cafe. I ate here over 10 years ago on a trip with my sisters and loved it. Looking forward to experiencing my DH's first visit with him.

The rest of the day is up for grabs.. but I'm sure we'll end up back at EPCOT for Illuminations. In case you haven't guessed.. we LOVE ILLUMINATIONS!!!

Sunday 1/7 This is our Magic Kingdom Day. We have spent the least amount of time at this park. For some reason, we have just become an EPCOT family. Our 6 year old DS would rather be at EPCOT than MK... don't know why But there are so many attractions we haven't seen. And so many shows our children aren't ready to sit through and enjoy. So we are both super excited to explore MK as two stress-free adults!

We have ADRs for dinner at the Polynesian.. OHANA. My DH has done this one, but I haven't. Looking forward to the big ol' buffet!

Evening plans will probably involve EPCOT again... we'll see what happens

Monday 1/8 I'm already sad thinking about this "going home" day. We have ADRs at Restaurantosaurus for the Character breakfast. I'm sure this will be nice, but definitely not as fun without the kids. This may even get me in the mood to get back home and see them.

We hope to experience EE this day. Maybe it will make up for the Rockin' Roller Coaster being down... IT BETTER!!!!!

We fly out Monday night and return LATE to Indy. Both of us are taking Monday off of school (don't tell our Principals!! ) So getting up on Tuesday to go back to school will be .... impossible. I will be in total Disney withdrawal.

At least I can look forward to starting my TR, right?

Thanks for reading... any comments would be great!

 

[Mrs.Reese]

No I'm kidding. I promise not to tell your prince. Your trip sounds great. Can't wait to hear more.

You get to teach the older ones Lucky

 

[Sooze]

You get to teach the older ones Lucky

I was wondering what grade you taught. After hearing about the vomit in "housekeeping", I assumed Kindergarten... or maybe preschool?

 

[Mrs.Reese]

I teach kindergarten. It has its ups and downs but I can be a true goofball.

 

[mlill]

Hi! Your plan sounds good to me! We're flying Northwest out of Indy on the 14th. They already changed my afternoon flight, but I caught it in time and was able to get on the morning flight! Just keep checking!!! We stayed at SSR a couple of years ago. You'll like it! It was nice being able to walk to Downtown Disney. Have a great trip! I can't wait to read your TR when you get home!

Happy Holidays!
-Michelle

 

[Sooze]

Just wanted to let everyone know that on my ticker below... WE ARE DOWN TO DAYS!!!!!

BRING IT!!!

 

[Sooze]

Well folks, we are into the single digits. I think I better get out the luggage, attach the ME tags, and start taking pictures for my trip report.

I had the big discussion with the DS the other day about Mommy and Daddy going to WDW. I explained that there are "grown-up things" that we like to do that we don't get to do when we have kids. I reminded him that we take a trip every year that is just for Ds and DD and that we do WHATEVER THEY want during that trip...

Long story short, he was totally cool with it. Such a sweet kid!

Hey.. is anyone else having trouble posting smileys.. or seeing all of them?! Ever since that update, I've been struggling...?

 

[Sooze]

It's so close, I was able to check the weather for our trip. I'm totally excited to see it will be in the mid 80's... pretty darned toasty for this time of year. HOORAY!!

The suitcases are out... the Hidden Mickey book is already in the suitcase (I always forget that blasted thing)... all I need to do now is a bunch of laundry to fluff up all of my shorts... poor things, they've been in hiding for several months now.

I've been reading trip reports left and right.. my house is a disaster, but I'm so excited I can't get off this darned web site!!

Talk to you all later.

 

[Sooze]

Hi! Your plan sounds good to me! We're flying Northwest out of Indy on the 14th.

Mlill... where are you from in Indiana?! It's great to see more Disney-obsessed Hoosiers on here!

 

[mlill]

We're in Northwest IN - Valparaiso. We can fly out of Chicago or Indy, but I prefer Indy. We stayed overnight at LaQuinta on Executive Dr. and did the park and fly thing. It was cheaper than using the airport parking lot, plus we didn't have to get up at 2 am for our 3 hour drive to Indy! What kills us is the time change between our area and the rest of IN.

I bet you guys are getting excited! Have a wonderful time in WDW!!!

Take care,
-Michelle

 

[PrincessV]

Hi there Sooze I'm in! Sounds like a great start, and you're only 2 days away now

Have a great trip, and we'll be here waiting to here all about it!

 

[Sooze]

Well, I've already disappointed myself with this TR... but, honestly, it is NOT my fault!!

I have pictures of our "pre" trip ready to go, but I haven't been able to get online from my home computer in OVER A WEEK!! I can't even fathom how many emails are waiting for me...

But I can't access my pictures from school (the only place I can get online now)... so SORRY FOLKS!! Hopefully, it'll be up and running by the time I return from the World.

Oh yes... that's right... I'M LEAVING TODAY!!!!!! Oh my gosh, I just can't believe it's finally here.

If you're the praying type, please say a little prayer for my flights... I don't do very well on airplanes.. I'm a bit of a flight- wimp

Talk to you all in a few days!

 

[mlill]

I hope you're having a great time in WDW!

I'm looking forward to reading all about it when you get home!

-Michelle

 

[Sooze]

Well.. I'm home We had an amazing time and I can't wait to sit down with my little journal book and type it all up for anyone interested in reading!

Unfortunately, the next 5 days are jam packed with stuff to keep me away from my computer... So please don't leave.. I promise I'll be back with my report.

It was really fun experiencing WDW with a TR in mind... I kept a little notebook to write down little things that I knew I'd forget otherwise.

Bottom line... I'm still in love with Disney, even more than ever. Looking forward to sharing with you all!

BTW.. can someone help me move this over to the TRIP REPORTS board? I'm not sure how to do that THANKS!

 

[Sooze]

Well, we’re leaving tomorrow. I guess it’s time to get out the suitcases and start packing, eh? Here they are… open and ready to go.

We bought these lovely red suitcases from the Disney catalog last Christmas. They were on sale.. that’s the only way I can justify paying that much for new luggage, especially luggage that won’t last very long. I love Disney, you know that, but a lot of their stuff from the catalog just ain’t very quality-made. In fact, I swore we would ONLY use this luggage for Disney trips. Well, I had to make an emergency trip to PA the week before Christmas… a friend of mine died in a car accident… so sad… but you don’t need to be depressed. Any way, I grabbed the little red Mickey suitcase for the trip. As I’m rolling it through the Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton airport, I realize a wheel has already broken off. Darnit!! Oh well, I still love the luggage because Mickey is on it, and the zipper pulls have classic Mickeys on them!

We have our ME passes secured.

We have our carry on items ready to go into the red, Mickey carry on bag.

Notice the Hidden Mickey book. I ALWAYS forget this thing. Now that I’m finally remembering it, half of the darn Mickey’s in there are out-of-date and no longer exist. But I’m bringing it darnit, just to say I used it and didn’t waste $12.95!!

The night before we are leaving has finally arrived. One more night in our own Mickey bed.

It is hitting DH and myself that we will be leaving our children tomorrow. This BLISSFUL vacation that we have been waiting two years for is finally upon us, and it hits us that we have to say goodbye. Now, the baby will be fine. I’ll miss her little toes and sweet soft skin… but the six year old… He is old enough to make us feel GUILTY. We are not looking forward to it. My husband says it’s going to be “Brutal”.. he loves that word. I reassure him that Tyson knows we are going, and has been fine. But I knew better… I just didn’t expect it to be THAT bad…

Stay tuned….

 

[Sooze]

By the way.. can ANYONE help me move this to the regular trip report section instead of pre-trip reports?!?! I tried to figure out how to do it, but I'm just not that savvy yet!

Thanks!

 

[daisy_77]

Hi! I am enjoying your report! Thanks for sharing!

I have the same red Mickey luggage and the first time I used it the luggage stap ripped off! Oh, well! They are still cute and work fine for my Disney trips!

Look forward to reading more!