Can I plan a trip in a week??? BIG NEWS pg 5!

[newtodis]

Hey y'all! This will be one of the shortest PTRs here on the DIS.

**I'll get on tonight and add more pictures. For now, you can check out my other PTRs and TRs for pictures of my family. I'll also find a picture of our friends we're going with and get that on here soon too.

So here's the plan and some background...

Our frist Disney trip was one year ago this Valentine's Day. We moved to SC (Hilton Head Island area) in January for DH's new job. By February, we were getting settled in to the new house and life in general. I was lucky enough to be able to stay home for several months which helped tremendously! So one Tuesday night Dan looked at me and said "how about we go to Disney this weekend?" I must have looked at him like he'd really lost his mind. I was still in the mindset that Disney was so unaffordable and we'd never been so I had no clue what I was in for at all! He found a cheap hotel, arranged for the Friday afternoon off work and we left. In the short amount of time I had to research, I happened upon the DIS and have never looked back! I got so much amazing, helpful information and tips that helped make our first trip amazing.

We'd been bitten by the Disney bug! After extensive "research" here on the DIS (I don't think I'd ever spent as much time on a message board except for when I was pregnant for the first time), I read about this crazy thing called "Free Dining". Free huh?? I'm always up for a good bargin and free's pretty darned good. I was up before the crack of dawn and on the phone with Disney the morning to promotion was available. The more DH and I talked about it, DH's mom expressed interest in going with us. We added her to the reservation, didn't tell the boys and continued on with the plans! It was really a wonderful trip. You can check out my TR (link in signature) for tons of pictures and the full details!

Since Christmas is my favorite time of year (I LOVE decorating and giving gifts to others to show how much I appreciate them), I had my heart set on going to Disney to see the Christmas decorations. We made reservations at AKL CL!! This is our "dream" resort and CL was just going to be super special. (We'd gotten a deal and it was a minimal difference) Well, the economy took a turn, my budgetmindedness got the best of me and we decided to get a condo off site instead of on site. Really it was the best choice for us - the condo was HUGE and so much cheaper than staying on site! Keep checking my TR (work in progress) from December's trip for all of the details.

So we'd been talking to our friends about coming down to visit or go to Disney for awhile now and they just never were able to make it down with work schedules and such. Well, Disney rolled out a sweet deal for them and they're coming down. They'd planned on coming to stay with us for a long weekend but it wound up being cheaper to go to Disney than come here (go figure!). So, Dan's worked a couple of shifts at another fire department since they're short handed anyways and we're going to Disney!!!

Now, some may say we're spoiled going to Disney four times in a year (just over by two weeks)...I say I'm pretty darned lucky and LOVE that we live close enough to get a cheap hotel and go down for the weekend. Buying APs was one of the smartest things we did - they'll have paid for themselves for sure before we have to renew them just by the parking we can save!

I must also say that we are pretty smart about what we buy at Disney and what we bring with us....I can't understand paying high dollar for a Disney bottle of water when I can bring my own and refill it...stuff like that. Now, I'm not a super tight wad who buys nothing, but we pay attention to what we're buying just in general and wouldn't do any different while on vacation.

My goal is to spend a week or so (maybe a nice long weekend) at Disney just after Thanksgiving this year (value season - see cheap!) and stay at AKL. We're also talking about trying to hit free dining again this year but we'll just have to see how that works out as we're hoping Corbin's not "too smart" for school again this year. My goal is to also head down on birthdays when we can. Dan and Corbin's this year is like a Wednesday so I don't know that we'll make it for that one but I believe Carters and mine are close enough to weekends or on a weekend that we'll have an excuse to go!

 

[newtodis]

So, now that you know the "history", let's get started on trip plans....
















Yup. That's pretty much what we've got planned!!

Up until now. My goal today is to get a plan together and get it emailed to my friend Amy so she can look it over. We are going to call each other this weekend to make more plans so we're all on the same page. It's their little one's first trip to Disney so hopefully all will go well and we'll be able to do this once a year or something like that!

Ok...I'm off to get started on the plans....once I get them worked out, I'll be sure to post them. I'll probaby have to change them once we talk this weekend but that's ok!

 

[Grace and Mickey]

WOW Awesome plans!!!!!!

Looking forward to hearing more!!!

Might you be in planing your "free dining trip" around the time my trip Is?
Have a good nite

 

[lmillercrew]

I had no idea that your first trip was last year!!!! I'm looking forward to your little trip.

 

[newtodis]

Hey girls!!!


Grace - I'm not sure. I'd love to go during free dining but we'll have to see if Disney even offers it this year. I'd love to the the buy 4 get 3 promo but I just don't think we can go for that long before the end of summer....if they extended through the end of the year, maybe we could do that to see the Christmas decorations again.

Hey Lisa. Yup just one year ago was our first trip. It's amazing how addicting it's become for all of us really. It's truly the one place in the world that I can go and really not stress about anything while we're there.

A couple of friends from work want to try and go together for a long weekend later this year so we'll have to see how that works out.

Amy called me this morning to get a phone number and said the weather there is TERRIBLE!! They're supposed to have eight inches of snow today. Boy do I not miss that at all!

Angie and Sandy are on their way to MI this morning. They were supposed to be on a 6:30 flight this morning, but due to some confusion with a piece of luggage, they missed that flight and flew out at 2:30 so they're probably on their second flight now (so long as it wasn't delayed) and on their way to MI. The baby's due on Tuesday so now it's just a matter of waiting..boy do I not miss that either! I must say it was so nice with Carter - he was a scheduled c-section so I knew exactly when it was going to be. Granted, he threw off my Thanksgiving plans by hanging out in the RNICU for a week but he's certainly worth the wait!!

I was talking to the boys yesterday on the way to take Dan to the water ferry so he could work last night and mentioned how I'd always thought it would be fun to have twins - two babies at one time. We talked for a bit then he got really quiet and said that if I wanted two babies I would have to trade them and that meant I didn't love them any more... After a minute thinking about how to say what I wanted, I explained that I would NEVER trade either of them and it would have been two more babies and that I loved both of them so very much and wouldn't trade them for anything. He said he understood but didn't want two babies at one time and that baby girls would be "bad" and baby boys would be "perfect".

So now I've got to work on our trip plans and figure out what we're going to do on this trip! Amy's supposed to call tonight so we can talk more about it. I've got the boy's clothes packed so far today and most of my stuff together. Just waiting on Dan and the other last minute stuff that you always have to wait to pack.

Corbin talked to Amy this afternoon and told her how excited he was to see Austin and his mommy and daddy. I know for sure we're going to do the photopass because I need to get a cd from my last trip. Jill and Amy are both going to get "extra" cds so it works out for all of us actually. Should be fun to see some of the pictures.

Alright....I need to get motivated. I got the van cleanded out the afternoon and have almost all of the laundry done. Now I just need to get the rest of the house cleaned...I wanted to "work" today and "play" tomorrow but it just didn't pan out today.

 

[lmillercrew]

Don't have time to read your post, but wanted to say "Goodmornin to ya"! I hope you are enjoying your WARM weather down there!

 

[newtodis]

We certainly are Lisa!

So here's what I spent my morning/afternoon working on:

Front:

Back:

Front:

Sleeve:

And here are the ones I made for the boys:

And here's the package I put together for them. We'll drop it off at their resort Friday at some point:

And here's a picture of my special helper:

Corbin ditched me to go outside and play with his friends! Too for mom!

ETA: I forgot to add that the pictures came from the Creative DISigns board here on the DIS. I believe they were Kelly Belle's DISigns but I'll correct if that's not right. It worked out perfectly because she already had all of them made in her photobucket so I just printed them and ironed them on the shirts. Sorry the one's sideways - I have no idea why it didn't turn the right way. I had a rough time with the sleeves....

 

[newtodis]

Ok so here's our cast of characters for this trip:

Chris aka Austin's Daddy: Chris is a firefighter just like Corbin's daddy! How ironic is that. Chris also does taxidermy and loves hunting - just like Corbin's daddy.

***Still working on a picture. Isn't that terrible??? I have one at my wallpaper on this laptop but have to find the picture now...

Amy aka Austin's Mommy: Amy and I worked together at my last job in MI orgainzing events for the company. She's a corporate travel agent and is very good at what she does. Amy and Chris used to live a couple houses down from Dan's mom and went to day care with Dan when they were younger. Small world for sure!

Austin aka Buddy Austin: This is Corbin's best buddy. He's just a month older than Corbin and they bonded right away. They spent quite a bit of time together in MI (gymnastics once a week and a couple of weekend a month).

Dan: Still Dan. He's very excited about this trip.

Me: Yup still me! I'm the "planner" for this trip and am trying so hard so make sure that everyone's "to do" list gets done!

Corbin: He's so excited to go with Austin to Mickey's house. He's looking forward to racing Austin the race cars and being with "the boys".

Carter: He's so looking forward to seeing AUSTIN!! at Disney. Ask him who he's going to see at Mickey's house and his answer will be AUSTIN!

 

[lmillercrew]

Those shirts look great. I can tell that you worked really hard on them. You are such a nice friend! You are always so thoughtful and remember your friends on their visits to Mickey's house. I just can't wait to get back down there. It seems like forever!! It'll be three years for my kids, since they've been there.
That story, about the twins, was too cute. Isn't it amazing how kids' minds work? Travis asked me several years ago for a brother. Sorry buddy, even if that were possible, it's only a 50/50 chance that it's going to be a boy. And so far, your daddy has two to one girls vs boys.
I hope that the birth of Angie's baby goes well and that all will go smoothly and without a hitch. I can't believe that you only have 4 days left!!!

 

[SunnieRN]

I hope you have a wonderful trip!!

 

[newtodis]

Ok...after an hour on the phone...here's the plan as it stands right.

Friday - just our day for our family. Chris, Amy and Austin are not flying in until Friday evening. We're heading to DHS Friday morning to TSM then we're off to do whatever we want to. We're going to meet up with them once they get off the plane and to the hotel. The plan is to head to DTD to do some shopping and off to the Poly beach to watch the water parade and Wishes if we can make it. This way the boys will be on the monorail and see "the big ball" and the castle and be excited for the next morning. I'm hopin Corbin and Carter's excitement rubs off on Austin and he's ready to go.

Saturday - We're meeing at 8:30 to head to AK for the safari, FOTLK and Camp Mickey Minnie. Then we're either going to head to another park or back to the hotel for a rest. The afternoon we're planning on spending at MK to try and get some things checked off the list and get ideas for the following morning. We're planning on watching Spectro Magic and Wishes (on the bridge so Tink will fly over the boys).

Sunday - We have breakfast ADRs at CP (thanks Amy!!!) at 8:20 so we'll have to be at MK by 8 to make sure we're there in time. It will be WONDERFUL to be able to see the MK without a ton of people again. I hope I can get some good pictures of them with the castle without a bunch of people in the background. In the afternoon, we've talked about going to Epcot to ride the Nemo ride and do Turtle Talk with Crush and ride Soarin' if the line isn't crazy long.

Monday - We're heading to DHS to ride on TSM. Austin LOVES Buzz and Woody so we'll try and meet them right across from TSM in between rides. We also need to go see McQueen and Mater and Playhouse Disney. Depending on what time we need to be back, we'll either leave at that point for Dan to be back to class, or head back to another park for a couple of hours if Dan skips his class.

Sounds like it's going to be great time! It sounds like we want to do a lot of the same things and the boys are close in age so it should all work out well.

Alright...I need to finish cleaning up the house and get off to bed yet tonight. Tomorrow morning I'll fill in my spreadsheet and get that emailed off to Amy so we'll both have the same information.

I am SOOO ready to go to Disney!! Can't wait to be there! It's truly the only place in this world that I can walk in the gate and not worry about a thing from the "real world" while we're there. It's so amazing! I wish I could bottle the feeling and bring it back with me. It's been so nice writing the TR from Dec. Just looking at the pictures brings back some of the feelings and it's great!! I truly love Disney!

 

[lmillercrew]

Your plans sound super! (wanted to use another word besides great) You have a lot to do in not a lot of time, but I have full confidence in you that you'll get it all done. Have a good night and a good start to your week. Just think, you'll be in Disney this time next week! AND you won't have to worry about making your bed. Someone else will do it for you, unless you're staying at a condo, then you're outta luck duck.

 

[newtodis]

Those shirts look great. I can tell that you worked really hard on them. You are such a nice friend! You are always so thoughtful and remember your friends on their visits to Mickey's house. I just can't wait to get back down there. It seems like forever!! It'll be three years for my kids, since they've been there.
That story, about the twins, was too cute. Isn't it amazing how kids' minds work? Travis asked me several years ago for a brother. Sorry buddy, even if that were possible, it's only a 50/50 chance that it's going to be a boy. And so far, your daddy has two to one girls vs boys.
I hope that the birth of Angie's baby goes well and that all will go smoothly and without a hitch. I can't believe that you only have 4 days left!!!

Ohh thank you Lisa! You're too sweet!

I can't wait for you guys to get there either!! Everyone deserves to go to Disney and take a break from life once in a while!

Too funny about the baby request! Kids are crazy! I told Corbin there were NO MORE babies right now....Every time I think I want one, I start thinking about driving to MI with a baby or how I'd fit the seats in the van....ugh! Not that I wouldn't love another baby, but I think we're good with what we've got!

I hope you have a wonderful trip!!

Thank you!! I'm sure we will!!

Your plans sound super! (wanted to use another word besides great) You have a lot to do in not a lot of time, but I have full confidence in you that you'll get it all done. Have a good night and a good start to your week. Just think, you'll be in Disney this time next week! AND you won't have to worry about making your bed. Someone else will do it for you, unless you're staying at a condo, then you're outta luck duck.

Hey thanks! I filled out my spreadsheet this morning and emailed that off to her so she can look it over and make sure we'll all on the same page. I'm getting so excited!! Dan has EMT class tonight and Wednesday so that leaves me tonight to pack, tomorrow to make some muffins and stuff for snacks and Wednesday night to pack the van. I'm planning leaving work (taking my lunch) at 4 on Thursday so I can get the kids around and ready when Dan gets home.

We booked a room at a Ramada which is supposed to be right at the gate to Disney so very close which is good. In the end though, it would have been cheaper to just rent the condo (my choice) instead of booking through Hotwire (Dan's choice) with the "resort fees" and other nonsense like that. Hopefully all works out for the best. I've read reviews of the hotel and they're less than nice to say the least...I'm hoping we get there early enough to take care of any problems that may occur. I've already contacted hotwire to let them know the reviews I've read will NOT be acceptable and they will get me another hotel if this one doesn't work out so here's to hoping. I guess that's the only thing I'm nervous about. Other than that, we're going to have a WONDERFUL trip!!! I cannot wait!

 

[lmillercrew]

I didn't know you were leaving Thur night. That makes sense though so that you can spend the WHOLE day on Fri at the parks. You only have a 5 hour drive don't you? That's like a trip to the other side of Chicago for us. Wow! So jealous. I definately would buy season passes if I lived that close.
I hope your Ramada stay goes o.k. I stayed at a Clarion in Chicago and it was super nice!! The pillows were actually fluffy and stayed fluffy. The towels were plumpy and softie! Very fantastic.
Have you ever read Junie B Jones books to your boys? They are SO funny. I just thought of her because of the conversations you've had with your boys. You should check them out.
Okay, I need to get to the gym and get my body in shape for Disney! (yeah, right )

 

[SunnieRN]

I've only been to WDW once and we went on the spur of the moment. We had planned to go on a trip using free dining. My son in laws date for training in Louisiana got bumped up a month, to during our trip, so we cancelled. Then the day he left for training he told us to "go ahead and go . So we planned a trip in three days. No table service for us, as we had cancelled all our ressies, counter service only. So, this trip we will experience lots of firsts!! Again, have fun! Your first day sounds great!!

 

[newtodis]

I didn't know you were leaving Thur night. That makes sense though so that you can spend the WHOLE day on Fri at the parks. You only have a 5 hour drive don't you? That's like a trip to the other side of Chicago for us. Wow! So jealous. I definately would buy season passes if I lived that close.
I hope your Ramada stay goes o.k. I stayed at a Clarion in Chicago and it was super nice!! The pillows were actually fluffy and stayed fluffy. The towels were plumpy and softie! Very fantastic.
Have you ever read Junie B Jones books to your boys? They are SO funny. I just thought of her because of the conversations you've had with your boys. You should check them out.
Okay, I need to get to the gym and get my body in shape for Disney! (yeah, right )

Yes we're leaving Thursday night so we can mess around at the parks on Friday while we wait for them to get in Friday night. Depending on how late it is and how backed up ME is, Dan may just go and get them from the airport.

Yup we're only about 5 hours away but I'm planning on driving part so it may be four!

Haven't read those to the boys...maybe I'll have to give it a try!

I've only been to WDW once and we went on the spur of the moment. We had planned to go on a trip using free dining. My son in laws date for training in Louisiana got bumped up a month, to during our trip, so we cancelled. Then the day he left for training he told us to "go ahead and go . So we planned a trip in three days. No table service for us, as we had cancelled all our ressies, counter service only. So, this trip we will experience lots of firsts!! Again, have fun! Your first day sounds great!!

It's kind of nice to not know for too long - I think I'm more excited this time. There's not as much time to worry about anything. I really have to have the attitude that things are just going to happen how they do and that's what's going to happen.

 

[newtodis]

Ok so Corbin got the news this morning that there are two more big sleeps until we leave for Disney!! He was more than excited when poor Michelle got there this morning!

Dan was helping take out the trash this morning and the bag had a hole in it and leaked all over my carpet. I was scrubbing trying to get whatever it was out (without thinking about what I might be scrubbing! ) and Corbin hopped down and helped me scrub (what a sweetie!). Then he looks at me and says "mom, this is just like Cinderella!". Yup now scrub faster!

When I left they both had three Disney books and were sharing their Disney knowledge with Michelle and Gavin!

I went home yesterday for lunch to get caught up on laudry and stuff. I had planned to finish packing and stuff last night while Dan was at EMT class. Well, his class got cancelled so he was home by 6 which meant nothing really got done...we watched the Disney planning dvd and that got the boys all wound up.

Today I'll go home for lunch and try to get caught up on laundry and finish packing. I've already told Dan he's taking the boys to Best Buy tonight as I want to try and make them a cd of their songs to listen to on the way to Disney. The boys also need a bath tonight so they're semi - clean for Disney!

Tomorrow night I'll be packing the van while Dan's at EMT class. My goal is to pack as much in the back as I possibly can. Chris, Amy and Austin are going to just ride with us while we're at Disney so I want to see how much stuff I can fit in the back so I'll know if we'll be able to pick them up Monday morning since that's when we're leaving.

I'm also on the hunt for crocs for Austin. He needs a new pair before Disney so Amy and I are both trying to find some! As a last resort, they'll just get some at Disney but our Hallmark store has them 30% off so I'll run in there one night this week to see if they have kid sizes to at least get a deal on them.

Other than that, I'm just trying to finish packing and not forget anything. I also need to get the house cleaned up before we go...not that it's terrible but I just like coming home to a clean house.

alright....off to try and keep myself busy so the day can fly by!

 

[lmillercrew]

TWO DAYS I'm so excited for you!!!! We do the "sleeps" too for our little one when she wants to know how many days left. It works!!!!
I try and clean too before we leave for vacation. I don't like to come home to a messy house. Now, day to day I can look past, but there's something different about being gone and coming home.
Here's to hoping you find Austin some Crocs!

 

[newtodis]

Here's to hoping you find Austin some Crocs!

Thanks! You're hoping worked!! I managed to get him a pair and they were 30% off!! Since I love to spoil the little guy, I also got him a McQueen and Mater photo album (the little flip book kind!). I've got some extra Cars jibitz from my boys so I'll stick a couple of those in too for him.

So I logged into the Dis this afternoon and saw this at the top of the little information box:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/recreation/ESPNWEEKEND.htm

I just called my husband and made his week!!! He's so excited to go now he can't contain himself! Me I don't know who any of those people are but I'll drag the kids through it to make him happy or drop him off there and go about our regular touring plans!

 

[lmillercrew]

Thanks! You're hoping worked!! I managed to get him a pair and they were 30% off!! Since I love to spoil the little guy, I also got him a McQueen and Mater photo album (the little flip book kind!). I've got some extra Cars jibitz from my boys so I'll stick a couple of those in too for him.

So I logged into the Dis this afternoon and saw this at the top of the little information box:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/recreation/ESPNWEEKEND.htm

I just called my husband and made his week!!! He's so excited to go now he can't contain himself! Me I don't know who any of those people are but I'll drag the kids through it to make him happy or drop him off there and go about our regular touring plans!

I don't think I know any of those people either, but it would definately boost the testosterone levels of the trip. I hope you survive!!