DH is home from Iraq (for a little bit)! Time to Celebrate at Disney! *ON OUR WAY!*

[ArmyWife3-4]

Hello Everyone!

Hopefully some of you were able to check our the TR from my August 2008 trip with my family. if you want to catch up on all the fun, you can check it out here! We also were grated an incredible dream from the Dream Squad, and you can read all about that here. The Dream Squad really did make the trip so magical for all of us by putting together a very special care package for DH in Iraq. It was wonderful!

To catch you up on how this trip came about, I'll take a minute to fill you in!

The Background Info
DH and I are both from Michigan. We both graduated from college in 2006, and DH commissioned in the Army. He did some training about the country, and then settled here at Fort Bragg, NC. We got married in August 2007 at home in Michigan, and then we honeymooned at Disney. DH had NEVER , yes you read that right, NEVER been to WDW. We had a wonderful time, and he was hooked! Here are just a few of the many, many photos:

We had planned to spend our first anniversary at WDW in August 2008. IN January, we had everything mapped out, I had made a few calls about pricing, and the day before I was going to book the trip, the Army dropped a bomb. DH would be deploying in April (less than 4 months away!) for 15 months! We were crushed.... Not only did this mean no WDW, it also meant no first anniversary together, no Christmas, no birthdays, no nothing together for over a year...

Amidst the insanity of still figuring out our first year of marriage and getting DH ready for this crazy Iraq deployment, my parents came to the rescue. DH and I were planning to meet my cousins at WDW so my parents decided they would meet me down there so I could still make the trip. WAHOO! Even though it was difficult to go without DH, it was so nice to be at such a magical place with my family.

After hearing about our trip and receiving the awesome package from the Dream Squad, DH really wanted to go back to WDW. And so...this trip was born!

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

The Background Info

DH was so excited about the Dream Squad's care package and hearing about how much fun we had in August that he decided he really wanted to go back for his mid-tour leave in April. This had been my secret plan all along , but I had to get DH to make the decision on his own. We both knew he would be worn out after 12 months of deployment, so he didn't want to do anything too ambitious which I can understand. We decided if we were going to go, we weren't going to do water parks since DH would be freezing coming from the desert to the US and we were going to plan lots of sit down meals so we could have lots of time to relax. I told him we could definitely stay within these paramaters, and so...We're going to Disney WAHOO!!!

We decided we'd go a few days after he returns to the States to give him some adjustment time. Originally, we had booked SOG for a 6 night, 7 day trip. I was anxious about staying at SOG, but they are obviously so military friendly that it seemed the obvious choice. Their rates were great, and they have a 30 day full refund on cancellation. I am a snob for POFQ, but I was up for trying something new since I'd heard so many good things about it. I booked it about a month ago, and the staff was very nice. The man told me to book a large block (almost 3 weeks) and then when we knew DH's leave dates we could shorten it. I thought that was awfully nice of them to be so flexible....Now it was time to get the daily plans started...

I made sure to note 180 days out on my calendar so I could book Cindy's for dinner as soon as I could. DH and I ate their on our honeymoon, and it was wonderful! I called and made the reservations, and they only had a 5:30ish time slot avaliable, but it works. We'll get out in time for fireworks and Spectro!

After making the reservation at Cindy's, the trip was finally seeming real. I was working on our touring plans when I stopped in at the Dis when I saw....

BUY 4 GET 3!!!!!

WAHOO!!!!!

I called WDW right away, and the only resort they had available that wasn't a Value was Wilderness Lodge...Well darn, guess we'll just have to go Deluxe!
Once we got everything squared away, it was only goign to be about $150 more to stay at WL for an extra night and it includes the ME shuttle (which we didn't have at SOG)! Yes!!!

We will be staying at Wilderness Lodge from April 20-28!

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

Who We Are

DH - Andrew - soldier, paratrooper, goofball, Disney fan (thanks to me! ), incredibly supportive husband, devoted doggie dad, and could easily talk to a wall if you asked him...

Yes...that is a camel....but no worries, the guy was there letting the soldiers ride him...DH seems to think the dog would like one as a sibling...I beg to differ....

At one point, DH got to see Saddam's 'throne' and he was pretty stoked about getting to sit in it.

And this is where DH lives right now. I am sure he will be more than happy to see the beds at WL in April!

Me - Meghan - non-profit employee, Army wife, Disney freak from age 3, DH calls me Tink, head over heels for our furbaby, outgoing, compulsive planner not only of Dis trips but life in general which doesn't always work so well in the Army life

With the Dream Squad after receiving DH's care package.

Halloween 2008 - Violet and I were the Mickey Mouse Club.

Speaking of Violet...She is our one and a half year old Basset Hound baby. We absolutely adore her, and she knows it. We won't be having kids for a while, so she's our baby for now. Always will be our first born! Even though she won't be going on this trip with us, I can't not include her in our PTR!

Vi in her costume driving to the vet.

You mean I have to get UP?

I think that's enough info on us so now it's time for the plans!

 

[bellasmommy0]

I'll be the first to sub in, cant wait to hear more about your trip with DH! And Woo Hoo about WL!!

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

I'll be the first to sub in, cant wait to hear more about your trip with DH! And Woo Hoo about WL!!

Glad you worked your way over here! I did FINALLY finish up our August TR, and now it's time to start another!

Your trip is coming up so soon! I cant wait to see photos and hear all about it!

 

[kayla87]

I love the doggie pictures! I've been trying to think of excuses for putting our babies in my PTR

I've seen you around the boards before, and I'm glad to find that you will be vacationing with your DH. I grew up an Air Force brat, and even though we lived in California for three years, I never got to go to Disneyland because every vacation we took was visiting family. My DH can never fully understand what it's like growing up in the military, and I know I can never fully understand what it's like to be married to the military. I hope you have a really magical trip, because you guys certainly deserve it!

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

I love the doggie pictures! I've been trying to think of excuses for putting our babies in my PTR

I've seen you around the boards before, and I'm glad to find that you will be vacationing with your DH. I grew up an Air Force brat, and even though we lived in California for three years, I never got to go to Disneyland because every vacation we took was visiting family. My DH can never fully understand what it's like growing up in the military, and I know I can never fully understand what it's like to be married to the military. I hope you have a really magical trip, because you guys certainly deserve it!

Thanks for your kind words about DH and our trip!

I didn't even need an excuse for our 'baby'...I jsut put her up anyways because as you can see, she is the apple of my eye!

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

Something Special

Since we will have been apart for just over a year by the time DH gets home for his mid-tour leave in April, I want to make this trip as special as possible. I have already made reservations for dinner at Cindy's for Wednesday, April 22 since we had a wonderful dinner here in our honeymoon.

I am also strongly considering eating at Coral Reef and contacting the manager about booking the diver and a special menu that say, 'Welcome Home, Andrew!'. I think this would blow him away. We have never eaten here, but we plan to make a lot of ADR's so why not?

What other suggestions does anyone have to make the trip extra special? I don't want to spend a crazy amount of money, but I want this to be a memorable trip for both of us!

 

[kayla87]

I've heard of a taking down the flag at MK in the evening. It's not sweet so much as it is sentimental, but it's the first thing I thought of. I thought I had a bookmarked thread about it, but I don't see it on this computer. You have to request to do it in the morning at Town Hall before anyone else does.

You might also consider a carriage ride at Wilderness Lodge. I think they are around 30 dollars. I've not done one at Wilderness Lodge, but I have done one at Port Orleans Riverside. I think the POR probably has a better view during the ride, but you'd have to go out of your way somewhat to do it. (You could take a bus from a park to POR, then after the ride take a boat to DTD, and then bus from DTD to WL! )

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

Oh yes!!! Flag Retreat! I had compeltely forgotten about it! I think I read that you can call up to 5 days in advance. I'm not going to lie, I was a blubbering mess when we just happened upon it in August. DH was obviously not with us, and any time I hear the National Anthem, it's just all over.

I need to make sure and jot that down in my trip notes so I don't forget to call. DH is always so modest about his service, and I think this would be such a great thing for him!

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

The FOOD!!!

Well let's see...So far I've told you we have dinner ADR's at Cindy's, and I also really want to do dinner at Coral Reef with the diver and personalized menu. Here are our other TS dining ideas:

Kona Cafe for Breakfast - Tonga Toast. YUMMY!!!

Boma for Dinner - I went in August with the family, and I can't WAIT for DH to try it. He LOVES to try new things, so I think he'll love Boma as much as I do!

Le Cellier for Dinner - We have always wanted to go here, and why not now? I think DH will really enjoy the steak.

Now I have a few questions for you all:

1. Where is the best sushi at WDW?
2. How is Artist Point? I am wondering if this would be a good place to make an ADR since it's right at our resort.
3. Any other 'must eats' that you don't see on our list????

And now for the CS must dos:
Yak and Yeti - good, quick food for the day we're at AK

Sunshine Seasons - we love it! It's always a great place to stop for a snack!

Boulangerie Patisserie - YUM! That's all that needs to be said!

Kringla Bakery - Again, just YUM!

Tangierine Cafe - The combo plate was amazing!

Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station - I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with this over the summer.

That's all I can think of now...Now my stomach is grumbling thinking about all of this food!

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

I called today to cancel our room at SOG, and I also called WDW to request a North Wing Standard View Room. Hopefully we can get on one of the upper floors in hopes of getting a glimpse of MK and the fireworks. I was debating upgrading our room view, but for the amount of time DH and I actually spend in our room, it's just not worth it. Being new to WL, I was not sure what to request but thanks to the WL FAQ thread in the Resorts Forum I got some good input and a map of the resort!

The CM also asked if we were celebrating anything, and I told him DH was coming home from Iraq on leave. I hope that he noted it on our ressies so the CM will welcome DH home.

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

Wellllllllllllll....apparently my PTR isn't drawing in any readers, but that's alright. I'm going to keep up with it for myself if nothing else!

I checked Touring Plans today and to my shock and somewhat horror, the completely changed their best and worst parks. I should have checked it when WDW changed the April hours, but alas, I forgot.

Now it's back to the drawing board!

 

[kayla87]

Wellllllllllllll....apparently my PTR isn't drawing in any readers, but that's alright. I'm going to keep up with it for myself if nothing else!

I checked Touring Plans today and to my shock and somewhat horror, the completely changed their best and worst parks. I should have checked it when WDW changed the April hours, but alas, I forgot.

I can sympathize...I'm wondering if I'll have the longest pre-trip report with the fewest responses

I guess the good part about the best and worst parks is that you don't have to worry about ADRs tying you down. When I made our very first plan, before park hours were even out, I used the best/worst park recommendations, but shows, ADRs, and park hours have probably changed a lot of that.

You probably saw already, but Coral Reef isn't doing the diver next year.

 

[IluvXU]

Flag Family at the WL- you should try to do that. It would be fun.

BTW we stayed at the WL and loved it! It is truly beautiful and the boatride to MK is fantastic. I am a big Port Orleans fan, but truly enjoyed the WL!

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

I can sympathize...I'm wondering if I'll have the longest pre-trip report with the fewest responses

I guess the good part about the best and worst parks is that you don't have to worry about ADRs tying you down. When I made our very first plan, before park hours were even out, I used the best/worst park recommendations, but shows, ADRs, and park hours have probably changed a lot of that.

You probably saw already, but Coral Reef isn't doing the diver next year.

I did see that about Coral Reef. Such a bummer! I guess it just made space for something else in our touring plans, right?

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

Flag Family at the WL- you should try to do that. It would be fun.

BTW we stayed at the WL and loved it! It is truly beautiful and the boatride to MK is fantastic. I am a big Port Orleans fan, but truly enjoyed the WL!

I am so glad to hear that! POFQ was all booked up when we decided to go so we were going to stay at SOG, but then the 7 for 4 deal came up. We are so excited to stay at WL!!!

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

Well....I've done the math and given it lots of thought, and I have decided we're going to do the DDP. We are there for 7 days so I did the math cost wise for one day and we saved at least $10 that day alone. Then I looked at our ADR plans, and we work out perfectly for 7 TS points:

2 TS - Artist Point
2 TS - Cindy's Dinner
1 TS - Kona Cafe
1 TS - Le Cellier
1 TS - Boma Dinner

I am going to call today to make the change. IT's going to be tough to swallow the lump sum at the beginning, but it will be worth it when we're paying little OOP.

Here goes nothing! Hopefully they'll be able to switch out Cindy's res over to our DDP. We shall see!

 

[VroomVroomLightning]

I haven't been on the dis lately a lot because I have been busy with school and just things in life. But, I am sooo excited to hear about this! I just caught up with your other Trip Report and loved it. Especially your "dream" that must of been amazing for you to get that for your husband!

I can't wait to hear more!

 

[MiaBella05]

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