Driving my DS to Golf School in Orlando:what could be better? DISNEYWORLD Update 12/5

[TexasBelle]

I am so excited we are escaping once again. YES. We’re heading back to the most magical place on earth, DisneyWorld.
Thanks to our son Eric, he is the reason we’re going.

I didn’t think that Disney was going to be in our plans for the next year, although we tentatively have plans for April 28th, 2010 for Rae’s 16th birthday, but these plans are slowly starting to vanish.

So this past week as I was sitting at my desk reading Disboards and getting very upset because I really needed a Disney Fix and with our tenitive plans for Rae’s 16th birthday trip slowly falling apart and our cruise in 35 days I was just really wanting to be in DisneyWorld instead of cruising. I know that’s WRONG for me to not be excited about going on a cruise, but it’s just isn’t Disney and we just love Disney.

So back to reading Disboards,

After pouting a little, I txt’d Charlie (He works out of Midland, about 3 hours from home)and said

“When are we going to DisneyWorld?”

“In January”

"In January, oh yeah! We could go for my birthday, January 16th."

I'm thinking good idea... Honey

No Honey, don’t you remember, your taking Eric to Orlando early January for Golf School



Now Eric is my oldest son, and after attending college about an hour from home, he has decided that he would go off to Golf School in Orlando. (Professional Golf Career College)I'm thinking that's a great idea.

Well, I guess I hadn’t put 2 and 2 together and thought how is he getting to Orlando. All the sudden my brain jumped into high gear and I made a few calls to our TA, and guess what, Yes, we’re going to DisneyWorld.

Next up "Who's all traveling to Orlando and DisneyWorld"

TexasBelle
Carolyn

 

[TexasBelle]

I'm so excited I'm back on Pre-Trips.. Thank you OhMari Thank you for moving me back.
Carolyn

 

[mousecrazy2006]

I finally found the pre trip. Now I will get to find out what I will be doing each day Keep up the good work

 

[TexasBelle]

Good Morning Everyone...

Well thing are progressing right along, we sail in 20 days, which is going to be fun, positive attitude.

But we leave for Disney World in 101 days… I can’t wait.

I guess I better fill in a few holes.

Who all is going on this trip?

Technically to Disney World it’s just my DH and I, but before DisneyWorld it’s going to be my “X” husband , and my oldest son.

But we have other plans before arriving in Disney World.

My oldest son is Eric. He’s 21 and is planning on attending a Golf School located in Orlando, right behind Magic Kingdom. (I’m sure several miles but in the area). Now technically he hasn’t been accepted yet because he hasn’t finish filling out his application. There are 4 letters of reference that still need to be attached to this application and so far he only has 2 letters, so hopefully he will get everything together in the next few days. He’s been attending a small Baptists University close to our home, but after several attempts of trying to figure out that going to class would be a good idea; he decided that he would go into a whole new direction.

Eric has been playing golf since he was 6 or 7 and has always had a passion for it. Last summer he managed the golf course in the small town that he lived in with his dad, and then this summer he has been working at a local golf course. He loves everything that has to do with sports and especially golf, typical young man. So, when we approached him with the idea of going to Professional Golf School to learn how to manage golf courses and other great things that go along with golf, he thought it was a great idea. Eric thought that he could get everything in order to start school in September, but we decided that January would be a great time to shoot for. So the plans are on and he’s moving to Orlando for Golf School. What a great excuse to “visit the son” but actually play in DisneyWorld.

The only bad thing about the whole idea is that Eric’s isn’t a big Disney Fan, he would rather spend time playing golf or watching college football. (Eric is a big Florida Gators fan, he loves Tim Tebow, but then again who doesn’t. Tim Tebow is one of the most fabulous young men to come out of college football.) Eric's 2nd trip to DisneyWorld was with the whole family (that was our 1st trip the "Surprise Trip" in the summer of 2006) and the first trip for Eric was with his youth group and they only spent one day there and they only went to Magic Kingdom. When we took the whole family in the fall of 2008 he decided that he really didn't want to go.

"X" Husband. Jeff, divorced in 2001, really great friends now, he just wasn’t a great husband. He’s not a big fan of DisneyWorld, but he loves to do whatever his children want him to do. So if they wanted to go Disney he would go. I also think that even when we were married we looked into going there one time, but those plans didn’t happen. XH liked going to the beach which was always fine with me, except that golf always fell into those plans. DXH (although I wouldn’t call him darling ), lives in another city, has never remarried, so his world is work, golf and his kids. He’s a Great Dad…

DH – He’s the best. Love’s everything about Disney. He’s crazy about it. The first time that he went to Disney was our surprise trip in late July and early August 2006, which at the time he was 43. The very first day right after we arrived in Disney Studio’s (at the time) He was hooked, tears in his eye’s the whole magical thing.

I meet Charlie in late summer of 2004, right after a hail storm, I needed a new roof. After we meet we dated for a few months and then married in April of 2005. He swept me off my feet, and he jumped on our fast moving train and is still holding on dear life. Charlie had never been married and had no children, so he inheirited 3 teenagers. He is the youngest of 4 children and his parents were both deceased when we meet. Charlie just recently went back to work with his brother in the roofing business to help out Stan because Stan's wife Kristie just found out that she has breast cancer : at the age of 39. This gives Stan a chance to spend time with Kristie during chemo while the business is still operating. DH lives about 3 hours from us because of a huge hail storm and is gone most of the time, he comes home every other weekend. I'm really proud of him and he is making a great sacrifice for us.

Me – I’m the planner of this family. I keep everyone in order. This will be our 4th trip to Disney, second one without kids. But technically this will be my 6th. I went to Disney when I was in junior high school (many moon’s ago, that was when there was only MK), and then I’m going in November of this year. We (my XH, DS and I) have plans to visit the golf school and while my DS and XH play golf both Thursday and Friday, I will be adventuring to AdventureLand and all the other magical places in DisneyWorld.

I have 3 children. DS21 - the one going to golf school, DS18 - he’s my senior in High School, plans to attend Dallas Baptist University, and become a youth minister or something along those line, he loves everything about Disney and has been twice. DD – 15, she’s a sophomore in High School; Cheerleader , Gymnast, and LOVES everything Disney – she wants to work in DisneyWorld, she’s dances and competed gymnastics for the past 6 years and she wants to try out for either the High School Musical show or the Block Party Bash Parade, She dreams big and she loves all the gymnastics in the shows and can easily do all the tricks. One time she wanted to be TinkerBell in the Wishes show. But now it’s all Block Party Bash and High School musical.

I’m working on my itinerary for the trip but haven’t gotten very far yet, but Charlie came home this weekend and we are planning on working hard on our plans. WE love to plan together. 90 day’s will be October 6th, and I need to figure out where we are eating.

Travel plans are getting really crazy, I’ll post more on them later.

TexasBelle
Carolyn

 

[TexasBelle]

So I thought I would add a few pictures of the family and the "X".
When I was digging through pictures I couldn't find a great picture of Eric especially one of him playing golf. Wednesday we're playing golf at the Club, so I'll take a few pictures then, since he's the reason, I'm spending 6 days in Disney And hopefully many more days at different times in the next 2 to 4 years.

This is Eric, last Christmas. He is so crazy... Never does anything serious.

This is the "X", with his Dad standing in the back ground, Boy is it going to be a long drive.
He is standing at a gymnastics meet with Rae our daughter.

This is a picture of Charlie and I last year this time for MNSSHP. We had such a great time that night.

I need some help...

I'm going to be in Orlando/Disney Nov 4 & 5. On that Thursday for just about 6 hours and on that Friday for most of the day.

Any suggestions on which park to go to.

I'm going to buy a 2 day park hopper on line, so I can do whatever.

What do you think I should do?

Next "When and our Travel Plans and Wilderness Lodge"

Carolyn
TexasBelle

 

[TexasBelle]

Just a little side not.
My DD Rae and I have been hit hard with the Flu/Swine Flu/Flu whatever they are calling it.
Please, Please, Please, if you haven't gotten your flu shot please do. We both feel like a freight train has taken us out. Our fever has been over 103. and very hard to break, plus the headaches, chills, and shakes are just terrible. We even spent the night in the emergency room last night because she started throwing up and becoming very dehydrated.
Again, I do hope you have taken your flu shot. We didn't and I don't wish this stuff on anyone.
TexasBelle
Carolyn

 

[TexasBelle]

WHEN:
Jan 1, 2010 through Jan. 9, 2010



Travel Plan's:
Now these are really crazy.
My XH, Eric and I will leave our home town sometime that friday morning the 1st, and start driving towards I-10, we live on I-20. We will either head for somewhere past Houston or on to Lafayette/Baton Rouge Area depending on what time it is and spend the night.
The next morning get up, breakfast and head for Tallahassee, Florida or somewhere past there. Spend the night around that area.
Then the next morning, Sunday, head on in to Orlando, be there around lunch, eat and then find his apartment and start unloading his stuff. This is going to be a really long drive. I'm not sure how long of a drive it will be. The last time went to Florida Tampa Bay area I was 15 and I don't remember anything about the drive or how long it took.

At this point I'm not real sure what XH has planned, either he will start back towards Texas or spend the night.

My plans are to have Eric take me over to the Comfort Inn located at DownTown Disney and that's where I will spend the night. Eric has orientation on Monday, Jan. 4th at 8:00 and classes start on Tuesday the 5th.

Again I'm not real sure when XH is leaving, all depends on what we get done. Knowing him and Eric, they will probably play golf somewhere and he will leave the next day.

Charlie will fly out on that Monday, he's taking the earliest flight out. He will arrive in Orlando around 11:30, He will then take the Magical Express to our resort and I'll just meet him there. Hopefully we can check in our room by the time he gets there which will be somewhere around 1:00.

I'm not sure how I will get from Comfort Inn to my resort, probably a taxi.



Where we are staying:

When Charlie told me that we could spend a week in Disney after taking Eric to school, I was so excited. I got to thinking, this would be a great time to think about staying at a Moderate. Save a little money and try something different. We have either stayed at the BeachClub, YachtClub or BoardWalk because we love this area, location, location, in and out of Epcot and a quick walk or boat ride to Disney Studio's it is so easy.

Since it was just Charlie and I, I wanted to try something different. So I decided on Port Orlean's. Thanks to BelleSoleil, she just loves it. The resort looks beautiful and romantic. I thought this would be the perfect place, but I just wasn't sure. I didn't like the idea of walking outside to get me a coke every morning or just having to walk outside to get to the lobby or anywhere else. I really hate cold weather. Now I know that it's not really going to be that cold but you just never know.

I called Charlie with the price and he told me to go ahead a price Animal Kingdom. Charlie has wanted to stay there ever since we start going to Disney, the reason is because I love giraffe and he just thinks that having a Savannah view and watching the giraffe's every morning would be fabulous Isn't he a Prince. Well our TA gave us a price and he said to go ahead and book AKL.

But I got to thinking... Animal Kingdom lodge is so far from everything, except Animal Kingdom and I would so rather be close to either a monorail or the BeachClub area, and since we have stayed in the Beachclub area it was time to try something new.

I then decided that we would stay at Contemporary. I called Susan/TA and told he to price me the Contemporary and she couldn't come up with anything. I'm not sure why??? She couldn't pull up any rooms or prices on her Disney Website. Now of course the Poly is out, that's where we are staying in April for the Princess 16th birthday, and I'm not a big GF fan. So I thought Wilderness Lodge, we ate at Whispering Canyon and loved the atmosphere of the resort. By this time I was at our TA's office and she priced it and we booked it, Wilderness Lodge pool view. I hope it's going to be fabulous.

Right now this is our When and Travel Plan's and Wilderness Lodge..

Carolyn
TexasBelle

 

[TexasBelle]

I'm so depressed. Nobody is repling to my PreTrip Report.
Hello is anyone out there.
Is anyone reading this...
Does anyone want to give me any input about my trip????
or is it just really boring???

TexasBelle
Carolyn

 

[TexasBelle]

Things are so much better in our house hold. Thanks to TamiFlu.

I've had lots of down time to think about the trip.
Highlights that we don't want to miss.

MAGIC KINGDOM

1st things 1st. Peter Pan's Flight... I don't know why I have to ride it first but I just do... I feel like I'm flying at night over Londan. That's what were doing.
Mickey's PhilharMagic
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.
Swiss Family Treehouse (never done this)
Jungle Cruise
Pirates of the Caribbean
Liberty Square RiverBoat (never done this)
The Haunted Mansion
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Tom Sawyer Island (never done this)
Cinderella Castle
Minnie's Country House
Mickey's Country House
ToonTown Hall of Fame (Is this where we can find the Faires?)
Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor (LOVE THIS)
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Astro Orbiter (Great Place to take pictures)
Tomorrowland Transit Authority
Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress (love the History)
SPACE MOUNTAIN...
The 3:00 parade
SpectroMagic
Wishes

PLACES TO EAT:
Liberty Tree Tavern (always a must)
Casey's Corner
Columbia Harbour House
or
Pinocchio Village Haus
Main Street Bakery
Aloha Isle


EPCOT:

SOARIN' (this is the very first ride that we ride and the very last ride that we ride, even if we aren't going to be in this park).
The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Spaceship Earth
Mission Space (never done this)
Test Track
Tour the World
We have yet to tour all the places in the World's. We want to watch all the movie's, shows, ride all the rides and check out all the shops.
ILLUMINATIONS: REFLECTIONS OF EARTH - This is a must at least 2 times..


PLACES TO EAT:
Sunshine Seasons - Breakfast
LeCellier
Liberty Inn
Cantina De San Angel
Yorkshirs County Fish Shop



DISNEY STUDIO'S
Toy Story Mania (never done this)
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
The Magic of Disney Animation
Walt Disney: One Man's Dream
Journey Into Narnia: Prince Caspian (if it's still there????)
Beauty and the Beast
Rock n' Roller Coaster
The Twilight Zone
The Great Movie Ride
Star Tours (Charlie loves this)
MuppetVision 3-D
Lights, Motors, Action, Extreme Stunt Show (maybe)
Studio Backlot Tour (just want to check out the big room)
High School Musical Show (Is it still there???)
Block Party Bash
Fantasmic


WHERE TO EAT:
50"s Prime Time Cafe
Toy Story Pizza Planet
or
ABC Commissary
or
Sunset Ranch Market
Starring Rolls Cafe - Pastries


ANIMAL KINGDOM:
Festival of the Lion King
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Pangani Forest Trail
Maharajah Jungle Rek
EXPEDITION EVEREST
Finding Nemo: The Musical
Mickey's Jammin Jungle Parade
Walk all around - we usally hurry through this whole park because it's so hot, but I think in January it's not going to be to hot and we should just enjoy the surroundings.


PLACES TO EAT:
Yak & Yeti's
Flame Tree BBQ
Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafe
Harambe Fruit Market



DOWNTOWN DISNEY
Just spend an evening there...

That's alot of things to do and eat.

TexasBelle
Carolyn

 

[minniecarousel]

I'll read along. Isn't it fun planning a trip?!

 

[mousecrazy2006]

No offense Honey, but no way in H am I eating at San Angel in Mexico again. After Tex/mex food back home, this was the biggest disappointment of all of Disneyworld Love the plans so far expecially the part where I dont have to ride in a car Hope ya feel better soon. Miss ya

 

[TexasBelle]

I'll read along. Isn't it fun planning a trip?!

Minniecarousel
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!!! for replying to my thread.
I have felt so lonely out here.


I'm loving the planning, that's my favorite thing to do is plan, plan and organize things.
You'll be in Disney a whole month before us. I'm hoping the Christmas decorations will still be up when we get there, but I have a feeling they want. I'm keeping my fingers crossed...

Where are you staying???

How long and all that fun information???

TexasBelle
Carolyn

 

[TexasBelle]

It's 90 days out...

I just called WDW DINE Im so excited. I finally have all my reservations finished.

Here's our plans
Monday, Jan 4th
Charlie arrives
Check in to Wilderness Lodge
Then hurry over to Epcot for Soarin my favorite ride
Then after riding Soarin walk over to Disney Hollywood Studio's
Hopefully make the 3:00 Block Bash Party
Spend the rest of the day in Disney Hollywood Studio's
DHS has extra magic hours that night til 11:00

Tuesday, Jan 5th
9:20 - 1900 Park Fare
Then over to Epcot for the day
6:15 Biergarten (never been there, Is it fun????)
9:00 - IllumiNations

Wednesday, Jan 6th
Magic Kingdom
We wanted to eat Liberty Tree Tavern but it's full for the whole day No more reservations and I called 90 days out. I'm so sad.
3:00 Parade
7:00 SpectroMagic
8:00 Wishes

Thursday, Jan 7th
Animal Kingdom
Walk ups
3:45 Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade
leave the park
Hurry to Disney Hollywood Studio
6:30 - Fantasmic
7:35 - Brown Derby (never been here)

Friday, Jan 8th
Downtown Disney
Lunch Downtown Disney
Head to Epcot
4:15 - LeCelliur
8:00 IllumiNations
Park closes at 11:00

Satuday, Jan 9th
9:00 - Goofy's Beach Club Breakfast
Walk over to Epcot ride Soarin
11:30ish - Leave the Park
12:30 Catch Magical Express Bus
1:20 - Check in at the airport
Fly out


I couldn't believe that Liberty Tree Tavern's was full for the day that we will be in Magic Kingdom, Plus I couldn't book LeCelliur on the day that I wanted to eat there, so I had to book it on another day.

Why does that happen???

Plan's are ready to go. Now lets goooooooo.
TexasBelle
Carolyn

 

[minniecarousel]

DH & I have been to LeCellier - years ago. It's where our DS wants his birthday dinner & we got it! We booked on Labor Day for our trip, and since we're on the West Coast, we went online at midnight & were able to get everything we wanted. (he-he, our DS is turning 30, it's not like he's a kid!)

Doesn't it seem like forever until your trip?

 

[mousecrazy2006]

Any news on Liberty Tree ???

 

[TexasBelle]

Happy Halloween Everyone...

I'm hoping everyone is having a great end of October. With the leaves turning and the cool weather coming in, even some area's are getting snow. We are having our first really cool day's now. It's suppose to be in the 30"s tonight. Wow... That's early for us, but probably only around 38.

We had a great cruise, but as we cruised we kept thinking, "I wish we were in DisneyWorld" I know planning a vacation with out Disney, that's really crazy. We didn't even sail on Disney Cruise Line. But next time.

When we got back there wasn't any letter's from the golf school yet, but on that next Thursday, (last week) we received the letter. He was finally accepted. I didn't think that letter would ever get there. We had lots of airlines tickets riding on it. But he's going to golf school.

Also my middle DS got his acceptance letter to DBU (Dallas Baptist University) Yeah, the nest is getting smaller.

Now on to more planning.

We , my DS Eric, X Hubby Jeff and I leave this next Wednesday to visit, the school. We can actually make plans now. We fly out on Wednesday morning arriving in Orlando around 4:00. We are staying at the Day's Inn by Downtown Disney. Upon arrival, we will check out the Orlando area. I've never driven any further than DisneyWorld... I just like that area...

On Thursday we have appointment with the school, then see the apartments that he will live in and then he will play golf along with my XH. While they play golf, I'm going to do some adventuring around again. That night I hope we go to Downtown Disney and eat at House of Blue's, Planet Hollywood or somewhere else down there.

Now Friday will be the fun day. I know seeing the school is suppose to be what we're doing there but I'm in Orlando, DisneyWorld. So I talked my X and Eric into spending the day in Disney. I'm so excited.

More details to come.

What we're going to do for the day and spending a day in Disney with my Xhubby...

TexasBelle
Carolyn

 

[TexasBelle]

This always means something exciting is about to come....

I called tickets last Tuesday to get our 1 day park hopper ticket for Friday, Nov 6th.

After I was through purschasing them,

she asked "can I help you with any dinning plans" so I told her about trying to get LTT and how I was told that it was already booked.

So she said "well let me look and see,

okay... I thought... HUM... I waited and

she came back and said "did you want lunch or dinner?

and I said "Dinner?????" hoping that maybe soooo...

She said, I have a ???? and a ???? and a????

Really? I want 3:30, right after the parade.... I was so excited... I couldn't believe it.

I hung up the phone so happy, I called Charlie and he was excited about it. So we are having dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern on Magic Kingdom Day. Wednesday, Jan. 6th

TexasBelle
Carolyn

 

[mousecrazy2006]

DW is almost back home from the trip and I have discovered how much I HATE not being at the World with her. Any way her trip was great and I am sure she will be talking all about it soon. And here is hopeing for some serious Disney bootie

 

[TexasBelle]

Hello!!!!

I'm back... Our quick trip to Orlando to see Professional Golfers Career College and spend a day in Disney was very successful. Of course the exciting things was that he was finally accepted. I was beginning to really get nervous about that. But it's all good now. The trip was great. We left Midland, Texas on Wednesday the 4th around 9:30 and arrived in Orlando about 4:00 (Orlando Time) with a stop in DFW.

When we travel to Disney we always do Magical Express, and this time we didn't. But then again we weren't staying on property. So picking up our bags and getting a rent car wasn't near as fun as walking to the Magical Express line and getting on that Fabulous bus watching the movie and not worring about getting lost My "XH" got us lost everyday, and we drove around the airport parking garage 300 times. But it was all fun, I was in Florida and going to Disney on that Friday.

The school was wonderful.

Here's a few pictures.

The Front

The building is in a U shape.

The Club House for the 4 Golf Courses

The Driving Range.

We spent all Thursday morning, at the school, then ate a quick lunch because the boy's had a tee time at 1:35. I dropped then off then off to DownTown Disney I went. Easy drive and Easy parking. I was really worried about that.

I found lots of goodies, I bought our 3 puppies new princess collars and bowls. Lots of T-shirts for Charlie , Brady, Rae and I. I had so much fun, I didn't have to hurry because we didn't need to get to one of the parks, I could just shop and look. Downtown Disney was decorated already for Christmas, it was so beautiful. I left around 5:30 and head back to the golf course to pick up the boys.

After golf they cleaned up and we went back to Downtown Disney to eat at Fulton's, that was so wonderful. The night before we had Planet Hollywood, so food at Downtown Disney was terrific.

My Day at Disney to come...

 

[TexasBelle]

So we finished with all the GOLF Stuff, now it's time for my 3 parks in 1 day in DisneyWorld...

We stayed at a Days Inn which was about 2 miles from Downtown Disney. Now I thought we were staying closer to DD and so I thought I would be able to walk there, but that wasn't the case. But that's okay, because the Motel had a bus that would take you to and from the parks.

My plans for the day were:
Magic Kingdom - hit park opening, then stay until noon or 1:00
Disney Hollywood Studio
Finish in Epcot with IllumiNations.

Well, plans never go as followed, but that's okay. I really didn't think that "XH" and DS would really want to go, but tickets were bought, so they HAD to go.

I got up early, as I always do, and was ready to catch the bus at 7:30, bus leaves at 7:50, and park opening is 8:50. Plenty of time.. I put on my I-touch earphones and listened to my Disney CD's and off I went, (the boys slept in).

The Magic Kingdom Entrance.

The bus took me the the TC,

and then I caught the Monorail to Magic Kingdom, view from the Monorail.

As I walk off the Monorail the Poinsittia Tree's

I made it there at 8:15, WOW the Magic was there. I wasn't going to miss the park opening. The last 4 times we have tried to make this park opening and something goes wrong. So I was there and waiting for the train.

Pictures of the Train Station...

The park opening was great. The character's were cute, and I just loved seeing Mickey...

Now to walk under the train tracks into the most MAGICAL Place on Earth.
(Now I have only seen this park in July and in September for Halloween, so I couldn't wait to see it decorated for Christmas).

All I could think about was how beautiful it was and how I wish my sweet husband could see this. I was so upset that he wasn't there and then tears were coming down my face because the Magic.

After I Oohed and Aahed over the the entrance of the park and walked up and down main street several times. It was to time to see the Castle..

This was my view. Notice the people..

On around to Cosmic Ray's... (my Rae's favorite place to eat and dance)

A look at Mickey's Toon Town.

On into FantasyLand.

Time for Peter Pan... No wait.

More to come....