Princess Chicken Finger and her Entourage do the Realm of the Big Cheese
Or
Susannah and her Loving Grandparents take a Special Trip to Walt Disney World
Dates:
1/18/06-1/22/06
Our Travelers: (arriving 1/18/06)
Grampa Husband of 40 years and provider of DVC points for wonderful vacations = GPA
Gramma Dreamer, organizer, facilitator in use of DVC points = GMA
Susannah 5.2 yr-old Granddaughter truly princess in training = DGD
The rest of our Entourage arrived later: 1/22/06-1/29/06
Peter father of Susannah - our darling son = DS
Kiersten mother of Susannah - our darling daughter-in-law = DDIL
Jacob 8.9 year-old brother of Susannah our darling grandson = DGS
Christine aunt of Susannah our darling daughter = DD
John uncle of Susannah our darling son-in-law = DSIL
We are all WDW veterans, since our (GPA and I) first visit in 1975, then sporadic trips until 1994 when we purchased DVC points. Since that time we have visited WDW at least twice each year sometimes just as a couple, other times with friends or family. We love DVC!
The reason for this trip was to give DGD the princess treatment, just as we gave her brother the prince treatment when he was her age. Plans were put in motion when we gave as 2004 Christmas gifts 5-day park passes for the family. At that time we did not have dates in mind, nor did we think it would be the princess trip. After discussion, it was decided that January 2006 would be the perfect time for our group. In February 2005 GPA (since he is retired and could make the early morning calls necessary to book) got on the phone with MS and managed to booked a Grand Villa at Old Key West (OKW is our home resort and so we could book using the 11-month window).
At that point I realized we had enough Delta FF miles to get two tickets. And the rest of the plans just went from there. As in What about Susannah having her special trip in 2006? OK. We booked our flight and of course, had to add a day on the end as there were no FF seats on Sunday. Then we booked DGDs ticket. And then I booked a Studio at OKW for the three of us Wednesday through Saturday nights and then Sunday night, as we would leave on Monday, while the rest were leaving on Sunday. My dear brother-in-law and sister-in-law helped with the Studio as they had some DVC points they were going to lose, and they booked two of those Studio nights for us. (Thanks so much).
When the 90-day window hit, I called MS and tried to get the three of us into the Castle for Cindys breakfast, but they were all gone for that day. I asked about lunch and they had a 12:55. Great, Ill take it. Then I booked a Family Fun Tour for 3, at the MK. For our whole group I booked a Chef Mickey Character Breakfast, along with a dinner at Alfredos.
Then I worked on renting a car. I got a good enough rate through Sams Club with Alamo, but some time later, I tried the site again and came up with an even better rate! Since we were going to have the car for the total 12 days, I was so happy to get a good price.
I also made sure I had a signed and notarized permission to treat form for our DGD, along with insurance information, etc. This will prove important as the trip progressed.
We were all set at least for the foreseeable future. And DGD had almost a year to grow up some more, so as to ride more rides and conquer some of her toddler fears.
The Trip:
Tuesday, January 17 We were busy putting the final touches on packing. After dinner that night, DGD arrived with her suitcase and backpack. She is now 5.2 years old and a few inches taller and much more mature. Loves riding rides at the local amusement park and is very daring in that regard. And says she is not afraid of fireworks anymore. Okay. Her Mom, Dad and brother kissed her goodbye and DD and I proceeded to give her a princess bath and combed and braided her hair. (We used the glow in the dark soap which we purchased at the Basin store in Downtown Disney on our last trip.) One of the cutest pictures is of the two of them -- DGD and DD -- watching Little Mermaid II and all ready for bed. Then its everyone to bed after last minute packing and should-I-throw-that-in-or-not decisions. DGD fell asleep immediately God bless her.
Oh I have been collecting Disney pins since I worked at the Disney Store and had provided DGS with a lanyard and collection when he went on his special trip with us. So, I looked through my collection and had a number of doubles and the night before we left I explained to DGD about trading pins and provided her with the doubles, which I said she could trade. And I explained that we would get her a special lanyard when we got to Disney. I was not quite sure she understood all of it, but it would work out as the trip progressed. Something else to add to her backpack.
Day 2 coming up.
Or
Susannah and her Loving Grandparents take a Special Trip to Walt Disney World
Dates:
1/18/06-1/22/06
Our Travelers: (arriving 1/18/06)
Grampa Husband of 40 years and provider of DVC points for wonderful vacations = GPA
Gramma Dreamer, organizer, facilitator in use of DVC points = GMA
Susannah 5.2 yr-old Granddaughter truly princess in training = DGD
The rest of our Entourage arrived later: 1/22/06-1/29/06
Peter father of Susannah - our darling son = DS
Kiersten mother of Susannah - our darling daughter-in-law = DDIL
Jacob 8.9 year-old brother of Susannah our darling grandson = DGS
Christine aunt of Susannah our darling daughter = DD
John uncle of Susannah our darling son-in-law = DSIL
We are all WDW veterans, since our (GPA and I) first visit in 1975, then sporadic trips until 1994 when we purchased DVC points. Since that time we have visited WDW at least twice each year sometimes just as a couple, other times with friends or family. We love DVC!
The reason for this trip was to give DGD the princess treatment, just as we gave her brother the prince treatment when he was her age. Plans were put in motion when we gave as 2004 Christmas gifts 5-day park passes for the family. At that time we did not have dates in mind, nor did we think it would be the princess trip. After discussion, it was decided that January 2006 would be the perfect time for our group. In February 2005 GPA (since he is retired and could make the early morning calls necessary to book) got on the phone with MS and managed to booked a Grand Villa at Old Key West (OKW is our home resort and so we could book using the 11-month window).
At that point I realized we had enough Delta FF miles to get two tickets. And the rest of the plans just went from there. As in What about Susannah having her special trip in 2006? OK. We booked our flight and of course, had to add a day on the end as there were no FF seats on Sunday. Then we booked DGDs ticket. And then I booked a Studio at OKW for the three of us Wednesday through Saturday nights and then Sunday night, as we would leave on Monday, while the rest were leaving on Sunday. My dear brother-in-law and sister-in-law helped with the Studio as they had some DVC points they were going to lose, and they booked two of those Studio nights for us. (Thanks so much).
When the 90-day window hit, I called MS and tried to get the three of us into the Castle for Cindys breakfast, but they were all gone for that day. I asked about lunch and they had a 12:55. Great, Ill take it. Then I booked a Family Fun Tour for 3, at the MK. For our whole group I booked a Chef Mickey Character Breakfast, along with a dinner at Alfredos.
Then I worked on renting a car. I got a good enough rate through Sams Club with Alamo, but some time later, I tried the site again and came up with an even better rate! Since we were going to have the car for the total 12 days, I was so happy to get a good price.
I also made sure I had a signed and notarized permission to treat form for our DGD, along with insurance information, etc. This will prove important as the trip progressed.
We were all set at least for the foreseeable future. And DGD had almost a year to grow up some more, so as to ride more rides and conquer some of her toddler fears.
The Trip:
Tuesday, January 17 We were busy putting the final touches on packing. After dinner that night, DGD arrived with her suitcase and backpack. She is now 5.2 years old and a few inches taller and much more mature. Loves riding rides at the local amusement park and is very daring in that regard. And says she is not afraid of fireworks anymore. Okay. Her Mom, Dad and brother kissed her goodbye and DD and I proceeded to give her a princess bath and combed and braided her hair. (We used the glow in the dark soap which we purchased at the Basin store in Downtown Disney on our last trip.) One of the cutest pictures is of the two of them -- DGD and DD -- watching Little Mermaid II and all ready for bed. Then its everyone to bed after last minute packing and should-I-throw-that-in-or-not decisions. DGD fell asleep immediately God bless her.
Oh I have been collecting Disney pins since I worked at the Disney Store and had provided DGS with a lanyard and collection when he went on his special trip with us. So, I looked through my collection and had a number of doubles and the night before we left I explained to DGD about trading pins and provided her with the doubles, which I said she could trade. And I explained that we would get her a special lanyard when we got to Disney. I was not quite sure she understood all of it, but it would work out as the trip progressed. Something else to add to her backpack.
Day 2 coming up.
