Brainwashed daughter, obsessed mom, burger and fries dad..pre-trip

[lindap1]

Whew!.. Finally found a title that would fit in that little box!!

Welcome to my first every pre-trip report of any kind!

Please bear with me as I try to work through this thing. I have been planning and reading for over a year (well actually almost two years, but hey,, who's counting..right?! ) and finally in December 2010, right before the free dining deadline, DH said "Book It". Do you know what happened after he said those beautiful, wonderful words... and that's the almost exact dance I did Needless to say within 1 hour I had our trip booked (well at least sent in a price request for a package), and within 24 hours our trip was booked and paid for.
I've been lurking, stalking and posting on here for a while..enjoying everyones pre-trip and trip reports and everything else that is "The Dis". I must say you people know Disney and it has helped me so much in planning and plotting
As for the title , it's pretty simple..DH says that I've brainwashed our 4 year old DD into everything Disney, would I do something like that well, if it helps the cause then so be it....lol
Obsessed..yes, in planning this long awaited trip ( I want to make sure that it's an enjoyable time) and burger and fries dad..yep, that's what he said "as long as there are burgers and fries somewhere then I'm fine"
It took a lot of persuading and "brainwashing" to get this trip happening. DD will be 4 years and 9 months old when we go and he still thinks she is too young, but we're doing it anyways ( after all, this trip IS for HER )

The plans are still in the works...still trying to figure out this park hopping thing and how to do it efficiently,
We have a preferred room at CBR, FREE DINING, 5 day park hoppers and we are going Sept 24 - Oct 1 (unless I can squeeze another night out of him)

Somewhere in the planning we are doing MNSSHP, but not the parade (the video on Youtube scares her) so unless her reaction changes towards it, we'll just be doing the party and as many daytime parades as possible.

So climb aboard ( I may need a paddle here and there to keep me afloat during this report or maybe that's a life jacket) anywho...any suggestions to help with this planning would be awesome and welcome!

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Great PTR. Even though you have free dining, I suggest you find a way to eat at Earl of Sandwich in DTD. You, no doubt, will be doing your research on Advanced Dining Reservations and many other things.

Good luck on your trip and planning.

 

[lindap1]

Great PTR. Even though you have free dining, I suggest you find a way to eat at Earl of Sandwich in DTD. You, no doubt, will be doing your research on Advanced Dining Reservations and many other things.

Good luck on your trip and planning.

Thanks and Yes, we are definitely doing Earl of Sandwich. I'm planning on doing that OOP on the day we arrive (or at least that is my plan).

 

[Becc1]

I'm onboard! Looking forward to hearing your plans for your trip!

 

[lindap1]

Okay, on to my dining plan.
I still cannot believe how many dining choices there are at the World
I have been going over the dining plan restaurants menus over and over and over again. So much in fact that it has got me totally confused. How do you decide where to eat??
Here is a list of my ideas (so far):
Akershus
Chef Mickeys
Tusker House
Crystal Palace
50's Primetime (this one is still up in the air)

I know that's only 5, just can't figure out what I want to do with 50's and the 6th TS. Any suggestions? We're your average American food family...no seafood for us or anything fancy. DD is a picky eater (she lives and breathes chicken nuggets, sausage, bananas and grilled cheese) so simple meals will work better for us. Our TS's are going to be breakfast buffets, except for one. The CS's will be "on the fly". I definitely want to eat at EOS (I've read great reviews) and one night we'll be leaving property to eat at Hooters (for DH...our local one closed)
I'm thinking maybe Garden Grill for a lunch TS or maybe Trails End for dinner. Like I said there are so many to choose from and it really is confusing. Whispering Canyon was in my thoughts until I read reviews about how they bring attention to you and DH DOES NOT like attention drawn to him (another reason I'm reconsidering 50's) I am working with a travel agent (Dreams Unlimited) and she said she would help with my itinerary and ADR's. I felt better going through an agency, because they can find the best deal for you and I think they have some "pull" in areas. I need all the help I can get

 

[lindap1]

I'm onboard! Looking forward to hearing your plans for your trip!

Welcome! Feel free to add your opinions and ideas. I'll need them!

 

[lindap1]

So, we kept debating whether to fly, drive or take an autotrain to Florida. We're not to keen on flying, plus with a 4 1/2 year old don't know how she would do and you can't just get off the plane like you can take a crying child out of a restaurant
The autotrain would cost more than flying and it would be longer than driving, because...we would have to drive 8 hours to Virginia (I think that's where it is) then the train would be another 17 hours, so we're not going that route.
Like I said we're not sure how DD would do on a plane with the pressure of the take off and the ear popping and etc., and the thing with being "frisked" or "scanned" (DH just went through that 2 hours ago at the airport and said it was simple) doesn't sound appealing to me. Plus, you have to watch the weight of your luggage and hope that the flight goes smoothly.
So, we're driving to WDW...yep, others are telling me that we're crazy and that flying would be so much faster, BUT driving will be an adventure (DH has drove to Florida plenty of times). We are renting a vehicle to drive down from Ohio (to save wear and tear and mileage on our car) and we will borrow a friends GPS system to help with navigation. I HATE reading directions off a piece of paper
Now DH wants to drive straight through , but I'm positive that we'll stay somewhere in Georgia for the night
There's no way that DD will be able to handle being in the car for that long straight, heck, I wouldn't be able to handle being in the car that long

My co-worker said that Orlando is about a 4 hour drive from the Georgia/Florida line so that's where I'm assuming we'll stay.
The plan is to leave at 4 a.m. and drive as far as we can that day and then stop for the night, have breakfast next morning (hopefully somewhere with a free breakfast) and leave the next morning for WDW.
Arrive at CBR around noonish or somewhere around there, check in and maybe hit a park or go to DTD for Earl of Sandwich.

Hopefully I get somemore readers and some suggestions for where to stop along the way.

 

[MelMel11]

Im joining in.

 

[lindap1]

Welcome!
I have to tell this story about my DH! He was suppose to go to St. Louis (via a plane change in Chicago) today for work. He left home at noon today for the airport, got there at 12:45 or so for a 2:50 flight. Well, that's when it fell apart
The flight was delayed because of bad weather in Chicago. Sooo, he found a direct flight to St. Louis at 4:45.....that was delayed because they didn't have enough crew members!! I have never heard of such a thing happening! He called me at 6 and said the flight was cancelled....because..... THEY COULDN'T FIND A PILOT!!!
Seriously?? That is definitely one for the books! All flights are booked for the next two days, so he is home and will go another time!

 

[lindap1]

On with my somewhat park plans (hopefully I get more readers and posters !). We will be arriving at DW hopefully around noonish on Sept 25.
We will check in at CBR and hopefully our room will be ready (does that happen a lot).
Not sure what the first day plans will be, beside EOS (that is a must). I'm thinking maybe DTD or checking out DHS. We do have 5 day park hoppers so I don't want to waste ticket on just visiting a park quickly.
Here are our plans so far:
Sunday- Sept 25 (arrival day): DTD and EOS
Monday - 26th: Epcot
Tuesday - 27th: Mk, break midday and return for MNSSHP
Wednesday - 28th : this day is an "off" day, to do what we want
Thursday - 29th: AK (am) another park in evening
Friday - 30th: DHS (am) MK (pm)
Saturday - 1st: departure day

Now we have never been to WDW so any all suggestions for park days and hopping would be greatly appreciated.
Wednesday we will go to a park at sometime since we do have 5 day tickets.

 

[lindap1]

Sooo, I have been harrassing my DH for a little over a month for new camera...a DSLR camera to be exact. Yesterday he comes into the room and says so this camera you want , how much did you say and will you use it? I said $500 and yes, I will use it all the time. He said....are you ready for this......BUY IT! I started crying because I've been wanting one for a while and their not cheap. So, I went on line through QR to the BestBuy site and found what I wanted, BUT a little more pricier than originally thought, because I wanted one that has video capabilities, soo I chose a Nikon 3100 DSLR for $699.99, free shipping. It comes with a 18 - 55mm lens and a 55 - 200mm non vibration zoom lens. I think that's a good deal. With tax it came out to $745.00 Hopefully this camera last me for quite a few years.
I wanted one with a faster shutter speed, mainly for Disney so I can get those first expressions of my daughter, but also because my other camera (not the point and shoot) is outdated. Plus with this new one I can take video.
DH did say that this will cover: Valentine's day, anniversary, birthday and Christmas. He seems to have forgotten about Disney in September and the shops!
Anyways, just wanted to let everyone know about my wonderful gift. Looking forward to receiving my camera next week. Have a Great Magical week!

 

[lindap1]

Wow! No comments from anyone in all most weeks. Sorry my Pretrip isn't exciting like others :-(
Upnote for me is that I got my new camera and it's awesome! I've been taking pics of my little girl non stop...lol

 

[lindap1]

Guess I'll keep going with a few more posts, but if no one comments

The other day I was picking my daughter up from school and we walked out of the school. The little boy I babysit looked up and said "Wow! Look at that jet airplane, it goes super fast!" My little girl looked up and said Yeah, and it's taking me to disney world!" Love her so much!! I told my DH what she said and that I don't know how she put a plane and disney together. He said it's probably from all the disney planning videos she keeps watching and the commercials on tv of course..lol! And we're not even flying!

Anyways, I'm still have a little difficulty picking my last couple TS's. Now I'm working on my park days.

 

[Cafeen]

I'd say keep going, even if no one comments! (Then again, this is a comment.. so I guess that won't apply now). PTRs are a great way to get yourself organized and simply work the plans out .

As far as your plans, they look great. Whether or not the room is ready is totally up in the air though. Granted, both times that I've been recently(ish.. Sept 2009 and 2010) and checked in around noon, they've been ready. But that was also at a different resort so your mileage may vary.


For some further ideas...

Have you looked into Cape May breakfast for your DHS day? Espcially if you're not too keen on 50's (I know how your husband feels, I'm quite the same way in that aspect), it would be a decent character breakfast to add. Plus the relatively close proximity to DHS would help a bit. (Bus to DHS, boat/walk to BC, and then boat/walk back to DHS, or drive to BC then drive to DHS)

MNSSHP will be great as well! (And hey, I'll be there too ) I went last year (for the first time) and it was just flat out amazing. I'm actually planning on taking my Mom to one, and then going again during my solo portion to take pictures. Speaking of...

I chose a Nikon 3100 DSLR for $699.99, free shipping. It comes with a 18 - 55mm lens and a 55 - 200mm non vibration zoom lens. I think that's a good deal.

That was the other camera I was looking at when I bought mine. Just picked up a Canon T1i w/18-55 f4/5.6 IS a few weeks ago. From what I was reading, they are quite comprable and the only deciding factor was my past history with Canon (owned a 35mm SLR several years ago, and a P&S for a few years now). Looking to pick up a 50mm f1.8 and the 55-200mm zoom before the trip.

Keep it up .

 

[lindap1]

Okay, here is a rough idea of what we will be doing (to those who are reading):

Sept 24 - leave bright and early at 5 a.m. (or that's what I"m hoping)
Drive as far as we can into Georgira and spend the night at a hotel
on the Georgia/Florida state line (any suggestions?)
Sept 25 - Eat a free continental breakfast (hopefully) and then finish our
drive to the magic place (as my daughter calls it). I'm figuring
we'll get to CBR around noonish, check in and hopefully have our
room ready This day will be up in the air depending
on how tired we are. We might just hang out at the pool or go to
DTD, I do want to eat at Earl of Sandwich for a late lunch today.
Any ideas of where we can go to watch the fireworks without
burning up a park ticket?
Sept 26 - This is Epcot day. Breakfast at Akershus at 9 or 9:30. I will
be doing some christmas (yes, that word) shopping for my
sis in laws, mother in law and aunt in law. (Wine and bath bombs)
Planning on picking a pearl with my DD and she will pick a special
one for Grandma (lets hope for doubles!)
Sept 27 - MK day....YEAH!!! Breakfast at CP (I love Tigger). I think this
is a MNSSHP day, so we'll do as much as possible, break midday
and return to MK for the party with dinner at Cosmic Rays? before
the party.

To be continued...

 

[lindap1]

Soooo, Hello Disney planners. Yes, yes, I know, I've been MIA with my pre - trip I wasn't sure what was going on with this trip, if we would actually get to go on it and I wasn't getting any comments, so I decided to stop with it, but now I can say we are definitely going to Disney in September
Sad note, is that we had our doggie put to sleep last week
She was 15 1/2 and a fighter. Found out this year she had cancer, so she went throug chemo and we thought she was getting better , the cancer was in remission, but my hubby took her to the vet last week because she wasn't doing well and doc thought that the cancer had made it to her brain
He put her on an anti seizure medicine, but Shady just kept getting worse and got to where she wasn't walk much, we had to pick her up and take her outside and then carry her back inside.
This whole time I've been planning this vacation, DH wasn't sure what was going to happen with Shady and if she was still around during trip time then we couldn't go.
I'm glad that she isn't suffering anymore and I know that she is running around up there with her sisters and brother (our other dogs that we've lost.
So, now that she has passed away, DH is ready to plan (sadly) our trip and talk about it more.
I've went over the auto train with him, briefly, and told him some plans, but not too much, because the loss is still painful.
Hopefully, someone comes aboard my Pre trip and comments or at least gives a quick suggestions.
Happy planning!

 

[cam&phoebsmom]

Hi! I just started my pre-trip report and was checking out the forum wen I saw yours.

Have you finalized your dining reservations? If you are still looking for a good place for the 1st night I would recommend Chef Mickey's. I know it gets a bad rap for the food, but we have eaten dinner there twice and not been disappointed. We book it for 90 minutes befoe dinner starts and after dinner we walked out to the balcony and watched the fireworks-it was a great way to start our trip!

We stayed at CBR in a pirate room last year and really enjoyed it. We also drove down (from MD) and stayed in Brunswick, GA at a Comfort Inn and Suites. It was just under 4 hours to get to WDW from there. If you have questions about driving or using your car in the parks I would be happy to hep if I can. We did 2 trips in September and had a wonderful time!

Do you have your dining reservations all set yet?

 

[lindap1]

Hi and thanks for commenting! I have all our ADR'S done and actually have an extra one because I'm not sure what I'm doing with 50's (if I'm keeping or cancelling). This will be our very first trip to Disney! On our first day there (we will arrive by train around 9 a.m.) we are headed to DTD and we'll be eating a late lunch at EOS. On wednesday we are having breakfast at Chef Mickeys (this will be our off day- have to have one of these days in the middle). My biggest dilemma right now is the park hopping and how to get the most out of it

 

[cam&phoebsmom]

We have not done CM for breakfast but I have always read excellent reviews of the buffet.

When we did a lot of park hopping we used our dining reservations as our guide to where to go, and some days we just left open and decided where we wanted to go that night. We did DTD on the 1st day our 1st trip and after that saved it for later in the week as one of our breaks. Either way you will have a good time!

 

[pooksma]

Another reader here
Your PTR title caught my eye and I had to read.
Your DH may surprise you and get hooked like mine did after our first trip.

Looking forward to reading more. Would love to see some pics of your family taken with your awesome new camera