Sunset Cliffs
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2009
- Messages
- 1,017
When we began toying with the idea of a holiday trip to the World, I was certain that it was never going to happen. There were too many obstacles in the way that were going to prevent it. I didnt even want to let myself consider that it would be a possibility because I didnt want to feel the disappointment when the plans fell apart.
It all started last Christmas when we were at my moms house for the holidays. We were watching a special on HGTV about how Disney decorates all of the parks at WDW for the holidays. My mom commented on how much she would like to see the holiday decorations some day. Seeing them for real was something she had always wanted to do. My husband & I had been there for Thanksgiving quite a few years ago, and I told her that it was my favorite time of the year to go. She said we should try to get all of my immediate family to go together during the holidays the next year. At that time in my mind, there was no way it was going to work out.
Let me explain myself, because I promise that I am not a negative person by nature. I work at a high school, and therefore all of our trips have to revolve around a school schedule. If the students are in school, then my principal wants us there. Totally understandable. It just makes vacation planning a little difficult because we end up having to travel when everyone else is on a holiday break and is traveling too. Not much fun when you are going somewhere like WDW, and it can get really crowded. Especially during the week of Thanksgiving or during the 2 weeks of Christmas break. I usually dont even consider asking for time off during the regular school year because I know that it is frowned upon. So when my mom says holiday trip, I immediately thought, there is no way.
Jump forward to April and my sister called me to say that she wanted to plan a graduation trip for her son that June. He wanted to go to WDW, and she was wondering what I thought about them going in July. After a few conversations, she asked if we wanted to go along. July fits perfectly into my work schedule, but it was already April and I didnt think we could pull it together by then. But it got me thinking ..
See, our last trip to the World was in June 2009. We went with our then 21 month old son and had a fabulous time. When we left, we didnt know when we would be going back due to expense, timing, and the fact that we live on the West coast so we cant just spontaneously decide to plan a trip. It was sad to leave and not know when we would see Florida again.
Here is a picture of us on that trip.
So, of course when my sister asked us to go on the trip with them, I couldnt help but be tempted. To go from no possibility at all, to even a slight possibility was too much for me. I got my hopes up.
One day, we were talking about the weather during July and I happened to say, The best time that we have ever been there was the week after Thanksgiving. The weather is perfect. Those 2 sentences changed everything. She started looking into arrangements for November. I told her that we would not be able to go, just due to the school schedule. I really did think it was best for her family, and I knew it wouldnt work for us, so I had to accept that we wouldnt be going.
Another curve ball. Since the state of California is in a major budget crisis, a lot of people were losing their jobs or having their hours cut at my school. I was no exception to that. I was called in and told that they would be cutting my hours by a whole month. Usually I work through the summer, but now I have to take the month of July unpaid. For many reasons, this was a huge adjustment. I am actually one of the few people on campus who needs the time to work in the summer.
So I ran into my principal one day and he mentioned that they were going to allow my schedule to be flexible and work one of the weeks in July, but it meant I needed to take that week off at some other point of the year. I took a huge gamble (& I was soooo nervous) and I told him about this family trip the week after Thanksgiving. Would it be ok if I took that week off, since my office is really slow during that week anyway? He did not even hesitate. He said, Absolutely. Family comes first.
So what does that mean? It means we get to go back during the holidays!!! I am still in shock about the whole thing, even though it has been confirmed for a few months. I made a countdown ticker, and yesterday I saw that it said 2 months until the day that we leave. I should have started this PTR months ago when all the planning started, but I have just been too busy to get it going. Now that we are at the 2 month mark, I cant procrastinate any longer.
If you are jumping onboard to read this, thanks in advance. Even though we have been to WDW a few times, I always learn something new from all of the creative people on these boards. Please dont be shy to give me your opinions! We have ended up with 8 people going on this trip and the ages range from my 3 year old son to his grandparents, so there is going to be quite a few decisions to be made.
Links for the updates
So who gets to go?
Staying somewhere new
Plan - Our First Few Days
Dates & details
So many meals, so little time
OT - Life
Photopass Questions / Halloween pics
Packing, packing & more packing
I'm back!
It all started last Christmas when we were at my moms house for the holidays. We were watching a special on HGTV about how Disney decorates all of the parks at WDW for the holidays. My mom commented on how much she would like to see the holiday decorations some day. Seeing them for real was something she had always wanted to do. My husband & I had been there for Thanksgiving quite a few years ago, and I told her that it was my favorite time of the year to go. She said we should try to get all of my immediate family to go together during the holidays the next year. At that time in my mind, there was no way it was going to work out.
Let me explain myself, because I promise that I am not a negative person by nature. I work at a high school, and therefore all of our trips have to revolve around a school schedule. If the students are in school, then my principal wants us there. Totally understandable. It just makes vacation planning a little difficult because we end up having to travel when everyone else is on a holiday break and is traveling too. Not much fun when you are going somewhere like WDW, and it can get really crowded. Especially during the week of Thanksgiving or during the 2 weeks of Christmas break. I usually dont even consider asking for time off during the regular school year because I know that it is frowned upon. So when my mom says holiday trip, I immediately thought, there is no way.
Jump forward to April and my sister called me to say that she wanted to plan a graduation trip for her son that June. He wanted to go to WDW, and she was wondering what I thought about them going in July. After a few conversations, she asked if we wanted to go along. July fits perfectly into my work schedule, but it was already April and I didnt think we could pull it together by then. But it got me thinking ..
See, our last trip to the World was in June 2009. We went with our then 21 month old son and had a fabulous time. When we left, we didnt know when we would be going back due to expense, timing, and the fact that we live on the West coast so we cant just spontaneously decide to plan a trip. It was sad to leave and not know when we would see Florida again.
Here is a picture of us on that trip.
So, of course when my sister asked us to go on the trip with them, I couldnt help but be tempted. To go from no possibility at all, to even a slight possibility was too much for me. I got my hopes up.
One day, we were talking about the weather during July and I happened to say, The best time that we have ever been there was the week after Thanksgiving. The weather is perfect. Those 2 sentences changed everything. She started looking into arrangements for November. I told her that we would not be able to go, just due to the school schedule. I really did think it was best for her family, and I knew it wouldnt work for us, so I had to accept that we wouldnt be going.
Another curve ball. Since the state of California is in a major budget crisis, a lot of people were losing their jobs or having their hours cut at my school. I was no exception to that. I was called in and told that they would be cutting my hours by a whole month. Usually I work through the summer, but now I have to take the month of July unpaid. For many reasons, this was a huge adjustment. I am actually one of the few people on campus who needs the time to work in the summer.
So I ran into my principal one day and he mentioned that they were going to allow my schedule to be flexible and work one of the weeks in July, but it meant I needed to take that week off at some other point of the year. I took a huge gamble (& I was soooo nervous) and I told him about this family trip the week after Thanksgiving. Would it be ok if I took that week off, since my office is really slow during that week anyway? He did not even hesitate. He said, Absolutely. Family comes first.
So what does that mean? It means we get to go back during the holidays!!! I am still in shock about the whole thing, even though it has been confirmed for a few months. I made a countdown ticker, and yesterday I saw that it said 2 months until the day that we leave. I should have started this PTR months ago when all the planning started, but I have just been too busy to get it going. Now that we are at the 2 month mark, I cant procrastinate any longer.
If you are jumping onboard to read this, thanks in advance. Even though we have been to WDW a few times, I always learn something new from all of the creative people on these boards. Please dont be shy to give me your opinions! We have ended up with 8 people going on this trip and the ages range from my 3 year old son to his grandparents, so there is going to be quite a few decisions to be made.
Links for the updates
So who gets to go?
Staying somewhere new
Plan - Our First Few Days
Dates & details
So many meals, so little time
OT - Life
Photopass Questions / Halloween pics
Packing, packing & more packing
I'm back!
a fellow Disney Planner and Addict!! LOL! thats so great you were able to fit in a vacation for the holidays! haven't been there during the holidays in a longgg time,, we usually go during the Value season so we can stay longer.. i leave in 6 days!! YAHOO!! 
however next years trip will be for the holidays! no matter what!!! i must see those lights. 
it was ESPN!. I signed in so I could find your last WDW trip report b/c I wanted to show the guys a couple of photos. And I found this!!
Can't wait to hear what you have planned...maybe I'll get some tips!
