Can we go now please!!!!!!!!

[CantWaitToGo2007]

This is my new and improved pre-trip report. I originally started one back in March, but it wasn't very good. I know more now, so we're going for attempt #2.

The cast

Me (will be 32 when we go)- single mom and a list maker

DS (Justin 11) - Thinks his mom has lost her mind. Loves Pokemon and yu-gi-o(I don't know how to spell it )


We were supposed to go to WDW July 2006, but had to cancel due to some financial issues (DS's dad doesn't like to pay his portion of the bills, so I usually end up paying them - but that's a separate story). In December 2006 I figured out that we would have enough money for us to go Dec 07 I didn't tell Justin this at first. I told him that we were going to go dec 08 (a little lie never hurt anyone right?) I had to tell him something because I would need his imput on a few things.

Armed with my unofficial Guide, Passporter, and of course the DIS I was ready to start planning.

1st thing to do - Pick someplace to stay. I knew we would be staying in a value resort because I didn't want to pay extra for something I didn't feel we were going to use. Besides the value resorts just screamed DISNEY to me. I decided to go with Pop Century. It had all the things we were looking for, and I just thought it looked really cool. After all this wasn't just a vacation for DS, it was really a vacation for me. God knows I need it!

So I decide we'll leave the day after DS gets out of school for christmas break and start pricing. The hotel price for 7 days $981, not too bad I'm thinking. After all this is Disney and we would be staying on property so I don't have to rent a car. After doing a little more research (and lots of list making) I find out that if we start our vacation on december 19 it would be $750 for the 7 nights. Did you know that if you start your stay during the value season your whole stay is priced at the value season rate? I learned that here somewhere (I probably have it on one of my lists where I saw it ) So I call and book a room and hope to find one of those codes everyone keeps talking about.

About 2 weeks into my DIS addiction I find a thread talking about the infamous code that someone posted. So I call and see if I can apply said code to my reservation. The CM that I talked to asked me where I got said code, now I'm thinking "they are so not going to let me use this code. They're probably going to cancel my whole reservation for even calling and asking about it." So I tell here "I just came across it". We'll I did Then she asks me for my name and says I do have a code attached to my name so now I have another 40% off my room rate. We are now staying at Pop for 7 nights for the grand total of $440 I can't believe it! That cheap and they are going to pick me up at the airport and drive me to the parks. I swear I must have won the lottery or something. (I know it's all included, but it's still cool!)

 

[CantWaitToGo2007]

Since Southwest hasn't released their dates for December yet I've started to plan what we are going to do each day we are there.

It looks like we won't be getting into MCO until about 5pm so I think we will just go hop on ME and check into our hotel. I have a fridge from one of the swaps and I'm also ordering a basket from Sarah. She is going to do a pirate theamed basket for Justin. I can't wait to see it

We're planning on staying at the hotel that evening and resting. I hate flying, it make me sick and I still don't understand how the big hunk of metal stays in the sky. Did I mention that my dad was in the Air Force and I was in the Air National Guard (yet I still hate to fly...weird). I think this may be our only chance to eat dinner at Pop and I know DS really wants to. I just want to try the twinkie tiramisu

The plan for our first full day there (I'll call this day one) is to go to Chef Mickey's for breakfast then off to DTD for some shopping I have to get those Mr. Potato Head pieces! Then it's back to the room for a nap and off to MVMCP and a hot dog from Casey's corner - I love hot dogs! I know they are kind of a kid food but I still love them.

Day 2
Breakfast in the room and then Animal Kingdom. We're only planning on one day here and I think we'll just do counter service for our lunch/dinner. We're not big meal eaters, more of the snack throughout the day type eaters. So no DDP for us.

 

[CantWaitToGo2007]

This trip was going to be a suprise for Justin. My big plan was to tell him I had to pick a friend up at the airport and just let him figure it out once we got there. We have gone to the airport before to pick up people so I think I probably could have gotten away with telling him. Anyone who knows me knows that I can't keep a secret like this Justin was having a bad day (thanks to his father - he only wants to see Justin when it is convient for him. he hasn't seen him in almost 3 years) and said that it would be ok if he didn't get to see his dad this year because we were going to go to disney world "someday" (he says with a sigh). It was heartbreaking and I couldn't keep quiet any longer. So I told him we would be going sooner than he thought. Two weeks later he still keeps asking if we are really going this year

Back to day planning

Day 3
Magic Kingdom
I've been debating the steam train tour and I think we are going to do it. I know Justin will love it. This is the only other day besides MVMCP that we will be at MK. I didn't opt for the park hoppers. I can always add it if we really need it, but I think if we had it on our tickets we would feel that we had to go to more than one park each day.

Day 4
MGM
Have to see Fantasmic I think we're going to have lunch at 50's prime time cafe. Justin thinks it will be funny to have someone tell me to eat all my veggies.

Justin wants to go on ToT. we rode it twice at Disneyland a few years ago. Remember how I said I din't like to fly? One reason I don't like flying is because I', terrified of heights (one time when we were in Astoria we went up in the column so Justin could lauch a little wooden plane off the top. It took Justin about 5 minutes to run back down the steps. It took me a little over 45 minutes to get down. I don't know why I have this fear, but I don't let it stop me from doing too many things, it just takes me a little longer to do them) Anyway I'll go on ToT, and I'll have fun. But I'm not putting my hands up in the air on the ride Justin wants to ride it twice, once during the day and then at night to compare the two. Wish me luck.

I can't wait to get to ride Rock n Roller coaster I also want to see the muppet show. We're going to see if we can find that key under the mat at the muppet show (thanks to a tip from someone).

I don't think we can handle eating two TS meals in one day but we also wanted to go to Sci-Fi so we are going to go and have some onion rings and dessert there for dinner.

Day 5&6
EPCOT
one of the guides I have said this was the best park to visit on these days. I loved EPCOT when I went as a teenager and can't wait to go back. Growing up an Air Force kid we got to live in germany for 4 years and traveled all over Europe. Getting to go and see a little of that again is so exciting I'm hoping that they have some of the german chocolates that I loved as a kid. I think Justin wll really enjoy EPCOT. He is the type of kid that on most days would rather watch the discovery channel than cartoons.

Thanks to a post here on the DIS I found out the disney store was having a sale and got most of our shirts for the trip for $2.99 a piece (I love sales!) Justin and I have two that match, although he said I couldn't wear mine because the tag said "mens" on it

So now all I have left to do is liberate some more LGMH's from home depot, make my adr for MGM, get glow sticks, and pack. I also have to condense all my lists down to one big master plan.

 

[Kim321]

Hi,

Just a little note to say I'm reading, and keep it up! Great job on getting such a good price at Pop; way to go!

 

[CantWaitToGo2007]

thanks for reading

I'll add more as I make more plans. I was so excited to get POP for that price. I was like winning the lottery to me

 

[CantWaitToGo2007]

Our tickets came today They are so cute too. mine has Tink with the castle in the background and Justin had the 7 dwarfs on splash mountain. I'm so excited, I don't know how I'm going to make it another 7 months

 

[CantWaitToGo2007]

I'm going to attempt to post pictures of the MVMCP tickets. I hope this works

 

[Kim321]

Hi,

Your pictures worked! By the way, I've been wondering all this time and can't figure it out (although I'm sure that it is obvious) -- what does MVMCP stand for??

I know what you mean about the wait being hard! We've got just a little over 2 months to go, and that seems far away! ...and I guess in some ways it better be; I'm hardly ready! I still have so much to plan and figure out!

We're catching fantasmic too on the FDP from a tip someone gave me. From what I've read it should be awesome. Actually, I'm expecting the whole trip to be awesome! We're a newbie family to the World, so it'll all be new to us.

Later!

 

[CantWaitToGo2007]

MVMCP- Mickey's very Merry Christmas Party

I would love to be able to go in two months. But I am also really excited to be able to be at Disney for christmas.

I haven't been for 16 years, and I was a teenager then. This trip is going to be so different. I wanted to try to include some other parks (non-disney) but I think we will be too rushed. Right now I'm debating adding another day

 

[CantWaitToGo2007]

I figured I had better put a picture on here of some of the cast for our trip.

This is Justin at his 11th birthday party.

I'm sure at some point I will probably mention some of our other family members. Here is Shelby.

and Calee

We have a couple family members (garfield and mini me - calee's babies- that were not available for pictures.

and last is me. I am usually the one taking the pictures as I really don't like mine being taken. Took this one myself too, aren't I talented?

I'm in a holding pattern as to the rest of our plans until southwest releases their december dates. I read a post somewhere that said they would be releases on June 28. Keeping my fingers crossed that it is soon

Hope everyone has a great memorial day weekend. We're going to go see Pirates tomorrow at the drive-in with some friends. Should be lots of fun
Nanette

 

[Kim321]

Nanette --

DWD at Christmastime -- I'm sure it is just amazing! I've seen some pictures here on the boards of the lights and the trees and they just look beautiful!

My DH and DS saw Pirates last night and enjoyed it very much. You'll have to tell me what you think about it!

Nice pictures! I'm writing a little pre-trip and haven't figured out how to post pictures.... Haven't tried hard enough I guess! lol But it is fun to have a place to write about my plans and count down the days, isn't it!

later!

 

[ktink]

Hey, I just wanted to drop in and say I'm really enjoying your pre trip report. Justin looks just like you, he's a doll.

Also you will love Pop! We stayed there on our first family trip, I was the only one who had been before but it had been a very long time. Anyway Pop made our stay SO magical! The theme and bright colors just made the trip even more magical. I'm so glad that we chose it for our first onsite stay.

I wasn't as fortunate as you in the fact that I didn't find the DIS until we were planning our second trip. I've learned so much form these boards.

Can't wait to read more!

 

[CantWaitToGo2007]

This is completly off topic, but it's my PTR so I can write whatever I want.

This week Asperger's kicked our behind. I don't know if I've mentioned this or not, but Justin has Asperger's. For those that don't know what Asperger's is, in simple terms it is a high functioning form of Autism. Justin was originally diagnosed with ADHD. I always knew that there was something else going on but it took a long time to get a doctor to listen to me. Anyway, he was diagnosed as having Asperger's when he was in 3rd grade and the doctor he was seeing decided that it would be best if we just kept him on the same medication he was taking when they thought he had ADHD. The meds weren't working as well as I hoped they would for Justin so this past christmas with the blessing of his newest doctor (gotta love the military, you get a different doctor each time you go in. but I'll get back to that later) we took him off his meds. He is doing pretty well. He is growing like a weed, trying new things, and just seems like a happier child. Back to the different doctor each time we go in. While I am grateful to have the medical care that I have for him (esp since it is free and his care would be quite expensive) it drives me crazy when he just starts to get used to a certain doctor and then they get transferred. I have met a wonderful doctor (she is not military ) and she specializes in kids with Autism Plus she is young, nice, seems to really know her stuff, and most of all Justin likes her. She doesn't normally take our insurance, but she said she would love to have Justin as a patient

Wow, I really got off on a different topic. Back to the bad week. Kids with Asperger's need to have a schedule that they stick to, and for the most part we do. Except for this past week. I have been sick (I'm fine just a really bad cold) and took a few days off work (which I rarely do). Justin usually goes to my parents house after school, but since I was home I picked him up from the bus. Looking back I should have just let him go to my parents house and picked him up about the same time as I usually do when I work. It threw his schedule off so much, and has taken several days to get back on track. Anyway he is driving me crazy! And yes I know I only have myself to blame, I'm the one who screwed up the schedule. I have learned something as a result though. Once a week we are going over the schedule of where we will be on each day at WDW. We have looked at the menu's of all the places we are planning on eating and Justin has picked out a couple of things off each menu that he likes so he knows what to expect. We have been to Disneyland and he did fine there with the lines and the crowds. I think the reason he did ok with the long lines for the rides was because he knew before we got in line about how long the wait would be.

I have to share something with you guys that I thought was kind of cute. Justin is a very literal person and one of my friends asked him when we were going to go to WDW. My response would have been December 19th, but not Justin's. He said "we will be at Disney World in 199 days, but we leave in 198". He is so funny, everything has to be exact. For example right now it is 3:27, most people would just round it off and say 3:30, not Justin. Although the big question is why am I up at 3:30 in the morning? That would be because when I turned 30 I stopped being able to sleep throught the night. Anyone else have that problem?

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

Hey, just found your pre-trip report! Awesome deal on that room!!!! Can't wait to hear more!

 

[CantWaitToGo2007]

Thanks! I just wish I would have booked for a longer stay. They won't let me add any days to my stay under the rate I got

 

[Kim321]

Hi! Yes, I agree with you; it is your pre-trippie and you can write what you want!

Sorry for your difficult week.... I can't imagine what the stress must be like, being a single mom. Sometimes my being a married mom with 2 kids is a little more than I can handle!

I've been finding myself thinking about our trip as a coping method when I'm stressed out. And you know what -- it works a little!

I hope this week goes better for you! And I hope you sleep better!

 

[CantWaitToGo2007]

Hi! Yes, I agree with you; it is your pre-trippie and you can write what you want!

Sorry for your difficult week.... I can't imagine what the stress must be like, being a single mom. Sometimes my being a married mom with 2 kids is a little more than I can handle!

I've been finding myself thinking about our trip as a coping method when I'm stressed out. And you know what -- it works a little!

I hope this week goes better for you! And I hope you sleep better!

Thank you. The DISboards is my therapy. Whenever I get stressed out I come here and read trip reports and then all is right in the world

 

[CantWaitToGo2007]

 

[CantWaitToGo2007]

Justin graduated from Elementary School yesterday The graduation ceremony was very cute. The kids walked in through an arch made up of two dolphins (that's their school mascot). They got all their awards and at the end was a slide show. It was really cute to watch them cheer each other on when someone got a special award. The whole thing was going great until the principal said that in just three years these kids would be graduating middle school and starting High School I'm still getting used to the idea that I have a child old enough for middle school let alone that he will be going to High School in 3 years. I feel like I was just there a couple of years ago myself (15 year reunion is next year ). Anyway here's a picture of him before we left home for graduation. Just ignore the long grass in the background. We live at the end of a dead end dirt road and are redoing the yard so I haven't mowed that area in about three weeks or so.

 

[CantWaitToGo2007]

I was able to make my ADR's today and I got pretty much the time I wanted on all 3 places.

Chef Mickey's 12/20 10:20
50's PT 12/23 1:30
Whispering Canyon 12/26 10:10

Now hopefully I can get a return flight that is going to work with the ADR on 12/26