Disney or Bust: An addict's tale- Pre trip

[boyohboyx3]

Disney or Bust, An addicts Tale: pre-trip report


I have been a lurker here at the DIS since January of ‘06. You see, we took a wonderful “once in a lifetime” trip January 21-27th 2006. We stayed at the AKL and celebrated a birthday for DS while we were there. It truly was magical. A first time trip for everyone except me. I thought I’d get the trip out of my system and get on with my life, but there was something bigger than me that had taken hold! Our once in a lifetime was turning into “once a year.”

Lo and behold I started feeding my Disney addiction (I really think there should be a medical term for this) by reading about other people’s trip reports here on the Dis. I couldn’t believe I would be that enthralled hearing about other people’s trips. I was captivated.

I started reading and re reading my tour guides (I have them all, after all I am a Disney Addict.) and stewing around for when we could go again.


I really wanted to go again in January of ‘07. This was not to be. We built our house (my husband is a contractor) and we moved into it in February of this year. I started thinking of what I could do to help finance our trip, (dh HATES being in debt, as do I) and my choices are somewhat limited, as I am a SAHM to 3 boys. What do I do?

 

[boyohboyx3]

EBAY!
Now, I know there are many people that don‘t like it, but for me it was perfect. I needed to clean out since we were moving and I started doing just that. I have been selling on Ebay and hope to have most of the money saved by November (when I have to have the trip paid for) my dh said he’d take care of the rest. Woo Hoo!

So, I have DH's permission. He loves Disney almost as much as I do. I converted him to a Disney Addict our first trip. I have a goal to earn money for the trip. Now I need to decide when to go.
At first I thought me might try to go in October of ‘07. We really wanted to take part in the YOAMD before it ended. We also wanted to celebrate our other DS’s b’day in October. We thought we’d go over fall break. It just wasn’t going to work out. DH is a contractor and he’ll be near the finishing stage of some new homes then. January will be the slower time, but we have the issue of taking the kiddos out of school. I have one in 3rd grade and one in K this year. We decide that they will miss 4 days of school directly after the Winter break. No flames please! They will only be this age once and I’m going to talk way ahead of time to their teachers. It will only get harder as they get older, so I’m going to do it while I still can. Hopefully with little consequence.

It’s decided…. January 3rd-10th 2008. Guess what??? They extended the YOAMD. Yea!!!! We get a chance to take part in the magic. I’m not going to say anything to my kids about it. What happens, happens. Secretly I am hoping something does!

Now for resort: Our choices are a little crazy, since we’re a family of 5. Last time we had a child that was 18 months old. He could still sleep in a porta crib! We lived it up in a deluxe! AKL was wonderful. I wouldn’t stay again, since I want to try different resorts, but I surely would recommend it to someone. It truly is a “once in a lifetime” experience and I’m glad we did it.

We contemplated between FW cabins, ASMu suite or POR. POR was the choice for us. It’s the least expensive option and I’ve heard so many great things about it. My husband and boys LOVE to fish and POR has that to offer. Definitely another plus. I just hope I can get him away from the dock long enough to go to some them parks!

Everything is decided. I have the resort picked, dates planned, deposit money earned, now Disney…… Bring on the rates!!!! We addicts need them.

Up next: Will you finally meet the cast?

 

[boyohboyx3]

Rates are released finally! Our trip is booked.
We’ll be staying at POR, January 3rd-10th 2008.
I only booked a standard view room, hoping possibly for an upgrade. I also booked 6 day base tickets. Hoping for a code that will add park hopping and waterparks for free. They have done this the last two years. If they don’t, it’s okay, I’ll add it on later. We also booked the dining package, not to be confused with the deluxe dining package. A.K.A: Fill myself up to be so full that I can’t walk around the parks anymore package. Though it sounds slightly appealing, I don’t want to be spending 90% of my time sitting in a restaurant trying to get my money’s worth. We still think the DDP is a good value for us. My dh hates Sticker shock! We’re looking forward to trying some new places this time. I will have to allot more money for tips though. Oh well…..

Is anyone still with me???? How about introducing the cast. I thought about giving us all cool names, but I just don’t think I’d be bale to keep track. Here we go:

Little J- He’s 8, will be almost 9 at the world. Doesn’t enjoy carachters much anymore, so he says. I’m still hoping. Is very intelligent. His favorite park last time was animal Kingdom. He wants to work there when he grows up. Is it okay to push for that??? I see free park admission in my future. LOL. Loves animals and science. Very sweet and caring.

Miah- He’ll be 6 in October. He’s my thrill seeker. He was caught saying “is this as fast as this boat goes” on IASW when he was 4. Yep. That’s him. Just the other day he split his chin open trying to do a “wheelie” on his bike. A bundle of energy, but oh so much fun. Loves anything fast. He’ll be tall enough for Space Mountain this year. That will make him happy.

Phoenix- He’s 3. The baby of the family, but you wouldn’t know it. He can hold his own amongst his brothers. LOVES the mouse. My dh accuses me of brainwashing. He’s sit and look at pictures of trip reports with me. He watches our home movie of fantastic frequently and I’m NOT KIDDING, prays by himself and asks that we can go back to Disney again. I swear. I didn’t put him up to it. Yep. Another Disney addict.

DH- Almost 30. Great guy. Works hard everyday. The love of my life. We got married at 19. Beat the odds and are still together when nobody thought we’d last. Copes with my Disney addiction. Loves Stitch. He can do the voice and it sounds just like him.

Me- Original Disney addict. Always have been. SAHM, cub scout den leader, church goer, scrap booker, ebayer entrepeneur. Had to make that sound fancy. Lover of all things Disney. Your planner and official tour guide for our trip.

Hope you’re still hanging with me. It’s going to be one fun ride.

Up next: Plans, Plans, and more plans. What to see, where to eat, when to go

 

[pamouselover]

Hi,
I still consider myself to be a SAHM, even though I am a techer at a preschool. I work ont he same school schudule as my childrens school district. My DD was little I use to do promotional work on the weekends.
It was great money. I then worked for her school part time when she want it to the 1st grade.
I must say you have the most handsome young boys, those eyes omg!
Have fun planning!

 

[boyohboyx3]

Thank You so much! I am jealous of my boys eyelashes! I actually put my name in to sub at a pre school this year. I'll be able to be with my son and earn some extra disney $$$. Thanks so much for reading!