Counting Our Nuts Like Chip & Dale, a Financially Aware PTR *Update 4/17 Pg 62 *

[Lady Lallie]

Yay, so glad you are keeping this open.

I would say a monorail resort as well just for the ease and convenience.

Monorail resorts are oh so very tempting!

I'm so glad you're going to keep the PTR open! I'm excited to follow along with the pregnancy and the planning of baby's first trip! My resort vote would be one of the monorail resorts. I think you just can't beat the proximity to the MK with a little one, and the ease of the monorail.

I think being close to Magic Kingdom would be really awesome because I'm betting that is where we would spend most of our time.

Glad you're keeping this open.

I'm going to go with a monorail resort too. The ease of just rolling a stroller into the monorail sound fabulous. Also Mk is a kids favorite park. Since the Poly is my someday dream I'm going to go with it.

I would love love love to stay at the Poly, lets hope I win the lottery!

YAY! Knew you couldn't resist us

December or January sounds perfect to me! You know that's my favorite time to be in WDW! Hmm..space for baby. I'd say by that point, you will have a pack and play and will need a studio or something..so maybe Beach Club? Or Boardwalk?

I think studio would be great to have for extra space.

looking forward to reading along...

baby's first trip and resort....hmmm I seriously don't need to think hard on this at all! RENT points and stay at BLT


reasons: location, location, location you can walk to and from MK, take monorail (with a switch) to EP, and you can also take monorail to TTC to grab direct buses to AK and DHS too

plus you have dining, characters and more along the resort monorail

just to jump ahead...pack some warm fuzzy blankets to keep BABY cozy on those chilly Jan mornings/evenings....

I really would love to stay at BLT. I'd love to be that close to MK. Oh yes, fuzzy blankets will be a must! It can get down right chilly in January.

We better be doing another drink night before THAT is a reality!!!

OK...LL, after staying at BC/V- I would vote against it with a baby. Definitely if you can swing a monorail hotel, go for that. Unless you are taking a baby to Food and Wine. Then stay at BC/V Then again, I wasn't brave enough to do WDW with a baby so don't listen to me

No Food & Wine for baby...yet. My mom thinks I'm completely crazy but I don't think I am. I can handle it. I think the scariest part of taking a baby to Disney for me is the flight.

Hey LL,

Belated Congratulations!

I'm so happy for you...

Hmmm....since you are shooting for the sky...why not go for the Grand Floridian for the Baby's First Trip and your 30th B-Day...

Something just seems fitting about it...with MK being your favorite park and all...

Here's a thought...subtley drop hints when it's closer and time for a shower that the baby needs WDW gift cards...

Thank you!! Oh no, there will be no chance of WDW gift cards, my family already thinks I'm nuts.

 

[jenjolt]

YAY for keeping the PTR open! Baby's first trip will be so much fun to plan!!!!

I guess for me staying somewhere near a park, whether an MK resort or EPCOT would be a must for me!! The more I could walk to a park the better!!!! Of course I'll probably still have a car with me...because I can't imagine Disney without one so I don't know how much of a hassle it would be to get around.

 

[MEK]

First trip with baby - BLT or Contemporary. Walking to and from the MK is the absolute best thing ever. And even though I know baby won't know what the heck is going on, being able to take him or her to the MK at a whim just seems so magical!

 

[Lady Lallie]

YAY for keeping the PTR open! Baby's first trip will be so much fun to plan!!!!

I guess for me staying somewhere near a park, whether an MK resort or EPCOT would be a must for me!! The more I could walk to a park the better!!!! Of course I'll probably still have a car with me...because I can't imagine Disney without one so I don't know how much of a hassle it would be to get around.

I really want a car on our trip too, I think it would just be easier with baby but I don't know if I can convince myself to spend money on flight and then a rental car. I won't lie, I'm entertaining the idea of driving down.

First trip with baby - BLT or Contemporary. Walking to and from the MK is the absolute best thing ever. And even though I know baby won't know what the heck is going on, being able to take him or her to the MK at a whim just seems so magical!

Even if baby doesn't know what is going on at least I will know.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I'm so glad you are keeping your PTR open! And I REALLY hope your ordeal with the claim comes through. How you could even possibly be denied completely confuses me?!?! What in the world?!?!

Anyway - resort with a baby question: if price is not a concern either on the monorail or the Epcot resorts! Not dragging a stroller on a bus is PRICELESS. At the Epcot resorts you don't have to fold your stroller on the boats.

However, one of the other resorts would be just as nice if you had a rental car! We have never done a rental car for an entire trip, but I have often longed just to be able to quickly zip back to the resort with a sleeping Henry during the afternoon. Sometimes he'd fall asleep in the stroller, we'd go out to the bus, wait for the bus, load the bus, drive to the resort, get to the hotel room -- and he'd wake up. Uh...what was the point of going back to the room???? So, we often just let him do naps in the stroller in the park while touring. Depends on your child though, some kids will NOT stroller nap.

Having a bit of extra room in the room is nice for the pack & play too - though even in the Values with a King bed and a p&p there is plenty of room, it's a tighter fit with the 2 queen beds.

I'm all about a Maclaren stroller too - we LOVE ours. 8 pounds and folds up like an umbrella one. Buy a stroller bag for it, and you don't have to carry a giant diaper bag in the park and you have cup holders. Love.

 

[MeMom]

Here's a thought...subtley drop hints when it's closer and time for a shower that the baby needs WDW gift cards...

.
Oh no, there will be no chance of WDW gift cards, my family already thinks I'm nuts.

But they are the best gifts ever!!!

You are braver than I am thinking about driving with the baby. We made sure ours were good and sleepy before airport time. They zonked out on the planes pretty much as soon as we got settled in and slept the whole trip. Nice babies.

 

[jenb1023]

I'm all about a Maclaren stroller too - we LOVE ours. 8 pounds and folds up like an umbrella one. Buy a stroller bag for it, and you don't have to carry a giant diaper bag in the park and you have cup holders. Love.

I agree about the Maclaren! We used one of the huge combo systems early on and then crappy umbrella types until I pulled the trigger and got the Maclaren Volo! One of my best kid-related purchases ever! (though for a baby you would want a larger version - the Volo is better for toddlers)

I also agree with everyone on Monorail resort for a first trip with baby.

 

[starann]

Joining in...here are some of my thoughts...


I would LOVE to stay at a monorail hotel to make it easier with baby, but I like going to WDW and spending at least 8 to 10 days there, so I will forefit the monorail hotel and stay at a value (maybe a mod since we are now a family of 5, but until Casey is 3, we can still Value it!).

We flew last year for the 1st time and LOVED it, it was so easy, and so much less time....but now that we have Casey, driving makes more sense to ME (cause I hate renting cars). WE can bring our own Pack in play for him to sleep in, some of his toys to keep in occupied in the room, our own stroller (I've been pricing out Baby Jogger City minis), stop and get diapers and milk and such once we are in Orlando (as not to take up space in the mini van) and maybe even do another day at Seaworld (we didn't go this past trip when we flew). Once in WDW we tend to use their transportation and found that as long as 1 dealt with the stroller and the other the kids, all was fine on the buses.

Congrats on all the weight loss!!! My DH is gonig to an info session on the gastric sleeve next month. About 6 of my co-workers have done it and have had amazing results!!!!


Sicne you seem to be financially aware, there is a book out there called "Baby Bargains" it's liek a consumer reports for baby stuff, it gives everythign a rating and saves you from buying a junk product that you will replace later. Also....looks on Craigslist...I got a Bumbo seat for $15 (they sell for $40)....and the nice thing about it I was able to wipe it down with a clorox wipe before giving it to baby.


As you can see I have a PTR going as well and much like yours, we are so unsure about things. We just got hte Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover books and will be working on doing a better job of budgeting since that is a big issue with us...and we have some house stuff that has to get done before a trip, but I am still holding onto a trip next year!!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I'm so glad you are keeping your PTR open! And I REALLY hope your ordeal with the claim comes through. How you could even possibly be denied completely confuses me?!?! What in the world?!?!

Anyway - resort with a baby question: if price is not a concern either on the monorail or the Epcot resorts! Not dragging a stroller on a bus is PRICELESS. At the Epcot resorts you don't have to fold your stroller on the boats.

However, one of the other resorts would be just as nice if you had a rental car! We have never done a rental car for an entire trip, but I have often longed just to be able to quickly zip back to the resort with a sleeping Henry during the afternoon. Sometimes he'd fall asleep in the stroller, we'd go out to the bus, wait for the bus, load the bus, drive to the resort, get to the hotel room -- and he'd wake up. Uh...what was the point of going back to the room???? So, we often just let him do naps in the stroller in the park while touring. Depends on your child though, some kids will NOT stroller nap.

Having a bit of extra room in the room is nice for the pack & play too - though even in the Values with a King bed and a p&p there is plenty of room, it's a tighter fit with the 2 queen beds.

I'm all about a Maclaren stroller too - we LOVE ours. 8 pounds and folds up like an umbrella one. Buy a stroller bag for it, and you don't have to carry a giant diaper bag in the park and you have cup holders. Love.

I think this whole claim ordeal is going to be a looooong process.

I don't think I would pay for a rental car, if we are going to have a car then we will be driving down and I'm not sure about that. It adds a few days to our trip length for sure. I do like the idea of being able to bring more things from home though so it is something to consider.

I think I'd like to stay at a moderate or above. Not that I have anything against the values but I think a mod is just a bit bigger and that would probably be a good thing.

But they are the best gifts ever!!!

You are braver than I am thinking about driving with the baby. We made sure ours were good and sleepy before airport time. They zonked out on the planes pretty much as soon as we got settled in and slept the whole trip. Nice babies.

I'm not sure if I'm brave or delusional. There are advantages to driving but then there is a whole lot more travelling time so it's a tradeoff. I'm not sure what we will do yet.

I agree about the Maclaren! We used one of the huge combo systems early on and then crappy umbrella types until I pulled the trigger and got the Maclaren Volo! One of my best kid-related purchases ever! (though for a baby you would want a larger version - the Volo is better for toddlers)

I also agree with everyone on Monorail resort for a first trip with baby.

I'd really love to stay on the monorail but I don't know if that will happen or not. I will have to do some dancing to the money gods.

Joining in...here are some of my thoughts...

I would LOVE to stay at a monorail hotel to make it easier with baby, but I like going to WDW and spending at least 8 to 10 days there, so I will forefit the monorail hotel and stay at a value (maybe a mod since we are now a family of 5, but until Casey is 3, we can still Value it!).

We flew last year for the 1st time and LOVED it, it was so easy, and so much less time....but now that we have Casey, driving makes more sense to ME (cause I hate renting cars). WE can bring our own Pack in play for him to sleep in, some of his toys to keep in occupied in the room, our own stroller (I've been pricing out Baby Jogger City minis), stop and get diapers and milk and such once we are in Orlando (as not to take up space in the mini van) and maybe even do another day at Seaworld (we didn't go this past trip when we flew). Once in WDW we tend to use their transportation and found that as long as 1 dealt with the stroller and the other the kids, all was fine on the buses.

Congrats on all the weight loss!!! My DH is gonig to an info session on the gastric sleeve next month. About 6 of my co-workers have done it and have had amazing results!!!!

Sicne you seem to be financially aware, there is a book out there called "Baby Bargains" it's liek a consumer reports for baby stuff, it gives everythign a rating and saves you from buying a junk product that you will replace later. Also....looks on Craigslist...I got a Bumbo seat for $15 (they sell for $40)....and the nice thing about it I was able to wipe it down with a clorox wipe before giving it to baby.


As you can see I have a PTR going as well and much like yours, we are so unsure about things. We just got hte Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover books and will be working on doing a better job of budgeting since that is a big issue with us...and we have some house stuff that has to get done before a trip, but I am still holding onto a trip next year!!!

I really love the idea of driving and being able to bring more things from home but it's a long drive for us so I'm not sure if I want to spend all that time in a car while trying to keep baby happy.

I'm going to hop on over to your PTR as soon as I finish this reply.

I think if we are smart financially than we should be able to make a trip happen in Jan. 2013. It's going to take sacrafice but I'm willing to do that to make a vacation happen. By the time 2013 rolls around I am going to need one for sure!!

Having weight loss surgery was the best thing I have ever done for myself, good luck to your husband!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I have decided that I really need to become a Travel Agent, I feel so much happier and content when I'm in the middle of planning a trip for myself and I think I could feel close to the same way if I was planning other peoples trips.

I feel like it is waaaay too early to make concrete plans so these are just thoughts that are subject to change a million and one times between now and January 2013.

Let's talk about Resort, shall we?

Choice #1: Rent DVC Points.
I really love the afforadability that renting points give us plus you get more bang for your buck. Granted, you can't take advantage of pin codes and such but pin codes and discounts are not guaranteed. I think staying in a studio or even a 1 bedroom would be a great choice for baby's first trip.

Which leads to what resorts would we like to stay at if we rent points. My first choice is a tie between Boardwalk and Bay Lake Tower. My second choice is Wilderness Lodge. I think that if we can't get availability at one of these three resorts than I would rather not stay DVC.

Choice #2: Wilderness Lodge
This choice actually surprises me but when I think about baby's first trip, I like the idea of staying at Wilderness Lodge. To make this happen without renting points I think we would need to get a discount code. I love the idea of taking the boat to Magic Kingdom, I find Wilderness Lodge very relaxing as well and I think that would be a very good thing for this trip.

Choice #3: Port Orleans French Quarter
Though it is further away from the parks, I like the idea of the boat to Downtown Disney and I didn't mind the bus transportation when I stayed here solo for a few days. Plus it would be more afforadable if we can't get a discount on Wilderness Lodge.

Choice #4: Pop Century
If this is the only way we can afford going to Disney then I have no problem staying here but that being said it is my last choice. I find Pop very hectic and not as relaxing as other resorts but I do like staying here, I love the food court and shopping and you really can't beat the bus transporation, they have the best bus schedule in my opinion.

In baby news I went to the doctor last week and they changed my due date from April 1 to March 26, 2012. Just six days but for some reason it just makes me happy, probably because I can find out the baby's gender that much sooner. October 25th in case you are wondering. We are actually throwing a little gender reveal party for our parents, siblings and an aunt on each side on October 29th. That way everyone can find out at the same time and we can all get together for the first time since I became pregnant. I've been having a lot of fun planning for the party, I will be sure to take lots of pictures and I am hoping to have a video of the reveal so you can all virtually be there.

 

[amazingact21]

Yay!!!

I'm so glad to see that you're keeping this PTR open. I can't wait to follow along and read all about your Baby's First Trip plans. I think it's going to be great!

Since all resorts are open, I'd say any of the monorail resorts. Just because MK will be a must-do for a baby, because they have the most baby-friendly rides, so that'd make it easy to get to MK. Plus, riding the monorail to the park or to the TTC and hopping on another monorail to Epcot sounds simpler than packing everything in a car.
But I really have no idea. I'll be listening to your plans and then reading how your adventure goes and taking notes for when the days comes for me to take a baby.

 

[Jennifer48]

I love your idea of a gender reveal party! Are you going to bake a cake with the cake color being the gender or are you just going to blurt it out?!

 

[shannon47142]

How fun to plan a reveal party! I had a friend do one with her family where it wasnt told until they cut the cake which had the inside the color related to the gender! Good luck and continue to plan happy things as you get ready for baby!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Boardwalk or BLT would be so much fun! And definitely two wonderful and convenient locations!

The gender-reveal party sounds like so much fun!! I'll admit, I so enjoy checking out your ticker and seeing what size fruit the baby is now! A peach! How cute!

 

[kpetten51]

Just wanted to post real quick to sub, haven't read all of your PTR, yet, but I will. When I saw you were a displaced Mainer, I had to jump on board - I am, too! Living in Alabama, now. Can't wait to go back and read!!

 

[Roxychica7]

Totally think you are having a boy! Love your party idea! So crafty and fun! I think I saw you looking at cupcake toppers on etsy?

Ah..I love all of your choices already! I say definitely shoot for option #1 or #2. Think big, go all out, save save save! The more I think about it, can totally see you, Marc and baby at the Wilderness Lodge!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Love the idea of a baby reveal party!!!

I am really liking the idea of renting points these days! Maybe you can help me plan my trip to help you pass the time.

 

[MEK]

I think the renting points idea is wonderful. You would love BLT for the proximity to the park and the monorail access. It really is a winner of a choice. Even in a studio I think you will be fine.

I also agree that VWL would be a good choice. It's got a very homey feel and there are always tons of small children staying there!

I would avoid POP for the reasons you listed - just too hectic. If you are having a bad baby day (and we know they exist), it will be difficult for you to wind down at Pop!

Love the party idea!

 

[mousescrapper]

never hurts to think ahead...i have already figured out our resort choice for June 2013 and have mentally changed it and gone back to the orignal

hope that renting points would work for you...to have a 1 BR and the washer/dryer would be great for the baby


gender reveal party so sweet

 

[sunny_stace]

Oooooh! I can't wait to find out the big reveal! Not that gender matters, it's just exciting! It's strange how they can change due-dates like that!