Flori-Texan's PTR

[texascop2]

So what is a Flori-Texan you ask?
It is someone who spent their first 27 years in Florida. Went to Disney World 30+ times and (back then) knew everything there was to know about WDW.

Then in 1998 I moved to Texas.
Just so you know...I love Texas. Texas has been good to me, but I miss WDW. I miss it bad.
I told my wife ( a native Texas) that we need to go to WDW and she could never get excited. Then in 2010, we both went to a conference in Anahiem and I took her to Disneyland. (Both our first trips there) While smaller than my beloved WDW, the Disney Magic was evident and she breathed in the Pixie Dust in wholesale amounts. As we walked back to our hotel just blocks away she looked at me and said "We have to take the kids to WDW!!!"

I just smiled and reveled in the fact that she was hooked.
That trip to California brought more than just a great Disney land experience...we soon learned that we were expecting our 3rd child. As we became engulfed in all things baby related, we pushed our WDW trip back.

And so as our baby entered our lives and my wife was at home full time for a little while, we casually looked at the WDW site and thought "How young is too young for WDW?"
We decided that 10 months old was old enough and we booked a trip. (This was 8 months ago) Our other kids are 13 and 15 and we didnt want to wait too long, as they would soon be off to college.

We decided that while spring break was busy at WDW, the weather was better than in July/August and we chose the All Star Movies as our base of operations for what we affectionately dubbed "Spring Break 2012...Disney Style".
As we chatted with friends and family it became obvious that Disney fever is very contagious. My sister in law booked with her husband and 2 kids and my mother and father inlaw booked as well! Even some friends from our small town decided to go! Our group is now 16.
After chats with our fellow travelers it was decided if you are going to do this...do it right. I am not one to drive and I finally convinced my fellow travelers to fly to Florida. Next stop? www.southwest.com

 

[texascop2]

With our plane tickets taken care of and our resort reservations made, it was time to talk dining.
Being the only one who had been to WDW, all eyes turned to me (and the marvels of the internet) to help decide where to go from here.
the only problem was that I hadnt been to WDW in over a decade.

As I researched I learned that lots had changed and lot had grown but it all somehow retained that familar comfortable feeling. I told stories of "must do" rides and shows to my family and explored the new stuff with child-like wonder.
Knowing that this was my wife and kids first exposure to the WDW experience I want this to be everything I can afford it to be.
We have booked dinners at the Polynesian Luau, the Hoop-Dee-Do Musical Review, as well as the character breakfast at Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary Resort. We have dinner plans at some other restaurants as well, and due to a stroke of luck (or is it Disney Magic?) we got the quick service dining plan for practically free!

 

[texascop2]

And so here we sit. 6 days away from departure...
This weekend we broke out the luggage, started organizing the volumes of Disney shirts, hats, sunglasses, trading pins, watches and whatever else had ears on it, and prepared to get it packed.

We are so excited we are about to pop. While I will get to enjoy the great sights and sounds of WDW again for the first time in over a dozen years, and get to re-live some of my childhood....I also get to see my kids exposed to the Disney magic for the first time. That is something that is priceless and only happens for the first time...one time.

The phones between all of us going are consistantly humming. Trading info and asking questions. Taking care of last minute details and calling just to ask if you can believe it will be here in a week!

 

[texascop2]

Today I was looking and saw the Disney Cruise lines brought a ship to Galveston.....

As a veteran of many cruises (although none of DCL) it may be time to start planning our next Disney vacation at sea....

 

[MHTeacher]

While I will get to enjoy the great sights and sounds of WDW again for the first time in over a dozen years, and get to re-live some of my childhood....I also get to see my kids exposed to the Disney magic for the first time. That is something that is priceless and only happens for the first time...one time.

How wonderful! I hope this trip is all you've dreamed it will be!

 

[texascop2]

Thanks MH....we certainly intend to!