Drink up me hearties! We've got some celebrating to do! December PTR

[MoonFaerie]

This trip has been a loooong time coming! It's our 3rd attempt to get down there.

We were going to go 5 years ago, but then I was pregnant with dd. Pregnancy isn't kind to me (darn hyperemesis!), so any travel was out.

Then 2 years ago, we thought it was a sure thing. Trip was paid for, spending money was saved, we were ready to go. Then, approx 2 weeks out, dh got laid off. Since we had no clue how quickly he'd find another job, and when he did, if it would pay comparably, we did the grown up thing and canceled. It really was the right decision, and the kids were really fine with it.

Now here we are planning for this December. The trip is almost PIF, airline tickets are booked, spending money is really starting to add up, dh's got the time off. After a brief bump in the road this summer (we were in a bad car accident), everything's looking good.

Will we actually make it though? Only time will tell! Stay tuned!

Up next: The Cast, we're a crazy bunch!

 

[MoonFaerie]

The Cast:

*Last year's pic. We're doing our family pics this Wed, so a new one is coming soon.​

Myself: Turning 30 the day after we get back from Disney. Last trip was Feb 97, band trip to march in the afternoon parade down main street. Hubby & I started dating immediately after that trip. I'm most excited about Epcot and Jiko.

DH: a young'un, he doesn't turn 30 until next summer His last trip was the same as mine. He's most excited about Animal Kingdom and California Grill. Our 9 yr anniversary is a few weeks after we get back.

DS: 6 in a few weeks, started kindergarten this year, we're homeschooling. He's Star Wars obsessed and is most excited about Star Tours. He doesn't know about Jedi Training, but it would be the highlight of his life to get picked. I also think he'll love Toy Story Mania.

DD: Turns 5 a few weeks after we get back. She's all about the princesses. Her favorites are Cinderella and Aurora. DH & I have a bet about how she'll react at seeing the castle in person. I say she'll be speechless for the first time ever (to quote me dd directly, she "has to talk ALWAYS or she'll die" ), and dh says she'll go supersonic.

Also, I'm a professional photographer, so there will be a LOT of pics in the actual trip report. Possibly quite a few in the PTR, once I get through the next 6 weeks, my busiest time of the year. I have weddings every weekend in Oct.

Up next: The ADRs - Did we get what we want?

 

[danceintherain]

That is such a great picture. Your kids are adorable! I love the matching outfits. They're not TOO matchy.

 

[ProPhotoGA]

MoonFaerie, what a great looking family. We will be at Ft Wilderness in 89
days. I am also a professional photographer. I hope your trip will be as
exciting as ours, and it will just be me and my DW. I missed out on the kids
going when they were young. I was always deployed or somewhere far away it
seems. But take lots and lots of images.. Cherish every moment you have with
them because one day they will be all grown and have families of their own. I
know.. mine both do. Have fun!

Gene

 

[MoonFaerie]

That is such a great picture. Your kids are adorable! I love the matching outfits. They're not TOO matchy.

Thanks! My hubby thought I was crazy, putting so much thought in to our outfits. He changed his mind after seeing the pics. We had this year's pics today and his comment was, "I'll wear whatever you want."

MoonFaerie, what a great looking family. We will be at Ft Wilderness in 89
days. I am also a professional photographer. I hope your trip will be as
exciting as ours, and it will just be me and my DW. I missed out on the kids
going when they were young. I was always deployed or somewhere far away it
seems. But take lots and lots of images.. Cherish every moment you have with
them because one day they will be all grown and have families of their own. I
know.. mine both do. Have fun!

Gene

How fun! We'll be there at the same time. What kind of photography do you do? I do weddings and portraits - primarily engagement sessions, bridals, and boudoir, with the occasional high school senior or family.

 

[MoonFaerie]

The very important details:

We'll be staying at Coronado Springs. This decision has been one we went back and forth on a lot. The values and mods just didn't appeal to us, but we just couldn't seem to justify the cost of a deluxe. I had just about decided to go with the new Waldorf. Then I saw the pics from the refurbed rooms @ CSR. So pretty!

My ADR window opened up on Mon. We got everything we wanted within 10 mins of the desired time. (For anyone wondering about letting a TA book your ADRs, this is what I did. It was really nice to not have to get up early and try to book with the kiddos running around.)

We've decided to go with the deluxe plan, so lots of yummy meals will be coming our way. Here's the current line-up, though we may try to change and get Citricos or Artists Point for dinner one night. The remaining credits we'll be using as counter service credits.

Sun Dec 13:
arrive at MCO at 2:30
dinner @ Raglan Rd @ 7

Mon Dec 14:
Epcot FW RD
lunch @ Coral Reef @ 1:35
dinner @ Biergarten @ 6:45

Tues Dec 15:
breakfast @ Kona @ 7:30 (maybe...)
MK RD
lunch @ Plaza @ 1
kids free evening, celebrating 9 yr anniversary
dinner @ Cali Grill @ 5:40
Illuminations Cruise (surprising hubby with this)

Wed Dec 16:
breakfast @ Akershus @ 9:25
Epcot WS
snacks and maybe a CS for lunch
dinner @ Marrakesh @ 7

Thurs Dec 17:
breakfast @ Tusker House @ 8:05
AK RD
lunch @ Yak & Yeti @ 12:30
dinner @ Jiko @ 6:20, celebrating my 30th birthday

Fri Dec 18:
RD HS
lunch @ Sci-Fi @ 11:30
dinner @ Cape May @ 7:50 (or maybe we'll put another signature here)

Sat Dec 19:
brunch @ Whispering Canyon @ 10:05
MK for Christmas Parade
dinner @ Park Fare @ 4:30
back to MK for Spectro, Wishes, and whatever else we missed

Sun Dec 20:
quick breakfast, then home again

 

[quantumottle]

What a great family pic! I have faith that you guys will make it to the World this time. Sounds like you're off to a good start with some yummy ADR's.

 

[Colleen27]

Just found your pre-trippie from the Mt Dew thread. What are the odds, another 30yo Mt Dew junkie going to Disney at the same time we are? We're on the DxDDP too, and CSR was our early resort choice before we decided to splurge on the Poly.

We'll be at Cali Grill and Akershus at roughly the same time as you, and we've got the same parks planned for the 16th, 18th and 19th. Feel free to stop by and say hi if you see me. We're pretty easy to spot - I'll have my dSLR with a lime green Mickey camera strap attached to my face pretty much the whole trip, and my girls will be all matchy-matchy in outfits made just for this trip.