celebrating my 40th at the World

[jenseib]

Hi! I am Jen, turning 40 on Valentines day.

I decided LAST year that for my 40th, I would like to do a nice trip. So my planning began for a Disney cruise. What! you say? I thought this trip board was for WDW? You are right!

After DH and I talked over the year, I had most of my cruise plans in place. Just not booked! Then in Jan. DH tells me, no he does NOT want to cruise. He would rather go to WDW again! OK, thats fun too. Not going to get too upset. LOL!

We have been to WDW in March of 2007

And March of 2008

And I knew we would have a great time!

So who's going??? and when???

We decided on March 8-14. One week later than we have gone the past 2 years. Hopefully the crowds won't be bad!

Me of course

And DH (Skip) {47}

And DD (Claire) {4}

Cause I think Claire is so cute, I post a bunch of her. LOL!

I have two older children too
Michael {20}
Paige {16}

They are not really into Disney all that much and won't be coming along.
Paige is actually in FL with stepgrandparents right now. She is 16 and likes hanging out at the retirement community. (where did I go wrong? LOL )

Here is a picture of the 3 of them I took last Summer

Can you tell I love to take pictures? So now...on to the planning

 

[jenseib]

I will start out by saying, I did start another pre-trip report. LOL! It was awful. One continuous sentence and when I re read it I was even confused. LOL! So I decided to restart from scratch!


So a little bit about us

Skip and I got married on July 18, 2002. I had two children already, he had none, nor had he ever been married before. We just did a court house wedding, and then had a huge party/reception a few months later.

When I got married I was at one of my skinniest points. Working on trying to get back there. LOL! I have lost 30 pounds since our last trip to Disney, so it is coming off slowly.

DH is a dairy farmer.
Here are some shots around the farm

And our house. these pictures were taken after we first built, so the grass is more lush now, as are the flower beds.

I am a licensed cosmetologist, but have been a stay at home mom since we had Claire (in Dec of 2004)
I also used to work for AC Delco full time for a few years before I had Claire as well.

When I was a single mom, I did take Paige and Michael to Disney a few times as well. They loved it then, but are too cool to do anything with me anymore for the most part.

Here they are, but I don't have many of them scanned. Since those were the days of film.

 

[jenseib]

In Sept of 2006 my DH decides to go to a tractor pull with out Claire and I. This is his hobby, but got out of it a bit after Claire was born. Our agreement was if I had a child, he would never leave "us" at home while he went tractor pulling and I was sticking to it. So we argued and I said he could bribe me with a trip of my choice and I would stay home. That trip was to Disney!!! We went in March of 2007. It was so much fun, but I have learned so much more since planning that one. I did learn alot on Dis then, but nothing like I know now, and I am still learning!

Last year I had thought about going to Orlando and jsut winging it and doing Universal or sea world or something. One day in mid Feb, DH walks in the house and says, why don't you price Disney again. So of course I did and we booked two days later and were at Disney two weeks later.

Both trips we stayed at Pop Century. Both trips we were on the dining plan. And both trips DD got sick on day 4! So I am trying to go slower this year, and have less stimulation, sleep in more, and hopefully keep her well. I have a really bad habit of over planning, and basically not sleeping when on vactaion!

This trip we are also staying at Pop Century and are on the dining plan again.

 

[dkshan96]

Just got your trip report off of the BBB board. Subscribing! Great pics!! I love the pics, they tell the story....what kind of camera do you have, they are very clear!!

Kelli

 

[MyMuse]

Sounds great!

I love the farm pictures and little Claire is the cutest!

 

[jenseib]

Thanks guys.
I have 2 cameras. One is a Canon point and shoot A540. That one usually goes to the parks with me. I also have a Canon Rebel SLR. I have taken alot of the resort pictures with that one, and a few of the dinners. It is just kind of big, so I don;t like lugging it around to the parks. though this year I will lug it to MK one day for BBB. I want to get the best pics I can for that. LOL!
I also have an old kodak digital and I may bring it along and let DD use it. It's not that great and actually she dropped it a few months ago so it can be hard to turn on, but I still may bring it to let her have some fun. At least around the resort.

 

[jenseib]

I'll post a few of Pop Century and then I promise, on to the planning. LOL.

I was taking a photography class last year when I went, and we were doing panoramic photos, so I tried to take alot while there. I took about 600 photos of the resort alone. LOL!

 

[TxRabbit]

I'm in!

I did the same thing with the PTRs and had to start over!

 

[jenseib]

So on to the planning


I must start out saying I get pretty anal about stuff, and actually hyper ventilate while waiting on the phone to make ADR's and stuff. LOL! I just am so excited and feel like I NEED to get trhough faster.

So I booked our trip online. Did the 4/3 deal, but being we are only staying 6 nights, we had one day less free. So we have a 4/2 deal. We get the $200 gift card and the 30 mintue arcade card and all that other good stuff.

I booked our flight as well. Now we usually go the first week of March, but DH thought we should try the second for some reason. He said it would be warmer when we got home. Hello...We live in OHIO! We can have a blizzard ANYTIME in March. Oh well.
This is what it looked like outsied up until a few days ago when we started finally melting. (we are luckily having above average temps this week)

So now we have snow piles and brown grass here. But I'm enjoying that much more than a couple of feet of snow everywhere.


One of the first things I did after booking was start a photopass share thread. I love the photopass pics. I am in them. Something that never happens normally, as my DH can't take a picutre to save his life. When I give him the camera, he makes it so I am a dot or half of me is cut out.

In 2007 we had very few pictures and I just got the photobook, which was still really expensive. Last year I joined a share, which for the most part worked out well, but out "leader" had a nervous breakdown after she got back. So it took months to get our pictures from her. I decided I would head mine this year and then be sure it got done. I know how I am waiting for the pics and assume everyone else is too. So I am going to do my best to get them out as soon as I get them.

So I started a thread and got a great response and we ended up with 3 groups on that thread.

Hopefully DD will smile some more this year. Last year she seemed to hold a grudge towards most of the photopass photographers and either made horrid faces or just looked away.

 

[jenseib]

One other thing.....When I said booked our flight I didn't elaborate on it. LOL!
We live near Toledo and there is a small airport here about 10 minutes from my house. Allegiant flies direct flight to Orlando/Sanford airport. In 2007 we went this route as DH WANTED a rental car and didn;t want to drive up to Dertoit.

Last year we Flew out of Detroit and use ME, since we could fly into Orlando from there. I loved that. So nice not to have to claim your luggage, etc.
Well this year he insisted that no matter where we fly out of he still wants a car. I don't know why as it sits in the parking lot the WHOLE trip, but he just likes the idea that he can go if he wants, I guess. So we are flying out of Toledo again this year. Luckily his sister works for Hertz and can get us a slight deal. I told her a big car though (to hold stroller and luggage ) and she booked a Mazda 6. I have no clue how big it is, but I am worried. She did say she would send a letter with us to get an upgrade though, so hopefully we can get a van.

 

[Suellen]

I'm in! Especially since we will be there 2 days after you leave!

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I love the "grumpy face" picture of your daughter. It is super cute.

And of course, it will be great when she's older and you can show it to her boyfriend. She'll love you then!

 

[elisa'smom]

Hi Jen...congrats on the big 40.....luv the pre trip thread n have subscribed...dottie is adorable and honestly the pout is super cute!!!Great pics!

 

[jenseib]

I next make a quick first run itinerary of which parks to visit and where to eat. I call and see if there is availability for CRT, and of course there isn't.
This actually becomes a long process over 2 weeks. I make a plan, here something on the board, and change things up again. And I called an rearranged our ADR's several times. LOL!


DH wanted to go to Hoop Dee Doo for sure, so I got it, and then switched days, etc. I plan Epcot for one day and then decide we don't want to do it on a EMH day and need to change Akershus, hear conflicting reports on park hours, change things again...You get the picture.

I'll let you in what I heard heard..... but I can't confirm it. Sunday the 8th is supposed to be EMH's for HS, according to MOST sites, and Monday the 8th is EMH for MK. Well the rumor is...that they have changed. The princess half marathon was supposed to go to Mk that night for a party along with the princess and pirate party, which was canceled. So now supposedly they are having a private party at HS on Sunday, so they have changed the evening EMH's to MK that night. Again, I can't confirm it.

Also after reading Onetreehill's trip report I learned about the Wonderland tea party. I just HAVE to book this. LOL!

Also DD wanted BBB. We actually had this booked last year, but for our final day. We had a late flight out, and thought it would be nice to arrive home (and meet Papa at the airport) with her fancy hairstyle. Well DD got sick the day before, and she insisted on going the next day, but when we got there, she cried, and I just did my own do on her. LOL!

Over the summer we had a chance to go to the Mall of America while DH was at a tractor pull. Actually the pull was in Wisconsin, but the MOA was about 2 hours away, so Claire and I made a day of it. We did the Libby Lu makeover there, and Claire JUST loved it. And then asked when are we going back to Disney, so she can do BBB.

Gotta keep looking good at the tractor pull too!

So this is the itinerary I came up with finally.

Sunday march 8
Fly out of Toledo Airport at 11:40
arrive at 2
MK~ counter service (possilbe EMH's)

Monday March 9
MK~ (This is the scheduled EMH's that a re rumored to change)
BBB~ 1:30
1900 Park Fare~ 4:40
Spectro is also scheduled this night, so not sure if it will change if the EMH's change

Tuesday March 10
HS
Hoop Dee Doo~7:15

Wednesday March 11
AK
Wonderland Tea party~ 1:30
Whispering Canyon ~6:30

Thursday march 12
EPCOT
Akershus~4:20

Friday March 13
MK
Crystal Palace~ 4:05
Spectro is also on this night too, so if we miss it earlier in the week, we will catch it this day.

Sat. March 14
Early flight home at 8:40 AM,
arrive back to Toledo at 11

 

[jenseib]

So With planning BBB of course we need a special dress.

Claire has a zillion costumes. She loves to just play wearing fancy dresses. Even in real life, she prefers dresses, and in the summer she mostly lives in sundresses.
Last year before we went we bought her a Minnie dress to wear.

And then I decided she should have a Cinderella one as well. LOL! And found one on sale at Target

Then when I researched BBB more, I fell in love with the Aurora dress. So I decided I would probably buy it at WDW, and did! She also wore the dress for Easter.

While at WDW she saw and REALLY wanted the Ariel wedding dress. And being the sucker that I am, I got it for her as well.

We also found a box of dresses at a garage sale 2 summers ago for $3!
They aren't in the best of shape, but she loves to wear them. Some are way too big yet, but she still plays in them. Here are the better ones. She has a Belle one that is practically rags now, but it's her favorite. No picture though, because it literally is awful. LOL!

I would say her Snow White and Mulan ones are in the best shape, but both too big,and not perfect, so they don't go on the trip with us.

At Halloween time I fell in love with the Jasmine outfit (as did DD) We had a $25 off coupon and the outfit was for sale, and I had a gift card for $25, so the outfit with shoes, and necklace only cost me a dollar!
She says she wants to wear this to the princess dinner...AKA Akershus.

I scan ebay alot too, and found a couple for really cheap, and bought them and gave them to her for her birthday. Both are too big. The Tinkerbelle one is gorgeous. It's a full length ball gown, but just a tad too long to be wearing at the parks.

And this European Belle one is way too long.

So we will take Minnie, Wedding Ariel, Jasmine, and Aurora with us.

I then made the mistake of looking at Disney shopping and found a red Deluxe Belle dress that looked so pretty. The delima was finding the right size. I ordered the 4, but it is just a perfect fit, so she can't wear it for long. (we went to Disney store and tried them on after I ordered). The next size was way too long, but would fit longer. I decided not to trade up, as I would have to alter it.

This is being hidden from her. I will bring it along and set it out with a note from her "fairy Godmother". It will say something like, "Here is a dress for the BBB".... I'll think up something cute, but she can't read anyways. LOL!

I tried to take a picture, but it is impossible to get a picture of a red and gold dress with red walls in the background. LOL!

This is the link if you want to see it online at the Disney shopping site

http://disneyshopping.go.com/disney/store/Product_10002_10051_1238277_-1_57493


And I did get her the shoes too, but they are no longer online, and I didn't take a picture of ours.

So this will be her BBB outfit.

Then I booked the Wonderland tea Party, and I thought "GEE! she should have an Alice dress"

So I have contacted the infamous Mrs B and inquired about one. She sadly has yet to reply, so not sure if we will get one, as we only have less than 4 weeks now.

Now you probably wonder why so many dresses to take along? Well, Claire pretty much wil lonly wear those dresses. LOL! She loves to dress up for the parks. Last year she only wore "real"on arrival day and then half of another day. So I figure thats what she will do again this year. I do bring a few outfits as well, and if she does go with wearing the real clothes, I can always wash.
She got so much attention dressed up last year though, so she will most likely not want to give that up. LOL!

So thats my post about my dress obsession for my little girl!

 

[Disneyfan71]

I'm in Sounds like you will have a wonderful time--and congrats on such a milestone birthday. I'm hoping we can go to WDW in 2011 for my 40th!!! Having said that...congratulations again. I can't wait to read more

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

Yay! You started a report! Your pictures are great and your DD is a doll!

So what in the World is going on with the hours!? Man, I hate this. Is it really that hard for them to make sense of it all? Suddenly everything is going to ! Can't they make a calendar and stick to it??? If I didn't have a hopper I'd be so mad! How can someone with a base ticket plan anything!? I sent a letter and complained. I heard back from them today. I posted it on the parks board.

We need to exchange info! We can do a quick dismeet since we're there at the same time. (If ya want)

Ms B....sometimes she takes a few days to respond to me. She's not ignoring you. One time I didn;t hear from her for a while and it turns out she had been in an accident. As long as she can shipp immediately you can make it with a dress. Just make sure she knows you need it by a certain day and make sure you give yourself an extra week....tell her you need it by Feb 20th or 25th.

 

[jenseib]

What did you complain about? I have heard alot of people have been having problems with the calendars being wrong.
I sent Disney two emails asking if there was a change, but have yet to hear any response.
I did hear that the site that people pay for to get tour plans and guidence and such, has said that this is true. They supposedly had someone call and got it confirmed, and their best "touring days" are reflecting that. I don't subscribe, so I can't say for sure, but that is what an insider told me.
I started your trip report yesterday, but I read about 1 sentence and had to go do something for DD, and haven't gone back yet. LOL!
I should go to bed though now! DH went to bed about 2 hours ago. LOL!

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

What did you complain about? I have heard alot of people have been having problems with the calendars being wrong.
I sent Disney two emails asking if there was a change, but have yet to hear any response.
I did hear that the site that people pay for to get tour plans and guidence and such, has said that this is true. They supposedly had someone call and got it confirmed, and their best "touring days" are reflecting that. I don't subscribe, so I can't say for sure, but that is what an insider told me.
I started your trip report yesterday, but I read about 1 sentence and had to go do something for DD, and haven't gone back yet. LOL!
I should go to bed though now! DH went to bed about 2 hours ago. LOL!

The entire website, especially the calendar. I also mentioned how I hated this new thing where they'd odder discounts but on Fri and Sat nights they were higher and didn't honor the "deal". Makes me wanna just go for 5 nights! Sun-Thurs. I get it...they want people to stay for more than a weekend. Okay, make the deal good for a certain length of stay. It's not fair to people who go for an entire week or longer! Disney is getting tight these days and they wonder why people aren't coming like they used to! I wonder.... Things keep going up and up but the service stays the same or gets worse. I love the place, don't get me wrong, but a lot of this new stuff is getting to me. I might go back to one trip a year if they keep up the greedy attitude!

 

[jenseib]

A little history on how many times I've been to Disney.

I went for the first time, when I think I was about 5. Disney hadn't been open too long. maybe a year or two.

My mom took hardly any pictures. This is the whole days worth. LOL!

Then I went in 95 with my friend and her brother. We stayed at her parents FL winter home, and just went to MK one day.

We are some Hot babes!

I took my kids (Paige and Michael) in 97. I was going to g oalone, but my mom was worried aboyt me driving all that way by myself and she came along. Good thing! I got really sick one day, and was in the room dead to the world. On the way home she drove most of the way as I just was still so weak. We stayed off site, just off I-drive

Again, I am VERY fashinable and sexy.

In 99 we went again, this time AK was open too, so we made our first trip there. We went with my boyfriend at the time. I cut him out of all the pictures he was in. LOL! We stayed off site, on I-drive.

Then 2007 on site at Pop with DH and DD.
2008 on site at Pop with DH and DD.

Now DH's Disney history is iffy as he doesn't remember "when" he went, but knows he has.

I know he's been there once, but maybe twice before we went together. At first he said he thought he went to Epcot once with his Aunt, but then as he remembered more it sounded like a fmily trip that his aunt went to as well. He also remembers things from MK ,and isn't sure if it is from the same trip or not. He does remember the country bear jamboree the most, and now we have to go see it each year, becuase he thinks Claire should enjoy it as much as he did. I think it sucks. LOL! And never even went to it before he made us go in 2007.
DH came from a larger family so they didn't do many trips. Especially far away. And being dairy farmers, someone usually had to stay home to milk the cows.