Dear E, Wanna go to Disney?

[Davidsmommy]

My BFF (said tongue in cheek, even though she truly is my oldest friend), and I are taking a girls only trip to Disney in January. We are both 34, we are both married, and we both have two children (a boy first, then a girl).

We have known each other since 5th grade. She (E), would tell you (if she could, but she isn't into internet forums) that she hated me in 5th grade because I turned the whole class against her when we had a fight, and she never forgets stuff like that. And, she doesn't. Really.

But, she did finally forgive me, and our friendship lasted through middle school, high school, different colleges, my early career, her law school, our marriages, and children. We live about 3 1/2 hours away from each other. I am still in our hometown. We are very different people from the little girls in 5th grade that played with Cabbage Patch Kids together, but we are still close. Even if we don't talk daily, weekly, or even monthly. We sometimes go many, many, many months without seeing each other. Yet, we still have that old connection when we finally do. And, that is awesome.

So, E recently told me something that was devastating. Because of her privacy, I am not going to go into that here. My heart hurt for her, and I did the only thing I could think of at the time that might make her feel better. I suggested running away together and taking a Disney trip, just her and me. And, she agreed.

Here is how it all started:

(My email to her):

Just wanted to say hi and let you know I am thinking of you.

I was thinking, we should take a trip to Disney together. Just you and me. Maybe in early 2008? Would it kill you to leave the kids for a long weekend? We would have so much fun, and it would be therapeutic.

Think about it.

Kristen

Her response:

Thanks for thinking of me. I wish we had gotten to see each other on Sunday, but I didn’t need to catch your cooties. We’ll be back in July so we can connect then. I like the idea of just you and me going to the Great Escape. We can be stupid kids again. It’s a shame that we don’t get to see each other that often. But it is nice knowing that you are only a phone call away and we can pick up as if no time has passed.

Disney sounds fun and you are right, therapeutic. I loved Disney when I went in 2000. I would definitely be interested in you and I taking a trip. What does it cost for a long weekend?

My response (I was starting to get excited, thinking that she really might go, and I get to go on another trip!):

We really need to do Great Escape on our own - I need some silly time. I love that as we grow older and don't talk as much as we should, we still know each other.

In terms of Disney, it can cost not too much at all, or be super de duper expensive. A value resort runs around $100 a night off season, so if we split that $50 each a night. Which is cheap! We wouldn't need a car - they have Magical Express from the airport (free) and the WDW transportation (free). Southwest flies out of Syracuse, right? I have flown them a bunch and with the Ding! program, got $69 flights each way for August (David and I are going for free dining) and September (EL and I are going for our anniversary). Yes, I know I am obsessed. But, it is cheaper than therapy. So, flights can be had for less that $175 R/T usually with a little research. Park tickets again range in price, but we can get 3 - 4 days for like $200 each (current prices - non hoppers). And then food. Which again, can be as cheap or as expensive as we want. We could do lots of sit down meals (pricey) or eat counter service a lot (which is still not CHEAP, but not bad for vacation prices).

Of course, we could stay at the Polynesian for like $400 a night, but I think EL would kill me. Well, he wouldn't, but I don't think any hotel is worth that. EL and I are staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge for our anniversary, but that was a splurge. We stayed at Pop Century in January (all 4 of us) and it is a value resort - cheap, clean, and servicable. David and I were booked at All Star Movies for August, but we got a free upgrade to a one bedroom DVC suite at Saratoga Springs Resort (pure luck - they oversold the values).

Think about it. It would be a fun little trip and I am a Disney EXPERT! And, we would have some uninterrupted time together - which would be GREAT.

Love,
Kristen


And her response:

Love the idea of a Disney vacation with you. That would be, to use 80’s vernacular….awesome. Let’s do it. I have only been there once in 2000 and I just adored the week we spent there. It was so much fun and what surprised me the most was the food. It was really impressive. Mind you we did sit down meals and with my planning in advance were able to make “reservations” or whatever word they use for loosely reserving a time to strap on your feed bag, and the food was delicious. I don’t recall one disappointing meal at Disney.

I don’t think Southwest flies out of Syracuse, but we have Jet Blue and that is pretty cheap.

We will probably be in Queensbury in weekend of July 7th. Are you available for the Great Escape?



And, the trip was born.


Dear E,

OH GOODY!!!! I get to plan another trip!!!!!! Oh this is so exciting! A girls trip! We will have a blast. I will have to tell David that I am going somewhere boring, but a little white lie won't hurt. How's January for you? It isn't always the best weather wise, but it is value season and crowds are low. Maybe even early February (before the breaks start when it gets busy). I will start researching asap. WOO-HOO! By our trip, I will have gone 3 times in 07, and tried most of the restaurants. Lol. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!

ADRS (Advance Dining Reservations) is what they are now called. They used to be PS (Priority Seatings). I went on Tower of Terror 3 times in January! I am getting very brave in my old age (I was the only one in my family to do it!). I'm going to be sending you tons of Disney crap in the mail for the next 6 months. Lol

We are around that weekend - let's pick a day so I can tell EL he is on child duty.

YAY!

Kristen


We are going to Disney baby!

Since the trip has thus far been planned via email, I will continue to post some of them. Unless someone thinks that is totally stupid.

 

[Avivasmom]

That sounds like an awesome trip...no kids and with your best friend. What more can you ask for.

 

[Davidsmommy]

Thanks Avivasmom! It will be great! I can't wait!

So, next email I received was this:


Love the Tower of Terror and the Aerosmith roller coaster that is adjacent to it. We went on that coaster and by the end of the ride my bra straps had fallen down. It was awesome!

I’m so excited to go to Disney with you. We will have a great time. January would be a great time to go. Smaller crowds, but the same wonderful experience. I think I will buy a princess crown in Cinderella’s castle. I saw one that I loved when we were there in 2000, but didn’t buy it and have regretted it since. I shall not make the same mistake this time.

Do you want to plan for Saturday, July 7th at the Great Escape?

And, my response:

The 7th is good - I have a haircut appt at 9 AM, but they don't open until 10 anyway I think.

I am SOOOO excited! I love the Aerosmith coaster too - it goes so fast - it was down for rehab in January. I am trying to convince David to go on the thrill rides with me in August - he says he is up for it, but we'll see when we get there (guessing he will chicken out). And, EL just wants to relax and look at a zillion animals when we go. I mean, I like the animals, but I am like, "Come on! Expedition Everest!" and he is like, "Don't you want to look at the bats for two hours?"