Christmas in Disney but...First we Must have a BABY :)

[jerzyzkat119]

So I have been absent from disboards for a while. I know, I know - - terrible I tell ya. But now I am back and can't wait to start writing our PTR. Disney in 257 days, but we need to have a baby first. I hope you all enjoy the next few months of my PTR and intense planning, all while attempting to have my 1st baby I am looking for any input for Disney with an infant as I write.

So I guess I should introduce myself. My name is Kelly and I am Disney obsessed My first trip didn't occur until my 16th birthday in 2002 - and from that point on the idea of Disney has fascinated me. People think I have a serious problem. I just laugh because they don't get it. I'm sure you all understand
So here I am cheesing real hard -

Haha - now that it took me 40 minutes to figure out how to post an image I feel accomplished!

I am 25 years old and work as a receptionist in an Eye Doctor's office. The girls I work with are more like family than coworkers. They are my life. I will finally graduate college (after 7 years...) with a Bachelor's degree in Biology and a minor in Sociology. My boyfriend and I live together in a 1 bedroom apartment in New Jersey and we have a little on the way. We couldn't be more excited. We have two kitties (Fella and Zoey) and a 40 gallon fish tank.

Here are 5 interesting facts about my Disney Tripsssss:

1. Everytime I have traveled to Disney I have gone with someone different (with the exception of my mom).

2002 - My Mom, Aunt and Uncle, and two cousins @ POR (16th Birthday Celebration)
2005 - The seniors of my class trip @ AsMo
2006 - My mom and our neighbors @ POP (Girls Trip)
2007 - My ex boyfriend, his mom, and his little brother @ POP
2007-2008 - My mom @ POP (bitter sweet trip)
2009 - My best friend Ashley @ POP
2011 - My best friend Laura @ POP (Laura's First Trip)

2. I have a small obsession with the Pop Century Hotel.

3. I must purchase myself a new pair of ears during every trip.

4. With the exception of my senior trip, I have seen the Hoop de Doo Musical Revue on every visit.

5. I must eat a Chocolate Eared Mickey Rice Krispy treat - every day.

Of course I have more Disney quirks - but I can't tell you them all now. That would ruin all the fun.

Now we have planned a Christmas trip to Disney to celebrate both a new baby and my college graduation.

Shall I introduce my cast for the 2012 HOLIDAY Extravaganza?

Me - of course - 5 months pregnant as we speak, but I think the top introduction is enough babbling about myself for the time being.

My Boyfriend - Patrick - My prince charming! He's an EMT and works the graveyard shift. He, too, is 25 and believe it or not we have only been together 8 months. We met just last September, and to our surprise we are having a baby (antibiotic and birth control don't seem to mix). I couldn't ask for a better person in my life, though. Everything happens for a reason and our little baby is a the unplanned blessing we both needed. He has only been to Disney one time his whole life. He was 12 and it rained the entire week. I am hoping that his trip will be special. Here are a few pictures of us:

Our Baby - Chase Patrick - yes hes a boy and as of today he is 24 weeks and 5 days. Only 15 more to go. He is due August 3rd! Right in the heart of the summer. Ohhh and I bet it's gonna be a hot one, based on the winter we had. Here is an ultrasound picture of our little boy:

My Mom - Linda - She is a Florida resident now. I can't explain how much I miss her on a daily basis, especially now when I am expecting my first and she isn't here to alleviate my fears. She moved to Florida in November of 2010 to move in with her long time boyfriend who she met online. She is getting married this Friday Congrats for her. Though she lives an hour from Orlando, she has only done Disney 1 day, which was during my trip in 2011. She believes in a true Disney vacation of staying on property and using Disney transportation. Single days in Disney are just not as fun. So for this trip we are celebrating her new certificate as a pharmacy technician. She graduated her program just last week. We are also celebrating her marriage and her 56th birthday. She is a sweetheart and we are so much alike that we butt heads constantly. Since she has moved, she has become my best friend. Here is a picture of me and her:

Lastly,
David - Mom's very soon to be husband - He is AWESOME. He literally does nothing but make me laugh. He works for a transportation company that shuttles people around Cocoa Beach, FL as well and to and from the Orlando International Airport and Port Canaveral. He treats my mom like a queen and its so nice to see them happy. Here is a picture of him:

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Now let me finish up tonight and say, this trip will be the first time I have ever done Disney with a child. I am absolutely freaking out, especially because mine will be so little. I always feel like I have Disney under control, but not this time around so if you have any tips or ideas at any point during this PTR I would love to hear them. I'm anxious

 

[jerzyzkat119]

So I was't going to continue writing, however I feel like it will make me feel better and so the planning is in full force. I am having a hard time making decisions this time around, but I'm blaming it on the pregnancy hormones.

The Original Plan​

Whereop Century
When: 5 nights / December 18th-23rd
What: QSDP with no park hopper or water park
In: 2 Connecting Rooms
Travel: Me, Pat, and Chase flying in on an early flight the morning of the 18th and travel to POP using the Magical Express. We will be meeting Mom and David who will be driving in from Melbourne, FL
Celebrating: Everything 2012 brings. Two college graduations, a marriage, a baby, and all other holidays in between. Pat and I are paying for my mom and David - as they will be a great help with Chase on vacation.

But so much has changed and I can't help but be excited.

I originally decided QSDP because I didn't like to be tied down to reservation times and planning my days around dining. Last trip we used QSDP and paid oop for any table service meals we wanted to have. Yet, as I continued to contemplate dining - I decided that the RegDP would be better. My boyfriend is a big guy and a full meal a day will be important for him. I also decided that a break during the day, for all of us, including my baby would be a good idea. That reservation time may be a life saver. So I quickly called and changed from QSP to RegDDP.

The resort:
See I love the Pop Century - and for me, with as little time that is spent at the resort, Pop Century usually works out great - so when I booked in January it was a no brainer. Yet as I continued my research/planning I realized the single rooms would be available in December at AoA. I quickly called Mom and asked her if she would mind switching resorts to try out the new Little Mermaid rooms. Of course she didn't mind. Then I started to debate a suite - but decided against it as either myself and Pat would have to sleep on a pull out bed or my mom and David. I also decided that at the end of the day I want to be able to shut the door and have my own family time. I ultimately made the decision and called and switched from POP to AoA - single connecting rooms. I am SOOOOOO excited to explore a new resort. I absolutely can't wait for this reason alone!

Now with my mom living in Florida I'm scared to death to have a baby without her. She will not be here for my delivery, but is going to try to take a long weekend in August or September to come visit while I am on maternity leave - and this will be the first time she meets her grandson. So December will be super special because she will get to spend a whole week with the baby. After we check out on the 23rd we are planning to drive back to Melbourne to have Christmas with them. I haven't had Christmas with my mom in 2 years! I'm attempting to make this trip as special as possible.

Last night, as I'm laying in the couch, I decide that 5 nights is just not enough. It wouldn't be enough without a baby, it sure won't be enough with one. Baby is definitely going to slow us down. My boyfriend has only been to Disney one time - and his trip was awful with rain and sickness - so I want to make sure he has a great time.

So I decide that I want to add two more nights onto the beginning of our trip. With the cost of two more nights (for just me, pat and baby) we will have to drive instead of flying. We quickly calculated gas and tolls and its so much more cost effective. Flying will cost us, at minimum, $400. I'd rather spend it in Disney. Plus the travel will be on my watch and not the airlines.
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Now What?!​

Where: AoA Single Little Mermaid Rooms
When: 7 nights / December 16-23rd (leaving on the 15th to start driving)
What: RegDP - no park hopper or water park
In: Connecting rooms
Travel: DRIVE! 16-18 hours with the majority being an overnight event (I think I have lost my mind) 16 hours in a car with an infant --> I hope my boyfriend doesn't kill me before we get there.
Celebrating: Well this doesn't change...

The difference is my mom and her husband still won't meet us until the 18th. This will give me and the DBF and baby time to relax, settle in, explore the resort, and gear up for the busy Disney week. Driving gives us the ability to bring everything we need for baby and creates less stress on what my mom must bring us.

So, now I am waiting patiently for the December Park Calendar to become available so I can get down to planning the nitty gritty. I know once baby gets here I will be super busy and tired, so I'm trying to plan as much as possible before he gets here.

Exactly 216 Days til Disney
Approximately 11W5D until Baby Chase Arrives

Here are a few pictures from my last trip - February 2011 with my bestie!
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Me and Laura at POP

Phone Booth

Our Window

We Love Her!

I Love My Mickey

<3

Main Street - blurry of course!
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