And HOW exactly do we plan to pay for this? (A pre-trip report) Pics/Intros added

[tinkercat]

I've been obsessing about getting back to Disney ever since we got home from our last trip. That was the trip that ruined me for life. You see, before that trip, sure, I liked Disney but it certainly wasn't anywhere on my priority lists or anything. Then, it happened. DH won us a stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite and the magic took over my brain. I'm pretty much obsessed with WDW now and determined to get back there, the sooner the better.

The two times in my life that we've been to Disney, its been with the whole family. My parents, sister/BIL, her kids, DH, our kids, etc. The whole she-bang. Now don't get me wrong, I love my family. That said, there is such thing as too much togetherness and we reached that threshold on our last trip. So, we decided that our next trip will be just us. Our happy little family of five...with all the world for us to explore. What could be better, right?

DH is the one to blame for my newfound love of Disney. He is the one who won the night in the castle, after all. Luckily for me, the magic has infiltrated just enough of his brain to get him onboard for another trip soon. Unfortunately, he also tends to use more reason than I do when it comes to things like this, so as I'm looking up prices and drooling over deluxe resorts, he is the little birdy on my shoulder saying "and HOW do we plan to pay for this?"

Thus the title of my pre-trip report. To be honest, we don't have money just laying around waiting for us to go to Disney. DH works full time in a factory and is going back to school part time this fall in hopes of making his B.F.A. more usuable. I'm a certified teacher doing the SAHM thing until a job comes along. We live in Michigan and there aren't many teaching jobs open in this area at all, so I keep applying and hoping that someday my job will come along. Until then, we are a one income family with 3 kids and that makes things tight. But, Disney calls. We have to go back. We MUST go back! So, we'll figure out a way to make it work.

I was originally hoping for January 2008, but I can see that won't be happening so now I'm shooting for the end of August 2008...IF they do free dining. If they don't, I'll wait until Halloween so we can do MNSSHP. This is all assuming, of course, that I can find a way to answer my DH's favorite question...how do we plan to pay for all of this?

So, fall 2008 is a year away and this is looking to be a long journey in pre-trippie land. I'm thinking writing the pre-trippie and sharing my planning thoughts (and money saving attempts to pay for the trip) will keep my mind occupied so that I don't go crazy waiting. Sound like a plan? Great! I'll come back later with some introductions of the fam, but for now I have a diaper to change. Oh the joys of motherhood!

 

[tinkercat]

So, I'm back! YAY!!

I figured I'll start with some introductions so people will know who i'm talking about.

DD Lucy - Lucy is currently 10 months old and is the baby of the family. As our last baby, I plan to keep her little as long as humanly possible. Lucy is just the sweetest baby ever. She loves playing with "big kid" toys and climbing up her brother's slide, giving me several daily panic attacks. She's happy, smiley, and easy going most of the time. Loves to eat. Will be about 2 by the time we make it back to WDW.

This was Lucy's first ever carousel ride.

DS Leo - Leo is 2.5 right now and is seriously all boy. He's big into trains and cars, especially "Apple Queen" aka Lightning McQueen. Don't ask me where Apple Queen came from because I have no clue. As a matter of fact, it took me 3 days of him saying he wanted his Apple Queen from the van before I figured out that it was Lightning McQueen he was looking for. Leo does have a sensitive side and is my little 'fraidy cat at times. He did get brave and rode the Barnstormer last time and loved it though, so maybe I'll turn him into a thrill-seeker yet. Leo will be a few months shy of 4 the next time we go to WDW.

Posing in his first Mickey ears

DD Hallie - Hallie is 4 and a drama queen extreme. I think she believes in her heart that she IS a princess. Speaking of princesses, Hallie loves them all, especially Cinderella. She is a girly-girl for sure. Hallie is a thrill-seeker like me and loved BTMR and the other "big people" rides on our last trip so I know it will even be more fun the next time around. If anyone in our family is as in love with Disney as I am, its Hallie. She talks about it all the time and any time she sees a picture of the castle she loudly exclaims, "Mama! We stayed there!". She asks to go back all the time and calls Disney World her "favoritest place ever". That's my girl! She'll be 5.5 on our next trip.

After the BBB...she LOVED being made into a princess. We definitely need to go back there!


Me aka Jen - I'm 27 and a newly converted Disney lover. My DH says I'm obsessed and I guess he's sort of right. I'm currently a SAHM but in my previous life I taught 7th grade Science for a little while in North Carolina. We've since moved back to Michigan to be near my family and I'm sort of in limbo as I look for a job in a very tough job market. I'd like to go back to teaching but until the opportunity arises I'm happy being able to be at home with my kiddos. They are only little once, after all. Besides Disney, I also love scrapbooking and Harry Potter...separately of course. I don't have a Harry Potter scrapbook or anything like that. LOL I'm sure you'll learn more about me as this pre-trippie progresses but that's enough for now.

Notice I'm the only one who doesn't have a picture at WDW. This is because I'm usually the one behind the camera.

DH Cory - Cory is also 27 and is such a great Daddy. He works his butt off to support the family and I guess that is why he is the voice of reason when it comes to our spending capabilities. Cory has a degree in Computer Art, but has been unable to find a job in that field so he's headed back to school this fall to pursue a Graphic Design certificate that will hopefully make him more marketable. I'm sure I'll kvetch and moan about Cory during the planning process, so just keep in mind that I really do think he is a great guy. I just tend to spend a bit more freely than he does which can sometimes put a kink in my plans. Cory is slowly being pulled over to the dark side. He harbors a secret affection for Disney and I plan to prey on that weakness whenever necessary to make this trip a reality!

This was the elephant that changed our destiny. LOL He won the castle stay because he rode in this elephant at the right time.

And for fun, a few family pics from our last trip to the world. The 2nd one is from the castle suite.

So, thats us. A happy little family of 5. I'm thinking that WDW will seem totally different when we aren't traveling in a large group (we had 13 last time). I am hoping we'll get to see and do alot more and just enjoy our time together as a family, because thats what its all about in the long run!

 

[tinkercat]

So I read that the rates were released today for 2008. I logged onto the WDW website, anxious to get some price ideas for this trip. No such luck. Darn system isn't quite ready yet because it keeps saying no rooms are available anywhere and I know that can't be right.

I've got a couple of things in mind that I'm tossing around right now.

First, the dates. IF (and thats a big IF) I think they might offer free dining, I'd like to go at the end of August, through Labor Day weekend. If we do this, yes it will be hotter than Hades, but we won't have to pull DD out of school which is a big plus. And free dining would be nice. Now, with the changes to the dining plan, I'm not sure if they'll do free dining again so my other option is to go in Mid-October. You see, I'll be turning 29 and I figure what better way to celebrate my birthday than at WDW! Plus, the food and wine festival and MNSSHP will be going on so that extra fun for us. Not to mention the much better temperatures. You want to know the really crappy part? If I manage to get a teaching job neither of these times will work and I'll have to figure out a new plan. As much as I want a job, that would stink!

Assuming I won't get a job though, does anyone have any input on when it would be a better time to go? How are the crowds around Labor Day? Are the parks very busy in October?

And then there is my other big decision...where to stay?? We stayed at ASMu last time and I wasn't really impressed. I know there is NO way DH will go for a Deluxe so my options are to try a Mod or do another value. If we do another value, I have decided it would have to be POP. DH really liked the look of Coronado Springs so that would probably be a possibility for the mods. I need to do some research on these places before I decide. Since its all about the bottom line, I'm sure DH will say that we should go with POP to save money. Is there a big difference (other than room size) between values and mods? Is it REALLY worth the extra money to stay in a mod? Inquiring minds need to know!

Yes, this trip is over a year away, but I am a total planner. The sooner I decide when and where and get a price estimate, the sooner I can start figuring out ways to pay for it and actually make this dream a reality.

Anyways, these are my random ramblings for today. DH thinks I'm nuts for wanting to plan so far in advance but I know that a well laid plan is the difference between an okay time at WDW and an AMAZING time at WDW and I'm shooting for AMAZING so I'm going to plan to my heart's content!

 

[tinkercat]

And DH is officially on board! I sold my ideas to him the other night at dinner and he surprisingly agreed with me! WooHOO!!

I've been doing lots of DIS reading to help me make my choices and I think we've come up with a resort choice and some dates. To appease my budget minded husband, we'll stay at POP. I really like the idea of the splash area for the kids there, since our older DD would probably be the only one of our kids brave enough to do the slides at CSR anyways. Friends have stayed there and loved it, and the reviews I read were really good. So, POP is it! (Unless I win the lottery and can afford a deluxe, LOL!)

I've also made the executive decision that we will go in Mid-October, like the 11th-18th. Several things played into this decision.
1. MNSSHP is going on.
2. Food and Wine Festival at Epcot
3. If Disney uses the same schedule as this year, the Little Ones time will also be going on during this time period.
4. My 29th birthday is October 15th and the idea of spending my birthday with the Mouse is way appealing!
5. Better weather and lighter crowds
6. Better room rates because its not summer time
7. FIL *may* join us for some of the time we are there and he'd love the F&W festival and would be able to babysit while DH and I went out to celebrate my b-day. The end of August is still part of his busy season at work so he'd be less likely to come then.

Now, I know I said I wanted it to just be the 5 of us for this trip. And, knowing my fickle FIL it probably will be because that man has some follow through issues. DH wants to invite him though and since the other times we've gone its been with my parents, I couldn't really say no, kwim? And I won't lie, the idea of an extra adult to help us manage the kids is nice. DH and I could actually ride some of the bigger rides *together* rather than as single riders. Imagine that! LOL So, for now its the 5 of us...and maybe it will be 6. We'll see as time goes by how that will all play out.

So now we know when we want to go and where we want to stay Step one - done!

The next pressing question is should we do the DDP or not do the DDP? I'm kind of thinking that we should just pay OOP for the food. The DDP would cost us roughly $800 using the 2008 prices that came out and thats alot for food. I kind of think that since our kids will still be pretty little (5,3,2) we will be able to feed our family for less than $100 a day. Is that realistic though? Would it be a better deal to do the DDP? I know we'll probably want to do at least 3 TS meals (one princess meal, Chef Mickey's, and one other...maybe Whispering Canyon). Well, maybe 4 because I did like the Crystal Palace when we were there. Decisions, decisions!! Its a good thing I have such a long time to decide!

I'm a Libra, you see, and its in my nature to be indecisive. Actually we have 3 Librans in our family (DH, Me, and Lucy) so we are seriously in trouble when it comes to making decisions. The typical conversation when we go out to eat is something like this:
Me - So where do you want to go to eat?
DH - I don't know, where do you want to go?
Me - I'm not sure, what do you think?
and so on...you get the idea. LOL

So anyways, I'm trying to figure out if the DDP would be worth the money for us or not. I mean, when I think about how expensive food is at Disney, $100 a day for a family of 5 doesn't sound that bad. The more I think about it, the more difficult the decision becomes. Perhaps I'll need to do the smart thing and price some stuff out and crunch numbers. Yeah, that sounds like a plan.

 

[tinkercat]

I figured that something so off topic deserved its own post.

I'm in the midst of a career crisis. Now that Cory and I have decided that Lucy is definitely our last baby, its like the clock is ticking for me. Once Lucy is in preschool, I'll need to have a job. I've already mentioned that the job market for teachers is crappy here where we live. I'm not willing to move away for a job so I'm kind of left between a rock and a hard place. Its kind of stressing me out. I want a career where I can feel like I am making a difference somehow. I'm also not going to be satisfied with just some blue collar job. I'm intelligent and hard working enough that I know I deserve a professional career.

I've been mentally tossing around the idea of taking the LSAT and applying to Law School. No one but DH knows this, btw. I'm afraid people in my real life will think I'm nuts. I mean, here I am, 27 years old, and I decide NOW to do this? Maybe I am nuts. The thing is, I've always (in my secret heart of hearts) thought that I'd make a good Attorney. Its just not something that I thought I could realistically pursue because, well, law school isn't cheap!

Thus, my career crisis. Do I take the LSAT to see how I'd do and decide from there? What if I do well and actually get into school? How hard would it be to juggle 3 kids and law school? I think I could handle it, but is that crazy Jen talking?

Any lawyers in the house? If so, do you have any insight to share? Heck, does anyone have some insight to share?

 

[DisMomAmy]

Hi Jen - I'm enjoying your pre-trippie so far. I don't have advice to offer about which resort to stay at or whether to do DDP or not since we are staying off-site this year. But I can say that October is great! DH and I went after we were married, but before kids and loved it. The weather was great and we hit fewer crowds. That was 10 years ago so things may have changed crowd-wise, but from everything I've read planning for this years trip (Oct 4-10 ) we are hitting it at the right time.

We haven't even packed for our trip yet and I'm already jealous about your trip - I'll be itching to go back by the time you go...

How amazing was your stay at the caste? I just watched something on the travel channel about WDW and they showed the suite - AMAZING!

Amy

 

[tinkercat]

Hi Jen - I'm enjoying your pre-trippie so far. I don't have advice to offer about which resort to stay at or whether to do DDP or not since we are staying off-site this year. But I can say that October is great! DH and I went after we were married, but before kids and loved it. The weather was great and we hit fewer crowds. That was 10 years ago so things may have changed crowd-wise, but from everything I've read planning for this years trip (Oct 4-10 ) we are hitting it at the right time.

We haven't even packed for our trip yet and I'm already jealous about your trip - I'll be itching to go back by the time you go...

How amazing was your stay at the caste? I just watched something on the travel channel about WDW and they showed the suite - AMAZING!

Amy

Hi Amy! The castle suite was incredible. I posted pics and stuff in the YOAMD forum. They should still be there.

I'll have to ask you about the October crowds when you get back from this year's trip. From what I've read its supposed to be really nice in October and I'm hoping that will be the case when we go!

 

[tinkercat]

Now that DH is on board, I'm extra geeked about planning this trip. I even added a ticker to my signature. LOL

And, the big news for today...I think I know how we are going to pay for most of the trip. Being a one income family, we usually get a pretty nice refund from the folks at the IRS and this year shouldn't be any different. I call tax time "Tax-mas" for a reason! See, when you get nice refunds, tax time can be even better than Christmas! And this year, I'm putting a nice chunk of the Tax-mas money towards the Disney trip. Hooray for Tax-mas!!!

I was so excited today when I tried to do a price quote and it actually worked! I got a nice little figure for 7 nights at POP with 7 day PH and dining for $2600.10. Then right behind it was that little tab that says "Disney Recommends" and it was POR for $2760. So I thought to myself, WOW that would be a really good deal. It must be too good to be true. So I clicked on it and investigated a bit. And yes folks, if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is. The POR quote didn't include dining. Darn.

I didn't book yet because I want to wait and see if I might get lucky and get a code thingy. I've got plenty of time and I don't anticipate the prices going up so I'll wait and hope for the code Gods to smile my way.


I think Disney has truly infiltrated my brain. Whenever I get stressed, I think about the castle and going back and its like my happy place. Yes, I'm a Disney dweeb.

 

[luvmy2sams]

You will love visiting Disney in October! The weather is just about right. Of course, there's always the chance of rain, but that's just a given. You'll be able to wear shorts and swim, but it can cool off enough in the evening to be comfortable in jeans and a sweatshirt. This year's trip will be our third time to go in October...it's our favorite month to be at the World!

It's more crowded now, because I think people have finally figured out that it's a fantastic time to go. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it won't be outrageously crowded, though. We've always been able to do everything we've wanted to do...multiple times...without fighting big lines.

We're trying Pop for the first time this year, after staying at All Star Movies several times. The idea of a newer resort that doesn't share buses is quite appealing to us.

We've done the dining program once before, and we're trying it again this time around. I've read about the changes they're making for 2008, and I don't think we'll do it again after this time. We usually figure out where we want to eat and how much we'll spend, then we compare that to the dining plan offerings. The past two times, it's come within $100 of what we were planning on spending out of pocket. Since the DDP includes a snack credit, we chose the DDP thinking we'd break even. With what I've read about the 2008 changes, the DDP costs $1 less, but includes less (no dessert, appetizer, or tip), so you're actually paying 10-20% more. Make sense? Check out mousesavers.com for their explanation, if it doesn't.

I totally relate to your struggle with going back to school. I've been a SAHM since becoming pregnant with DD in 1998. I've got an accounting degree and worked for a few years before "retiring", but I've never loved it. DS just turned 4, and we're starting him in a pre-K program in January. I've recently made the decision to go back to college to get my teaching degree. Just the thought scares me to death, though teaching is what I originally wanted to do when I started college years ago. Granted, my stuff won't nearly compare to the costs of going to law school, but it is a factor to consider. That and the fact that I haven't studied or been in a classroom setting in a LONG TIME! Bottom line for me is that I need to make a difference and show my kids that you can be passionate about what you're doing for a living. Go with your heart and your desires and you'll make the right decision!

Happy trip planning!

 

[tinkercat]

You will love visiting Disney in October! The weather is just about right. Of course, there's always the chance of rain, but that's just a given. You'll be able to wear shorts and swim, but it can cool off enough in the evening to be comfortable in jeans and a sweatshirt. This year's trip will be our third time to go in October...it's our favorite month to be at the World!

It's more crowded now, because I think people have finally figured out that it's a fantastic time to go. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it won't be outrageously crowded, though. We've always been able to do everything we've wanted to do...multiple times...without fighting big lines.

We're trying Pop for the first time this year, after staying at All Star Movies several times. The idea of a newer resort that doesn't share buses is quite appealing to us.

We've done the dining program once before, and we're trying it again this time around. I've read about the changes they're making for 2008, and I don't think we'll do it again after this time. We usually figure out where we want to eat and how much we'll spend, then we compare that to the dining plan offerings. The past two times, it's come within $100 of what we were planning on spending out of pocket. Since the DDP includes a snack credit, we chose the DDP thinking we'd break even. With what I've read about the 2008 changes, the DDP costs $1 less, but includes less (no dessert, appetizer, or tip), so you're actually paying 10-20% more. Make sense? Check out mousesavers.com for their explanation, if it doesn't.

I totally relate to your struggle with going back to school. I've been a SAHM since becoming pregnant with DD in 1998. I've got an accounting degree and worked for a few years before "retiring", but I've never loved it. DS just turned 4, and we're starting him in a pre-K program in January. I've recently made the decision to go back to college to get my teaching degree. Just the thought scares me to death, though teaching is what I originally wanted to do when I started college years ago. Granted, my stuff won't nearly compare to the costs of going to law school, but it is a factor to consider. That and the fact that I haven't studied or been in a classroom setting in a LONG TIME! Bottom line for me is that I need to make a difference and show my kids that you can be passionate about what you're doing for a living. Go with your heart and your desires and you'll make the right decision!

Happy trip planning!

YAY! I love reading that people think October is a great time to go. It makes me even happier with my decision to do October. Will you be doing a TR when you get back from your trip? I'd love to read it if you do!

I think being a stay at home mom with a degree is sort of a double edged sword. On one hand, its so nice to be able to be there for the kids when they are small. At the same time, it seems like its so much harder to get back into the workplace after you've been home with kids. I almost feel like potential employers are less likely to hire me for the simple fact that I put my kids ahead of my career for awhile. When its all said and done, I know I won't regret having the time I've spent with my children when they were small. I can't say that I wouldn't regret it if I'd worked full time and missed their babyhoods while they were in daycare, kwim? But, it sure would be nice to find a job now that I want one. LOL

I totally agree with what you said about showing your kids that you can be passionate about your job though. Thats so important to me, and one of the reasons that I wish I'd just find a teaching job because I really did love it when I was teaching. I like to think that I will find another career that I will love and be passionate about too though. Anyways, thanks for your insight and for stopping by my pre-TR!

 

[tinkercat]

I brought up the Disney plan to Cory the other night and we started talking about food. Being the penny pincher he is, I totally expected him to say forget the DDP we can just pay OOP and eat cheap to try to save money.

Needless to say, I was shocked when he suddenly exclaimed, "You know what, DDP is easy and convenient and I like not having to carry all that cash for food. We should just do the DDP." Cheap-O Cory said THAT?? Yes he did!

The funny thing is, now I'm the one mentally questioning if the DDP is worth it. I did the math and honestly the cost for DDP is a bit more (with more CS/less TS if we pay OOP) but DH *is* right about DDP being convenient. Plus, we'd get those extra TS meals with the DDP and it is nice being able to sit down somewhere for a real meal rather than eating fast food style stuff all the time. I could see the CS options getting old if thats what we did most of the week.

So, while the debate is sort of ongoing in my mind, as far as DH is concerned, we are doing the DDP because its easier, end of story. The quote we got with dining was really do-able so we'll probably just go that route....and of course DH will think it was all his idea. LOL

 

[mousescrapper]

Hi tinkercat,

just wanted to send a quick reply and say I'm enjoying reading your PTR so far, we are alot alike. I'm also a SAHM with 4 little ones (8, 8, 4.5 and 8 mo). This will be quick as I need to make bfast for the older ones get DS off to day camp and feed DD (8 mo). We too had traveled with a huge group back in 05 when it was our first rip with our then 3 diz kids, now are in the planning mist of our just family of 6 trip with my DM (she'll help with a little of the $ part and some babysitting or basic crowd control). So can understnad your thinking with your FIL.

We are going all out in 08 because we are a BIG family in disney hotel standards and because DD #4 will be just 1.5 and our DS has recently been diagonised with ADHD and Aspergers disorder we feel this we MUST plan some breaks. So the need to be close to MK and Epcot are a must, and since this will be the only time our actual fam of 6 can fit in a 1 room resort we figure why not Dream BIG....

But yes the good question of "how are we really going to pay for this?" rings everyday

My DH is also in the computer field (struggling through contract/temp jobs for the last 5 yrs and going to school, he has a good full time job now though ) so we bank on that hefty tax refund come March to help fund a good portion of the trip (that's how we mangaged 05 too). But seriously like you, we have to raise some actuall savings too, which is not always that easy in a SI family (as you know)

I'm all in that DDP debate and am indecisive as you too.

Looking forward to tracking your PTR and if you have time take a look at mine too (see link below).

I'm gald to hear you chose Oct. over lat Aug/early Sept we've done that twice and even though the spin off is lower rates and less crowds you have rain, did I say RAIN! I wouldn't ever do that time with kids.

I have not done Oct. but it sounds nice with all the extra going-ons

It seems you have decided to go with POP, don't have any advice there, but we really loved the POR (AB section) when we were there in 05. It worked awesome for our then fam of 5. Me and DH in one bed the DD, DS twins in the other and then the little pull out mattress between our bed and the wall for our DD who was 2.5 then It was perfect for her. (Although we did roll up the top quilt of our bed and put in between our bed and her so she didn't roll under the edge of the bed.) Don't know if they have this option at the POP but there is no charge for the little mattress. And I know it sounds crazy but I loved the bathroom set up! 2 sinks, nice ledge over it for all our tolitries and a privacy curtian for me to arise early, be all cleaned and dressed and then down to CS to bring up bfast as DH got the kids rollin.

Not to add more decisivness into your plans but wanted to put that out there.

BTW if you read my PTR, you can see my thinking on the whole DDP with 4 kids (3 on the plan) Based on your kids ages you'd only need to put 1 on it, but obviously you'll still have to feed the other 2...

Happy Planning And just rode Dumbo to get the Castle suite, I say SWEET!

MY PTR:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1540090

 

[tinkercat]

I discovered something interesting today. A friend of mine tipped me on to this site called ExpoTV. Basically you make one minute reviews of products, upload them to their site and they PAY you like $10 a video! Holy crapper! I could make the money for pay for the trip to WDW, well at least part of the trip, this way! There is a limit of 100 videos a month, but thats still $1000!

I've started recording videos in the categories that they need videos for (the $10 ones of course) and I'm hoping this will be legitimate because if it is...CHA CHING!! Jen will be making some Disney money! DH will love this if it works out!

Yeah, if I actually make more than $600 I'll have to pay taxes on it, but we still get back so much that it would be worth it I think. I'll let you know how it goes but I'm excited about the possibility of this!

 

[tinkercat]

Still waiting to see if the 20 something videos I made will get accepted on that site. I stopped at 20 something because I didn't want to waste anymore time if they didn't take them, kwim?

If they do, I'll make more!

DH talked to FIL the other night and it sounds like he is on board for the trip. Now, its very possible that he could change his mind because as I mentioned, he has follow through issues. But, in case he doesn't I'll do a little intro on him.

FIL - aka Gene or Grampy - FIL lives in Ohio so we don't get to see him all too often. MIL died on New Year's Day after a nearly 5 year struggle with lung cancer and he's having a rough year. They were together nearly 30 years and I can only imagine how hard it must be to try to move on after losing a spouse who has been an integral part of your life for so long. Anyways, FIL is pretty much a good guy and the kids adore him. The only time he annoys me is when he does stupid crap like saying he's coming for a visit and then cancelling on the day he's supposed to arrive...or forgetting my birthday. Grampy is great with the kids when they see him though and I think he'd probably have a blast with them at WDW so hopefully he'll actually come along for the ride.

I don't have a pic of FIL to share...sorry!

As of right now, its looking like we'll be doing 2 rooms at POP, unless FIL decides to pony up so we can stay at a mod (or, can I dream, a deluxe). I'm thinking it will be POP though.

 

[mousescrapper]

sorry to hear about your MIL.

Blessings all around to your whole family

It's nice to have family come on vacations trips, often with added perks, but can totally understand the whole coming or not coming, etc. deals. Well at least you have a good head start to figure it out and hopefully your FIL will be a firm on board.

I'll keep checking in.

Happy planning and dreaming!

 

[kindakrazy2]

Hey Jen!

So excited you are starting to plan your next trip! I remember reading your castle win story when it happened and I can remember thinking you'll never top that vacation!! So glad you are going back for round two!

Keep the report coming!

 

[DisneyMomFanatic]

Hi,

Love your pre trip report. I go to WDW on 8/23 and am staying at POP. WE will be having the DDP for the 1st time. I will be doing a trip report also. I am already planning our next trip for xmas 2008.

I love the tax man. I also am a SAHM. Been home since Feb 1999. I have 2 lovebugs 8yrs-DS (autistic spectrum, PDD-NOS) and 4yrs-DD(will be 5 in Sept). I do some babysitting and Foster Parenting. I have a BA in Economics. So, I can relate to all the previous posters. Everytime we have been to Disney since we have had kids, has been because the taxman has blessed us. That is also how we will be doing xmas 2008. I think for the school year of 2008-2009 I will try and become a teachers aid at my daughters school. No, it doesn't pay much, but it's more than a SAHM. And I will get the same schedule as my kids(days off and summer schedule) and will be bringing an extra paycheck home and noone in daycare to boot. This works well for us and I don't need a teaching cert, just 2 years worth of credit. Since I have a 4yr degree, I qualify.

Sorry to ramble and seemingly hijack your pretrippie. Just wanted to let you know you are not alone and that it can be done with much planning and enough time. Happy planning to you and yours.

 

[tinkercat]

Thanks so much for reading everyone! It makes me feel like maybe I'm not talking to myself. LOL

mousescrapper - Do you scrapbook? (I'm guessing by the name) I scrap but I'm SO far behind. One thing I'd like to do for the next trip is make a nice 8x8 autograph book that we can use for the pics of the kids with the characters as well as the autographs themselves. I'm mentally preparing it bit by bit, but when I start working on it, I'll certainly share here. I've still got to scrap the last trip to the world and I'll probably share that here too. I like to share. LOL

kindakrazy2 - Welcome! I've already resigned myself to the idea that nothing will top our last trip! Instead of letting that get me down, I'm actually excited about experiencing the world with my little family (well, plus FIL) and all the new things we'll get to try that we didn't do last time we were there. I think that is the best way to look at it because if I wanted every trip to be like that dream come true, we'd never go back!

DisneyMomFanatic - Welcome! I think being a SAHM is the hardest job there is, but you can't help but love it. I know that when I look back I'll feel so lucky to have been there for all of the magical "firsts" for my kids, ya know? And no worries on the hijacking! I like the conversation!


In Pre-TR "How are we going to pay for this" news, a few of my videos were approved on the Expo TV site and I have 60 uploaded so far. I'm going to try to get the 100 allowed for the month (hopefully all in the $10 categories) and if they all get approved, I'm going to put the bulk of the $$ towards the trip. Heck, I've only got to have 18 more approved before I can book my trip, right? Sure, they won't pay until mid-September, but I'm in no rush so if this works it could be a VERY good thing for me because the videos are easy to make and I can do it while the kids nap! I'll update as this whole things plays out, for sure.

 

[hjd0411]

Hi Jen - wow the Castle Suite! I can only imagine what that would be like - being from Australia that dream is not for us I'm afraid! Oh well, a Dream Fastpass or Mickey Ears will do me just as well!!
Now, I know how you feel with your trip away off next year. I started my ticker with about 18 months to go. Now I'm at 2.5 months! The time does go quickly believe it or not!

I look forward to hearing more on your plans - I'm sure they will change many times before you actually go, but that is half the fun!

By the way your family is gorgeous!

Keep it coming.

 

[mousescrapper]

tinkercat,

Yep you hit that one right on the nose.... I don't just like to scrap, I LOVE it...it's my other insanely obsessed hobby/past time and look forward to my kiddies (well 2 full day, 1 3 half days) going back to school so I can hole up down in my scrappin room and scrap away, that is when I'm not on the dis boards

And yes, I'm so far behind too. DD and DS 8 the twins I'm about 1/2 way through their year 5-6 books, and DD 4 1/2 I'm on year 2-3 and well the baby...haven't started yet. That doesn't mean I don't have some fabulous albums done, like (minus just a few layouts) the 2005 Disney album a thick 80 pages...well it was the first time with kids.

PROPS to you for making a homemade autograph book. I'm planning to do a little 3 ring binder style with premade pages so we can print and stick right away when we get home, till I work on the big album. Post on my PTR or PM anytime you want to talk scrappin!

Now that I've kidnapped your PTR can I take a moment to shout out at another of your posters? Oh thank you, you're too kind.

Hi disneymomfanatic,

My DS 8 is also on the spectrum, recently diagonised officially this summer. So I sympathize with you read my PTR as I will be talking about him and how to make this trip special with him in mind