*~* First Trip: 59 Years In The Making *~* 11/25 - PTR is now closed!

[uscgmouse]

Wow, it's been awhile since I updated!! We've been super busy and I've been updating on the Nov-Dec FB group since it's a bit easier!

We are getting closer and closer!! Almost to the two month mark! Today makes 72 days!!

I haven't done any more ADR rearranging (amazing, right?!!?!?!??!)! We did make the decision to fly though despite the skyrocketing airline prices.... We took a short 5 day beach trip over Labor Day weekend and Levi was HORRIBLE in the car... He screamed and cried the entire 3 hours each way... There's no way I can do that for 10 hours - or let him be that upset for 10 hours... We haven't booked airfare yet, but will be doing that next month once I get my check I'm anticipating! I'm excited about flying - it will be Levi's 1st trip, Ava's 2nd (her 1st was at 10 weeks old), my 2nd, and my mom's 1st trip in 43 years! Last time she flew they didn't even have security!

We've decided to add another night since we are flying and Southwest has crappy return times... We'll leave the 6th instead of the 5th now! We are going to stay at Art of Animation in a Little Mermaid room on the 5th - super excited about that!

I got the ok from the hubby to order new luggage since ours was a super cheap set that the airlines ruined last time we flew... I don't want to spend a fortune, but I do want a good set. Looking at an American Tourister set with a 10 year warranty right now. Also got the ok to order a video camera and I'm SUPER excited about that! My mom gave us one for a wedding present and it quit working on our honeymoon $350 Sony Handycam and it was ruined... Sony wouldn't do a thing about it either... Not sure what we plan on getting as far as that goes! Suggestions?

Our luggage is Samsonite and is supposed to have a 10 year warranity on it. Never had any issues.
On the video camera I wouls suggest a flip camera. I have had both the flip and the larger cameras and I LOVE my flip. It is so easy to use and you just stick it into your usb port to upload the videos.

Have fun picking stuff out!

 

[starann]

I was jsut thinking of your TR this morning while headed to work, too funny to come home and see you updated!!!

No advice on the camcorder. We got a Sony as a wedding gift adn it is still working!!!!! Although the only time we really have used it is at WDW! WE made big changes to our trip (from 5 ppl to 14!!!!!!!!) and I hope it still works as it would be fin to video everyone!

 

[DsnyMama]

Oh it's been way, way, way too long! I've been swept away on the Nov and Dec DISers Facebook groups and neglecting my pre-trip report again!

I did order luggage! I got each of the kiddos an 18" Disney by Heys carryon and I got myself an awesome leopard print spinner set by U.S. Traveler. It had excellent reviews on several websites I checked and at $109 for a 4pc set I was thrilled! It should be here any day!

I also ordered a video camera! I went with a Panasonic V700M. It's very, very nice but came defective The lens cover won't shut! I plan on having them replace it, but the company is closed until October 10th, so I have to wait a few days. Other than that I LOVE it! I also got my new DSLR in (my old Nikon D40 bit the dust) and I'm in love. I ordered it with the kit 18-55mm lens and also a 35mm lens and speedlight. Can't wait to take it to Disney!


A few revisions to our plans! I decided against the Dessert Party as I can't find a good day to do it on! The only day that remotely worked was after dinner at California Grill and I don't want to feel like we can't eat for fear of "not getting our money's worth" at the Dessert Party... There's always next time! We may still hit up the Magic Kingdom after dinner or we may go back to our hotel for a dip in the hot tub.

I'm still keeping my eye on airfare.. It's dropped a nice chunk out of Greenville, SC but that's over 100 miles away from me and I REALLY don't want to drive that distance to fly.... Airfare out of our home airport which is Charlotte, NC is $301 for a nonstop and around $267 for a 1 stop. Just can't bring my self to push "submit" on that order for $1200 to fly Holding out a week or two more to see what prices will do....

We are all getting *SO* excited!!!!! 51 days!!!!!


I think that's about it for now!

 

[DsnyMama]

Still nothing on the airfare front.... Missed SW's 40% sale, still holding off a bit to see what prices will do... Right now Delta is cheapest through Greenville at $220.

We've been sewing a bit more, but no pics....

Nothing new on the ADR front, still can't get into BOG

Payoff date is... uh... Yesterday Waiting on a check to be direct deposited today and then my balance will be $0!!!

 

[DsnyMama]

Our new luggage arrived!!! I really wanted a Disney by Heys set, but couldn't drop nearly $400 on a set that I knew would get super scratched most likely....

I went with a leopard print spinner set and LOVE it! The kids each got a Disney by Heys 18" carry on and of course they love them!

 

[DsnyMama]

Went through the Disney Box again yesterday taking inventory of everything we have and still need.

Thinking we are good to go on throw away ponchos! Love the Dollar Store!


Kiddos backpacks for the car/airplane


Inside the kiddos backpacks


Towels and flip flops for the pool


Lanyards & an IKEA clothes organizer for the room


Color explosion and color wonder to keep the kids happy in restaurants, ect.


Mousekeeping tips


Tinkerbell prizes for the kiddos each day


More Tink prizes


More Tink prizes


Even more Tink prizes


Snack containers, bandaids, snack bags, magic washcloths


Water bottles for me & mom


Autograph books & sharpies


Princess Shoes (Snow White & Cinderella)


Princess Wands (Cinderella & Belle)


Glow Necklaces & Wands

 

[mandas08]

Wow you are all kinds of prepared. I need to go get lo some little activities for the plane. Its hard to believe how close December is. Also thanks for the heads up on ponchos from Dollar Tree

 

[debrapagliasotti]

Great items in the Disney box

I've been putting together items for a while too. Still need a few things to keep the kids happy on the flights/restraunts.

 

[DsnyMama]

Wow you are all kinds of prepared. I need to go get lo some little activities for the plane. Its hard to believe how close December is. Also thanks for the heads up on ponchos from Dollar Tree

We are getting there!! The dollar tree ponchos are super thin, but for 2/$1 we use them as "disposable" ones and they are perfect!

Great items in the Disney box

I've been putting together items for a while too. Still need a few things to keep the kids happy on the flights/restraunts.

Thanks! My main worry is in the restaurants... Levi doesn't do so great at home!

 

[starann]

We use the $1 Store ponchos as well, and throw them away when done (I don't want to have to carry around wet ponchos).

Our trip isn't for another year, but I keep looking in Target, often the Dollar section has stuff, and this week I was able to find mini Star Wars activity book for ).70 for my big boys and nephew! I figure those will be good when we do our big fmaily meals (with 14 of us, I imagine meals will take longer).

 

[DsnyMama]

35 days!!!! Getting closer and closer and closer!!!!!


Getting down to the wire - still SO much to do! We still aren't paid in full and I'm BEYOND nervous! I was expecting a check from school Oct 15th which is what I was planning on paying off our trip with! It got delayed 7-10 days!! Today was day 7, I seriously hope it comes school and our trip doesn't get cancelled!

We do have a plan "B" though....

I can book at Pop with same tix and dining for only $200 more than with free dining at CSR, so while I don't WANY to pay $200 more to stay at a value VS mod, at least we'll be going still!

I just hope the check comes and it all works out. I'm getting REALLY worried though

 

[DsnyMama]

WE BOOKED AIRFARE ​

SOOOO excited, happy, and THRILLED to have that taken care of (now if I could just get that darn check!).

Delta was $306 this morning and low and behold I thought I'd check for the heck of it before I went to bed at 1am and it had dropped to $217.70 for the flight times I wanted!! It's only been that low once in the nine months I've been watching it! So I snapped up four tickets! Glad I did because two of the four flights were VERY full - one only had 9 seats left!

November 26, 2012
Charlotte, NC - Atlanta, GA 6:00-7:20 am
Atlanta, GA - Orlando, GL 8:55-10:40 am

December 6, 2012
Orlando, FL - Atlanta, GA 12:30-2:12 pm
Atlanta, GA - Charlotte, NC 3:01-4:19 pm

We were able to get groups of "2" and "2" right together front/back. We got window/middle seats for all four flights.

Like this!

XXX _______ XXX
XXX _______ XXX


VERY happy!

 

[uscgmouse]

Congrats on getting your plane tickets! I am sure you will be much happier flying instead of driving. Have you ever flown with Levi? I have a 23 month old and haven't flown with his since he was 6 months old. That time I just kept him in my moby wrap the whole flight.... don't think that is gonna work this time. I am afraid he is going to want to run up and down the isle of the plane.

Hope your check comes soon!

 

[DsnyMama]

We use the $1 Store ponchos as well, and throw them away when done (I don't want to have to carry around wet ponchos).

Our trip isn't for another year, but I keep looking in Target, often the Dollar section has stuff, and this week I was able to find mini Star Wars activity book for ).70 for my big boys and nephew! I figure those will be good when we do our big fmaily meals (with 14 of us, I imagine meals will take longer).

Awesome score on the star wars books!!!! I'm hoping the things I got persuade the kids to stay calm during meals - lol

Congrats on getting your plane tickets! I am sure you will be much happier flying instead of driving. Have you ever flown with Levi? I have a 23 month old and haven't flown with his since he was 6 months old. That time I just kept him in my moby wrap the whole flight.... don't think that is gonna work this time. I am afraid he is going to want to run up and down the isle of the plane.

Hope your check comes soon!

Thanks! SO glad to have that done!!

We haven't flown with Levi but we did with Ava, she was just shy of 3 months old. We purchase a seat even under age 2 though and use a carseat on the plane under age 4/5 or the recommended 40lbs by the airline. Ava is 42lbs and just shy of age 4 now, so I may let her sit in just the airplane seat - I'm not sure yet.. Levi will be in his regular carseat in the airplane seat. Not only way, way, way safer, but also keeps them contained and unable to get up! Good solution for us - lol.

I hope that check comes soon too - getting worried

 

[Leger13]

I love all of the treats you have for the kids for the trip. They are lucky kiddos! I haven't gotten anything for the car ride for Alex yet. *sigh* I guess I need to make a trip to 5 below and the $ store. Yay for booking air fare! I hope your check from school comes soon! Nothing like hitting the wire! I'm still not paid off either but will be soon.

 

[DsnyMama]

Still not paid in full, still waiting for the check.... Really looking into Plan B... STRESS!

Found out tonight that Pop Warner AND the National Cheer Association/National Dance Association will be at Coronado Springs when we will... Really not crazy over that.... Maybe moving elsewhere wouldn't be such a bad idea...

 

[tofubeast]

You are SO organized. I am in awe of all the tink gifts etc!! wow.

I feel like I have nothing done in comparison to you! I better get cracking!

 

[DsnyMama]

31 days out!


If you haven't already subscribed to my dining PTR which will turn into my dining report once our trip is complete, definitely do so!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2943985

 

[DsnyMama]

BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!​

We now have two more Disney trip officially on the books!

September 30 - October 7, 2013
Port Orleans Riverside - Royal Room
WP&M tickets
Regular Dining
Me, Grammy & kiddos

October 2014
Caribbean Beach Resort
WP&M tickets
Regular Dining
Me, Hubby & kiddos



*SO* excited!!!!! Definitely planning on booking during free dining providing it's offered during that time as it typically is.

 

[DsnyMama]

******* ATTENTION *********​

We are officially in the teens for arrival and in the single digits for online check in!!!!!!!!!!!!​