Can't Plan for Baby? Better Plan for Disney! -- PTR

[oboedm]

Either plan sounds good! It will be very hard to wait this long, but it will be a lot of fun in the end!!

How are you feeling? Have you hit the "I cannot stay awake another second" stage???

I am doing pretty good. Not much nausea yet, but I am SO TIRED! I feel like I could take two long naps a day and still sleep for 8+ hours a night!

Sounds like good plans to me! I know personally I've found two week trips too long. As much as I love Disney, I'm a homebody and I get home sick after 10 days! lol

Good point about homesickness. I am sure the kids will feel that way as well. Definitely something to consider!

I agree 10 days sounds great!

We have done both the 2 week and 1 week trips, 2 weeks was a little to long. We got bored with going to the parks. We did a lot of other stuff as well (drove out to cocao beach and port canveral) but with all those people you have, won't be as easy to get around.

Have fun with your planning

Very true! I never considered that the parks may get a bit stale. We do plan on doing some half days and going back to the hotel each day, so we will see what the other family thinks.

I wish I could afford a 2 week trip to Disney World! Maybe some day. Your plans look good so far!

I don't now if we can afford it either! A girl can dream, right?

I havn't gone back to read, but did anyone mention the new family suites at the new Art of Animation resort? The kids would love those I bet. I was watching the new promotional video and I almost wanted to stay there! So vibrant and they look really spacious too.

We have considered that. I really like the Lion King rooms and their proximity to everything. That would give us four bathrooms, which would be great! I will definitely be looking into those! I am sure the kids would LOVE them!

As I replied to you in my TR, one of our biggest mistake with regards to park days was to go to water parks every time. So since you won't be doing that, you'll probably get better results. I will have to say though, the later it gets in your trip, the harder it is to do three full park days in a row.

Oh, and I think 2 weeks is great. Gives you more flexibility, and allows you to take the parks at a more relaxed pace.

Good to know! I know that I had a mental breakdown the night of our second day in a row of our last trip. I am so used to leaving the park around two, and we didn't do that for two days. I just needed a break from the overstimulating places and I needed a nap! I am a two year old in that way! We ended up taking a break each day after that.

First- congratulations!!!! I just found your trip report and am SO happy for you! I also live in AZ and work for a large University here. We ran into Trouble TTC (I have PCOS) and when we were ready to venture to IF treatments our daughter found us through the gift of adoption.

Wishing you a very happy and healthy 9 months (or we 32ish more weeks)!

What a wonderful story! I checked out your blog, BTW-- Your daughter is super cute and I recognized the t-shirt you were wearing in one of them. Small world and large university, I guess! =)

I convinced dh to stay on property a couple years back instead of off site. I had an excellent rate at a DTD area hotel. ($29/night) When I crunched the numbers though, between the need for a rental car for 2 weeks, the food for 2 weeks and park tickets... even with such a low rate, we saved (even paying for the dp) by staying on property. As you noted, snacks add up quick. I think for us... the rental car became the thing that really sent our total over. Normally, we would rent a car for a week... not 2 and I could not find a rental for a reasonable price. I really can't wait to hear how your number crunching works out!

I think I am in a different camp than the others. 2 weeks for me works... mostly cause I too have 2 travel days. I won't have enough time to go for 2 weeks in the fall... but I really wish I did. We will have 10 days total (two of which are those travel days) I am just not sure how to fit everything in that we want to do. Your 10 day looks good. I normally do not park hop. I think one park in a day is plenty to schedule... and I always see where that money can go toward.

I can't wait to hear how things work out as well! So is DH! We are reading through the Unofficial Guide to figure out which places we want to investigate further. We don't park hop either! I always follow the touringplans.com crowd calendar and we always do great! However, I think I am going to try Ridemax, mostly to just keep myself from overplanning my days. I know that sounds weird, but I can see myself having too many must-dos and getting frustrated with the large, slow moving group.

Oh and PS: we love our Ergo! The Moby was great for the first few weeks- then we ditched it. With our next baby I intend on getting a ring sling!

If you're I'm the Phoenix-Metro area check out Zoolikins in Old Town Scottsdale! They have a wide selection of wraps/carriers/slings that you can test/play with!

Oh my! I love Zoolikins! I went to a cloth diapering workshop there a few years back and even have some of the stuff they sell! Love them! I totally plan on going to their baby wearing class as well! Thanks for your opinion on the Moby! My cousin told me that it can get cumbersome when you are trying to put it in on the parking lot and the long piece is dragging on the ground.

Today was the day, right? I am praying all went well. You have me worried though. Please post soon and let us know how you are doing!

Posting now! Everything is good!

 

[oboedm]

Everything is great! Everything is grand! I got the whole wide world in the palm of my hand,

Everything is perfect, it's falling into place, I can't seem to wipe this smile off my face!

Ultrasound went great! Only one baby! We were able to hear the heartbeat, even though it was super early.

We have one more appt with the clinic next Friday, then we will be released to a regular healthcare provider! Super excited to interview a few folks!

 

[annmarieda]

I am so excited for you.

Congratulations!!! That is super neat you got to hear the heart beat.

 

[smile4stamps]

Congrats on your pregnancy! That is so wonderful!!!

I hope your 9 months goes smoothly!

 

[teekathepony]

How awesome! So exciting that you got to hear the heartbeat. Many congratulations again!

 

[silverhaze269]

So I figured it was high time I come over here and check out your...PTR? I haven't had a chance to look at the whole thing yet but I just had to comment before I could go any further....
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I'm soo happy for you! I hope everything continues to go well, and it's all smooth sailing from here

 

[cindianne320]

Wonderful news!!!

 

[Nermel9]

Yay so happy your ultrasound went so well and you got to hear the heartbeat, what great news!

 

[ronnmel]

Yay! for one baby!!!

 

[francis6306]

YAY!!!! That's great that you heard the heartbeat! Good luck picking a provider! I LOVED my clinic where my first daughter was born. They only had 4 doctors and you rotated to meet all of them (so that you weren't in labor meeting someone for the first time, you know?) but then with my second, there was only ONE clinic that my insurance covered and there were over a dozen doctors and I was so scared of not having my doctor (you only saw one doctor the whole time) when I went into labor. Luckily, my water broke on the day that I was scheduled for an induction with my doctor anyway!

 

[Leger13]

I've been MIA for a while and omg I'm SO happy to come back here and see that you have achieved a successful pregnancy!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

I am so, so happy that things are going so well with the baby! Yay for a great ultrasound and for getting to hear the heartbeat!

As for trip length - I think 10 or maybe even 11 days is a great amount of time. That is how long our honeymoon was, and it was perfect. Honestly, at the end of the trip we were ready to go home. I think even one day longer and we would have gotten burnt out. Plus, 3 or 4 days less of hotel and food costs could equal big savings!

 

[Joyciemc]

So glad to read that update on your ultrasound!

 

[JennisSilly]

Congratulations! So happy to hear your pregnancy is continuing to go well!

 

[Chelley00]

Yay! Look at the little bean! So happy for a good ultrasound and heartbeat!

Our trips are usually 10 days, but this fall we're doing 14. I'm so hoping we don't get burnt out. We're not just doing Disney, so hopefully that will mix it up a little.

 

[BMC423]

Happy to hear everything is going well!!! Awww that first ultrasound and heartbeat monitor is something isn't it?? 10 days at Disney... can I come??? Either trip sounds amazing! Can't wait to hear more about the baby and the Disney planning!

 

[Haley]

Congrats! I'm so happy for you !!

I love WDW in October - we are taking our dd (19 months) this October- her first trip.

 

[Imagineer5]

YAY! So excited for you! That's just so wonderful you have a great pregnancy ahead! I loved my pregnancy - I'm jealous lol. I'll be around more on the DIS in May - I go back to work then and will have some time to myself then how funny is that? I look forward to baby purchases! If you have any questions on gear I'll be happy to let you know what works for us.

 

[oboedm]

I am back! Finally feeling like doing something today, ! I have been sick for the last three weeks. Only four weeks to go until my 2nd trimester... I hope that I will feel better at that point!

I have SO MANY threads I need to read! Hopefully I can do that throughout this week and post another update soon (besides the one I am posting today, that is).

I am so excited for you.

Congratulations!!! That is super neat you got to hear the heart beat.

Yes! We were super happy! We got another U/S the following week and got to hear it again!

Congrats on your pregnancy! That is so wonderful!!!

I hope your 9 months goes smoothly!

So far, so good! Other than the sickness and exhaustion, I am doing rather well!

How awesome! So exciting that you got to hear the heartbeat. Many congratulations again!

So I figured it was high time I come over here and check out your...PTR? I haven't had a chance to look at the whole thing yet but I just had to comment before I could go any further....
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Welcome! Thanks for the congratulations!

Wonderful news!!!

Thanks!

Yay so happy your ultrasound went so well and you got to hear the heartbeat, what great news!

Thanks so much! We were super happy that it seems to be a viable pregnancy!

Yay! for one baby!!!

I know, right?

YAY!!!! That's great that you heard the heartbeat! Good luck picking a provider! I LOVED my clinic where my first daughter was born. They only had 4 doctors and you rotated to meet all of them (so that you weren't in labor meeting someone for the first time, you know?) but then with my second, there was only ONE clinic that my insurance covered and there were over a dozen doctors and I was so scared of not having my doctor (you only saw one doctor the whole time) when I went into labor. Luckily, my water broke on the day that I was scheduled for an induction with my doctor anyway!

I ended up choosing a practice with several Drs, but I will deliver with one of three midwives, which I prefer, since I would like a natural birth.

I've been MIA for a while and omg I'm SO happy to come back here and see that you have achieved a successful pregnancy!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks! I hope to update more than every three weeks, LOL! Hopefully this PTR will get a lot more exciting!

I am so, so happy that things are going so well with the baby! Yay for a great ultrasound and for getting to hear the heartbeat!

As for trip length - I think 10 or maybe even 11 days is a great amount of time. That is how long our honeymoon was, and it was perfect. Honestly, at the end of the trip we were ready to go home. I think even one day longer and we would have gotten burnt out. Plus, 3 or 4 days less of hotel and food costs could equal big savings!

Great point. I went for 10 days once and I was ready to go home at that point, but I didn't know if I was ready because we had no rest days. We took a break each day, but we needed a couple of days to just do nothing and/or do whatever we wanted.

So glad to read that update on your ultrasound!

Thanks!

Congratulations! So happy to hear your pregnancy is continuing to go well!

Thanks so much! We are starting to get more excited as time goes on!

Yay! Look at the little bean! So happy for a good ultrasound and heartbeat!

Our trips are usually 10 days, but this fall we're doing 14. I'm so hoping we don't get burnt out. We're not just doing Disney, so hopefully that will mix it up a little.

Great point! Maybe mixing things up will keep things interesting.... Something to think about!

Happy to hear everything is going well!!! Awww that first ultrasound and heartbeat monitor is something isn't it?? 10 days at Disney... can I come??? Either trip sounds amazing! Can't wait to hear more about the baby and the Disney planning!

Ha! The only reason we are taking a trip that long is because we want to take it easy, but we want to get a lot done as well!

Congrats! I'm so happy for you !!

I love WDW in October - we are taking our dd (19 months) this October- her first trip.

Can't wait to hear about how things go on that trip! We have been in early Sept, but not Oct. It was super hot when we went and we were too early for MSSHP. That being said, crowds were SUPER low, so that was nice.

YAY! So excited for you! That's just so wonderful you have a great pregnancy ahead! I loved my pregnancy - I'm jealous lol. I'll be around more on the DIS in May - I go back to work then and will have some time to myself then how funny is that? I look forward to baby purchases! If you have any questions on gear I'll be happy to let you know what works for us.

I can see how work = more DIS time! I have been putting in all my daily energy into my work, so by the time I get home I am just done! No energy to DIS! Hopefully I will be DISing more in May as well!

You cloth diaper, don't you? What kind do you use?

 

[oboedm]

Transportation

I totally had the intention of putting up another update from our February/March 2011 trip. However, I am unable to retrieve pictures from Photobucket at the moment, so an update for the October 2013 trip will have to do. =)




Anyway, I decided to look at the rates for rental cars and flights based on October 2012. I figure it will be better to overestimate what we need, so I looked at the rental car places in the airport and averaged the rate. We will need either two mini-vans or one 12 passenger van.




I like to know the rental company beforehand, so I used Expedia for these minivan prices:

Dollar-- $971.42
Thrifty-- $971.42
Enterprise--$1126.70
Alamo--$1129.03
Advantage--$1131.85
Budget--$1477.79
National-- $1497.87
Avis--$1524.65
Hertz--$1599.72

Average Cost: $1270.05 x 2 vans = $2540.10

There are two cheaper/smaller car companies that rent out of MCO, and one major car company that require you to take a shuttle to their rental counter off site. Here are their prices.

Sixt-- $659.32
Fox-- $748.63
Economy-- $1,026.62



That Sixt number is really tempting! I looked up reviews online, and they aren’t wonderfully efficient and many found the shuttle annoying. (Sixt is large rental company in Europe trying to gain a foothold in the US, which is why their rates are so low).




I can just imagine how much more annoying the shuttle will be with four adults, 7 kids 12 and under, and bags/car seats coming out of our ears. BUT—if Sixt keeps their prices low, saving almost 50% may be worth the hassle. It may be possible to send the men and a couple of the older kids to pick up the vans and install car seats while Wendi and I wait at the airport with the smaller kids and most of the luggage.




A 12 passenger van is also an option. The a 12 passenger van through Alamo would run $2900.00, so this option doesn’t seem as cheap as the other options.

HOWEVER




I did find some companies that specialize in van rentals at MCO. We could get a 12-passenger van through Florida Van Rentals for $1460.00. That sounds a bit better, as we would only have to pay for parking once, as opposed to twice a day.




I have thought about upgrading one of the adult tickets to the cheapest possible annual pass, though. We would get parking for free at the four parks. Additionally, we could purchase the Tables in Wonderland (TIW) card for $75 so we could save 20% on food.

I think parking is $15 per day, and we are going to the parks for 10 days (if we go on a two week trip, that is). That is $150 just for parking!




The cost for a 10-day, basic admission (one park per day), is $309.92. The cheapest annual pass is $552.74, which means the difference between the two is: $242.82.

$242.82- $150.00 for parking = $92.82.

If we add $92.82 to the $75 we would spend on TIW, we could say that in order to break even with the Annual Pass, we would need to save $167.92 on food over the course of two weeks.



If TIW saves you 20%, that means we would have to spend $839.10 on food to break even. I don’t think that will be too difficult, right?

For example, for an Ohana dinner, we are looking at the following:

4 kids @ $15.99 each = $63.96
5 adults @ $32.99 each = $131.96




So, for the entire family to eat at Ohana, it will cost: $195.92
With the 20% discount we would save $39.18.

I figure that in about five meals, we will break even purchasing the TIW and one annual pass. Then again, I haven’t taken a math class in 10 years, so who knows?

My only concern is that we will have 11 people in our party, not 10. TIW only “works” for parties up to 10 people. We would probably need to purchase the extra spouse/partner membership for an extra $50, just to appease the Disney gods, even though we won’t be ordering food for the 10th and 11th person. If that is the case, in order to break even we would need to purchase another $250 worth of food to break even.

Anyway-- that's all I have for today! Hopefully I will get a 2011 Flashback update posted later this week!