Disney pin codes + Bill = TROUBLE *11/01 Almost time for our Happy Place*

[mousescrapper]

“All of our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” Walt Disney





WDW with kids makes me nervous, PLEASE give me tips. I am begging you, please, please, please, talk to me about this. I am already anxious about it and need help not worrying myself to death about it.

Hope I can be some calm in this storm of nerves w/ taking your grandkids! I love to plan and especially fun things for the kids....

remind me agian how old are the kids?


Next installment…Let the planning begin!

Can't wait to be part of the fun!

 

[mrsksomeday]

First of all...


Oh!!! I cannot believe you kept this secret from me, you stinker, you!!!!


(Naturally, I am thrilled!) Boy oh boy... I am just floored!!!!

Kathy

You have no idea how hard it was to keep that secret and I am NOT known for keeping secrets at all. I am happy you are thrilled .

I knew it! I just knew that Tracy would end up at WDW the same time as Kathy as soon as she cancelled Ip-Dip. I love it when I'm right

I should have had a poll on when people thought I was going.

Well, Heidi, you're good! You could've knocked me over with a feather!!

I was honestly thinking they would be keeping their dates closer to Chrismastime...

Kathy

We really love November, the weather is really nice and it is great that we do get to do the Christmas Party!

I was thinking closer to Xmas myself.....

I'm very jealous that you will probably get to see each other AGAIN!!!!!!!! but happy at the same time....

Tracy....GH is probably my favorite soap...but the bianca baby switch was my all time favorite storyline....lots of crying....

I'll try and come up with some hints about travelling to WDW with kids...but something right off the top of my head....include them in some of the planning....they love it.

I wish you could be there too, I am seriously thinking of planning to be at WDW for your 50th birthday celebration! OMG you are so right about the Bianca baby switch on AMC, so many tears. Now Jessica has had me crying on OLTL. Since you like GH you will know Elizabeth, Rebecca Herbst. We met her in Nashville and I had tagged her on some pics on facebook, about an hour later I got a friend request from her , seriously her. I thought that was so odd but nice.

Yay! Another Tracy and Bill pre-trip report! I'm in!!!

I did WDW with a group that included seven kids a little more than a year ago (two are mine, five are my sister's), so hopefully I will have some constructive advice.

Mostly what I'd say is #1- DON'T plan to spend every moment together or you'll all go nuts and #2- if the kids will let you babysit, let their parents go out to dinner/whatever while you have a pool and Pop Century night. We went with my parents, and they spent an evening at POP with my kids while hubby and I explored Downtown Disney and had HUGE margaritas.

Looking forward to more trip planning fun!!

Hi!! Oh I learned the "don't spend all your time together" back in October . I might come up with something for just the kids and Bill and I, we don't swim so it will have to be something else.

Well, I can't help you on tips for doing WDW with the kids, but...

for deciding to fly rather than drive. That would be too long of a drive with all those "kids"!

And for being able to meet up with Kathy! How fun!

I think the drive would have killed me, now I am just praying for good Southwest prices. I am really looking forward to seeing Kathy again!

Hot diggity dog!!! I'm so happy for you, Tracy! I think you picked a fabulous time to go! And with the added bonus of a meet with Kathy? Very cool!

I'll be here to help with any advice you need on taking the "kids"! I've made trips with a gaggle of them before....

Sara

Thanks! I am loving that I will be getting all these tips, I love my DIS/Enchanter friends!

I did the same thing- almost identically in fact! 2 Moms, 7 kids (5 of them mine) with my parents.

It was a NIGHTMARE logistically! Please!!!!!! Plan to spend more time away from each other than with. I'd say plan a couple of hours each day or maybe a meal together, then the rest stick to your plan, and do what you want to do. If you do it together, you'll go crazy!

I wrote a lot about this in my TR (link in my siggie)- there's a lot of hints and don't do's there.

Abbey wants to stick to us like glue. Bill and I have decided that we have been enough times to just do the things they want and suggest things they would like. I can't wait to see all the wonder when they see what WDW is really like, but we will definately spend some time apart.

Hooray for dates!!! And yea flying will probably ensure you all like each other during the vacation lol.

Hi Kat!! You are so right about the flying thing.

Yay for getting to see Kathy!!

Yay for flying!!

Yay for the F&W Festival!!

Yay for the Christmas Party!!

Sounds like you picked the perfect dates! You get to do it all!!

Hi Amy!! Thanks for all the "Yays". I can't wait to go, it seems so far away.

WDW during the holidays..... ****sigh*****

Great choice!

This will be our 4th time in November we love it!

Same here!

Hi Hedy!

Can't wait to be part of the fun!

Hannah is 4, will be 5 in December and Christian is 11, he will be 12 in November, Abbey says he is very immature for his age.

 

[jkCT]

Hi!! Oh I learned the "don't spend all your time together" back in October . I might come up with something for just the kids and Bill and I, we don't swim so it will have to be something else.



Doh! Of course...no swimming...brain not working...

We also did a POP Century treasure hunt (find two big dogs...find three green things...find some big flowers...take a picture in front of a bowling pin, etc) with the promise of a prize at the end. The little ones loved that (the four through seven year olds).

 

[KathyRN137]

You have no idea how hard it was to keep that secret and I am NOT known for keeping secrets at all. I am happy you are thrilled .


Hannah is 4, will be 5 in December and Christian is 11, he will be 12 in November, Abbey says he is very immature for his age.

Boys!!

"Girlz rule, boyz drool!!"

You gave me such a surprise!!! (I really did think you were going to go over Christmas vacation because of the kids....)


Kathy

 

[jordanyosh]

Okay Tracy....I love lucky and elizabeth and my roommate is all about liz and jason.......she seems nice and that's so cool that SHE requested you. Means she remembers you and wants to keep you updated!!!! You and Bill make great impressions I'm sure..

Will using Kathy as bait make your decision to come in 2012 any more solid...

 

[KathyRN137]

Okay Tracy....
Will using Kathy as bait make your decision to come in 2012 any more solid...

Hmmm. I don't believe I've ever been referred to as "bait" before....

However, when taken in this context, it's not entirely unflattering!


Kathy

.

 

[jordanyosh]

Hmmm. I don't believe I've ever been referred to as "bait" before....

However, when taken in this context, it's not entirely unflattering!


Kathy

.

It was meant in the nicest way....

 

[DisneyJo]

I knew that your dates would move and I'm sad we won't meet now but a trip with your family is far more important

 

[katiebelle21]

Hi Tracy!

I am jumping in a little late-- I just found your PTR. Disney will be so much fun with your whole family! I think that flying is a good idea! My DH and I have an unspoken agreement that we won't take road trips longer than four hours. I think it has something to do with me being backseat driver!

“I will give up the Poly if we take Josh and family to WDW”, he said. What? HUH? The Poly is his “dream resort”. I have heard this many, many times. We had the trip almost paid for, had most of our plans figured out etc. He has to be kidding. I said: “You are joking right?” He said “no, I always wanted to take them, family is more important than anything else”. The man makes me cry more than Wishes [/B]

So sweet, Bill sounds like such a kind, selfless man.

 

[carissanboys]

How did I miss the start of this PTR??

Oh well! I'm here now!

 

[MeMom]

ATTN all my readers that will be going to Nashville and Rainforest Cafe this upcoming weekend. [/ [/COLOR]

We didn't eat there, but some of the others did. We ate there about a month ago, right before Mother's Day. It's a fun place.

We did have the meet, so thanks for the temporary hijack of your report to let us work that out. Too bad your trip didn't coincide. We would love to have had more Disney-speak going on out by the hippo!

Everyone was very nice and down-to-earth, which happens to be one of my favorite qualities ever!

I hope it's okay if I share our picture.

(If it's not, just PM me, and I'll take it off.)

tinkgurl, Brooklynnsmommy and Brooklynn, MeMom and Bella, VandyFan10, punkin413, All7ofUs, Maroo, and Lauren


As for your trip, happy planning with that. Our all-family trips are lots of fun. There's time for everyone to be together and time for people to go their own separate ways and do what suits them best. A good mix of that makes for a good trip for everyone!

 

[KathyRN137]

Great group photo, MeMom!!


Kathy

 

[maroo]

Tracy...

Thank you so much for letting us hijack your TR for a little bit. You inspired us (Leisa, Lauren and I) to meet in Nashville and we have a GREAT time! Thank you for writing about your trip and giving us the idea to meet there!

I hope you have an awesome Monday!!

 

[jordanyosh]

What a great group photo!!!!!

 

[mrsksomeday]

Doh! Of course...no swimming...brain not working...

We also did a POP Century treasure hunt (find two big dogs...find three green things...find some big flowers...take a picture in front of a bowling pin, etc) with the promise of a prize at the end. The little ones loved that (the four through seven year olds).

I love the treasure hunt idea, I am going to steal that idea .

Boys!!

"Girlz rule, boyz drool!!"

You gave me such a surprise!!! (I really did think you were going to go over Christmas vacation because of the kids....)


Kathy

We are so happy to be going while you are there .

Okay Tracy....I love lucky and elizabeth and my roommate is all about liz and jason.......she seems nice and that's so cool that SHE requested you. Means she remembers you and wants to keep you updated!!!! You and Bill make great impressions I'm sure..

Will using Kathy as bait make your decision to come in 2012 any more solid...

She is really a sweetie! Bill's smile is what makes the impression, it is breathtaking . Ohhh seeing you AND Kathy?? That would be wonderful.

Hmmm. I don't believe I've ever been referred to as "bait" before....

However, when taken in this context, it's not entirely unflattering!


Kathy

.

It was meant in the nicest way....

Awwww.

I knew that your dates would move and I'm sad we won't meet now but a trip with your family is far more important

I am sad about not meeting you too .

Hi Tracy!

I am jumping in a little late-- I just found your PTR. Disney will be so much fun with your whole family! I think that flying is a good idea! My DH and I have an unspoken agreement that we won't take road trips longer than four hours. I think it has something to do with me being backseat driver!

So sweet, Bill sounds like such a kind, selfless man.

Hello!! As Bill says he is a backseat driver because his wheelchair goes right behind me in the van . We usually do great on road trips, but with Josh it would have been a disaster waiting to happen.

How did I miss the start of this PTR??

Oh well! I'm here now!

Hi Carissa, thanks for joining us .

We didn't eat there, but some of the others did. We ate there about a month ago, right before Mother's Day. It's a fun place.

We did have the meet, so thanks for the temporary hijack of your report to let us work that out. Too bad your trip didn't coincide. We would love to have had more Disney-speak going on out by the hippo!

Everyone was very nice and down-to-earth, which happens to be one of my favorite qualities ever!

I hope it's okay if I share our picture.

(If it's not, just PM me, and I'll take it off.)

tinkgurl, Brooklynnsmommy and Brooklynn, MeMom and Bella, VandyFan10, punkin413, All7ofUs, Maroo, and Lauren


As for your trip, happy planning with that. Our all-family trips are lots of fun. There's time for everyone to be together and time for people to go their own separate ways and do what suits them best. A good mix of that makes for a good trip for everyone!

Fantastic picture!

Tracy...

Thank you so much for letting us hijack your TR for a little bit. You inspired us (Leisa, Lauren and I) to meet in Nashville and we have a GREAT time! Thank you for writing about your trip and giving us the idea to meet there!

I hope you have an awesome Monday!!

Hi, hijack away, I don't mind at all. I am glad you got to meet all those people Lauren looks fantastic, what a wonderful smile, you look great too!

 

[mrsksomeday]

"I suppose my formula might be: dream, diversify and never miss an angle." Walt Disney


It has been decision making time around here lately. I thought I would get everyone up to speed on what is going on.

Decision # 1: Where do we fly out of?

It seems Bill and I always debate about whether to fly out of Nashville or St. Louis. Both have their pro’s and con’s, it usually comes down to which airport has the cheaper rate. The reservation window opened for our dates and St. Louis had the cheaper rates so as of now we have everyone’s flights down to Disney paid for and Bill’s flight on the way home

. Next month we will buy the rest of the tickets. I will be watching for Dings for our dates from both airports.

Decision # 2 Do we let the kids in on the planning or not?

Many people think it is a great idea to let the kids in on the planning, show them the rides, shows, etc. and let them tell us the “must sees”. But there is a problem with this. We want to completely surprise them.

Christian has ADHD and has trouble with patience and waiting for anything, on top of this they have recently taken him off all meds and are working with him on structure and modifying his impatient tendencies. Abbey and I think it would be torture for him to know he is going to WDW in 132 days. I think it would also be torture for Josh and Abbey too

. I have quizzed Abbey about what foods they like, if they are adventurous, what interests they have etc.

I talked to her today about what many of you had said about letting her make the plans for the kids, having days to themselves etc. She said “No way, I am sticking to you two like glue. You know where to go and what to do”. I just laughed and said “we will have some alone time but I won’t abandon you.”

Right now I know a couple of must do’s:

Hannah: Fairy

and Princess

meets

Christian: Pirates of the Caribbean

Bill: Test Track and Soarin’

Tracy: Tower of Terror and Exhibition Everest (Can you believe this? Before October last year you couldn’t have dragged me on either of these) I also have to do Toy Story Mania with Bill again. We love having to work together on that ride.

Abbey: Any thrill ride

Josh: Kilimanjaro Safari

Decision # 3 How do we tell the kids?

So many ideas have gone through my brain on how to tell the kids.

- A box filled with Disney balloons so when they open it they pop out of it? No, because what would we do with the balloons because we would be getting on a plane the next day.

- A book that has “Surprise we are going to Disney?" It worked quite well with Josh and Abbey, but then I would have to have Christian read it to Hannah. That is a possibility.

- Then there is one more idea, but I am not going to talk about it yet, Bill is thinking of helping me with this one.

Decision # 4 What things will I make for this trip?

I have started making some things for the kids and I am going to continue working on it until I like them. I hope to make some t shirts for the trip too. I am also going to be making a schedule book for Christian so he knows what we are doing on what days. I hope to have him “help” me guide all of us from one attraction/show to the next. He loves being helpful and Abbey said that will really help him with structure. I need to find the clings I have used for previous trips so the kids can decorate their window. I might let one of them decorate our window too.

Next installment…things I am “attempting” to make for the trip

 

[maroo]

Woo Hoo! Decision making time!

Aren't you glad we got the Southwest flight info this week.

I don't really have any fantastic ideas about how to tell the kids. I think with it being their first time, they are not really going to know for sure what they want to do...sounds like you know what they would like, etc. They won't really know what is there...so they won't really know if they miss something.

I just have one more thought...

Have you thought about getting Christian a GAC? I am not sure if he would qualify...maybe someone else can help us here (ahem...Kathy!)...but it sounds fairly "severe" if they are saying you should make a book to help provide him some structure. Like a pretty severe case of ADHD. Will he be on his meds when you take him to Disney? Do his meds really help him?

It just sounds like you guys might benefit from a GAC...if you qualify for one. KathyRN137 will probably know more about that!

Otherwise...I am so excited about your trip! I think seeing Disney through the eyes of a child will be a great experience for you guys!

 

[KathyRN137]

Tracy: Tower of Terror and Exhibition Everest (Can you believe this?...)

Okay... who are you and what have you done with Tracy???



Oh, I think that trying to cook up a neat way to surprise the kids is going to be so much fun!!!! And definitely two way up on the idea of a schedule book for Christian....

Kathy

 

[jordanyosh]

Would making a short video be out of the question for the surprise?

 

[mrsksomeday]

Have you thought about getting Christian a GAC? I am not sure if he would qualify...maybe someone else can help us here (ahem...Kathy!)...but it sounds fairly "severe" if they are saying you should make a book to help provide him some structure. Like a pretty severe case of ADHD. Will he be on his meds when you take him to Disney? Do his meds really help him?

It just sounds like you guys might benefit from a GAC...if you qualify for one. KathyRN137 will probably know more about that!

Otherwise...I am so excited about your trip! I think seeing Disney through the eyes of a child will be a great experience for you guys!

I have talked to Abbey about a possible GAC, I know you are supposed to explain the needs of the child so will talk to her further to see what the exact issues are. The meds made him groggy and not want to eat much. He is a wonderful little boy and we adore him. I will talk to Kathy more about it to see what she thinks about the situation.

Okay... who are you and what have you done with Tracy???



Oh, I think that trying to cook up a neat way to surprise the kids is going to be so much fun!!!! And definitely two way up on the idea of a schedule book for Christian....

Kathy

We have so many ideas about how to surprise them. I am really going to work on a schedule book and how things might be closed, the line too long, etc. I want to also have him help me with the maps etc to make him feel really included.

Would making a short video be out of the question for the surprise?

as I said in the installment: Then there is one more idea, but I am not going to talk about it yet, Bill is thinking of helping me with this one.