princesshannahsmom
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2009
- Messages
- 331
Well, I am new here as you can tell by my number of posts, but, we are planning our May trip to WDW and I thought, why not join in the fun and start a pre-trip report. I may not be as funny as most of the ones I have read on here, but I will be diligent in trying to keep you entertained!
First of all this trip is long awaited and LONG overdue! You see, we live in Florida, and are Season Pass holders for many years now, but, the last time we went was February of 2008 and that was a short 4 day trip. We have had some truly rough times over the last year, but this trip is sure to do the trick in making the next year one we will never forget!
You see, in August of 2008, my DH (36) had a heart attack and was placed in the hospital. They were concerned due to his age, but not completely confused due to his career. My DH has been in law enforcement since he was 19 years old, wherein he joined his local police department in a subarb of Jacksonville, FL. From there, he entered the military, staying true to his dreams of being a law enforcement officer, he was a Military Policeman. After his four year stint he joined the Sheriff's Office here in Panama City (where we met), where he stayed for 6 years. On a whim, he decided he would like to be in a bigger city, wherein, we decided to move to Clearwater, FL, where he worked for another 5 years as a detective for the Sheriff's Office there. On another whim(my DH is somewhat of a gypsie by nature) he decided he wanted a MUCH smaller environment, so we moved to NORTH DAKOTA! We only made it there for 6 months (he worked as the assistant Sheriff), and we moved back to where we are now in Panama City. Then, he had the heart attack. Well, just as we thought things were getting better, he had another heart attack, and what they believe was a small stroke, and things just went downhill from there. You see, I was a stay at home mom, as his career was our "bacon". But, unfortunately, after all of those years in law enforcement, he was forced to medically retire. Now, you may think that sounds ideal, but the local sheriff's office hasn't cooperated, and he hasn't received a dime in retirement money. Therefore, months passed with no income from DH. I graciously decided I would return to work as a paralegal(making much less than he was making of course), and in December, he lucked upon the opportunity of a lifetime, night manager of a local auto parts store. Now, that may not sound like much, but after dealing with those many years of the stressful lifestyle of a law enforcement officer, it was truly a blessing from God. So, needless to say, life is back on track for us, and with that good blessing we decided to take a "real" trip to the World.
Enough with the boring history lesson though, on to the good stuff. So, without further adieu here is the cast of characters.
Me - Mande - 33 ULTIMATE Disney fanatic, trip planner, money saver and researcher extraordinaire! I am still working as a legal assistant for a one man law office locally. I enjoy anything to do with Disney, reading, scrapbooking and spending time with my most amazing family.
DH - Bill - 36 Loves Disney as much as I do, but doesn't enjoy talking about it incessantly. Loves that I am the planner and money saver, and knows that I will make the most of our time at WDW. Is really enjoying his new found career, loves his remote control cars, and LOVES spending time with me and DD.
DD - "Princess Jasmine" - 9 Loves Disney as much as mom does. Enjoys helping me plan the little details, and can't wait to take this trip! Is a straight A student, who is wise far beyond her years. She also loves to read, but really enjoys her lifelike dolls that she collects from Asthon Drake, loves her WII and her Nintendo DS and enjoys her time on the enternet. She is the LOVE of our lives!
and....
joining us for their second trip to the world
Dbro - won't reveal his age - Very quiet and very much a family man. Had been to WDW three times as a child, but just went last year for the first time with his family. Though you probably couldn't tell it, I am told that he had a fabulous time, and was actually the instigator for this trip!
DSil - won't reveal her age either! - A very wonderful girl! Very devoted to her job and her family and to a certain charitable organization. Thanks to me, is a new LOVER of Disney! Really enjoyed her last trip to the World, and from what I hear did an excellent job planning. She prepared a scrapbook of their vacation and it was marvelous!
Dnephew - "Lightening McQueen" - 3 This little boy is an absoloute Joy! I adore him like no other! He is so very smart and sweet as sugar! From what I could tell in the pictures I saw of his last trip, he very much enjoyed himself. He loved the characters and interacted like a pro! He loves Cars and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and I think his mom is going to turn him into a Disney fanatic like us!
Well, thats the cast. Next post will be the particulars of the trip!
Thanks for joining along!
First of all this trip is long awaited and LONG overdue! You see, we live in Florida, and are Season Pass holders for many years now, but, the last time we went was February of 2008 and that was a short 4 day trip. We have had some truly rough times over the last year, but this trip is sure to do the trick in making the next year one we will never forget!
You see, in August of 2008, my DH (36) had a heart attack and was placed in the hospital. They were concerned due to his age, but not completely confused due to his career. My DH has been in law enforcement since he was 19 years old, wherein he joined his local police department in a subarb of Jacksonville, FL. From there, he entered the military, staying true to his dreams of being a law enforcement officer, he was a Military Policeman. After his four year stint he joined the Sheriff's Office here in Panama City (where we met), where he stayed for 6 years. On a whim, he decided he would like to be in a bigger city, wherein, we decided to move to Clearwater, FL, where he worked for another 5 years as a detective for the Sheriff's Office there. On another whim(my DH is somewhat of a gypsie by nature) he decided he wanted a MUCH smaller environment, so we moved to NORTH DAKOTA! We only made it there for 6 months (he worked as the assistant Sheriff), and we moved back to where we are now in Panama City. Then, he had the heart attack. Well, just as we thought things were getting better, he had another heart attack, and what they believe was a small stroke, and things just went downhill from there. You see, I was a stay at home mom, as his career was our "bacon". But, unfortunately, after all of those years in law enforcement, he was forced to medically retire. Now, you may think that sounds ideal, but the local sheriff's office hasn't cooperated, and he hasn't received a dime in retirement money. Therefore, months passed with no income from DH. I graciously decided I would return to work as a paralegal(making much less than he was making of course), and in December, he lucked upon the opportunity of a lifetime, night manager of a local auto parts store. Now, that may not sound like much, but after dealing with those many years of the stressful lifestyle of a law enforcement officer, it was truly a blessing from God. So, needless to say, life is back on track for us, and with that good blessing we decided to take a "real" trip to the World.
Enough with the boring history lesson though, on to the good stuff. So, without further adieu here is the cast of characters.
Me - Mande - 33 ULTIMATE Disney fanatic, trip planner, money saver and researcher extraordinaire! I am still working as a legal assistant for a one man law office locally. I enjoy anything to do with Disney, reading, scrapbooking and spending time with my most amazing family.
DH - Bill - 36 Loves Disney as much as I do, but doesn't enjoy talking about it incessantly. Loves that I am the planner and money saver, and knows that I will make the most of our time at WDW. Is really enjoying his new found career, loves his remote control cars, and LOVES spending time with me and DD.
DD - "Princess Jasmine" - 9 Loves Disney as much as mom does. Enjoys helping me plan the little details, and can't wait to take this trip! Is a straight A student, who is wise far beyond her years. She also loves to read, but really enjoys her lifelike dolls that she collects from Asthon Drake, loves her WII and her Nintendo DS and enjoys her time on the enternet. She is the LOVE of our lives!
and....
joining us for their second trip to the world
Dbro - won't reveal his age - Very quiet and very much a family man. Had been to WDW three times as a child, but just went last year for the first time with his family. Though you probably couldn't tell it, I am told that he had a fabulous time, and was actually the instigator for this trip!
DSil - won't reveal her age either! - A very wonderful girl! Very devoted to her job and her family and to a certain charitable organization. Thanks to me, is a new LOVER of Disney! Really enjoyed her last trip to the World, and from what I hear did an excellent job planning. She prepared a scrapbook of their vacation and it was marvelous!
Dnephew - "Lightening McQueen" - 3 This little boy is an absoloute Joy! I adore him like no other! He is so very smart and sweet as sugar! From what I could tell in the pictures I saw of his last trip, he very much enjoyed himself. He loved the characters and interacted like a pro! He loves Cars and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and I think his mom is going to turn him into a Disney fanatic like us!
Well, thats the cast. Next post will be the particulars of the trip!
Thanks for joining along!
I go to our discount stores and when they are on sale I stock up and have a separate bag for our items that are going to Disney! 
