crissy1974
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2009
- Messages
- 241
I finally decided to write a PTR. As you can see by the number of posts I usually just read everyone else's posts. I have been reading all the other PTR's and that is when I finally decided that I would write my own. Maybe it's my way of mentally making sure I have everything ready to go.
Here is a little bit of a background:
I am 35 and have been to Disney twice. I went for the first time in Sept. 1999 with my boyfriend (BF) and his parents. We went for 10 days and stayed at Dixie Landings, Riverside. We did Disney, Univeral, Sea World and visited a classic car parts manufacturer (car stuff was for BF and his father). I must not tell a lie - Sea World was my favorite. I enjoyed Disney, but it was not something that I wanted to do every year or every other year.
Fast forward to 10/3/2005 - our daughter was born. She loves EVERYTHING Disney. When she was a baby (only a few months old) she loved JoJo and Goliath. Friends of ours went to Disney and brought her back a JoJo doll. She took it everywhere.
We always go to Disney on Ice shows, Doodlebops concerts, etc., but we never thought of taking her to Disney, especially at such a young age, until...................I got laid off from work in January 2008. I know, it's usually the other way around. There is no way that someone would consider taking a vacation after just being laid off. I got very lucky and found a job not even a month later. And, it was a better job...............more money, benefits cost less, have my own office, etc. Anyhow, I received a pretty decent severance package and got paid for my 3 weeks of vacation. I also received 2 unemployment checks. I decided to take our family to Disney with a portion of my severance. We went last August. My daughter was only 2, so she was free. We stayed at All Star Movies. At the time she loved the movie Toy Story (still does) so I was hoping for that part of the resort. We got 101 Dalmations, which she loved just as much. We were at Disney - who cares, right? Anyhow, we had a wonderful trip and that is all that she would talk about for the next year! When we got back I made her her own photo album from our trip. She gets it out at least once a week and reminds me of the good times!
This time Disney had a different affect on me. Seeing Disney through my daughters eyes..................words just cannot describe my feelings (as I already start to tear up). This starts my Disney addiction!
This is where the planning starts for our next trip. We came home and told our friends of the wonderful time we had. They have a daughter that is one year old than ours and the two of them are best buds (the father is also my daugthers Godfather). At this point we said that it would be great if we could all go the following summer (2009). So, the planning and watching starts. We tell my BF's parents that we are going and his mother wanted to go, but his father did not. This is fine and she is invited to go on the trip too.
A few months go by and our friends are not sure about making the trip. They just got done building a new house and he got laid off. Yikes! He eventually got called back to work, but his work is still not stable. They decided to go to the Outer Banks with friends instead since it would be cheaper than Disney. They said - maybe next year!
Once they decided not to go I decided to change our plans and go for Christmas. I also told ALL that this was going to be a surprise for DD4, so Shhhhhhh.
I decided in August to start looking for flights. I couldn't believe the great rates on airfare. Plus, I found $25 coupons per person. This could not have been better. I was just about ready to hit purchase when I second guessed myself. I figured I better ask BF's mom if she was still going before I spend the money on the ticket. Good thing I did. It seems that she has a bug up her butt and has also backed out. Thanks for telling me this earlier! Argh!
The very next day I booked our flights. I got 3 round trip flights from ABE to MCO non-stop for $409.
We do have to pay for bags, but still. What a great price! Last year we paid close to $700 for our flights and that was out of Philly. For those of you that don't know, ABE is a much smaller, but more convenient airport for us. Now that I have flights, I decide to start planning our Disney trip. BF said that he wants to stay at a Moderate resort. He says the bus lines at the value resorts were much longer. Of course, last year he kept his eyes on this the whole time and made sure to tell me that the other resorts has smaller bus lines. I told him to stop complaining. I paid for the whole trip and it was for our daugther anyhow! Okay, so I go online and I look at pics of all the moderate resorts. Finally decided on POFQ. We loved Dixie Landings. It wasn't until I started to look at pictures that I realized Dixie Landings and PO were one in the same. My reason for picking POFQ - the awesome slide at the pool. My DD is going to love this!
Last year we went through a travel agent because of a friends recommendation. She was wonderful. She got us all the ADR's that we wanted and when she sent our package she included a Minnie Mouse key chain for my daughter. She wrote on it, "Can't wait to see you? Love, Minnie". I thought that we so sweet. I love all those little things. That extra touch! Anyhow, I decided to contact her again this year. She was wonderful again this year. She got us all the ADR's that we wanted and the times that we wanted them. Yeah for Kerri!
That brings me to another things................yes, FREE DINING! However, my BF does not think this is enough. The last two times we went to Disney we had the Deluxe Dining on our package. BF thought we needed to upgrade to that again. Argh. Okay, so I went along with his plan and upgraded. He is not a big Disney lover. He likes the rides, but is not into the whole magic of Disney. I will admit, he does get a little teary eyed when he sees our daughter happy with the characters so maybe that will be the start of something. Anyhow, he loves Disney for the food, especially the buffets.
This brings us to our ADR's. Some of them are for me, some by BF's request and some because my daughter loved them last year.
12/6
Hollywood & Vine - Breakfast - She's not into JoJo anymore, but think she will still love this. Plus, we didn't get to do it last year. We woke up too late for our ressie's.
Cap't Jacks - Dinner - BF loves seafood and I heard this is really good for the seafood lover. This will be our first time trying this place.
12/7
Akershus - Breakfast - Do I even need to say it? This is for DD. She was in her glory last year at this breakfast. I could not shut her up after this breakfast. She kept talking about how Aurora said that DD and Belle could be twins (DD was wearing a yellow outfit that day).
Coral Reef - Dinner - This is for all three of us. BF liked the food, DD liked the big turtle in the tank and I LOVED the tank itself. I have a 180 gallon reef tank. This will sound strange, but I don't eat seafood or anything that lives in the water. I just think it's all to wondeful to eat. I know - strange!
12/8
Crystal Palace - Breakfast - Well, we like the food. DD thinks that Winnie the Pooh is for babies. I don't know how thrilled she will be eating there. She did like it last year, but then again she loved Tigger last year.
Cinderella's Royal Table - Dinner - Need I say more!
12/9
Tusker House - Breakfast - We all loved the food last year. Plus, it's Mickey!
Boma - Dinner - Okay, this one is for me. I LOVE BOMA! A friend of mine (Disney nut) told me about this last year when I was working on my ADR's. I usually don't bring anything back for co-workers, but he got a little something for telling me about Boma. The coconut rice is my favorite. Can't wait!
12/10
Ohana - Breakfast - Something new to try. However, might cancel this one so we can get to a rope drop. Still undecided about that. It would be nice to have a quick breakfast in the park. We'll see.
Hoop Dee Doo - Dinner - A friend told me about this and said it can't be missed. He also said BF would LOVE the food and DD would love the show.
12/11
Cape May Cafe - Breakfast - Again, trying something new. It will either be this one of Ohana that gets cancelled so we can go to a rope drop.
1900 Park Fare - Dinner - This is for me and my daughter. She loves Cinderella and I heard great things about the character interaction here. I heard and read that the food isn't the best, but oh well. Quick story - we watch Cinderella and read the book all the time. My DD always talks about the stepsisters and says they are so mean and that if she ever sees them that she is going to "tell them off". I can't wait for this one. I wonder if she is all talk or if she will actually yell at them.
I didn't schedule anything for our first day, last day or lunch. Tonight BF asks about Sci-Fi Drive-In. We went there last year and the year before. I thought it would be nice to try some new places this time around. The character breakfasts always seem to take up so much time. I don't want to feel like we are eating all the time. I figured we could grab a counter service lunch and maybe the picnic lunch in AK. I am going to try to stay away from the Sc-Fi. I do like that place, but.......
So, my ADR's were all done and I read about MVMCP. Okay, I could not pass this up. Sent my travel agent an email to get some tickets. After a few weeks I realized that our castle ressie's are right at the start of MVMCP. What a big dummy! I am going to miss the first 2 hours for MVMCP. I have been calling every other day to check on earlier ressie's. I have not had any luck! I met a new friend, through Ebay (she is making a wondeful custom princess outfit for my princess for our trip). She told me about checking online. So, I've been doing that. Still, no luck. Tonight I was reading another PTR (this seems to be my favorite past time lately) and I seen they suggested upping the number of people in your party to see if that works. Once you have the ressie, call back a few days later and say it will only be the original number that you needed. Hmmmm, that just might work. I hate to be so deceitful, but I wold really really really (whine) like earlier ressies! I haven't done it yet and I have a feeling it will take me a few days to do it. I am probably one of the most honest people you will ever meet. It's more of a curse than anything. Don't ask me if you look fat in those jeans! Ha ha. All of my friends learned that pretty quick about me. So, we'll see. I guess if I check online I am not really being that bad, right?
Anyhow, we have tickets for MVMCP on 12/8. I decided that since we have that on 12/8 that I would plan the MK for that whole day. So, I called Disney and made ressies for the BBB. We did that last year. I was worried last year if they would allow me to make the reservations. The starting age on the web site is 3 and my daughter was only 2 (2 months shy of being 3). Anyhow, they gladly made the reservations after calling the BBB and double checking. We did it all - the hair, the makeup, the dress, the shoes, the wand, etc. While paying I heard a little girl ask her mommy why she couldn't get a dress like that little girl (pointing to my DD). Her mommy said, because we brought your dress with us. Smart mommy! I decided this year that we would take our own dress, actually a few dresses. For this particular day we are going to wear what looks like Belle's Enchanted Christmas dress. I ordered it online and it is cute! We got it the other day. I did tell a fib. I told my daughter that this was going to be her Christmas dress (which I guess isn't totally a lie). I needed her to try it on. It looked really long. It was. My co-workers mom is going to hem it for me. Thank God for her. I can't even sew a button to save my life. We also found little gold mary janes to go with it. I can't wait. I told BF to prepare himself. We are going to find a great spot and take a family picture for our Christmas cards. He is not happy about that, but oh well! I always win. We have been together for 13 years and I think I lost 1, maybe 2, battles.
We are also taking her Cinderella dress and her Aurora dress (from last years BBB appt.). In addition to her Princess dresses I bought her some new Disney stuff. From Ebay, I ordered a cute shirt with a safari Minnie Mouse head on it. It has the zebra print. It's also personalized in Disney font. This will be for the AK day. I also found a cute matching hair bow on Ebay. For Epcot day - a cute Princess jean set. This is also being made by someone on Ebay. Thank God there is Ebay for the unskilled crafter like me! I also bought her some new Princess and Fairy shirts and swearshirts. I also ordered her a pin lanyard and a few pins. I think she will like the whole pin trading thing. If not, we'll put it aside for our next trip. I have a few other surprises up my sleeve for her. Last year we took our portable DVD player. It kept her occupied. We decided we are taking it again this year. We don't have the movie UP yet, which she loved by the way. I am going to buy it for her and put it in her carry on for a surprise. I can't wait to see her face. She keeps asking for it when we go to the store, but I tell her that she needs to wait - maybe Santa will get it for her. Then she is very quick to say - Santa doesn't have my letter yet so how does he know I want it. After stuttering a little bit I told her that Santa knows all. She is so quick with her little come backs. She doesn't get that from me! I am also looking for a few other surprises, but have been coming up empty handed. The dollar store has stamper sets, but do I really want to get into that mess on the plane! Oh, you know what I did find at the dollar store.....................a letter writing kit for Santa letters. I was reading someone's trip report and they had a picture of the mailbox at the MK for Santa letters. How awesome to send your letter to Santa from Disney. Keep in mind that she just turned 4 so she can't write her letter. I will write it for her and then she will write her name. She can't wait for Santa to see that she knows how to write her name.
Are you wondering how we are going to tell her???? It took me awhile to figure this out. I was going to wait until we got to Florida, but then thought that she will guess that we are going to Disney when she sees we are taking a plane. The only time she was on a plane is when we went to Disney last year. I am afraid that she will associate the plane with Disney. I don't want her to guess on her own. My aunt and uncle live about 20 minutes from the airport. I asked them if I drive to their house, can one of them drop us off and pick us up. This way I don't need to leave my car at the airport. We can save that money for more important Disney stuff. They had no problems. So, we are going to tell her at my aunt's house. I figured my aunt could hold my video recorder and my uncle or cousin could take pictures. Sometimes I think that I am more excited to see her expression than I am to actually leave for our trip.
Your probably thinking..........this kid is going to figure it out when she sees the luggage. Wrong. We leave Saturday afternoon (around 3:30). I took the day before off. I am going to drop her off at daycare that morning like I always do. Let's hope she doesn't wonder why I am wearing sweats to work as I usually wear business casual to work (even on Friday's when we can dress down). Anyhow, I am going to go home and pack everything and put it in the back of the car. I will probably have to put a blanket over it or something so she can't see when I am putting her in her car seat. It's a SUV, so it's not like I can put it in the trunk. I already started to pack her stuff, but I've been putting it in shopping bags instead of her suitcase. If I took the suitcase out she would wonder why. Even if I hid her suitcase she would notice it was missing from her closet. I'm telling you - this kid doesn't miss a trick. Anyhow, today I came up with a great excuse to get the suitcase out. We do Thanksgiving at my aunt's house. Her boys are both grown, so no toys. I told DD that I would get her suitcase and she could pack some toys to take. I must say, I was pretty impressed with myself for thinking of this. I also already figured out that I would tell her I put it away in the attic instead of her closet. So, her packing will be done this weekend, with the exception of her jeans and some shoes. Yes, one suitcase down, two to go. I already told BF (always late, big procrastinator) that he BETTER have his stuff ready on Thursday night or I will pack his stuff and he'll be stuck with what I pick.
Now, my biggest issue/problem is what kind of clothing to pack. The last two times we went to Disney we went in September (had to leave a day early because of a incoming hurricane) and in August (rained every day all day due to a tropical depression). So, how do I pack for Disney in December. I've been reading completed trip reports and people have been saying it's cold at night and nice during the day. Well, if they are from let's say, Minnesota, they are going to have a different feeling about what is nice and what is not. Argh! I have friends that live in Florida, but I really don't want to ask them. I don't want to have a reunion in Florida - I want to spend every waking hour at the parks. I guess we'll have to pack a variety of things (shorts, capri's, and jeans). Oh, that reminds me..............I bought this awesome fleece with Grumpy on it. I found it at Kmart while I was looking for gold shoes (to go with the Belle dress). It works out because Grumpy is my favorite dwarf! I was in the Air Force a few years back and that was something some of the girls called me, Grumpy. They said that I made faces and noises like him. I must admit, they were right. I also purchased myself a tink shirt and a mickey shirt at the Disney store. Asked BF if he would wear one and he said no. Okay, why waste the money. I also asked him if he would wear matching shirts. All he had to do was look at me and I knew the answer. What a party pooper! I read someone's PTR and they talked about these cute tie dye shirts. I am actually going to brave the stores today (Black Friday) to look for white t-shirts and a tie dye kit to make these shirts. It's actually perfect - I am a huge Dead Head (for those of you that don't get it - that means I like the Grateful Dead band). Almost all of their shirts are tie dye, and I wore them all the time during high school. Still ahve a few left. Now, I just have to figure out how to do it without my daughter seeing it. Maybe I can do it when she goes to bed. As long as she doesn't see Mickey on the front I should be fine. Let's just hope they turn out. I should probably ask my neighbor to do them since I stink at crafts! But, I must say this person attached a link in her PTR that has step by step instructions with pictures. I can do this, right? We'll see. Maybe if I can figure out how to post pictures I will post pics of the final product.
Just thinking.................did I leave anything out? I am such a night owl that I could stay up all night typing, plus I am very excited to be going back to Disney with my DD that is a little bit older. She can ride a few more rides this time around too. Plus, we are there a little longer. Last year we only went for 5 days and that included travel time. My BF and I run a car club
(he is the pres and I am the activities chairperson). Our big car show is in Sept., so our August meeting is very important and we stress to ALL of our members to show up. How would it look if we didn't show up. The following weekend after that meeting is a big car show in our area (Wheels of Time). Well, heaven forbid if we miss the WOT car show. I already had a week in August scheduled off because my daughter's daycare closes for vacation. She goes to an at home daycare. It just so happens that it was the week in between our meeting and the WOT car show. We had no choice, but to make it a short trip. Of course, last year when I had all kinds of extra money we had to make it short. This year when it's money that we saved we can go longer. Oh well, we're going to Disney. It shouldn't matter if we are going for 1 week or 1 day. I will miss our animals while we are gone. Our dog, Lager the Rottie, will have to go to a kennel. Nobody wants to keep him for us. He is a very good boy, but he has a wet mouth. He will be treated very well at the kennel. We have used them before and the last time we had to leave him there he didn't want to come home. He loved it. They have horses and they let them run with the horses. Plus, the lady loved Lager so much that she let him out with her all the time. He stuck to her like glue. That is just the type of dog he is - right up your butt. Then we have our Yellow Crown Parrot, Sampson. He talks a little bit, but makes more noise than anything. He is a hand me down from my mom. She couldn't stand the mess anymore. She is a neat freak with her house. Her house should be in a country magazine and let's face it..............a bird just doesn't mesh well. When I heard she was giving him to my aunt's brother I got mad and said I would take him. He is a good boy, but VERY messy. Then we have our dwarf hamster, Chiga (DD named him. She loves the movie, Beverly Hills Chihuahua. You have to hear how she says Chihuahua in order to figure out how Chiga came from Chihuahua. Then we have our guniea pig, simply names Pig. Not so nice looking people were selling her at a flea market. I felt bad and bought her. Their children were being very rough with her and I just couldn't take it anymore. As if you can't tell..........................I LOVE ANIMALS! They are the best. They show you unconditional love and know nothing but that. I love animals so much that I am a board member for our local animal rescue. I recently put together a Longaberger basket bingo to raise money for our group. We brought in a little over $3,000. That wasn't bad considering there were two other bingos that day. Anyhow, we have no building to house the animals that we rescue. Our town has a few kennels (outside) that we use, but let's face it, if it's hot or cold we don't want to keep a dog there. Plus, we have nothing for cats or other animals. Someone donated land to us, but there are issues with this land. Even if we do take the land we need a building of some kind. We don't have many foster homes and we don't have many volunteers, so it's tough, but a worthwhile cause that I believe in. We'll make it work. I have faith, and my fingers crossed that one day I will win the lottery and be able to donate enough money for land and a building. Hey, I can dream! And, let's not forget about my 180 gallon saltwater tank. I have about 20 fish in this tank. Ummmm, maybe a little less. The tangs are my favorite. Yes, I have Nemo and Dory in my tank and a few others from the Nemo movie. DD would like Peach in our tank, but those kinds of starfish don't do well for me. I only have luck with the brittle starfish and serpeant stars. Okay, enough of my animals.
Oh, BF is taking Lager to the kennel early in the morning (drop off time is early so DD will still be sleeping, hopefully). This is another time that I will have to lie. Yikes. I guess it must be done to keep the suprise. I am telling her that Lager went for a bath. Unless I can come up with something more like the truth, that is what it will be.
That is it, my PTR. I hope that is good enough. I am not sure how to attach pictures. I have only been on here since August and I only ever read other PTR's and Completed Trip Reports (which I really enjoy doing). It's funny, I don't know any of these people, yet I cried for one couple that received a dream for their daughter, got mad because a lady ruined a trip on another lady after inviting herself on the trip, and was excited for family that got picked to open the MK one day. Isn't it strange how a place can bring all of these people together for one common bond - MAGIC!
I hope you all enjoy reading my ramblings. I will take this time to apologize for spelling and grammer errors. I hated English in school. Yuck!
I also know that I jumped around quite a bit. Ask anyone that knows me......................I could turn what should be a 5 minute story into an hour long conversation. I should have gotten into sales.
Oh, another thing I probably did - repeat myself. I am really bad at doing that! Well, I guess I better head off to bed. My daugther has been pesting me for about 2 weeks to decorate for Christmas. I guess we can start tomorrow. I just hope it stops raining. I hate to take down my fall decorations. The fall is my favorite time of the year. I love Halloween! I should have scheduled Disney for her b-day in October! Well, I would like to plan a mother/daugther Disney trip in the future. We'll leave Daddy at home. But, I must wait until she is older so that we can go on all the rides. I am pretty sure she is too small for Tower of Terror, but I know she will love it. Ever hear of the Frog Hopper? It has the same kind of idea. It takes you up and it comes down. The only thing, the Frog Hopper brings you down slowly with a hopping type motion. When she gets off of that though she always asks me why they can't do it faster. This reminds me.....................one more thing and I am done. Her favorite ride last year was Aladin's Magic Carpet Ride w/ the spitting camel (that always seemed to spit on me every time! Anyhow, that is the only ride that is down for refurb while we are there. Argh! I am hoping she likes Dumbo since it's the same type of ride. We didn't get to go on that last year.
Okay, again, will try to post some pictures from last year's trip when I figure out how. I am a slow learner when it comes to this type of stuff. Give me an excel spreadsheet or something like that and I am a wiz. It took me about a month how to figure out Facebook and I am still learning new stuff every week.
Well, thanks for reading my PTR. Please feel free to leave any type of comments. All are welcome!
It is driving me crazy! I guess he is waiting for me to go to bed. 
Will post pics if I ever figure out how or I should say, am allowed. 
Hmmmmmmmm, I wonder if the others will do that so my time at work while they are on vacation is easier? Yeah right! 
I also got her a personalized Minnie Mouse shirt to wear on the AK day. I also got a matching bow (she's a girly girl (true little Princess) and loves bows and such in her hair). 
Then this morning he tells me that he needs to go to the mall because he wants to get a few more pairs of jeans! This is not good! Nothing like waiting until the last minute. On a good note - Gabby's stuff is packed and ready to go! I even packed her carry on bag. And, the video camera, digital camera, portable DVD player and cell phone are all fully charged. 
