Great Canadian Diaries of YEAH BABY, WE'RE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!!

[Honeystar120608]

I grew up in a household where Disney World was pretty much out of the question. Single Mom, low income. She spoiled me and I was never REALLY aware as to how bad finances were. I think she must have spent monopoly money, because I know there wasn't much coming in!

Now, in turn, I am the mom. Married, and not stressing over money as my focus is all in budgeting. We are a one income family.
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think we would EVER get to go to Disney World. It has always been in the back of my brain that when I had kids I would want to take them.
One day in May I sat down at my computer, opened up my budget sheet and started pumping in digits.

OMG!!! WE CAN AFFORD IT!!!! DH (Jeremy) didn't believe me. How could we possibly afford it? All of our friends are 2 income families and are tight financially. My answer... We just can! The numbers say so. We watch our spending, stay true to the budget and it's all there!

Telling my parents (as in mother and step father) that we were headed to Disney World, they didn't believe me and thought I was just dreaming up that we could afford it. I think they believe us now.

So that is the tale that brought us on this journey. I cry thinking about it. I am so excited to be able to do this for the kids. And all the planning and making it special for everybody makes it that much more special to me.
Ok, ok...This is just as much for us as for the kids. There, I said it.
We are SOOO excited! Just had to get that out!

Stats on me and my family-

We live in New Brunswick Canada. Home of Maple and... snow? no no, igloos... oh.. no no ... MOOSE! yes, we are home of the moose. we speak french and english as we are the only province that is bilingual. Oui, tres bien! My french isn't great.
Me-Krista 26 (27 on Oct 22) Stay At home Mom and I plan Plan PLAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dh-Jeremy 33 Works as an Operations Database Administrator It's a lot of computer geeky stuff. Or Nerdy stuff..he prefers one over the other, not sure which is the better of the 2. He says just plan it and I will be there and we will have a great vacation.
DS-Brayden. 3.5 As his father is into ANYTHING techinical..cars..computers...ANYTHING with mechanics. They sit together watching cars shows on how to take apart an engine. Or shows like How it's Made. Not complaining, science is a great area of expertise that I never ever had any interest in. But, it's paying the bills now! We call him our little engineer!
DD-Keyra 2.5 Total Princess. Fav color is pink and purple. Wears tiaras, loves dresses and will prance around with her pretty face. All accomplished. very easy going, but shy to those who aren't in her normal circle.

Our dates are Dec 13-19th. This was a recent decision as we had changed the dates from Dec 6-13th. The initial dates were random enneeminemo decisions. Then realising it was Pop Warner week. Not happy about that with 2 little ones.

Our airfare is booked. $750 for 4 seats. Flying out of Maine (7 hr drive from here)
we look forward to the drive. Minus the ice and snow. Hopefully it will hold off! Especially since we just got a 2008 Dodge Charger. Our baby #3 and lemme tell ya. Recovery time is MUCH better on this beast

I have tons of ideas and thoughts and questions... I will be back to post them. You may follow if you so wish... join me on this adventure of YEAH BABY WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


arty:

 

[Honeystar120608]

Trying to figure out how the heck to post pictures...

YAY! I got it to work! This picture is of me and my 2 lil people. We are surprising Daddy at Coral Reef with a diver and a menu, so we secretly scooted out to the beach one day. Got my sister to take some Christmas photos of us. ANd emailed them to Coral Reef for the personalized menu. He doesn't know about this picture. I feel like I have some dirty picture that I am trying to burry on my computer (like he wouldn't be able to find it! He is a computer wiz...*cough*NERD*cough*) My mother laughed so hard as we left the cottage, walking to the beach in August with our Christmas attire.

 

[Honeystar120608]

I just came across a great link. We are going week before Christmas, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE Christmas!!!!
Here is a link to the Christmas shop in downtown Disney. OMG!!! I can't wait!!!

http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/Shopping-xmas/index.htm

 

[Honeystar120608]

I just thought I would post up a few pics of my kids doing their countdown calendars and getting their 'rings' as we call them. Basically every day they get their calendars off of the fridge.....

Then bring them to the coffee table where we trace the number of days we have left. They know their 8's and 7' all too well since we have been 80-70 days out... but not now!

Mommy helps Kiwi because she is 2.5 and doesn't quite get tracing yet. Even though she tries.

Then when they are done with their numbers I get out the rings. They are numbered with the same number of days as the calendars. Inside the rings is a rolled up piece of paper tied with a ribbon and taped on. This is a surprise Disney character coloring sheet. It's like a little present they get to unwrap.

Brayden checking out what he got this time.

Then, the last day of the month they get to color in their calendar and use stickers and do whatever they want to it. Such a long wait just to color! lol

Finishing off Septembers calendar (which I had to redo mid way through due to us pushing our dates back a week so we could get the QXG rate code and save some $$...yay to dotting out a countdown all over again PER child! )

It is fun to do this every day, so I just thought I would share. I also send DH an email at work most days with a countdown and an 'interesting fact'.

Seriously, it appears I have way too much time on my hands....

 

[Honeystar120608]

WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD IN 69 DAYS!!!!!! 10 WEEKS!! 9 FRIDAYS LEFT!!!!! DELUXE DINING PLAN!! WOOT!!!

 

[Alysa]

Lovely report - love the little countdown calendar the kids are doing - they are too cute! What hotel are you staying at? You'll have an amazing time!

 

[Honeystar120608]

Lovely report - love the little countdown calendar the kids are doing - they are too cute! What hotel are you staying at? You'll have an amazing time!

I am SO excited to go..ok WE...WE are so excited to go
We are staying at ASmo. I think I have changed resorts about a thousand times. Some due to availability and me just wanting to book a reservation so at least I had something. I wanted to stay at CSR, but by pushing back a week to ASmo preferred we saved $550. So, it was worth the switch!
Hopefully we will get the toy story section as my kids LOVE Toy Story.

 

[Honeystar120608]

We are baking a cake this afternoon. Hopefully to be a jackolantern, or at very least a pumpkin lol

I found this link to online radio stations that play solely Christmas music. Yes, I am a little nutty. But dh is out waxing the car 'incase' it snows soon. We are a pair lemme tell you!.

Anyway, here is the link to the Christmas music. My computer is between the living room and kitchen, so perfect for some October Christmas tunes

http://www.web-radio.fm/christmas/


Oh, Timer just went off, better check on the cakes!

 

[declansdad]

Hey fellow NBer! Sounds like you are well into your planning for your first trip. The first trip is always special, especially when you see your little on'e faces light up at MK.

Your beach pic looks like Parlee Beach? Sounds like a cool idea for Coral Reef.

 

[Honeystar120608]

Hey fellow NBer! Sounds like you are well into your planning for your first trip. The first trip is always special, especially when you see your little on'e faces light up at MK.

Your beach pic looks like Parlee Beach? Sounds like a cool idea for Coral Reef.

Actually, my grandparents(many moons ago) built right before Cape Pele..Grand Barachois. It's a private Beach, but if I walked down a ways I could get to Parlee Beach. NOt that I have ever tried. But you were very close

We are SO excited for our first trip. I've already brought up going back in 2010. My parents want to come too. The magic is rubbing off.

 

[declansdad]

Actually, my grandparents(many moons ago) built right before Cape Pele..Grand Barachois. It's a private Beach, but if I walked down a ways I could get to Parlee Beach. NOt that I have ever tried. But you were very close

We are SO excited for our first trip. I've already brought up going back in 2010. My parents want to come too. The magic is rubbing off.

I was in right area anyway.

Our first trip was in 2004 just before our son's 3rd birthday. We thought we would go back when he was 7 but we have now been 4 times (although he wasn't with us this past summer and he still doesn't know).

Flying out of Maine has always beeen a big money saver. We have flown from Bangor the last 3 times but this time we are looking at Portland and AirTran.

 

[Honeystar120608]

sat 13th DAY 0-MGM(closes at 8)
1900 park -445pm

Sun 14th DAY 1-Epcot- 9-930
CORAL REEF 11:55 noon
ROSE AND CROWN 9:00 pm

Mon 15th DAY 2 Magic Kingdom 9-9
The Crystal Palace with Winnie The Pooh 8:05am
CRT 410pm ----Im worried that there is too little time between this and LTT. Trying to get a lunch but it's near impossible.
LTT 825

Tues 16th DAY 3-Holly Wood Studios 9-8
Hollywood and Vine 815
Sci Fi 1125
Toy Story Pizza planet

Wed 17th DAY 4 Animal Kingdom 9-8
Chef Mickeys 720am
Tusker House Buffet Lunch 1130
Planet Hollywood 5pm

Thur 18th DAY 5 Epcot (9am world 11am) and DTD
Ohana 730
Tutto Italia 12pm
Spirit of Aloha 515pm YAY

Fri 19th DAY 6
Arkershus 1015 Epcot again, but this is the day we are flying out. So we need to be back by shortly after noon.

 

[Honeystar120608]

I was in right area anyway.

Our first trip was in 2004 just before our son's 3rd birthday. We thought we would go back when he was 7 but we have now been 4 times (although he wasn't with us this past summer and he still doesn't know).

Flying out of Maine has always beeen a big money saver. We have flown from Bangor the last 3 times but this time we are looking at Portland and AirTran.

Yes, I remember you telling me about your first vacation with your son on the Maritimer thread. It got me really excited! (Still does) Honestly, it doesn't take much nowadays mind you. 9.5 weeks and counting

Im sure we would go next Christmas as well, but we are headed to NFLD and NH next summer. I doubt the $$ will be there for DW. BUT, if it is, you betchya it will be mentioned and discussed!! And I haven't even been there yet!

I really hope the snow holds off. My fingers are crossed!!

 

[declansdad]

sat 13th DAY 0-MGM(closes at 8)
1900 park -445pm

Sun 14th DAY 1-Epcot- 9-930
CORAL REEF 11:55 noon
ROSE AND CROWN 9:00 pm

Mon 15th DAY 2 Magic Kingdom 9-9
The Crystal Palace with Winnie The Pooh 8:05am
CRT 410pm ----Im worried that there is too little time between this and LTT. Trying to get a lunch but it's near impossible.
LTT 825

Tues 16th DAY 3-Holly Wood Studios 9-8
Hollywood and Vine 815
Sci Fi 1125
Toy Story Pizza planet

Wed 17th DAY 4 Animal Kingdom 9-8
Chef Mickeys 720am
Tusker House Buffet Lunch 1130
Planet Hollywood 5pm

Thur 18th DAY 5 Epcot (9am world 11am) and DTD
Ohana 730
Tutto Italia 12pm
Spirit of Aloha 515pm YAY

Fri 19th DAY 6
Arkershus 1015 Epcot again, but this is the day we are flying out. So we need to be back by shortly after noon.

Wow, that's a lot of eating!

 

[Honeystar120608]

Wow, that's a lot of eating!

lol Yes, yes it is. This is my theory... and I will let you know when we come back if I was right or not.

The kids will be very close to 3 and 4 while we are there. Albeit we will do as much as we can in the parks, this if for dh and I as well. If we go in 2010 the kids will be close to 5 and 6. At that age Im sure they will want to go go go and we will be doing a lot of the quick service meals to save some time and for convenience. So we are getting the meals we would want in this time around along with their character meals and such.

When we went to NH this past summer with the kids, they only stayed interested in the rides for about 3-4 hours then needed naps and breaks. And at that, we were pushing them to go on the rides. They just wanted to look around and walk around. Do interactive things. They weren't into the rollercoasters or fun rides. However, dd who is only 36 inches tall WANTS to do the crazy rides. But she won't be able to. DS who is 43 inches tall doesn't want to do the crazy rides. He isn't a thrill seeker and dd is. lol

I am also alright if we end up not doing a couple of these. Just as long as they are book and available for us. Of course, the some reserved with a cc, and we have to do those.

I might cancel CRT if I can't get a lunch. We all would enjoy LTT and since it won't be character dining after Jan, I want to do that one. CRT will always be there.

 

[Honeystar120608]

Here is the cake we made. Trying to hurry Halloween along so we can get to November...and then of course December.

You can see where Brayden took a swipe with his fingers by the nose. lol

 

[declansdad]

Cool cake!

 

[Honeystar120608]

Cool cake!

Thanks! I really wanted to turn it into a Mickey pumpkin cake, but this is my first attempt at a sculpted cake. lol How dangerous is this 3 layered cake in my house?? VERY! It's in the deep freeze right now. I need to lose 10lbs before DW so I can gain it all back when I get there.

 

[Honeystar120608]

Well, thus far I have come to the conclusion that being Canadian isn't bringing in the Free Dining. We can't apply for the Disney Visa, we aren't getting any Pin codes. NOthing thus far is being given to the general public.
Just want me some free dining

However, gas IS going down. So that is good, but we are making up with it since the CAD is going down. Haven't checked it today, but it was down to .90. In the summer when we crossed over the dollar was at .96 I think. Im not sure if the package proposed in the US to 'save' the economy will mean anything to our dollar. I hope so since our economy is being weighed down from this. (Im sure some of it is our economy too?? I really don't know I just would like a strong dollar, cheap gas, and free dining.... Im not asking for much am I?) lol

Thanksgiving is this weekend here in Canada. YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM Turkey Dinner and Pumpkin pie. Oh yay!! So yummy! The foliage is beautiful too!

I don't have any pics of around our house *yet*, but we were out in the country to my parents this past weekend and I got a couple nice shots.

 

[momdad4kids]

Hey fellow NBers here as well,you are going to have the time of your life! Weve stayed at ASmo on past trips and you will love it,great hotel for the money,at least as far as it goes at disney,lol.Dont forget about the resort mugs and be sure to let us know how your kids did with the parks.
We're going from Feb25 until March 5 2009,our kids first trip to WDW. They are so excited .our oldest Devon will be fine with everything but our 3 daughters will be just 6 and im not sure how many of the rides we'll be able to actually get them on . Well 2 of them anyway,Lauren ,whos also the smallest has watched the DVD and checked out the rides on You Tube with her big brother and says she going on EVERYTHING,lol, Ill believe it when I see it.