First PTR So excited! January 2014!!!

[Cobern]

Alright, let me just say this is my first time doing one of these, so I may need some guidance

Lets introduce the players:

Cara (me)
27, stay at home mom of 2 adorable little rug rats We live on a vegetable farm so my days consist of chasing after my son outside while he imitates daddy.

Michael (husband)
28. Shop supervisor/mechanic/fix what is broke! He is not really that into Disney, but he just indulges me in what I say the kids want to do and what they will enjoy

http://i1362.photobucket.com/albums/r696/Cobern4/317_zps7e751ceb.jpg

Chloe (daughter)
3, just started preschool and loves everything Disney, princesses, pink and Disney Jr. She was 2 months shy of 3 when we went in May and had the best time so we are doing it again!!

http://i1362.photobucket.com/albums/r696/Cobern4/040_zpsbdb703c9.jpg

Mikey (son)
Just turned 18 months and is a handful! He loves Toy Story, Cars and anything with wheels! His favorite activity is driving tractors with Daddy and the drivers on the farm. He was scared of the meet & greets in May, so I am hoping this time around to actually get a few photos of him with Buzz and Mickey!

Beth (my mom!)
Homemaker! Super excited to go!! Have never stayed on property when visiting parks and her first time going as a nana!

Charlie (my dad)
Retired deputy/now baliff. Not so sure on going, doesn't like to spend a lot of money, but will do anything to make my mom happy


This is going to be our first trip together (have not had a vacation with my parents in forever! and never since I moved out).

While there we are celebrating my husbands and I 5th wedding anniversary!! We got married on December 22, but since having children I can't tear myself away from them at the holidays to go do something, so this was our compromise. My parents are watching the kids one night so we can have a real date (haven't had one in over 2 years!!)

Well, that is it for this post, more to follow shortly!

 

[blessedmom4]

We are going in January as well (12-19th). When will you be there?

Your littles are adorable.

How fun your parents are going with you, I would LOVE that!

 

[Cobern]

We are going in January as well (12-19th). When will you be there?

Your littles are adorable.

How fun your parents are going with you, I would LOVE that!

:waves: We are going the 23-30!

Thank you, we love them, even when they drive us CRAZY!!

I am beyond excited to take my parents! We are going all out since this will probably be their last time going to Disney. Also,these kids aren't going to want to be with mom, dad,nana and papa forever.

 

[wiigirl]

Following along!

 

[Cobern]

We have been debating where to stay since June. My husband had one condition to going, it had to be a monorail resort. Ok I am down with that . My mom wanted a 2 bedroom so they could spend more time with the kids. This severely limited our choices to BLT or VGF. We are not GF people, we are country folk, and the price was just ridiculous!! So we booked a 2 bedroom at BLT! Sooooo not excited about the price. Waited and waited and waited some more for discounts to come out(or rumors of amounts). Now I must stop and say it has been my moms DREAM to stay at AKL since it opened. So when the discounts were released I was not happy that BLT got nothing! That morning my dad had to go in for heart surgery so my mom told me to use her credit card and book a 2 bedroom at VWL or AKV wherever there was a discount. VWL was sold out. So AKV it is! Needless to say my mom is super happy!! Husband said that is fine, since we will be going back (possibly December 2014) that we need to make my parents happy. How did I get such a considerate guy??

So our dates are January 23-30 at AKV in a2 bedroom villa standard view

 

[Cobern]

Following along!

Glad to have you!!

 

[Cobern]

Ok so here is the park game plan:


Thursday (arrival day): arrive to AKV by noon (not bad we live just a little over 2 hours away). Check-in, quick run to Publix and unloading. Off to Epcot for a little bit.

Friday: Magic Kingdom all day. I'm sure we will have to take an afternoon nap with the kids

Saturday: Epcot all day. I hope to really explore the World Showcase this time

Sunday: Hollywood Studios. This is really like a 3/4 day park since the kids are too little to ride much

Monday: free day/date afternoon/evening. Chloe has a BBB appointment to become a princess

Tuesday: Animal Kingdom. We only stayed 1/2 day last time and I have a feeling it will be like that again. I just don't think the kids are old enough to appreciate a lot of the animals and exhibits

Wednesday: Magic Kingdom again! I seriously love this park, so much for the kids to do and see. We spend a day and 1/4 last time and we didn't get to do nearly enough

Thursday: packing to go home . I am betting we will all be exhausted but husband has to be back at work on Friday and I'm sure I will have loads of organizing to do thanks to all the new goodies from Nana and Papa

 

[Cobern]

Lets talk food!!

When making our plans my mom had one request, BOG! Ahhh, seriously one of the hardest reservations to score! My husband asked for no repeats, not hard since we have only eaten at 5 places (Tony's, tuskers, akersurs, spirit of aloha and Hollywood and vine). Here are our plans

Thursday: dinner at Garden Grill. My dad said no character meals, but oh well he needs to try it once

Friday: pre-park breakfast at CRT (no nana or papa). Dinner at 'Ohana

Saturday: late lunch at Via Napoli. I LOVE pizza and so does my husband and kids. My parents are willing to go, who doesn't like pizza??

Sunday: pre-park breakfast Hollywood & Vine ( I know a repeat but unless they add Doc to the rotation I will be canceling! Late lunch at 50's

Monday: dinner date!! I am still debating between California Grill and Yachtsman. I am leaning more towards CG, since I don't think I would ever take my kids there, but Yachtsman I think they would enjoy (they both LOVE steak)

Tuesday: late lunch at Sanaa. Dessert party that night! I am so excited for this, my family is chocoholics!!!!

Wednesday: pre-park breakfast at Crystal Palace. Dinner at BOG!!! Yes I did get this for my mom, so as of now she LOVES me!!

Thursday: leaving . Maybe grab the breakfast buffet at Boma upon checking out, everyone says it is amazing but not making any reservations

 

[Cobern]

Sorry things have been super busy here! Both little one got ear infections so I had to stay home with them (I forgot how hard it is with both o them here). Returned Chloe back to preschool and her princess backpack was missing! They are still looking for it, but we have a Barbie replacement one for now.

We are slowly paying off our trip. Our total was over $6000 (eek!) and now we only $1450!!!! It should be down to $950 today or tomorrow depending on when I get my gift cards from Target in.

I have started making lists of what I need to pick up if/when I see them on sale. Starting December I will start getting snacks for the kids when they are bogo. Last trip we did not buy any snacks in the park (except for a soda once for Michel), so I am hoping to do the same this trip and save some costs.

Still waiting for the Florida resident rates to be released to see if we can save a bit more money or possibly upgrade to Savanna view (my moms dream)

Hopefully we can figure out our fp+ soon so I can mark that off my list

 

[blessedmom4]

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[Cobern]

http://www.glitter-graphics.com

So cute, thank you! Same to you

 

[blessedmom4]

So cute, thank you! Same to you

Thank you!

 

[MrsDrewsky]

Joining in! You're kids are just gorgeous! Mikey's eyes are just stunning.

A 2 bedroom villa seems like it would be perfect for your big group.

Your dining plans look fantastic. Two pre-park opening breakfasts... you can't beat that!

 

[Cobern]

Joining in! You're kids are just gorgeous! Mikey's eyes are just stunning. A 2 bedroom villa seems like it would be perfect for your big group. Your dining plans look fantastic. Two pre-park opening breakfasts... you can't beat that!

Glad to have you! Thank you! It was not the best picture of Mikey but it was from our May trip.

We knew we would each need our own separate place, so the 2 bedroom seemed logical.

I am so excited for the pre park openings. We did it in May at Tusker House and we loved the pictures we got that morning.