A vacation in May... the DISNEY way!

[mtgirl29]

I just found your PTR. We are also going May, but Memorial Day Weekend. I know it will be very busy, but we went in '09 the same week and it was still very fun!

I absolutely loved your video of telling the kids about going to WDW! It made me tear up as does all the Disney commericials.

Sorry to hear about all the damage with the tornadoes. We had similar experiences here in St. Louis. Total neighborhoods wiped out and our airport was extensively damaged and closed for Easter weekend. We also had hail the size of softballs. This Spring has been unbelievable.
I am glad to hear that your MIL was safe, though sorry to hear her neighbors weren't so lucky.

Looking forward to more updates. Are you planning on doing a TR?

 

[Disneychix]

God has blessed you and you should go and have fun! I just found your PTR but wanted to comment on your last entry about whether or not you should be excited and have fun. Please, Please do! You shouldn't feel guilty but should celebrate what you have. Now you know all too well how everything can change in one instance. You can't undo what has been done in your area. Don't dwell, go have fun and when you come back you can find your own way to help your neighbors and family

 

[ohboyx3]

I just found your PTR. We are also going May, but Memorial Day Weekend. I know it will be very busy, but we went in '09 the same week and it was still very fun!

I absolutely loved your video of telling the kids about going to WDW! It made me tear up as does all the Disney commericials.

Sorry to hear about all the damage with the tornadoes. We had similar experiences here in St. Louis. Total neighborhoods wiped out and our airport was extensively damaged and closed for Easter weekend. We also had hail the size of softballs. This Spring has been unbelievable.
I am glad to hear that your MIL was safe, though sorry to hear her neighbors weren't so lucky.

Looking forward to more updates. Are you planning on doing a TR?

We had originally planned Memorial Day weekend and then changed it. I'm a little worried about crowds at SWW and rain at this point.... but who cares right? We'll be at DISNEY! I'm sorry to hear about the damage in St. Louis... this has been a crazy year for weather! Yes... I'm planning to do a trip report... as long as I have readers. It's been a slow start! Any tips? The last surprise was so fun... doubt we can top it... but it'll be fun to try again! They have NO clue we are going at this point. Just going to pick them up from school and take off! I'm heading over right now to read your PTR!

 

[ohboyx3]

God has blessed you and you should go and have fun! I just found your PTR but wanted to comment on your last entry about whether or not you should be excited and have fun. Please, Please do! You shouldn't feel guilty but should celebrate what you have. Now you know all too well how everything can change in one instance. You can't undo what has been done in your area. Don't dwell, go have fun and when you come back you can find your own way to help your neighbors and family

Thank you for the kind words!! I feel much better about things after going up this weekend and helping to clean up. It wil take months.... I think we need a break and when we come back we'll be ready to go again! We have a lot to be thankful for!!!

 

[mtgirl29]

We had originally planned Memorial Day weekend and then changed it. I'm a little worried about crowds at SWW and rain at this point.... but who cares right? We'll be at DISNEY! I'm sorry to hear about the damage in St. Louis... this has been a crazy year for weather! Yes... I'm planning to do a trip report... as long as I have readers. It's been a slow start! Any tips? The last surprise was so fun... doubt we can top it... but it'll be fun to try again! They have NO clue we are going at this point. Just going to pick them up from school and take off! I'm heading over right now to read your PTR!

The only tip I can give is you have to designate time for your reports. It sounds like you are extremely busy taking classes and substituting at the school. I am currently a SAHM the only extras I am currently doing is Co-Leading for Girl Scouts and also our troops Cookie Manager....Ugggh. DS starts Kindergarten this Fall and I will be going back to work, so I am sure I will have a lot less time when that happens. I basically just did a "Memory Lane" theme for most of mine. I am really not the planner for our Disney vacations, even though I have really gotten a lot of great tips and such here on the DIS. I have also met some absolutely WONDERFUL people. It has also really revved up my excitement. My DD and I love to read everyones plans and also read the TRs together.
Are you just beyond excited, yet??? I know I am. I cannot wait to hear how the surprise goes. I am following a thread of a very wonderful lady on here and she is doing a surprise for her 2 kiddos. She is going the same week as you are and she isn't telling them at all. She is going to just let them see the signs when they get to Orlando. I think it will be FABULOUS! I can hardly wait. I just love surprises.
I was just telling her today about your video and how great it was. I will have her take a look at it, too!
Are you going to reveal that you all are, indeed, going to WDW when you pick them up or are you going to try to have them figure it out?

 

[Lidian]

I'm here!

We will have some overlapping days at WDW, but I think the only time we might bump into each other is your final MK day on Wednesday. Then again, I didn't see any exact dates, so I am just guessing.

Your final MK day is the 25th? Or am I off a week? If you're at MK on the 25th, we'll be there as well. We'll also be at MK to see MSEP on the 22nd (our arrival day). I had never seen MSEP, but loved Spectro. I had to convince DH to allow us to go on arrival day, JUST so I could see MSEP.

Did you find an offsite hotel? We'll be finishing our vacation offsite. Our TA found us a wonderful hotel near DTD. They had villas. When she originally told me the price, I was a bit worried (was thinking there had to be something wrong with such a nice price for a villa), but it was 3 star rated by AAA and it looked stunning!

Have you decided when/how to tell your other boys? Can't wait for the TR!

And now for the list of things that have never been done....

I have never had a Dole Whip...
Never set foot in the barbershop... contemplating hair cuts for the boys...
Never done the Tiki Room - will be closed for refurb
Never found a paint brush on Tom Sawyer's Island
Never seen the Country Bears
Never been to wake up Tink
Never eaten at Cinderella's Royal Table
Never done the Astro Orbiter and never planning on doing it.. I'd like to keep that Dole Whip in my tummy, thank you. - I suffer from severe motion sickness, but oddly, this one never phased me - the height phased me though
Never seen MSEP since my own childhood.... I am so happy they brought it back. Spectro wasn't the same for me. - I can't wait for this!

Wow... this is starting to get lengthy...

Never seen Circle of Life
Never seen Captain Eo... I hope it's still there in May - from what I understand, it will be
Never seen Voices of Liberty
Never done a Kim Possible mission
Never seen the movie in France
Never stayed for the Norway movie. LOL
Never had a Kaki Gori - what is this?
Never did the Pick a pearl - I recommend the one in Japan if you decide to do this. They really make it a celebration and its a lot of fun!

Never seen American Idol... Thinking about trying out for this! - Good luck!! I can't carry a tune, but I've tried to talk DH into auditioning the past two years - but he refuses
Never been for a SWW
Never seen the key at Muppets - what is this??
Never eaten at Pizza Planet... My boys think this is a MUST this trip!
Never ridden the NEW Star Tours (Ummm pretty sure no one has) - I can't wait!
Never seen the Narnia attraction
Never done the animation thing
Never done Playhouse Disney (Afraid we're past that now...) - We loved this in 2009 and looking forward to the new one, but I have a preschooler, so I can still get in without funny looks

Never seen Divine - I highly recommend finding a CM and asking what her schedule is. We've missed her the past 2 years Last year, I stopped a CM and they said that she leaves everyday at a certain time, but don't recall, we just missed her by like 20 mins
Didn't get to do the Safari last trip... - this is our FAVE AK ride, and we'll actually do this at least twice this year. It's great that even a little bit later in the day, its a different experience
[/SIZE]

I made some comments and asked some questions above in black.

Anyways ... can't wait to hear more!

 

[ohboyx3]

Hey! Yes.... I am way beyond excited and bordering a little on frantic at this point! I'm obsessing at this point from how much soending money to take to the weather!!! I have so much to do and am wondering how i'm going to fit it all in! I hope to get a lot done over the weekend!
I have not figured out exactly how to surprise them... We want them to know that they're going somewehere... so that they can say goodbye to their teachers and friends. I think as of now the plan is to tell them Sunday that we are going with my husband on a trip for his work. "Hopefully we'll even get a hotel with a nice pool or something!" LOL. I'm going to check them out of school around 11:30 Tuesday morning. The goal is to get through Atlanta before rush hour! Hopefully we'll get into Orlando around 9. I'm guessing we'll break it to them fairly early on during the car ride. I put together little gift bags with a disney shirt, pins, goggles for the pool, pressed penny containers, etc. I can't wait to give it to them! We haven't booked an offsite hotel yet. I think we're just going to wing it for the one night. A funny side note.... hey boys literally have no idea.... Today was Chuckee Cheese day at school. They wanted to go tonight for dinner and I couldn't see spending the money on cardboard pizza when we're days away from vacation. I told them that we're saving for Disney... which is what I always say.... Well they just looked at me and said, "You've been saying that forever! Are we ever going to go????"

Thanks you guys for joining in!

 

[ohboyx3]

I'm here!

We will have some overlapping days at WDW, but I think the only time we might bump into each other is your final MK day on Wednesday. Then again, I didn't see any exact dates, so I am just guessing.

Here's the schedule! Maybe we'll cross paths!
17th- Drive
18th- MK
19th- Epcot
20th- AK
21st- SWW at HS
22nd- Epcot/ World SHowcase (Dying to do the KP missions)
23rd- Water park
24th- HS
25th- MK
26th- Check out and possible water park


Your final MK day is the 25th? Or am I off a week? If you're at MK on the 25th, we'll be there as well. Cool!!!! We'll also be at MK to see MSEP on the 22nd (our arrival day). I had never seen MSEP, but loved Spectro. I had to convince DH to allow us to go on arrival day, JUST so I could see MSEP.

Did you find an offsite hotel? Nope... We're just going to wing it. We'll be finishing our vacation offsite. Our TA found us a wonderful hotel near DTD. They had villas. When she originally told me the price, I was a bit worried (was thinking there had to be something wrong with such a nice price for a villa), but it was 3 star rated by AAA and it looked stunning!

Have you decided when/how to tell your other boys? Can't wait for the TR!



I made some comments and asked some questions above in black.

Anyways ... can't wait to hear more!

Thanks for joining in!!!

 

[ohboyx3]

Originally Posted by ohboyx3
And now for the list of things that have never been done....

I have never had a Dole Whip...
Never set foot in the barbershop... contemplating hair cuts for the boys...
Never done the Tiki Room - will be closed for refurb I could think of worse...
Never found a paint brush on Tom Sawyer's Island
Never seen the Country Bears
Never been to wake up Tink
Never eaten at Cinderella's Royal Table
Never done the Astro Orbiter and never planning on doing it.. I'd like to keep that Dole Whip in my tummy, thank you. - I suffer from severe motion sickness, but oddly, this one never phased me - the height phased me though Yeah... I'm afraid of heights!
Never seen MSEP since my own childhood.... I am so happy they brought it back. Spectro wasn't the same for me. - I can't wait for this!

Wow... this is starting to get lengthy...

Never seen Circle of Life
Never seen Captain Eo... I hope it's still there in May - from what I understand, it will be Woo Hoo! HISTA was getting old...
Never seen Voices of Liberty
Never done a Kim Possible mission
Never seen the movie in France
Never stayed for the Norway movie. LOL
Never had a Kaki Gori - what is this? I think it's shaved ice with flavoring...
Never did the Pick a pearl - I recommend the one in Japan if you decide to do this. They really make it a celebration and its a lot of fun! I'm planning on it!!!

Never seen American Idol... Thinking about trying out for this! - Good luck!! I can't carry a tune, but I've tried to talk DH into auditioning the past two years - but he refuses I'd like to... but we'll see... I don't want it to take up our entire park day..
Never been for a SWW
Never seen the key at Muppets - what is this?? By the box office when you enter the Muppets attraction there is a ticket window with a sign that says they're closed but the key is under the mat... lift the mat!
Never eaten at Pizza Planet... My boys think this is a MUST this trip!
Never ridden the NEW Star Tours (Ummm pretty sure no one has) - I can't wait! Me either!!!!
Never seen the Narnia attraction
Never done the animation thing
Never done Playhouse Disney (Afraid we're past that now...) - We loved this in 2009 and looking forward to the new one, but I have a preschooler, so I can still get in without funny looks Yeah.... my boys would not be thrilled with me... It's bad enough when I force them on IASW.

Never seen Divine - I highly recommend finding a CM and asking what her schedule is. We've missed her the past 2 years Last year, I stopped a CM and they said that she leaves everyday at a certain time, but don't recall, we just missed her by like 20 mins
Didn't get to do the Safari last trip... - this is our FAVE AK ride, and we'll actually do this at least twice this year. It's great that even a little bit later in the day, its a different experience I'm really looking forward to this... and also going to try and sneak in Rafiki's planet watch

 

[Lidian]

Hey! Yes.... I am way beyond excited and bordering a little on frantic at this point! I'm obsessing at this point from how much soending money to take to the weather!!! I have so much to do and am wondering how i'm going to fit it all in! I hope to get a lot done over the weekend!
I have not figured out exactly how to surprise them... We want them to know that they're going somewehere... so that they can say goodbye to their teachers and friends. I think as of now the plan is to tell them Sunday that we are going with my husband on a trip for his work. "Hopefully we'll even get a hotel with a nice pool or something!" LOL. I'm going to check them out of school around 11:30 Tuesday morning. The goal is to get through Atlanta before rush hour! Hopefully we'll get into Orlando around 9. I'm guessing we'll break it to them fairly early on during the car ride. I put together little gift bags with a disney shirt, pins, goggles for the pool, pressed penny containers, etc. I can't wait to give it to them! We haven't booked an offsite hotel yet. I think we're just going to wing it for the one night. A funny side note.... hey boys literally have no idea.... Today was Chuckee Cheese day at school. They wanted to go tonight for dinner and I couldn't see spending the money on cardboard pizza when we're days away from vacation. I told them that we're saving for Disney... which is what I always say.... Well they just looked at me and said, "You've been saying that forever! Are we ever going to go????"

Thanks you guys for joining in!

That is too awesome! We're surprising our kids, but haven't come up with when/where/how yet. I bought them a Birnbaum's Kid's Guide and will create a little booklet of our itinerary so they will know when we're doing what. I know I have to come up with a reason to get them in the car for a long period of time without them whining. They've always been really good about the drive in the past, but they also knew where we were going and our ETA.

That really is cute that they asked if they were ever going to go back.

Thanks for joining in!!!

Here's the schedule! Maybe we'll cross paths!
17th- Drive
18th- MK
19th- Epcot
20th- AK
21st- SWW at HS
22nd- Epcot/ World SHowcase (Dying to do the KP missions)
23rd- Water park
24th- HS
25th- MK
26th- Check out and possible water park

We arrive on the 22nd and will go to MK for the evening. The only day we might cross paths would, in fact, be the 25th at MK.

22nd- MK
23rd- DHS
24th- lazy day / DTD
25th- MK
26th- EP
27th- AK
28th- EP
29th- home

Thanks for the info on Muppets and the shaved ice! G'luck with your reveal and finding a nice hotel! Can't wait for the TR!!!

 

[ohboyx3]

It's getting so hard not to tell! I'm about to burst!!!!!!!!! 4 more days!!!!

 

[Lidian]

It's getting so hard not to tell! I'm about to burst!!!!!!!!! 4 more days!!!!

for 4 days!!!

 

[mrssmith06]

Hi, just found your PTR and 4 days, WOW....how exciting!!!!!!!!

 

[PixieMama]

I had to pop over from Lidian's PTR to yours... I'm in Chattanooga, too!

It really is a "Small World" isn't it?!

Now off to read all about your plans...

 

[Lidian]

I had to pop over from Lidian's PTR to yours... I'm in Chattanooga, too!

It really is a "Small World" isn't it?!

Now off to read all about your plans...

**hums the "its a small world afterall" song over and over**

 

[ohboyx3]

I had to pop over from Lidian's PTR to yours... I'm in Chattanooga, too!

It really is a "Small World" isn't it?!

Now off to read all about your plans...

Awesome! I am headed over to check out your PTR now!

 

[ohboyx3]

**hums the "its a small world afterall" song over and over**

Now I've got it stuck in my head!!!!

 

[ohboyx3]

I just got home after 12 hours at the ballfields and I am pooped!!! We had FIVE games amongst the three boys! I have sooooo much to do and I'm starting to stress just a little! I did manage to go by the bank this morning and get cash out and some quarters for the pressed penny machines and laundry! I also picked us up some new beach towels and some toiletries, etc. I STILL need to get some breakfast stuff for the room.... Sigh. I'll do that Monday. Tomorrow is designated packing day. Should be interesting since they stil don't have a clue we're going anywhere! 3 MORE DAYS!!!! Really two... since this one is almost over...

 

[ohboyx3]

Hi, just found your PTR and 4 days, WOW....how exciting!!!!!!!!

Thank you!!! Yours is getting close too!

 

[mtgirl29]

I know you are stressing, but it is the good kind of stress!!!!

I am so excited and can hardly wait to find out how you tell the boys!!!

Keep us posted when you get a chance. Oh who are we fooling, you will just have to update us when you get back. Have a great trip!!!