Allie finally gets to meet Mickey Mouse...but mom has to get through finals first!

[bbak30]

I so don't have time for this, I should be studying for finals instead. But I can't help myself. 12 days until we leave for Disney World--I'm overflowing with excitement!

First up, the cast of characters:

Me, 30; DH, 30: DD Allie, 5; and DD Kate, 16 months

This is Allie, she just turned 5 at the end of October. Allie first discovered Mickey Mouse when she was about 18 months old. She is pretty faithful to Mickey, but also adores Minnie and all of the Princesses.

And this is Kate. She doesn't really care about Disney World. She just wants to make sure we will feed her wherever we go.

My parents are also coming with us, yayy! We aren't really celebrating anything, unless you count me making it through another semester of school. I have 19 hours (that's a lot, if you didn't know) and two kids to take care of. I'm trying to get in nursing school (submitting application in February ), so I've been hitting the books pretty hard.

So, that's us! Up next: some of our plans!

 

[bbak30]

Our travel dates are December 10-17. Ready for the fun part...my last final is December 9th. Who does that? I must be crazy....
But I HAD to book it this way. We wanted to go when it was still the off season so we could take advantage of the free dining plan, smaller crowds and better prices! I'm sure it will work out.

DH really wanted to drive. I wanted to fly. DH wanted to drive. I wanted to fly. Then in September we took a trip to Destin, FL, which is a mere 4 hour drive from where we live, and DH quickly changed his mind. A one year old in the car for 4 hours was intolerable, no way could we handle 14 hours.

So we are booked on a direct flight from NOLA to Orlando! We also decided to rent a van to bring us to the resort and then back to the airport.

Our resort: POP! So excited, I have heard such great things about this resort. I would have loved to stay at one of the Deluxe resorts (who wouldn't), but I figure this way we won't know what we are missing! Once we go deluxe, I doubt we will be able to go back, so this is probably best. (I compare it to the time I had 2nd row tickets to the New Kids on the Block concert--no way will I settle for anything less now. Part of me wishes I never had that experience because I wouldn't have to shell out the money it costs for those kind of seats!)

Anyway, back to the trip...We did get the FREE QS dining plan, but upgraded to the one that includes a TS. We have several ADRs:
Chef Mickey's
Le Cellier
Coral Reef
SciFi Dine-In
Flying Fish
Hoop Dee Do Revue
Via Napoli
Donald's Safari Breakfast at Tusker House
Crystal Palace
Tony's Town Square

This is what Kate is most excited about, did I mention she likes to eat?

I must go study now, but next up: The Great Stroller Debate!

 

[bbak30]

So, up until Tuesday of last week, I was planning to bring our Maclaren for Kate, and just let Allie walk.

I love this stroller. We purchased it about 3 years ago right before we took a trip to NYC. It was perfect. Lightweight and easy to carry, yet comfortable. And it also had good storage space for an umbrella stroller. So I thought we would just bring this and let Allie walk. And if she got tired, she could sit while we took turns carrying Kate.
Well, some friends of mine told me I was stupid. They said it nicely, but told me I really needed a stroller for the big one too.

So that's when the debate started. Do we bring the double stroller? It's so big and hard to push, and DH hates having to deal with it. So do we bring another small umbrella stroller? Then we have to deal with two strollers. UGH, what are we going to do?

So I turned to DIS boards and was lead to Orlando Strollers and Magic Strollers. I decided to book the CityMini through Magic Strollers because they were a tad bit cheaper, but included the rain cover and parent attachment at no additional charge! All of a sudden I'm super excited about this darn stroller. We've never had a jogging stroller before. And since the girls will be side by side, no arguments on who goes in front.
Problem solved!

It looks like it folds up so easily, so that will be nice. And there seems to be a good bit of storage, even better!

Anyone have any experience with Magic Strollers that they want to share?

 

[2princesses2princes]

Subbing

First off, your daughters are adorable. So cute!!!

We LOVED Pop Century, wish we could have gone back this time, but our family has grown, and well we want to take advantage of one last time going and only booking one room. We have 4 kiddos ranging from 2-11.

We are taking the risk and driving, 20+hours with our 4 kids. Yup we are insane, but we'll see how it goes, it'll be the decision on if we ever do it again. We have done 4hrs with no problems so we'll see.

Magic Strollers has a good reputation, we have not used them but plan to when we go in February. I am excited about it as well, same dilema, 5yr old to walk or ride??? So we decided to be safe rather than sorry.

 

[Becc1]

Your girls are adorable, my ds was just like your youngest, as long as we kept him well fed he was happy, lol. Good luck on your test, you are a brave woman, I can't imagine prepping for a test and prepping for Disney at the same time!

 

[bbak30]

Subbing

First off, your daughters are adorable. So cute!!!

We LOVED Pop Century, wish we could have gone back this time, but our family has grown, and well we want to take advantage of one last time going and only booking one room. We have 4 kiddos ranging from 2-11.

We are taking the risk and driving, 20+hours with our 4 kids. Yup we are insane, but we'll see how it goes, it'll be the decision on if we ever do it again. We have done 4hrs with no problems so we'll see.

Magic Strollers has a good reputation, we have not used them but plan to when we go in February. I am excited about it as well, same dilema, 5yr old to walk or ride??? So we decided to be safe rather than sorry.

WOW, 20 hours, that's a lot! But I'm sure it will work out. I guess you have to try it at least once! We are super excited about staying at POP, I've heard great things about it.
I will let you know how the stroller deal goes!

 

[bbak30]

Your girls are adorable, my ds was just like your youngest, as long as we kept him well fed he was happy, lol. Good luck on your test, you are a brave woman, I can't imagine prepping for a test and prepping for Disney at the same time!

'

Thank you! I feel very unprepared for the trip , but I guess it's better to be unprepared for the trip and not finals!

 

[bbak30]

When we checked the mail yesterday there was a postcard from our FGM for the girls! Allie was so excited that Mickey Mouse sent her mail. I think she finally believes us that we are taking her to Disney World. We have been talking about it for so long that I think she stopped believing us. She has NO concept of time!

So the countdown is beginning (who am I kidding, I've been counting down for months!), we leave a week from tomorrow! At this time next week I will be DONE with finals. The nerves will be in full gear as I await my grades and get packed up for this trip.

I could use some good grade vibes please. I have worked so hard this semester, I really want to get into nursing school!!!

 

[2princesses2princes]

Sending those good grade vibes your way

How exciting to get FGM. YAY. I am hoping to get someone to send something to my kiddos as the date gets closer.

 

[tomaszewski58]

You'll get thru finals. And you'll have the trip of your lifetime.

 

[bbak30]

Sending those good grade vibes your way

How exciting to get FGM. YAY. I am hoping to get someone to send something to my kiddos as the date gets closer.

PM me and I can take care of that for you!

 

[bbak30]

I just realized that at this time next week we will be at the Hoop Dee Do Revue! I can't wait. When my parents too me and my sister years and year ago, they said this was our favorite thing. I don't really remember, so I will just take their word for it. Last year we went to Gatlinburg, Tennessee and attended the Dixie Stampeded and Allie LOVED it. So I know she will enjoy this too. I thought it would be a good way to start our trip. We don't have park tickets for Friday since we don't arrive until around 1:30.

The girls are going to be so decked out for this trip. My mom made them two sets of matching dresses:

The photos really don't do them justice, they are so cute! I also have turtlenecks to put underneath to keep them warm (if needed). In addition to these dresses, I have several other matching outfits. I ordered these personalized shirts from Etsy, and the seller was even kind enough to make the shirts in hot pink for me!

My wonderful MIL got them long sleeved red Mickey shirts that I will pair with black leggings. Then a friend of mine got Allie a monogrammed Minnie shirt for her birthday and I asked her where she got it from so I could get one for Kate, and she got her one for me! She actually got two for each of them.
A few weeks ago at Wal-Mart I found some matching princess outfits as well. So they are all set!