Earmuffs in June? Update 7/5 Trip Report Link!

[teachermommy78]

Hi! I just wanted to say that I am subbing to your PTR. My DH and I got married in December of '99 too (I was only 19!). Our family is planning a trip in June of this year also! Thanks for sharing your memories of your '08 trip.

How funny! I loved having a December wedding. The church was already decorated! Did you honeymoon in Disney?

Okay! I'm caught up! I like your preliminary trip ideas - the fact that you will go to DHS prior to checking in just completely alleviates waiting on a room to be ready. How fun!

I know! And I don't know why we wasted the entire day last time. I can handle staying in a non Disney room for one night if it means basically an entire extra day at WDW! We also wasted a day at the end of our trip last time and left in the AM even though we were paid through that day. This time we booked two extra days at POP at the end of the trip.

 

[melser13]

I'm jumping in late on your PTR...found it from another PTR and thought I would take a look. We are also going in June (without kids and we haven't told them yet ) for our 10th anniversary because we were not smart enough to not care what other people thought when we got married and made the mistake to go to St. Lucia instead of Disney...who knew! But then we are going again in July our 3 kids! So...double the fun this year. AND we are going with a crazy mixed up crew (my dad, THEN my mom and aunt/uncle) so I think your planning will be comparable to the planning and replanning I will be doing!

Oh and the night of rest after the drive is GREAT! I have to say, FL is the longest part of the drive... "Are we there yet?" comes frequently then!

At least reading these PTRs is getting me motivated to plan something.

 

[Jaaaacki]

Hi Stacey

I made it through the first page so far. Your kids are adorable. Hopefully I can catch up the rest of your posts tonight.

 

[PirateKate]

Looks like a great itinerary so far! DVC just to look, huh? Your DHS day sounds perfect. Really, if you aren't trying to get on RNRC and TOT, there's not too much to fit in besides TSM. And spending the evening at POR, just swimming and relaxing would be really nice. In fact, I'd like to do that tonight.

 

[teachermommy78]

I'm jumping in late on your PTR...found it from another PTR and thought I would take a look. We are also going in June (without kids and we haven't told them yet ) for our 10th anniversary because we were not smart enough to not care what other people thought when we got married and made the mistake to go to St. Lucia instead of Disney...who knew! But then we are going again in July our 3 kids! So...double the fun this year. AND we are going with a crazy mixed up crew (my dad, THEN my mom and aunt/uncle) so I think your planning will be comparable to the planning and replanning I will be doing!


Oh and the night of rest after the drive is GREAT! I have to say, FL is the longest part of the drive... "Are we there yet?" comes frequently then!

At least reading these PTRs is getting me motivated to plan something.

Welcome!!! I would love to go without the kids. A week ago I would have said "NO WAY!" The more I plan I realize that Disney can be a very different experience with just your spouse. I think I'd have to do it like you are, though, and plan a trip WITH them that same year.

Hi Stacey

I made it through the first page so far. Your kids are adorable. Hopefully I can catch up the rest of your posts tonight.

Welcome!!! Thanks for joining! I'm excited to find a weight loss buddy!

Looks like a great itinerary so far! DVC just to look, huh? Your DHS day sounds perfect. Really, if you aren't trying to get on RNRC and TOT, there's not too much to fit in besides TSM. And spending the evening at POR, just swimming and relaxing would be really nice. In fact, I'd like to do that tonight.

Well, my new obsession has been DVC. We've been number crunching and it's JUST beyond a comfort level at this point. We expect to need a new van next year (especially with all the Disney miles we'll put on it). We figured out that after we pay off the initial points and are just paying maintenance on the DVC that we'd be saving about $100 on each trip (if we continued at POR). Now DVD has lots of perks and bonuses, not to mention the emotional aspect, but at this time savings has to take over. We COULD look into resale and maybe if we fall in love with it we'll do that. Who knows. Scott is a careful planner. He's an accountant (but he works for the Evangelical Covenant Church, so he's not making the big bucks! ) so he analyzes everything. If we do buy in, it will be a good decision for our family. If we don't, perhaps we'll rethink in the future. Until then I'm hoping we can work our every three year Disney fix into an every other year Disney fix!

As for my park plan: I'm going to try REALLY hard to be relaxed. My goal this trip is to make rope drop as much as possible and then take it easy in the afternoons so that we can do some things in the evenings. If I have to PLAN it into my schedule to be relaxed, so be it!

 

[teachermommy78]

Hi everyone!

I'm in my burnout teaching month right now. February is so hard for me each year! It's a black hole and there doesn't seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel. Disney gives me something to look forward to. I usually try not to wish my life away, but I can't wait until March!

On another note, I have been on weight watchers since last March. I lost 35 lbs on it and then gained 5 around the holidays. Since that gain I have been struggling bunches. I just don't have the motivation to be strict with my diet. I am "watching," but I seem to do a few more nibbles than I did before. Then my weekends sabotage. Whereas I used to be flawless during the week and lenient on the weekends, I am now not so flawless, yet still lenient. My weight is up and down right now by about .5-1 lb. Not bad, but when I need it to be a loss, it feels so devastating. I would like to lose 20 lbs before our trip in June. It is very doable if I can find the motivation I had last year. I just need to dig deep and cut back on the weekends. Maybe allow myself whatever I want on two meals instead of EVERY meal. Easier said than done, apparently!

I'm done with letting the skeletons out of the closet!

Onto the less depressing FUN stuff! My next three tentative day plans.

June 25th- Magic Kingdom: rope drop. This will be another day with just our family and my MIL/FIL, so it can be all about the kids. My goal is to hit fantasyland IMMEDIATELY and get all of that done. Other must dos include thunder railroad, splash mountain, and possibly space mountain. Then we'll see where the day takes us. My goal is to be back at the hotel from 2:00-4:00 and then head over to Polynesian for a 5pm ADR at Ohana. Do you think we need longer than an hour to get there if we are driving? We'll probably head to a park afterward. Not sure which one. we'll see where the night takes us!

June 26th- Animal Kingdom: Not sure if we'll do rope drop here. We'll see how our night before goes. Must dos are Safari, Everest, and Lion King. Otherwise we are flexible. No ADR's. Maybe head back to room around 3-5 and then flexible evening.

June 27th- EPCOT: Rope Drop- Head straight to get FPs for Soarin, then probably head over to see if we can get into see Crush. After that we'll probably go to World Showcase for the remainder of the day (saving rest of EPCOT's must dos for another day). 4:00 ADR at Garden Grill. Since we aren't doing a mid-day rest, we'll have to see how the kids are responding. If they are OK, we'll push it and do test track and some other stuff. If they are melting down, we'll head back to the room and swim, etc.

I have to say, I am loving a 9 day trip in terms of planning! It is much more relaxing than having to force everything into a small time frame!

Up Next: The next three days....joining up with everyone else! Dummmm, dummm, duuuuuuuuuuuuum!

 

[anjalee6]

Looks like we might end up running into you somewhere on these days. We have a lot of the same things planned.

On another note, I know what you mean about the teaching. I get so physically drained this time of the year. My kids are so good this year, but it's still takes a lot out of you. This is also the stretch of the year with very little breaks for us so I feel like it drags more and then we go into our state testing. ugh! Here's to hoping that spring comes as fast as that little groundhog said it would.

 

[teachermommy78]

Looks like we might end up running into you somewhere on these days. We have a lot of the same things planned.

On another note, I know what you mean about the teaching. I get so physically drained this time of the year. My kids are so good this year, but it's still takes a lot out of you. This is also the stretch of the year with very little breaks for us so I feel like it drags more and then we go into our state testing. ugh! Here's to hoping that spring comes as fast as that little groundhog said it would.

Awesome! We'll have to keep an eye out for each other! My class is awesome as well. Knock on wood, there aren't behavior issues at all. It's more me just being moody and in a slump waiting for spring! Then I get creative and fun again! As you can tell, my breaks are not being used for planning, but for me. Which is necessary right now!

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

Good job on losing the weight! And I know it's so hard to re-motivate yourself! Especially after the holidays! I keep trying to lose 10 lbs, then the second I lose a few they creep right back on! It's like a constant love/hate relationship with food! I love to eat it, just hate what it does to me. But your plan on having 2 cheat meals a week is a great idea! That way you can have something to look forward to and not feel guilty. I should try that...
Anyway, onto your plans! They look great! Do you guys need to drive to O'hana? I'm just thinking if you take a bus to MK then just hop over to the Poly for dinner. After you can go to MK if you want and just take the bus back and not have to worry about traffic...
So excited you guys are going to Garden Grill! J is sooooo ready to go back! I hope we can have a 9-day trip sometime, that way you don't have to try and squeeze everything in at once!
Great plans! Keep 'em coming!!

 

[anjalee6]

Awesome! We'll have to keep an eye out for each other! My class is awesome as well. Knock on wood, there aren't behavior issues at all. It's more me just being moody and in a slump waiting for spring! Then I get creative and fun again! As you can tell, my breaks are not being used for planning, but for me. Which is necessary right now!

I know what you mean about not planning...I read the DIS a lot of school, but if I comment on them, then it blocks me for days. If I just read the posts then I am good to go. I just have to remember what I read and post when I get home. He he he! I was so mad the first time I got blocked at work. But at least I figured out how to get my fix without breaking any rules. lol.

 

[teachermommy78]

Good job on losing the weight! And I know it's so hard to re-motivate yourself! Especially after the holidays! I keep trying to lose 10 lbs, then the second I lose a few they creep right back on! It's like a constant love/hate relationship with food! I love to eat it, just hate what it does to me. But your plan on having 2 cheat meals a week is a great idea! That way you can have something to look forward to and not feel guilty. I should try that...
Anyway, onto your plans! They look great! Do you guys need to drive to O'hana? I'm just thinking if you take a bus to MK then just hop over to the Poly for dinner. After you can go to MK if you want and just take the bus back and not have to worry about traffic...
So excited you guys are going to Garden Grill! J is sooooo ready to go back! I hope we can have a 9-day trip sometime, that way you don't have to try and squeeze everything in at once!
Great plans! Keep 'em coming!!

I'm trying, and I just need to keep remembering the big picture. I am so much healthier than I was, and I CAN do this! When we were there a few years ago in June we were OK with traffic, etc. I guess we'll know more when we get there.

I know what you mean about not planning...I read the DIS a lot of school, but if I comment on them, then it blocks me for days. If I just read the posts then I am good to go. I just have to remember what I read and post when I get home. He he he! I was so mad the first time I got blocked at work. But at least I figured out how to get my fix without breaking any rules. lol.

I have an iPad this year! It was my bday/Christmas/Anniversary/Mother's Day gift. I love it and use it in my guided reading and small groups all the time. I just rotated through social studies small groups today and showed the factory process of Hershey Kisses.

 

[anjalee6]

I'm trying, and I just need to keep remembering the big picture. I am so much healthier than I was, and I CAN do this! When we were there a few years ago in June we were OK with traffic, etc. I guess we'll know more when we get there.


We drive too and we have never had a problem getting to our ADRs. We actually like it better driving. Way easier to load kids in the car at the end of the day than the buses.

I have an iPad this year! It was my bday/Christmas/Anniversary/Mother's Day gift. I love it and use it in my guided reading and small groups all the time. I just rotated through social studies small groups today and showed the factory process of Hershey Kisses.

OH! What a great idea! I really want an iPad too. I thought about asking for one for a birthday/mother's day present. We will see. That is very resourceful of you to also use it for school though.

 

[PirateKate]

An hour to drive to the Polynesian should be plenty of time. I wouldn't expect that there would be much traffic to contend with. We've always found driving easy with little kids.

I find February a trying month, too. Not a teacher, but as a stay at home mom, I keep wanting the weather warm enough to take the boys outside and go to playgrounds and take walks.

 

[melissapealo]

Just joined and got caught up. Your kids are adorable. Sounds like your doing great with the planning.

 

[teachermommy78]

OH! What a great idea! I really want an iPad too. I thought about asking for one for a birthday/mother's day present. We will see. That is very resourceful of you to also use it for school though.

I highly recommend it! I'm a lifetime fan!

An hour to drive to the Polynesian should be plenty of time. I wouldn't expect that there would be much traffic to contend with. We've always found driving easy with little kids.

I find February a trying month, too. Not a teacher, but as a stay at home mom, I keep wanting the weather warm enough to take the boys outside and go to playgrounds and take walks.

That's what I'm hoping about the driving. I'm glad that Feb is a short month!

Just joined and got caught up. Your kids are adorable. Sounds like your doing great with the planning.

Welcome and thank you!!!

 

[shocky5]

Oh I know what you mean with the 'slump' going on... January and February are my least favorite teaching months. Seems we work hard to get to Spring Break but it just takes forever to get there! Hang in there! My family is officially 4 Mondays away from Spring Break... And by that time, you will be very close to your trip!

Think of it this way... when summer break is over, I will be about as close to my WDW Xmas trip as you are TODAY!

I don't know how to stay motivated on the weight loss either. You sound like my long lost twin. Was completely motivated last year, lost 30, and now I'm just 'stuck.' But stuck because I'm not really trying anymore... And I keep telling myself to get back at it but I haven't been listening. When you get an idea how to get back going, let me know!! I think I thought going back to WDW would do it... but it hasn't yet.

 

[teachermommy78]

Oh I know what you mean with the 'slump' going on... January and February are my least favorite teaching months. Seems we work hard to get to Spring Break but it just takes forever to get there! Hang in there! My family is officially 4 Mondays away from Spring Break... And by that time, you will be very close to your trip!

Think of it this way... when summer break is over, I will be about as close to my WDW Xmas trip as you are TODAY!

I don't know how to stay motivated on the weight loss either. You sound like my long lost twin. Was completely motivated last year, lost 30, and now I'm just 'stuck.' But stuck because I'm not really trying anymore... And I keep telling myself to get back at it but I haven't been listening. When you get an idea how to get back going, let me know!! I think I thought going back to WDW would do it... but it hasn't yet.

Time just crawls when you are waiting. I want to try to savor this because I don't know when we'll be going back. Probably at least 2 years. So I want to make this time as sweet as possible. But it's so hard. I'm doing very well with my weightless thus far this week! Let's hope I can continue!

 

[teachermommy78]

Onto the next few days of planning!

June 28- easy morning. Maybe sleep in (in my family this means 7am). Head to DHS. Since we would have already done a full day there, long as there isn't something we missed, we will go with the flow with the extended family. I hope to get sophie on ToT on this day. We have a 11 am ADR at Sci Fi Cafe.

June 29- EPCOT we will definitely need this day to complete what we want to see. Hopefully we would have already done soarin' but I hope to do it again with the cousins. 11:50 ADR at Le Cellier

June 30- Animal Kingdom (maybe). Not my most favorite park. Would like to do EE again. Otherwise maybe a split day. Probably relax a bit at the hotel. 5:00 ADR Whispering Canyon Cafe. Probably will do a late night somewhere.

 

[shocky5]

Do you do most of your going from place to place by your own vehicle? Or do you mostly use the Disney transportation system? I want to plan more hopping around into our trip - we've randomly done it in the past but have found ourselves mostly in one park per day and base ADR's on that park. And we've not ever had a vehicle there with us to consider that over Disney transportation but there have been times we wished that we did. Just wondering if a rental is worth it in that regard?

Sci Fi Diner - love their quirky movie clips - kids do, too!

We are on the 'every 2 year' visit as well. It will be 2 years this May since our last trip, so technically, it will have been 2.5 years by December. So I know exactly what you mean by savoring every little bit... seems to go by far too fast. Your trip plans sound great! The relaxing bit seems to be fitting in well!!

 

[britt_ji]

Just joined and read through your PTR...and the mini TR I'm planning on taking my niece to BBB, hopefully she enjoys it as much as your little princess.

We will also be staying at POR with 7 family members. Maybe one day we can do a BIG family trip. The kids would definitely love it. Good luck with all your planning...can't wait to read more!