Am I Early? Impatiently Waiting January 2011

[BriesMomma]

So the bug is back. I call it an itch. The itch starts small and then I see a commercial, a billboard, glance at old pictures... and then I become full-blown Disney Mad. I'm not full-blown yet. I'm trying my best to contain myself as I have 243 days to wait from today... but it has gotten ugly.

I realized how bad it had gotten yesterday when I asked my boyfriend if we could cut the bushes in front of our house into the shape of Mickey heads. He said "NO WE ARE NOT!!" Wouldn't that be cool though?? LOL.

So some introductions are in order. It's a long ride to January so you might want to get to know us.

Me: The mom, the maid, the legend. My name is Jackie and I am 27 years old. I am still in school, I took a few too many breaks, but am about a year and a half away from a Psychology degree. My family took us down to Disney atleast once a year growing up, sometimes twice, until I was 15 and my parents split up. I have now been 4 times as an adult, 3 times as a mom. I don't know exactly how many times I've been all together but I know its more than 20. Being the planner is way different than being the kid!

Here is me and Brie getting ready for a Flight with Dumbo in October 2009:

DH: Brandon, 25. Brandon is not a fan of Disney nor my Disney obsession. His first trip was with me in 2006, before we had our princess. He is a thrill ride kind of guy. Grew up on Cedar Point and Great America- not Disney Magic, like me. He also is not a wake up early on vacation kind of guy. Each time we go he says "This just isn't for me..." But by the end he's saying "Next time we'll have to..." Brandon and I have been together for going on 7 years. He is a hard working Maintenance man for a small manufacturing company.

This is him being a party animal at Brie's birthday dinner in January.

DD: Brielle, 2. My Princess!! This trip will be to celebrate her third birthday. We spent her second birthday at Disney World. Had the most perfect time. I mean MAGIC, pure and simple... I'm getting teary eyed thinking about how wonderful that week was... I mean being able to share Disney World with her means more to me than most things in life. And is there really a better way to celebrate your birthday?? This will be her 4th trip to the World. She is a Goofy fan. She loves Mickey, Ariel, and Snow White too. So far her favorite ride is Small World.

Her she is at her birthday dinner at Cali Grill this past January:

Well that is us. I will fill you in the whens and hows in my next update!!

 

[leshunlenese]

hey...u are not too early im going in october while at the same time thinking about going back in 2011. im like u with school i have taken a few too many breaks but finishing it what counts!

 

[BriesMomma]

So you got the WHO?... Now onto the fun stuff.

WHEN??
Well since I decided to catch the bug early there is still going to be mucho going back and forth. But for now it looks like we'll be at Disney from January 9th to the 15th, 2011. I just got used to writing 2010, so this is really tough for me. We will leave on Saturday, January 8th... well if its anything like this past Jan. trip we might leave Friday night at midnight!! Stay Saturday night in Valdosta, and drive the last 3 and a half hours on Sunday- putting us in a park by noon!! Then when they are able to drag me from my happy place Saturday afternoon we'll drive to Atlanta and stay with family, and then drive the rest of the sad trip home on Sunday.
Just so you know how I roll:

WHERE?!?
Now this I can't quite answer yet... I have a few ideas I'm bouncing around.
This past January we took advantage of the buy4/3free deal and we able to stay at Port Orleans Riverside. I am ALL for staying on-site, and if this deal comes out again for next year I can't say I wouldn't do it again. My only problem is that if I'm paying more than $100 a night for a hotel, I feel like I should be getting a bigger room than what ya get. I mean nothing beats staying on-site, but I'm trying to make this trip as budget friendly as possible... and so I am SERIOUSLY considering staying somewhere else.
To add to this confusion... I managed to pull of a small getaway one month after our spectacular January trip this year. Yes, in one of my many impulsive moments I took my little princess to meet with the Mouse the day after Valentine's Day! We stayed 3 nights in a Ramada literally a mile away from the Gateway. I only paid $100 for those three nights. Now let me tell ya... a mile away from Disney is like a million miles away from Disney! It was in a trashy, cheaply done tourist trap area. The hotel was not the nicest, and the elevator was broken for a majority of the trip. (Carrying a tuckered out 2 year old up 5 flights of stairs was not fun!!) HOWEVER... the room was much larger than our room had been at POR and it had a microwave and WORKING mini-fridge, in a sort of kitchenette area. Our fridge at POR was Pooh... We lived out of our 3 coolers.

So I've been looking at hotels in the area that are obviously nicer than the one I got for 33 bucks a night but less expensive than the $115 a night moderates. But like I said, if they come out with another deal like the 4/3 we will definitely consider it! Also... I feel ashamed to even say it... Gulp, We are going to Universal Studios for a few days. Okay, yeah I said it. I guess this vacation isn't only for me?? That's what Brandon says anyway... so we are going to check out some darn Harry Potter thing and Brie wants to see how they captured this crazy Seuss fellow. So I'm only going to need 4 days of tix to DW. Hoppers, of course.

Now my other considerations are these...
We only do about 4 sit down meals a trip. In January we did T-Rex lunch, Cali Grill dinner, Chef Mickey's dinner, and Liberty Tree Tavern lunch. On our 4 day trip in October we did CRT dinner and Donald's Safari Breakfast in AK. And even on my whirlwind February trip Brie and I did lunch with Pooh at CP. I have a few restaurants I want to try out on this trip (That I will share with you soon, as my ADR date is only 2 months away!!) So instead of shelling out way too much money for mediocre QS meals I like to pack lunches and eat breakfast in the room. (We do still eat in the park!! I'm not a complete stickler.) But I think it would be fun to find a place with a full kitchen, like an extended stay hotel, where we could feel more at home and end up saving a lot of money on meals. I've been looking into this and found some decent hotels for only $65 a night. So that is where I am leaning at this point. SO I guess I can put my priority list as this:

1) A GREAT deal on a Disney moderate.
2) A nice hotel with a full kitchen.

Now you might be saying how about a Value?? Well you saw how I pack! I need space!! Plus we get a little crazy:

 

[cupcakes]

I know how you feel! We'll going around the same time for my birthday and I'm going insane with waiting!

Your daughter is adorable

 

[BriesMomma]

hey...u are not too early im going in october while at the same time thinking about going back in 2011. im like u with school i have taken a few too many breaks but finishing it what counts!

We went last October for my birthday and had a great time. It was decorated for Halloween and the crowds were pretty low! We had great weather too.

I actually just started back at school this week! I was so nervous. I felt like it was my first day all over again. LOL. It had been almost a year and a half since I was enrolled in school. But so far, its been like riding a bike.

 

[BriesMomma]

I know how you feel! We'll going around the same time for my birthday and I'm going insane with waiting!

Your daughter is adorable

THANK YOU! I think we'll keep her.

I don't know how in the world I'm going to make it until January!!

 

[BriesMomma]

Okay so I've been plotting and planning and working numbers and shifting dates and daydreaming....

I want to stay on property again. And yeah, even if it means paying a little more. I know I can make it work, I've done it before!! We'll just wait and see what deals come out and pray that there are good ones!!

I've also been plotting for the Princess's Birthday. She had a wonderful birthday this year. I don't know if she'll remember it- I don't really care if she will, I will-and I will love to tell her the story over and over again. Anyway... I'll tell you guys the story if you'd like! I'm thinkning on Brie's 10th birthday trip we can read the trip reports the whole way down. LOL.

So... What I'm thinking... Of course all of this is very early on and contingent on me getting reservations, not going broke, etc.

Wednesday, January 12th 2011
Head to MK for Opening Ceremony. We WILL make it this year. WE WILL. WE WILL. WE WILL.

Have some breakfast at the Main Street Bakery.
Go and get all Princessed out at the BBB... Now I know what you guys are thinking... that kid only has about 4 inches of unruly curliness!! It will be really more for fun than fashion. Brie is quite the diva. She loves getting her nails painted and play make-up... all that girly stuff. So I'm thinking she'll love it. Plus you can't go until you're three and so it's like a right of passage thing. Like going to the bar when you turn 21, right?

Go play around in Fantasyland. If toontown is there still, head out there. Does anyone know when it will be gone?

Lunch at CRT with the Princesses.
Now of course I have to get an ADR there. But I'm willing to be pretty flexible with the times. We'll go late lunch or early, whichever. We went to CRT for dinner October 2009 and had a bad experience. But that was sans Princesses. So lunch with the ladies will be fabulous.

Go back to the room for naps and showers.

Now this is where the going broke comes in. I want to do a fireworks cruise with cake and champagne and all that fun stuff. I'm not exactly sure how much this is going to cost me- but I will find out and one benefit of having 9 months to wait is that I have 9 months to save. I'm not good at it- but when it comes to Disney I have some extra motivation. I'm hoping not more than $500, though. I also don't know if I want to do Wishes or Illuminations. Wishes is awesome, but I think the best way to view it is IN the MAGIC. Then again I've never seen it from a boat. And Illuminations is really special to me. I have never made it through dry eyed. Even Brandon the grump gets "misty". (He'd never admit it, and don't tell him I told you.) This past January we were blessed enough to take Brandon's 6 year old son, Little Brandon. On our last night, we went to see Illuminations and at the end he told us all how much he loved us really loud at the end and all the families around us were cracking up. So it will always be a special show for all of us. Even the grump.

So that's what I'm thinking for now. But if I do this- I don't know how I'll top it for her 4th??

I'm going to go upload some photos and put them on the next post. Brandon saw the pictures I introduced us with and he is NOT happy. LOL. And then I looked at mine and it's not very flattering so I guess I'll agree.

 

[BriesMomma]

This is Brandon and Brielle at the Playhouse Disney Live show that came around here in March:

I don't recommend going to this show if you had just done 3 Disney trips in 4 months. It was missing a little "something"... okay ALOT of SOMETHING! But it was still nice to have a bit of Disney at home.

Let's see. What am I most looking forward to seeing??

Oh and of course:

So sad Little Brandon won't be coming with us this year.

More later. I have restaurant ideas!!

 

[BriesMomma]

HAHA! Everytime I look at that last picture of Brie and Brandon I think "Brie needs a nap!" Those are some HEAVY eyes!! Putting her to sleep is a piece of CAKE in Disney. One less thing to worry about. We drive and so she usually is asleep before we get out of the parking lot.

So I promised you restaurants!! I don't have what day or what time yet. It looks like my ADR date is July 7th. BUT since I don't know all the details about our accomodations yet- I may not get the benefit of the plus 10.

I'm thinking:

CRT obviously for Brie's birthday lunch- like I was talking about, for after BBB. I wonder which Princess she'll be??

Now I told you we'd been to CRT before. It was on our first day of our trip in October. We had been up since 4:30 AM and the ADR was for 8:30, which of course it was 45 minutes before we were seated... Poor planning on my part. It was a dinner and I knew there would be no Princesses, but I was under the impression that the GMother and SS's did some sort of routine?? Well they never showed up if they were supposed to. The food wasn't that great, and we felt the service was way under par. But of course it had been a loooong day so I'm holding nothing against the place. Honestly I was like a kid in a castle... I mean..candystore. But the Princess was like a Zombie:

Looooong Day. Last time I will ever fly to Orlando. But she wasn't crabby! Pixie Dust or what?? It was her first trip to the Magic land!!!

Chef Mickey's or Donald's Safari Breakfast. I don't know which one to pick yet. We have done CM dinner and I wasn't too impressed- but we went to dinner, rode the monorail over to MK, and made it just in time to snag a great spot for Wishes and it turned out to be a great night!! We have done Donald's breakfast at Tusker House before too and LOVED it. I don't really like doing breakfasts because I usually do breakfast in the room, or picking up something. Our breakfast at Tusker House that morning was $88 dollars. There were 3 adults, and we bought the picture- I said I was making this trip "budget friendly" 'member? So I need to see if they have character meals for lunch too. I know there's prolly no way we'll be in AK for dinner... but we'll see. Either way we'll be doing a character meal with the Big Guys. We went to LTT for a character lunch this past January, and although it was surprisingly GOOD, there was no Mickey, Goofy, Donald... I like to be guaranteed "face" time with these fellas.

Tusker House:

Chef Mickey's:

Liberty Tree:

I have more ideas... but I we have a B-Day party to go to...

 

[BriesMomma]

So more to eat...

I told you before that we only do about 4 sit-downs on a week long trip. It just works out better for us. $$$ wise and that way we have more time for RIDES and SLIDES and PEOPLE WATCHING!!

So, let's see... We have a CRT Lunch. A character meal at either Tusker House or Chef Mickey's. The other two restaurants are both at:

Lunch at Coral Reef! Okay so Brandon doesn't like seafood. He can deal with shrimp and so he'll either be a shrimp eater that day or I'm sure they have Land-Lubber Entrees. I really want pepper-jack grits myself. Up here in the Midwest we don't get our hands on grits that often. Cracker barrel, maybe?? My mom is from Atlanta and all of my family lives in the South and so I love me some grits!! We are mainly going for the setting. It sounds fabulous. I went when I was younger with my family and I can barely remember it.

My last idea is Teppan Edo for dinner. This is something I really want to do. I've taken Brie to a Japanese Steakhouse before and she LOVED it. Plus I think the food is so YUM.

Here's the thing... We are SUPPOSED to only being 4 days at Disney this trip. I don't know if that's how it will be in the end. (Arms are being twisted.) But if that is how it stays we will have an ADR everyday. I HATE HATE HATE feeling trapped by an ADR. I don't know why I feel that way. We like to be free and HOP to our hearts content. I don't like feeling trapped. SO we'll see. I"m going to see how I can space things out.

Any and all ideas would be appreciated!!

 

[BriesMomma]

FOUR DAYS IS NOT LONG ENOUGH!! I mean, come on. Let's be realistic. Can I do four days in four parks and really hit the road to come home not return for another year? And all for some Geeky Harry Potter feller?? I Don't Think So, People. So we are extending the vacay!! Don't know why I didn't think of this sooner!! DUH!

So we will do 6 days at DISNEY, 2 at the other place, and 2 days traveling. This does mean however that we may be back off-site. But oh well. This will be the longest vacation our family has been on and we are going to have a BLAST!!

In other exciting news... I called Disney and found out the Fireworks Cruise is $325. Yes, a large number. Basically a whole paycheck... but within what I said I was willing to spend. We more than likely won't be adding on cake and champagne. I loved our cake that contemporary dining made for our dinner at Cali Grill this past January. It was expensive though, and my cake budget is lower this year because we're doing BBB and the cruise.

Oh and to make Brandon believe that he has some control over what happens rotfl2 I let him choose between the the Illuminations cruise and Wishes. I know Brie and I will be happy either way. He chose Illuminations as I suspected he would. Should be AMAZING!!

I asked when my "official" 180 days is and the CM told me July 13th. I already have the alarm set on my phone! I HAVE to get: The cruise, BBB, and CRT for Brie's B-Day lunch. Other than that I'm easy as pie...

Last night when I was giving Brie a bath- Brandon was calling out to me:
"Jackie, Jackie!! There's a Disney Commercial on!!!"
Yes, my Grump was getting excited about a Disney commercial. Could the tide be turning?? Will all of my dreams come true? You'll have to stay tuned to find out!!

Have a great day everyone!! It should be a beautiful one here!

 

[BriesMomma]

So did everyone hear the news?? Those extra generous Disney folks decided to give ALL of the people that finish the Marathon next year a free pass the following Monday?? The marathon is the day we arrive and that Monday would be our furst full-day in the parks.

The bad news is I'm not in the marathon.

Last year a record 55,000 people took place in the marathon weekend...

And I'm not just worried about that Monday. Okay let's say you are pretty flexible with your dates and you are trying to decide to stay the few days before the Marathon or the few days after... and then BOOM Disney gives you Monday free... So that puts a bit of a rain on my low crowd parade.

I know people that are there on Christmas and Spring Break are cursing me right now, but I love my low crowds. This is how I prefer Main Street:

Haha. No, I'm not that stingy with my MK. I'll let other people ride my rides when I'm not there. However if they gave me a day with MK all to myself... well my family... I think I could handle it.

So it looks like I'll be sharing with a few more people in January. It happens. But if you happen to be running the marathon and are reading this, could you kindly fly home Monday night?? Thanks.

Good Night! And Go Celtics!!

 

[BriesMomma]

Woooow!! Summer is flying by... It has been over a month since I updated! I love summer and honestly this has been the best summer I may have ever had. My princess and I spend our days busy under the sun. It's really been great. And as I said before I just started back to school and I'm happy to report I got an A+ on my first class back. It's summer so I'm taking it slow and doing only one class for each summer session. Its twelve 3 hour classes, and heck I was nervous about going back... So my nerves are in check by that A+... needed that!!

So we had a great Fourth of July weekend. Brandon had Friday and Monday off thanks to his nice boss. (Who happens to be my mother. ) So Friday we took Brie to play with her friend Sammie for the day and headed to Gurnee, Illinois to Six Flags Great America. I told ya Brandon was into roller coasters. And those are like REAL roller coasters. Thankfully I survived! I also took this opportunity to point out the difference in quality between Disney World and any other theme park to my Grump. I think I am really making progress!!! And trust me the differences begin before you even get to the parking lot. The rest of the weekend we spent AT HOME!!! We made a little fire in the firepit thingy, cooked some epic meals, sipped some adult beverages, made some smores, lit off lots of fireworks, and hung out with great friends and family!!!

Here's a few Pics:

I love ^that^ one!! This is Brie and her 3 year old cousin Tahjai in our giant sandbox in the backyard. They are such sweet girls when they want to be...

One of the Epic Meals!!

I am 6 days away from my ADR date and so unprepared!!! I am getting things together though and will let you guys know something soon. Happy Summer Everyone!!

 

[BriesMomma]

Not really sure how to begin this one... Today the entire vacation's landscape changed. My mom sometimes gets these little bugs... I think this one came about because Brie started saying about 2 week ago "I wanna go to Disney World." She says it everyday. All day. It all started one day when we were going through the toll booth ya know on the toll road to go to the mall in our neighboring city Mishawaka, Indiana. As we're going through it Brie says: "I wanna see Mickey!!!" It took me a second to realize what she was seeing... but sure enough she thought we were going through the Gateway to Disney!! Awwww... sorry sweetie. We are far from Disney World. "Disney World? I wanna go to Disney World!" And so it began...

So my mom calls me this morning and says she's been looking at vacation homes on this website and DO WE WANT TO STAY WITH HER FOR TWO WEEKS and she'll get us all TEN DAY PARK HOPPERS!!!!!!!!!!!!



(They really don't make enough of those things..haha)

Of course I said I'll be right over. If my mom knows how to get me there in under 30 minutes its when we are talking Disney. She did this for my birthday tripSo we are staying in a 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom house with a pool and hot tub 15 minutes from Disney from JANUARY 2nd to the 14th!!! It's insanity. This trip just became HUGE. My mom coming (and sponsoring) is super awesome in so many ways... but also a bit nervewracking. (I'll get into that another day.) This means she is basically saving me $3000. That is AMAZING. Truly. This trip is going to be amazing.

So after I sit there for a mintue I realize the ADR window is already open through midweek of our trip... So I went and made a Coral Reef dinner for Tuesday the 4th. That may be moved switched cancelled... I dont know. I thought that would be a good way to end our second full day, which will more than likely be at Epcot. Have dinner amongst the fishes, finish in time for Illuminations, maybe have a beer in the UK if we dont make it to Grey Goose Slushies... Pinch me!!! Wish me luck my brain is on overload right now... This thing just got real! Lol.

 

[BriesMomma]

Here's some pictures from the rental site. I'm so excited!!!

The hot tub/ pool. Its pretty cold in January so I only see us using the hot tub:

The little girl's room. This was basically the selling point. It's so cute. I imagine she'll wanna bunk with grammy (or vice versa) so it will be a cute room to keep her stuff in. LOL.

And this is the game room/ garage thing. It looks fun! We'll see if it gets used...

Okay thats all for now! Have a great weekend everybody!

 

[BriesMomma]

Well tomorrow is a BIG day!! I need to make ressies for The Birthday:

CRT Lunch
Illuminations Specialty Cruise
Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique

That is the order I'm calling in too. I know I have to get through to Disney Dining right at 7 AM to get the CRT lunch. I am going to be so heartbroken if we can't get in!! I talked to the recreation people about the fireworks cruise tonight. She said I should definitely call tomorrow but it won't have to be 7 am. I don't know how fast BBB fills up but it is my least priority... So wish me luck!! I am so nervous! I have read horror stories of people being told it was booked up at 7:03 am. Hopefully since it's not peak season I will be safe. Ya know, things always seem to work out for me when it comes to Disney magic so I don't know if I'll be able to handle it if we don't get in!! But we shall see...

Also we have some plans in motion and already obtained ADR's to report!!

So our rental starts on Sunday the 2nd... haven't quite figured out the drive down yet. I just know Brielle, Brandon, and I are driving down and arriving in Orlando sometime early Sunday the 2nd. My mom is flying down and she'll be there either the first or the second. Depends on which is cheaper, really. That first day we're probably not going to do any parks. We'll go grocery shopping and see what's going on. (I don't know though because just as I wrote that I was thinking "Geez that sounds boring... What would be wrong with watching some fireworks from a beach in Polynesia??" )

BUT.... I decided we needed to get the Hogwash and Hogwartz outta the way first. So we'll go to Universal Studios that first Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th. Don't know much about the place and I just don't like it!! But if I have to go there we have to have fun. So I'll figure something out. Then that Wednesday the 5th we will either go to Sea World or do a third day at US- depending on how we feel about it. I really want to go to Sea World and I know Brie would it, too. Then that night I decided we needed to kick off the MAGIC!!!! I made us 6:15 ADR's for Chef Mickey's!! Yaaay!!!

Funny story about that picture: The first character interaction Brie had on our trip in January was with Goofy in Animal Kingdom. We waited in about a 10 minute line to see him ans Brie was on my shoulders because she doesn't "do" lines. Well she was bouncing up and down chanting GOOPY!! GOOPY!! GOOPY!! (Haha I lost my sunglasses in that line somehow) Well when we get to the front of the line I let her down and she totally bypasses Pluto and runs straight to Goofy who then gets down on the ground with her, sits indian style with her in his lap, and they rock back and forth for about 3 minutes!! I mean the craziest most beautiful magical moment. I put the picture of it back in a previous post a few back when I said things I was most looking forward to seeing. SO ANYWAY... After that she thought all of the characters were going to sit down on the ground and hangout with her. It really made for some awkward moments... I'll try and find some pictures of examples but my computer is mad at me for some reason right now.

So now that I think of it 6:15 seems a wee early, so I'm going to go back and change that one. I think I was thinking we'd watch Wishes but there really isnt anywhere to do that from the CR if you aren't eating at Cali Grill. Somebody PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong??? But I think Chef Mickey's will be a good way to delve into Mickeyness.

Then Thursday the 6th I see us kicking it off at MK. This will not make Brandon overly excited but oh well. We tried to start at MGM on the last trip and it didn't feel right for ANY of us. So MK we go!!

I made us lunch ressies for Crystal Palace. Brielle loves Pooh.

One of the sitdown moments.

Well... I thought I'd have time to get this all in but the Sleeping Beauty has awaken from her nap!! See ya real soon!

 

[BriesMomma]

That's still the wrong picture!! LOL. I'll get back to ya when I let you know how ADR-DAY goes!!

 

[BriesMomma]

I GOT 'EM!!!

So we will start Wednesday the 12th of January AKA

Brielle's Birthday!!!

9:10 AM Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Cinderella Castle

She will be getting the Crown Package (Hair and Nails). MK opens at 9 that morning so I figure we'll go over and get in a few minutes before opening, get some pictures in front of my dream home, (The Castle ) and then go get Princessed out at BBB!! After that we will go play in Fantasyland. I see some Dumbo and Pooh and Peter Pan and Small World a feww too many times...

Told ya she doesn't do lines...
So we will basically do whatever it is that a 3 year old birthday princess wants to do for a few hours.

Then at noon we will head on over to Cindy's for Lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table.

After lunch I figure we'll go play around some more. Brielle went to the docotr yesterday and she is 38" tall. So if she grows 2 more inches in the next 180 days than she might get to ride some BIG rides.. I dont know. We'll see if she's as brave then as she is now. I would hate to scare the Pooh outta the kid. (Too early anyway... )

So after we play Princess in the Magic Kingdom we will head back to the house for naps and dinner. I'm trying to find a decent off-site bakery at the moment. I want a good cake but I dont want to pay an arm and a leg for it. We'll cook steaks on the grill and have cheesy brocolli (Brie's favorite) and whatever else, finished off with some CAKE! Three candles, please. And then comes the Illuminations Cruise!!

We meet them at the Bayside Marina at the Yacht Club (excited about checking that place out for when I'm rich and famous) at 8 and then we cruise around and end up under a bridge at the International Gateway just in time for Illuminations!!!! Should be awesome tearful hugs cuddling up under some blankets.... It sounds awesome. Only the best for my Brielle. I am so excited people!!

I happy danced for atleast 10 minutes.

So that's the birthday.

 

[BriesMomma]

Happy to report I just made my first "Disney Trip" purchase.

Disneystore.com has a 20% off thing going right now so I got Brielle 2 shirts, me a shirt, and Brandon a Grumpy shirt!! (All that for 40 bucks with shipping!) I'm excited about my shirt. It says "You Mickey Me Crazy." Haha. I always say Jamaican Me Crazy when we talk about our trip to Jamaica a few years back. And since Mickey has now officially made me crazy.... I don't think I've shared with you my love for shopping yet. Well let me tell you I love to shop!!!!! And I hope to have all new outfits and dress my princess up as cute as can be!! But we are also comfy park people. So the T-shirts I ordered today will be going right in the Disney closet and opened up on Xmas morning. Last year I just made a pile of the clothes we opened up for Xmas and then after I cleaned up Xmas I pulled out the suitcases and loaded 'em up. The ONLY convenient thing about Brie's birthday being so close to Xmas.

So first purchase out of the way...

Oh and the other day I got some cool Disney mail. I submitted an application to the Mom's Panel one day... wish I would have actually taken it more seriously after I found out more about it... Well I got a cool car magnet that says Mickey Mom's Club!! I feel really cool about it. I may have gotten misty... Well I know everyone got one but still... I have plans to buy all types of stuff on the next trip to "Disney-out" my car!! I want an antenna topper and the cute family with the Mickey ears. Even for my sweet doggie Remy. (Remy Belle- after you guessed it- the mouse and the princess.) She will never get to experience the magic of Disney, but she can atleast be represented by a cool decal with some Ears! Well my BFF who does not get Disney AT ALL and is very verbal about it saw my magnet and said I was a nerd! I happen to think I am the coolest mom on the block.

Speaking of moms... I need to properly introduce mine as she is now joining us. (Heck we're more joining her... but she can't know that... )

Mom, Grammy, Carol:

That's the edible bouquet I got her (and shared with her) this past Mother's Day. It was pretty yummy!!
My mom was born in the fifties in Atlanta, Georgia. But the southern twang only comes out when she gets mad! My mom is awesome. SHe does so much for other people and for our community and I don't know how she finds the time really!! She does all of that on top of running her own small business. My mom has been with my stepdad for about 10 years now and she is head over heels for that man . It's pretty gross to me when she acts like a teenager... but hey atleast she's happy!!

I also introduced her as "Carol"... My mom has an alterego at times. A mutual friend of ours compared her the other day to:

"Off with their heads!"

So that's that. And I love my mom to death... but I don't handle some of that stuff well. I consider it rude.

ALSO... My mom and Brandon. They are an awkward pair to say the least. He is so quiet and nervous around her and with my mom "If momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." So I find myself in this horrible position. Trying to please Brandon and still make sure my mom's happy. BUt he won't speak up and say that he's NOT happy until he's VERY NOT HAPPY... I'm hoping that we do not have this going on during the trip. I quite frankly wont be able to do it for 2 weeks. I want Brielle to have fun first and foremost!! Then its going to be a balancing act between Grammy and Daddy. Wish me luck.

So that is the good and the bad... Hopefully it doesn't get too ugly. I hope I'm not coming off as harsh on my mother. She is the best mom I could have ever dreamed of, and I love her dearly... we are literally best friends! She just needs to count to ten sometimes!

So next update I will share all of the ADR's!! Which there may be changes and add ons... Just you wait!

 

[BriesMomma]

Well can you handle a pre-trip & trip report within a pretrip report?? Cuz I'm going to Disney World in 2 and a half weeks!!!



Seriously. Not nearly enough of those things.

Me and my beautiful princess are heading down for a little MommyDaughterness for the weekend. (August 20-23) I found us 40 dollar flights (well before fees, and taxes, and baggage, and reserved seat fees... I mean really?? and by then they already had me imagining Brie and I on Main Street.)

We're staying at the Best Western thats says its right across the street from DTD?? IDK about that one. I just wanted something cheap, close, and a name I recognized. That shouldnt be asking too much, right?

So there ya have it. Told you I wouldn't make it to January!!

Okay so I have MAJOR fears.

1) I am flying into Sanford/ Orlando airport. Never heard of it before today.

2) I have to get a rental car. I have never gotten a rental car myself. I hear all these horror stories about them trying to triple your price with hidden fees at checkout... I remember even when I was little, the rental car place was always something to be feared.

3) We went last October for a little whirlwind trip like this. I remember walking out of the airport and almost melting to the pavement. So I wonder how I'll feel in August. Heat exhaustion, anyone?? But I am excited we will get to go swimming.

4) Well it is just me and a two year old. I'm trying to imagine how I will carry luggage, a giant car seat, and push the stroller to the rental car. That is seriously logistically the only thing I cant wrap my brain around. Well I guess I could get the luggage cart thing, but then won't I have to take it all the way back to the terminal??

So those are my little worries for today. Oh and ofcourse crowds. I originally wanted to stay on Disney Property but they didn't have ANY value rooms except for the ASMusic family suite and that was more expensive than Coronado. So it must be PACKED then, huh? Last weekend before Labor Day?? Oh my. (Pity me...) But I dont care!! I'm going to be breathing in Magic... even if it is SUPER hot magic.