Girls only family reunion trip!

[CamoMama]

Hi all! I've been planning this trip for nearly a year and it's so close now, I'm getting a bit ridiculous, I think. A little bit about us is needed here, I guess.


My parents took my sisters and I to Disneyland as often as possible when I was a kid. I loved it, but hadn't visited since I was 15. When I was married we were always too busy, and I could never justify the expense as a single parent. Then in 2010 I was called to active duty with the National Guard for deployment to Afghanistan. I took my parents and my kids to Disney in Anaheim in July 2010, as a pre-deployment treat. Amazingly the crowds were almost nonexistent and the weather was incredibly mild. We had an amazing time. Since then I've caught the Disney bug again and am hoping to be able to manage a yearly vacation from now on. This time, however, we're going to Disney World in Florida. It will be the farthest the girls have ever traveled from home and just an all around amazing way for the 3 of us to spend time together and bond.

Here is the whole family at Goofy's Kitchen before I deployed. We spent 5 awesome days at Disneyland staying at the Embassy Suites.

So I'm the mom, 36yo, divorced for about 10 years and a member of the California Army National Guard.

Serra is 16, with Asperger's Syndrome. Her favorite part of Disney is Pirates of the Caribbean. Who could blame her? I'm actually not fond of this picture. She has since lost about 20lbs. She looks amazing. We'll be taking tons of new pictures very soon.

Emmalee is 14, and has a permanent cell phone attachment. She also loves Pirates, along with everything else. This one has actually finally gained some weight, and also looks amazing. There will be new pictures of this one soon as well.

This time it's going to be just the 3 of us, no grandparents. This trip is our reunion/reward after being separated for a year. We'll be spending quality time bonding and being tourists. I started planning the trip in February of last year, about a month after I arrived in Afghanistan. Thank goodness for the internet. I found that if you set up flights a year in advance you can get some pretty great deals. Your flight details will also change about a dozen times (flight number, exact takeoff and landing times 5-10 minutes back and forth, etc). We'll be staying at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, in a Pirate themed room, of course. Thanks for letting me share, and for sharing your plans as well, it's been a treat to read them. There is more to come.

 

[CamoMama]

Okay, let's get this party started.

My housesitter should arrive in the afternoon on February 2nd and once the kids are out of class for the day we'll head south. We'll be driving from our home to Sacramento where we'll stay at the Four Points by Sheraton. They have a great promotion going on where you can leave your car in their secured parking lot for 7 days per night that you stay. It's much less expensive than airport parking, and far less hassle at the airport. Their shuttle will drop us off at the airport very early on the morning of the 4th and we'll fly at around 6am. We'll have a short layover in Houston, then it's off to the happiest place on earth!

Disney's Magical Express will take us to the Caribbean Beach Resort late that afternoon. We have a delivery from gardengrocer.com scheduled for that evening, and we'll settle in a bit before heading out for a little pre-park shopping at Downtown Disney.

Day one: Magic Kingdom, of course. We have an ADR for breakfast at the Crystal Palace, then a late reservation for the Hoop-De-Doo Musical Revue. In between it will be all about Main Street USA, Frontierland and Adventureland.

Day two: Magic Kingdom again, with a Pirates and Pals fireworks voyage scheduled for the evening after dinner at Wave. I'm a little sad that Fantasyland won't be fully operation while we're there, but we'll survive, and that gives me a good excuse to schedule another trip for 2013.

Day three: Hollywood Studios with an ADR at the Sci-Fi Dine In Theater. I'm really excited about the Great Movie Ride! Can't wait! I wanted to go on the Tower of Terror as well, but Serra doesn't do rides with completely vertical drops and Emmalee informed me after riding the one at Disney's California Adventure that she's never doing that again. I've heard that the ride at WDW is a bit different than the one at DL, but I may never find out.

Day four: Epcot with a dinner ADR for Le Cellier. We're all looking forward to Soarin' and all of the awesome pavilions.

Day five: Animal Kingdom with a lunch reservation at Tusker House and dinner at the Rainforest Cafe. I finally talked Serra into riding Expedition Everest after reading comments here and elsewhere saying that the drop isn't gut wrenching, or even as bad as the drop on Splash Mountain. I am so excited about that one, and about Dinosaur! Yay!

For days six, seven and eight we have made no plans. We can go to whichever park we want, and this is when we'll probably take the most advantage of our park hopper option. We're so excited, we watched the Disney Christmas parade yesterday and I think it just made the wait that much worse!

I have been planning this trip almost since I arrived in Afghanistan last year. I made the airline reservations the very first day that I could (with trip insurance, of course), and spent the rest of the year planning and working on the rest of the trip. We almost stayed at Shades of Green, I went as far as to make reservations, but cancelled later. I found that you can only use the DDP at resort hotels, and that really is a time/money/hassle saver for me so it's kind of a deal breaker. I also found that the Disney resorts have a hefty discount for military families, so we decided to stay at CBR in a pirate themed room, because, well, awesome, right? And the military tickets only go up to 4 days in the parks, and you can only purchase one per person. It would have been way more expensive to purchase the discounted military tickets, then another 4 days of park hopper passes from the parks.

I got back into the US on Thanksgiving day, and back to my home on December 13th. I am so thrilled to be back with my daughters again, and they are thrilled for their Grandpa to go back home after having him live with them for a year! We are so looking forward to spending some quality time together without the worries of day to day life getting in the way.

 

[CamoMama]

I picked up the Unofficial Guide for Kindle and started going through it today. Just over a month until the trip! For NYE we're having my girls best friends over and are doing a Pirates party. We stole an idea from another thread for a theme night. We're going to watch the Pirates movies and have french bread pizza pirate ships for dinner before the ball begins to drop. The girls are all excited and planning to make eye patches and other costume items.

 

[Windsor Princesses]

Le Cellier is so delicious, you guys are very lucky to be able to get an ADR for it. My sister Danielle isn’t one for drops either, and she loves Expedition Everest it isn’t bad at all. We usually tell her that if someone can go on it while holding a video camera then she should be able to make it through alive; Dinosaur is one of our favourites too, and it is a must do.
We’ve stayed at Caribbean Beach once before, it is very beautiful. We usually rent a boat the last day and ride around the lake if we don’t have time to go to the park before our flight. The pool is gorgeous, but we have never gone swimming in it; there just is never enough time.​

 

[CamoMama]

Ooh, that's a good idea. We won't be going to the park on our last day, but our flight isn't until late afternoon. We're totally going to boat around the lake. Thanks!

 

[CamoMama]

I've been reading the Unofficial Guide off and on all day on breaks from organizing the house (I was gone for a year and can find NOTHING in my house!). I read the review of the CBR, which is not completely glowing but I've been reading mixed reports all along. However, I did call and request our room be in Bldg 35 or 38 on the second floor facing the lake based on the Guide's recommendations. I think that may mitigate some of the issues. Maybe?

 

[Windsor Princesses]

When we were there, I think it was about 5 or 6 years ago, the only real complaint we had was the long bus rides around the resort. The landscape is beautiful at CBR though, the theme is just excellent, it makes you actually feel like you are on a Caribean getaway. It will be a great first time resort, have no fear .​

 

[CamoMama]

Awesome. I'm not too worried about the bus rides, the fact that we're going in such an off peak time should help with the wait times. In fact, even if we do have ridiculous waits and long transportation times I don't think it will make a dent in the awesomeness. Nothing short of cancellation can screw up this trip.

 

[hops&dreams]

First, thank you for your service to our country. I am grateful for your sacrifice and the sacrifices of your family for you to protect our freedoms.

next - Woo Hoo! We're going the same week as you, I think, and a lot of our ADR's are also at the same places, just different days.

At Epcot, you mentioned going on Soarin'. Be sure you're seated toward the middle so you get the full experience. When we went in 2010, we were seated on the very edge and it didn't seem like that great a ride to us because we could see the periphery. This time, we're going to ask to be in the middle, even if we have to wait longer.

Also at Epcot, don't forget about Test Track! DH is excited because it was down for refurbishment last time we were there, so it'll be me and DD's first time riding it (Dh went with an ex before we were married).

Another thing you might think about is going to see the water parade. It's nightly and you can see it from different resort's beaches. I'm not sure about CBR, but I know we'll see it from our hotel (WL) and we're planning on watching it and Wishes from Poly's beach after our Ohana dinner.


I also started reading the official guide on my Kindle. It's so much info - much of it I'm finding I already know from reading things on the DIS. There were some very helpful threads on the TIPS board.

We only have 29 more days - Our trip is a surprise for DD! I can't believe I've kept it a secret for so long!

One last thing - that's awesome about being able to keep your car at the hotel's parking lot! We're going to end up paying for Airport parking, and I'm hoping it's not too bad. We're leaving the Thurs before the Superbowl (which is in our city this year!). I'm excited to escape the hoopla from that, and to have a break during the Girl Scout Cookie sale. This is our first year doing it and our district makes it rather stressful!

So excited for you to enjoy this time with your daughters. I'm tearing up just thinking about the memories you're going to make with them. They'll carry them for the rest of their lives!

 

[MrsDrewsky]

A girls only trip sounds like so much fun. How exciting for your girls!

The unofficial guide is addicting. It's been on my nightstand for the past month. This will be our second trip using the guide, and it's a lifesaver.

I can't wait to read more about your plans, especially the pirate and pals fireworks. We're going to be at CBR a few weeks after. We're feeling the same way about the resort after reading reviews and the guide, so maybe we'll all be pleasantly surprised by the resort.

Happy planning!

 

[CamoMama]

First, thank you for your service to our country. I am grateful for your sacrifice and the sacrifices of your family for you to protect our freedoms.

next - Woo Hoo! We're going the same week as you, I think, and a lot of our ADR's are also at the same places, just different days.

Thank you, it was a long year and I'm so glad to be home. It's getting so close! How exciting is that?

At Epcot, you mentioned going on Soarin'. Be sure you're seated toward the middle so you get the full experience. When we went in 2010, we were seated on the very edge and it didn't seem like that great a ride to us because we could see the periphery. This time, we're going to ask to be in the middle, even if we have to wait longer.

Also at Epcot, don't forget about Test Track! DH is excited because it was down for refurbishment last time we were there, so it'll be me and DD's first time riding it (Dh went with an ex before we were married).

Another thing you might think about is going to see the water parade. It's nightly and you can see it from different resort's beaches. I'm not sure about CBR, but I know we'll see it from our hotel (WL) and we're planning on watching it and Wishes from Poly's beach after our Ohana dinner.

Not sure about Test Track, we're not really big into cars, but we're thinking about it. We probably won't decide whether to ride it until we're standing in front of the queuing area. I read on one of the descriptions that on certain nights Pirates and Pals views both the fireworks and the water parade. I'm hoping that's the case, but not sure yet. The CM that I spoke to on the phone wasn't sure and we were going to book it regardless, so I didn't push.


I also started reading the official guide on my Kindle. It's so much info - much of it I'm finding I already know from reading things on the DIS. There were some very helpful threads on the TIPS board.

We only have 29 more days - Our trip is a surprise for DD! I can't believe I've kept it a secret for so long!

One last thing - that's awesome about being able to keep your car at the hotel's parking lot! We're going to end up paying for Airport parking, and I'm hoping it's not too bad. We're leaving the Thurs before the Superbowl (which is in our city this year!). I'm excited to escape the hoopla from that, and to have a break during the Girl Scout Cookie sale. This is our first year doing it and our district makes it rather stressful!

So excited for you to enjoy this time with your daughters. I'm tearing up just thinking about the memories you're going to make with them. They'll carry them for the rest of their lives!

Oy, I can imagine the traffic and general obnoxiousness having the Super Bowl on your home turf. Good plan to get out during that time. I'm excited for you as well, I can't imagine keeping the trip a secret from my girls, I'm terrible with surprises! Happy planning to you!

 

[CamoMama]

A girls only trip sounds like so much fun. How exciting for your girls!

The unofficial guide is addicting. It's been on my nightstand for the past month. This will be our second trip using the guide, and it's a lifesaver.

I can't wait to read more about your plans, especially the pirate and pals fireworks. We're going to be at CBR a few weeks after. We're feeling the same way about the resort after reading reviews and the guide, so maybe we'll all be pleasantly surprised by the resort.

Happy planning!

Good luck. I'll let you know how CBR is. I'll likely do a partial live report, because I'm an internet addict and I hear that wifi is now available in some rooms. If I can't get it in the room I'll take the laptop to the coffee shop and post at least one update from there.

 

[Cin]

Oh how exciting!!! Your trip is almost here. Yay for your being back home safely! I'm doing a girls only trip too, for Mom and I.

Um yeah, I read the Unofficial Guide too cover to cover, I think I pretty much have it committed to memory by now. (lol, I have a couple different year's editions.) You think THAT was fueling an addiction, wait until you have been here a while. You already started a pre trip report, so...

~Happy Planning!~

 

[CamoMama]

I got the package in the mail yesterday!! But I didn't check the mail until this morning, so I actually just got it today. Awesome! It's really getting close, I can't wait!

 

[CamoMama]

Netflix has a ton of videos about WDW, from the Animal Kingdom to behind the scenes stuff. We've been keeping them on when we're not doing other stuff for weeks. Today I'm prepping to paint the hall, so I have them on for background noise. Awesome!

 

[CamoMama]

Oy vey. Just over 2 weeks left! I picked up our travel toiletries today. I want to start packing now, but that wouldn't be a good idea, I'd just stare at suitcases every day and the wait would seem so much longer.

Must call the dining reservation number tomorrow. My yahoo mail account got hijacked and yahoo insists that I log in with my ISP account that I opened the yahoo account with 15 years ago in order to change the password to get back into it, like I can remember that username. All of my ADR confirmation numbers are lost. I figured it was no big deal and I'd just log into my Disney account and write down the numbers, but now the dining reservations are gone from there as well. It says that I can get them back, just need to enter the confirmation numbers! Headache. So tomorrow gonna call the reservation number and get the info that I need. I'm not even sure what the times are any more, I had saved all of the e-mail confirmations to remind me and ceased to concern myself. Ugh.

So that's what I'll do in the morning before I paint baseboards. I had been in the middle of painting the interior of my house when I was called to join my unit on the deployment. Two weeks after they left and were at the training site they called and asked if I could be there in 3 days, after taking me off of the roster two months earlier. I had painted the kitchen, living and dining rooms and was just about to start the hallway. Needless to say it remained spackled and primered until today when I finally painted. I've been home for a month and was really tired of looking at it like that, but was just too busy. Tommorrow baseboards and replacing light switches and outlets after I phone Disney. Yay!

 

[CamoMama]

Ugh. I went to the dentist this morning, because I've been having some pain in an upper left molar. Now I get to go back this afternoon to have it fixed. Unfortunately my insurance is messed up because I just got off of active duty, my dentist ceased being an in-network provider today, and my regular insurance doesn't kick back in until the 1st. Since we're driving to Sacramento on the 2nd to fly out early on the 3rd I'm going ahead and paying out of pocket for this afternoon's appointment. It's not ideal, but I refuse to go to Disney with tooth pain and be unable to enjoy all the amazing food we're going to be indulging in with the ADRs I've made. No fun.

But we're getting closer! Just 10 more days until we're on the road!

 

[CamoMama]

I'm getting a little concerned about weather. The weather.com forecast only goes to the 2nd right now, but the 1st and 2nd are rainy with thunderstorms. This does not bode well. I want sunshine for our vacation! The weather gods need to comply or else. Right?

 

[CamoMama]

I'm going insane. We have a week left and it's killing me. I'm trying to keep busy painting the house. Before I left for Afghanistan I had painted the kitchen, living and dining rooms. I was told that I wasn't going on the deployment, so i was taking my time doing it and had just spackled the hallway when they called and told me that I needed to be in Wisconsin in 3 days. I had no time for anything, so I left the hall unpainted. Now that I'm home I'm getting it done. The walls were done last week and today I did the baseboards and pulled all of the doors down to paint in the garage. I have the bathroom door finished and will be going back on the hinges in the morning (kids are using my bathroom until it's back up, a good reason for me to hurry).the bedroom doors will be painted one at a time over the next couple of days, I don't have room in the garage to lay them all out at once. Next up I'll paint the kids rooms, which should keep me busy until we leave. I hope. Or I'm going to explode.

 

[Windsor Princesses]

One more week!! You must be so excited, I know we would be jumping off the walls by now!​