DD Turning the big FIVE...December 14-18

[mchhp]

Trip dates: December 14-18, 2011

Who is in your Me, DH, DD (who is turning five on December 15th), DS (2), Nanny, Pawpaw and AA (my sister)

Moving on up.... to moderate. Typically we either stay value or SOG (or as my dd would say it "SHAVES.... OF..... GREEN" in her game show host voice)
This trip we decided to take advantage of the military discount of 35% off and stay at Port Orleans- French Quarter. Queen beds are our friends

Reason for this trip: we celebrated our son's birthday (on Easter Sunday to be exact) back in April instead of having a party. We decided to give our DD the option of having a party or going back to disney and celebrate with just our family. She chose Disney. So, this has been a party free year for this mama! There are a few things I do miss with planning and throwing birthday parties for our kids, but I must say I have really enjoyed the break from it. Plus, everyone in the family scores when we go to Disney, not just the b-day person.

DD's birthday trip requests:

1. Eat at Chef "Minnie's" (because DS got to eat at chef mickey's and since she is a girl, she should eat at chef minnie's) I hope she will be ok with Chef Mickey's, because that is what I am planning.

2. Ride test track. I have no idea where this comes from. We took her on soarin' for her first "big girl" ride during our last trip and she did good until the fireworks, then freaked. Then we took her to test track and she did ok until the end when it went fast and she freaked (it didn't help that she wanted to sit with pawpaw the worry wart during that ride and held her knee so tight repeating "are you ok?" over and over), so with those two rides under her belt she felt like that was enough, lol. She didn't ride another "big girl" ride the rest of the time. She kept saying she had to be 5 before she could ride anymore, lol. So, i am super surprised that this is so high on her "to-do" list.

3. Eat birthday cake

The birthday girl:

 

[ZFamily5]

I'm in! Love reading reports with kids that age! It's such a magical age! Can't wait to hear more!

 

[mchhp]

When we planned to go to for DD's b-day I immediately looked at the past MVMCP dates to see if I could speculate when I thought there might be a party in relation to her actual b-day. I *thought* it was going to fall on her b-day so hubby and I figured it would be a quick trip. drive down day 1, party day 2, some sort of park hopping day 3, and drive home day 4.

well, the first thing that changed that plan was the MVMCP was not scheduled for her actual b-day, but the day after. Then, we discovered that we could buy more military salute tickets which then changed our minds and decided to use 2 of the days in December, go the the party, and then use the other two days at a later date before expiration.

So, as of right now our plans are:

Drive down wednesday dec 14th, check-in, go to DTD and eat at TREX (hope and pray we can make it in time for our reservations)

Thursday dec 15th: open Magic kingdom with early EMH, eat lunch at Tony's at 11:50, hop to DHS, pray that a fast pass is still available for TSM, hopefully see the 3pm parade, and maybe even squeeze in the lights motor action stunt show if there is a time show later in the afternoon (does anyone know when the typical times for that show are in december?) before we enjoy the Osborne lights. If the fast pass is a FAIL for TSM then we will try to hop in that line right before closing and wait it out.

Friday dec 16th, sleep in a little, late breakfast at Chef Mickey's (daughters request), shop, or dvc tour, or tour resorts, before our 4pm entrance for the MVMCP that night.

Saturday dec 17th: Open Epcot and Close Epcot. Repeat with me: " I will get all the yummy treats I did not get the last trip in world showcase" We ran out of time on our world showcase day at epcot. It was a serious touring FAIL due to kids in splash area and the women *waiting* on the men to walk over to mexico and get us a drink and then come straight back.... YEAH right

Sunday dec 18th: drive home


This is our attempt to take a slightly slower pace and just enjoy the sights.

What do you think?

 

[ZFamily5]

Schedule looks fine, just make sure not to burn yourselves out too quickly!

 

[mchhp]

So, I am so excited to find out that we are able to participate in the military solute tickets once again. I have learned that a max number of 12 tickets can be sold to a service person (active or retired) during the whole promotion. We have already used 6 (back in april for my son's b-day) and now we have 6 left, which is great, sort of...

We plan on splitting the use of this next set of tickets between december and late july/early august next year. But, my son decides he has to grow up and become a big boy and turn 3! So, we will have to buy him tickets for our last trip but I guess its better to have to buy a child's ticket vs. an adult ticket.

We also learned that we could upgrade our tickets with the water park option and only pay about $30 more a person for 4 water park admissions which works out well since we plan on going to TL for my sister's 25th b-day and maybe squeeze a 1/2 day in a water park during our july/august trip.

But, that means we will now have to get DS a two day hopper with water park and more option and no expiration date to the tune of around $300! ouch.

^Why do things always seem so complicated when it comes to my family,lol^

After these absolutely wonderful military specials are totally done, we are seriously going to have to reconsider our disney plans, budget, time of year we go, and find the next best deal for our family. In other words.... Back to the drawing board!


I am getting more and more excited about this trip. I wish it were longer. I am beyond thrilled to be staying at POFQ. I look for new pictures on here almost everyday. I seriously can't get enough of them.

I have started my shopping list for our trip to make sure I get all the things I want. Some of them include:

Christmas ornaments for each
Crocs in the next size up for dd and ds (for Christmas)
3 more mickey pancake mold (1 just doesn't cut it!)
Possibly more Laila.

(I am so upset. My dh bought a bottle for me during our april trip and i have only used about 1/4 the bottle and now the sprayer won't work anymore. I have tried emailing the company to see if i could get a replacement. I seriously miss wearing that perfume. My next option is to try to see if the closest nordstroms that carries it will replace it for me)


mini vent: If my mom and sister can't find their Christmas mickey ear hats soon, I am not going to be a happy camper. just saying...

 

[mchhp]

My mom decides that she would really like for dd to do BBB for her birthday surprise. She's paying, so whatever. So, now i managed to get a 5pm appointment (not doing the whole package, just the hair, make-up, and nails) before our 6pm t-rex reservations.

please pray for us....


oh, did i mention we are driving from darn near atlanta, ga that morning. dh says we will "leave" at 4am... i just we will see...