Dairy Farmers Wife IS going to Disney in March/April!

[jenseib]

On to some Disney fun...
I thought before recapping some more of my past trips, I would talk Disney again and get some ideas and suggestions from you all.

First off, I would like to fly down on Dec. 8th. And check out the 15th or 16th. I have actually put a deposit down for Dec 10-16th with free dining. (wanted to at least have it before the offer expires) But since we would check in 2 days prior to getting free dining, I need to think of what to do for those 2 days. I have debated on possibly staying at CBR or even maybe a deluxe and just hang out and do that resorts pool and slide and check out other resorts, and DTD.. Claire wanted to go to a water park, but I figure if we got a resort with a waterslide, we could skip the water park and we all would have the best of both worlds.
Another thought is to stay off site (if we get a car) for those 2 days. I actually found a deal for about $100 to stay 3 nights at a Radisson. It's a 3 night minimum, but for that price we could just leave a night early and it would be no big deal.
I have also debated on whether or not to go to Sea World or Universal on the 9th of Dec.
A few things stopping me there...Depends on if we have a car for one. The price of the parks is another, and I have and ADR (to pay OOP) for 1900 park fare breakfast on the 9th at 10:45. So it would be a late start to another park. And I was also hoping to do the resort private photoshoot this trip, and that would probably be the best day to do that as well. Of course we don't HAVE to do it, or could try to squeeze it in later on. And i could try 1900 Park Fare for another day. I just want to do breakfast there maily because Mary Poppins is there and then I could have Claire get a picture with her in Claire's MP dress.

My thoughts are Sea World over US at this point. One because Sea World is offering $5 kids tickets. And if we do US I will want it to be IOA to visit Harry Potter World, but I have heard the lines are awful. Some are waiting hours just to get into the area, and I just can't see us doing that. So maybe I should put it off for the future for now.

Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[WrightFamily06]

Love the pictures of little Claire in the pool , too cute !

How did u like Captain Jack's , never heard to much about that place before ?

So Sorry Clarie got sick at the end of the trip

As for your current trip planing , I would go with your first idea of staying at a resort w/ a really nice pool and water slide & swimming for the first two days , go do some of the different resort activities like the Campfire, Movies, Sleigh Ride , Pony Rides at Ft. Wilderness . Watch the Electrical Water Pageant from the Ploy or WL beach. Hop on the monorail from one of the resorts & take a tour of the resort decorations I think there is plenty you can do in two days for free while staying at a deluxe resort , especially during the Christmas season !

 

[jenseib]

Love the pictures of little Claire in the pool , too cute !

How did u like Captain Jack's , never heard to much about that place before ?

So Sorry Clarie got sick at the end of the trip

As for your current trip planing , I would go with your first idea of staying at a resort w/ a really nice pool and water slide & swimming for the first two days , go do some of the different resort activities like the Campfire, Movies, Sleigh Ride , Pony Rides at Ft. Wilderness . Watch the Electrical Water Pageant from the Ploy or WL beach. Hop on the monorail from one of the resorts & take a tour of the resort decorations I think there is plenty you can do in two days for free while staying at a deluxe resort , especially during the Christmas season !

The campfire is another one of the ideas I was having. I have a pin code for that week, but I should see whats still available. I was thinking AKL, but I wonder if all the pin rooms have been taken. Also CBR is another one I would like to go to and it would be cheaper. I might have to call today and see. LOL!

 

[jenseib]

Ok, I took the plunge! I called WDW and asked if they had any Standard AKL rooms left that I could use my pin on (40% off). She quoted me a bunkbed room, which sounds fun, but I wanted it to be as cheap as possible, so ask her, "Do you have any standard left? I would like the deluxe feel for as cheap as possible." LOL! And they did! It was only $162 a night including taxes. That is around what we pay for Pop in March a night. So I have 2 nights for AKL in Dec. Now we need to get Skip in shape, and then agree totally to the trip.
So all of you who are good at praying, pray for us to get a little magic so all the stars align right!
Claire will be so excited! I won't mention a word till we know for sure, of course, but she has been looking at the AAA brochure and picked out AKL a couple of times because of the anmials. She even asked me a week ago if we could just stay there 1 night. So I told her that maybe someday we could.
I now want to go look at AKL pictures, but hate to get my hopes up too high and then have them crushed. LOL!

So with that being said, I think we will NOT do Sea World or US at this point. I think a day and a 1/2 at AK will give us enough to do and see and we can be relaxed somewhat for Claire's b-day on the 10th. And then I could schedule the photoshoot for AKL in the after noon.

Anyone know if I should request any standard area or just let the ball roll?

Brook do you have any pictures of the main pool at AKL? And possibly the waterslide?

 

[WrightFamily06]

Ok, I took the plunge! I called WDW and asked if they had any Standard AKL rooms left that I could use my pin on (40% off). She quoted me a bunkbed room, which sounds fun, but I wanted it to be as cheap as possible, so ask her, "Do you have any standard left? I would like the deluxe feel for as cheap as possible." LOL! And they did! It was only $162 a night including taxes. That is around what we pay for Pop in March a night. So I have 2 nights for AKL in Dec. Now we need to get Skip in shape, and then agree totally to the trip.
So all of you who are good at praying, pray for us to get a little magic so all the stars align right!
Claire will be so excited! I won't mention a word till we know for sure, of course, but she has been looking at the AAA brochure and picked out AKL a couple of times because of the anmials. She even asked me a week ago if we could just stay there 1 night. So I told her that maybe someday we could.
I now want to go look at AKL pictures, but hate to get my hopes up too high and then have them crushed. LOL!

So with that being said, I think we will NOT do Sea World or US at this point. I think a day and a 1/2 at AK will give us enough to do and see and we can be relaxed somewhat for Claire's b-day on the 10th. And then I could schedule the photoshoot for AKL in the after noon.

Anyone know if I should request any standard area or just let the ball roll?

Brook do you have any pictures of the main pool at AKL? And possibly the waterslide?

YaY !! So glad u took the plunge and booked it
Sending your way that all the stars align and you are back visiting the mouse in December !!!

I think I would check the Animal Kingdom thread and see what rooms people request for standard veiw rooms at AKL . We put in a request for our standard view room at WL . All that can happen is you don't get what you ask for but at least u tried.

Are you gonna do MVMCP ?

 

[jenseib]

Yes, right now my plans would be to attend MVMCP on Dec 10th

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

Woo Hoo for AKL!!! We are staying there the 3rd to the 11th!!!!

As far as requesting a certain area, when I made my reservation there, I kept it vague and just said I wanted a location close to both the lobby and the elevators.

 

[jenseib]

Woo Hoo for AKL!!! We are staying there the 3rd to the 11th!!!!

As far as requesting a certain area, when I made my reservation there, I kept it vague and just said I wanted a location close to both the lobby and the elevators.

I just posted on your PTR too. LOL! OK, thanks for tha info. I am going to have to start looking at some AKL threads

 

[Tinkermom76]

Joining in to follow along. Really hope you get to go, your plans are sounding great so far! You will love Disney in December!!! We were there last year and going again th December 3-11

 

[jenseib]

Joining in to follow along. Really hope you get to go, your plans are sounding great so far! You will love Disney in December!!! We were there last year and going again th December 3-11

Thanks. If everything works out I think this trip will be spetacular! I have been wanting to go during the Christmas season for quite some time now. I just really need to narrow down whats most important to do while we're there.

 

[JPFamilyMom]

for booking with such a great deal

for the trip to happen.

 

[brookelizabeth]

First, great news about Skip! I hope this is the right road to finding out what is wrong with him - and healing!

Second, GREAT deal on the room and booking!!! I sure hope it all pans out. And AKL is a fantastic choice for "resort" days. There are tons of activities, plus the animals, plus both the Jambo House pool - which is large with a waterslide, and Kidani's pool - which is smaller, but has the rockin' "splash zone" that Claire will LOVE. It's really very cool. Plus the Mara CS is pretty decent - one of the better Deluxe food courts. And then 3 choices of TS if you'd rather have that (I highly recommend Boma! )

And do I have pictures? OH YES I DO! I have a lot of Kidani, but some good ones of Jambo too.

I have to tend to Henry right now, but I'll keep your PTR open and come back as soon as I can later today and post what I have.

Oh - and if I remember correctly, for a Standard room, the "best" room location request is "Zebra Trail" and you might want to mention "close to the lobby" since the hallways are long. If that matters to you! There are a few "Standard" rooms that have peeks of the savanna even....I'm not sure where they are though. I'll try to figure that out for you too so you could even request that very room number!

K, I'll be back later!!

 

[jenseib]

Thanks Brook. I just keep thinking about all the wonderful pictures I have seen you post. Actually AKL would normally not be a top choice for me to try. My dream is to stay at WL someday. BUT, Claire looking at that brochure over the past few weeks, and constantly asking if we can stay where the animals are broke me. LOL! It looks nice, my worry was it being so far out from most of the parks. And since we won't be doing parks for the 2 days there, it's not really a big deal I guess.
I've now made myself really excited about it. I need to do some reading up on it so I can find all the fun things to do. I think the majority of the time..weather permitting ..will be in the pool. I definately want to do some major picture taking too.
I always wake up earlier than the rest of the family, so I figure I can get some then. Also on our transfer day, I figured I would get up early and head over to Pop and check in and get our tickets and be back in time to get us all over to MK. I'll have to see what i need to do to have our luggage transferred too.

 

[jenseib]

We did a little Disney talking yesterday with Skip. WE have to take it in small doses with him. I mentioned (again, but it's been awhile) that Claire and I would like to go to Disney for her b-day. He said "I know, she was talking about it the other day". I then said, "of course we want you to get well first." And then mentioned..."but they do have scooters to rent there." Here is the "coumtry boy" answer...please don't be offended if you use a scooter, but sometimes he can't think outside of the box..
"If I ride a scooter I have to have my lard butt hanging off the sides and a basket in front full of onion rings and a large drink with a long straw to reach me." It was so funny the way he said it too. So I told him you didn't have to be fat to use a scooter, lots of people use them for other reasons, but he said he's never seen one and there was no way he would use one.
Now honestly, I can't even imagine where he has seen very many "scooter" people excpet on TV. He doesn't shop, so he would see them at a store. So the most he has seen are probably at WDW. And he would probably fit in with some of those maniac drivers there. LOL!
So now he has the pressure from both his girls about going.
He also mentioned later on in the day that his brothers wife is about to divorce him because they never do anything together anymore. So I kind of skirted around how it is important to make your wife happy at times. LOL!
And Ironically his good friend just left for a vacation last night with his wife, because she's been complaining of not getting away anymore together. Again I keep giving those little hints about how it is important to get away!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Congrats on booking that great deal! Now, all you gotta do is get Skip to agree to go. Sounds like you and Claire are well on your way to doing that.

 

[jenseib]

Now for a recap of our 2008 Disney trip!

After getting home from the 2007 trip I was trying to figure out how to get back and soon! I got a pin in August for Dec dates, but Skip said no way. We had just been there and he wouldn't go twice in the same year. ( we have totally different vacationing ideas and styles)

In Jan of 2008 I started pricing Universal and staying off site in the area. I had mentioned to him that it would be nice to just get a really cheap hotel and do a couple of days down there. He really didn't say too much. He just said wait..because that is what he always says. He thinks you can plan a vacation in 1 week and have everything you want.
On Sunday night, February 17, at around 9 PM Skip came in and said, price a vacation to Disney for some time in April! OK, ...so I got right on that computer and did some figures. I told him that Easter was at the end of March, but alot of people Spring break in April. I did some March dates and April dates. We actually found it a bit cheaper with a code to go in April, but the flights were horrendous. March was regular price, but the flights were much better. He told me to call AAA in the morning for a quote.
So thats what I did, and we decided to go March 2-7th. We now had 13 days to plan a trip to the world! We got excellent airfare thru Spirit. I think it was $104 per person round trip, and another $75 total for our bags. Because the airfare was so cheap, Skip "allowed" us to fly out of Detroit instead of Toledo.
I was doing a major happy dance! BUT I had alot of planning to do in such a short time.
I quickly got on the phone and made ADR's and got everyone I wanted except 1.
On March 2nd my parents picked us up and took us to the airport. I had told my mom that one or the other should take us since there wouldn't be alot of room, but did she listen...NO! So we had a very cramped ride up to Detroit with 2 in the front and 3 in the back and all of us holding luggage on our laps since they had a small trunk and the stroller took up alot of the room. (O also suggested taking ou car, which is bigger, but she said no)

We said our goodbyes, checked in, and got a quick bite to eat and then went to the gate. With in 5 minutes we were boarding!

Our flight landed 30 mintues early and we had no problems findong the ME desk. We were on our way to POP!
We got checked in there fast, and got our request! Then made our way to the room, right accross from the baby pool.

We are the door under the yellow flower. 1st floor.

We settled in, changed our clothes and headed off to MK for EMH's!

 

[jenseib]

Congrats on booking that great deal! Now, all you gotta do is get Skip to agree to go. Sounds like you and Claire are well on your way to doing that.

I know sometimes I make him sound harsh, or no fun. But he really is fun and very loving. But some things you have to kind of tip toe around him and give him the info in small doses and then let it sound like it's his decision. LOL!
I wish he was more like John in the vacation aspect. John seems to agree so easily, while Skip always has and always will be stubborn when it comes to me suggesting vacations. And of course sometimes he can be the worlds biggest baby. I swear he's more emotional than I am about things. So I have to be sure I am not sounding insensitive about his hip.

And like I said before, he really isn't into planning. I love to plan, but he likes to just say hey lets go now. I think, wait..I didn't research it!!!!

We had a trip to Grenefield village and Macanaw area planned when I was pregnant for Claire. They day we left, he came home from milking to take a shower before leaving, and said, lets go to Niagra Falls instead...and we did. But the funny thing is my son didn't realize that the plan had changed and when we got to the falls, he kept asking where the ferry was to take us to the island. LOL!

 

[jenseib]

We got to Mk and didn't do a whole lot at first. Met some characters, walked around shops, etc. It was starting to get chilly and I had left my sweatshirt at HOME!! I was so mad. My plan was to wear my 2007 sweatshirt for this trip. So I decided, what the heck, I'll buy a 2008 one. This has since become a tradition ...or a mad obsession for me. I want one from every year now!
We then settled down on the curb to wait for Spectro. While we waited we took turns walking Claire around. I bought her an autograph book. Skip took his turn and came back with a big balloon and giant lollipop! I guess he didn't want to be outdone?

After Spectro we fought our way through the crowds who were waiting for Wishes and went for some rides.

We ended up watching Wishes near the tea cups and it was great. Not a perfect spot, but we had no crowds. The whole area was to ourselves.

Next on to Pooh.

We love MK at night.

We rode as much as we could. The EMH's were till midnight and we stayed till close.We got a bite to eat, got a few photopasses, and then sadly made our way back to our room.

 

[jenseib]

The next morning I was up by 6. I went out and took some pictures and explored the area. At 10:30 Claire stirred a little, so we gave her an extra nudge to get up.
Since our room was right across from the pool, that is pretty much all Claire thought about. Her first waking thought was "swim". So thats what we did.

Then off to Epcot for the day!

We got some photopasses taken. Claire decided this trip she did not want pictures. She would not smile, and in alot of pictures she covered her face or turned away.
These pictures are now known as famous or classics. It seems like when ever I post them, people remember them from when they were in my signature. They are just so funny, and Claire now laughs at them too.

And this next one is our favorite. I got the free 5x7 of this one. It looks like she is REALLY mad at Tinkerbell. In fact, when I went to pick out one at the photopass kiosk in the parks, the guy working there started laughing, and showed it to all the other workers. He kept saying "look at this little girl".





We then toured the park. Spaceship Earth first.

Had a snack! Claire started with hers, then traded with Skip, ate most of his, then traded back to finish hers off.

We had dinner at Garden Grill and we were "family of the day", so we got to get a picture with all the characters at once, and sign the family book.

We hit nemo again, and did Turtle Talk for the first time. Skip is just amazed how this works.

We didn't get very far into World Showcase this trip. Just not enough time and Claire was getting tired. So back to the room we went.

 

[WrightFamily06]

Yes, right now my plans would be to attend MVMCP on Dec 10th

YaY !! for MVMCP ! We had plans to go next year , actually DH requested that we did the Christmas party next shocked the heck out of me lol Then he decided that we would take his sister & her family on our 2011 trip & they don't want there girls to miss any school , so I don't know that Christmas will be possible considering cost & crowds

Glad to hear that you have Skip talking about a December trip , sorry he won't consider a scooter but I know my DH wouldn't either (Men) lol

ing the 2008 recap so far ! I can't believe Skip sprung the trip on you soo fast , talk about major planing in a short period of time . Your room location at Pop looked great , how nice to have the kiddie pool so close . The pictures of Claire are priceless , who would have thought when she didn't even want her picture taken , you would get such cute ones out of it !

Can't wait to hear more about the 2008 trip and update on your December trips progress