Guess What? We're Going to Valdosta!! A May 2012 PTR! 06/06-TR Link Posted!

[Pinkocto]

Better be careful or those kids will want to vacation with you every year Everything is so cute. I especially like the pink shirt with Mickey and Minnie in their bathing suits.

 

[MHTeacher]

Love those summer brights shirts, and the Easter Mickey/Minnie are precious!

I always buy those throw-away ponchos from Wal-mart or Target too!

 

[UGAFan0829]

Love all your purchases! Those summer-themed shirts will be perfect for your trip! I think it's great that Mark and Jaden will have so many Disney outfits to wear while there. It's always fun walking through the parks wearing Disney stuff.

Those Easter Mickey and Minnie stuffed animals look awesome! If I was a kid, I would've been begging my parents for one. And, honestly, any toy that smells like chocolate has got to be great.


Looks like you guys had a great Easter weekend!

Thanks! I just loved the bright colors of the shirts!! We couldn't take them to Disney without them having a few Disney shirts to wear--that just wouldn't be right!

Love all your new purchases! Ya'll are going to look so cute with those matching shirts!!

Thank you! I can't wait to wear them!!

Better be careful or those kids will want to vacation with you every year Everything is so cute. I especially like the pink shirt with Mickey and Minnie in their bathing suits.

So true!! I just hope they don't expect all this from every vacation, or we're going to be in trouble!!

Love those summer brights shirts, and the Easter Mickey/Minnie are precious!

I always buy those throw-away ponchos from Wal-mart or Target too!

Thanks! The throw away ponchos have always worked very well for us! So much easier and cheaper than buying the ones in the parks and trying to refold them after they've gotten wet, and they are way too expensive to throw away!

 

[UGAFan0829]

Wow, I can't believe it's been a whole week since my last update! As you can probably tell, things have really slowed down in the way of trip planning and purchases. We have pretty much everything we need, with the exception of a few things here and there. Right now, we're just trying to figure out what vehicle we're actually going to drive! My sister and her boyfriend are actually going on a cruise the same week that we'll be in Disney. Since there are only 2 of them, but 4 of us, she has offered to trade vehicles with us for the week, and I wouldn't mind taking her up on it. But I'm just not sure I want to trade the extra room for having to spend more money on gas. She has a Tahoe, and though it does have FlexFuel, it still costs a lot more to fill hers up and doesn't get quite as good mileage as my Honda Accord. But, having the extra room is definitely appealing to me as I'm already worried about how we're going fit everything in the trunk. Mike says he can make it work, but since he's the driver he'll be comfortable while the rest of us are packed in! I always have my purse, pillow and camera bag up front with me. And with Mark and Jaden being in the back seat I won't be able to just toss them back there like I normally do, so I'd have to put them in the floorboard which gives me no room. The Tahoe would elimate that worry, but I just don't know if it's worth doubling our cost of gas. So, we're still thinking on that one!

As far as plans, I'm sad that I'm down to our final park day...

You can probably guess where our final park day will be spent since it's the only one we haven't visited yet...

The last time we were here back in '09, we did manage to make it to park opening, so I'm hoping that we'll be able to do it again this time.

I've went over the park map a couple times, and I think that Mark and Jaden will want to ride pretty much everything there. I'm especially excited about taking them on Everest as it's a favorite of Mike and I!

As far as meals, breakfast will be in the room as usual and lunch will probably be counter service in the park. I'm secretly hoping to eat at the only CS place we've ever had in AK...

But, I'm not sure that Mark and Jaden will love the offerings there.

After Mickey's Jammin' Jungle parade, we'll head to dinner at Yak N' Yeti for the first time! I'm really excited to try the cream cheese wontons that I've read so much about!

Another DIS favorite that I'm hoping to be able to try is the jalapeno cheese stuffed pretzels! These are right up Mike's alley, so I know he'll want one as well!

Since the park closes somewhat early (compared to the other parks) at 7, I'm thinking that we'll head back to the resort for some last minute swimming. Or, if there's something else that the kids prefer, we may end up doing whatever that may be.

I can't believe that in 2 days we'll be at the 30 day mark!! Soooooo excited!! I do have our plans to share for our last morning in the world, so stick around for that as we'll be having breakfast at one of my favorite places/resorts on property!

 

[onescgirl]

Wow, it's not long until your trip!
I LOVE all of your items that you have bought.
I have looked at the tye-dye shirts on etsy. I'm trying to get brave & attempt to try them myself!
The earbuds are a great gift idea. I am going to look for those.
The pillowcases are too cute also.

I'm wanting to try the Jalapeno Cheese Stuffed pretzel too. Can you only get it in AK?
Panera Bread did have a jalapeno cheese bagel that I was addicted to getting every week, but they quit having it several months ago. I'm still craving it & I'm so sad they don't have it anymore!!!

Your Easter pics are great!

 

[amazingact21]

Yay Animal Kingdom! I know it's not a popular park, but I think the park holds a lot of great attractions.


I hope Mark and Jaden enjoy Everest! I'm sure it'll be fun for you to watch their reaction to it.


The car situation is difficult. You either have to choose space or gas. I guess I'd say just look over your budget and/or finances and see if you have any wiggle room for extra gas money. If you think you can come up with it without really noticing it being gone, I'd say go for the Tahoe! But, then again, I've only traveled to WDW in my DH's two door Cobalt, and I always get exhausted with how cramped it is. (Not to mention how long it takes to place all the abgs in the trunk. Reminds me of the game Tetris.)

 

[MHTeacher]

Wow, can't believe pretty soon you'll be under one month!

I know gas is so expensive, but the extra space is so nice. But, y'all aren't super far away, so maybe it would be ok. On the other hand, since you're not so far, maybe you could all make it in the Honda. I'm no help either way!

 

[UGAFan0829]

Wow, it's not long until your trip!
I LOVE all of your items that you have bought.
I have looked at the tye-dye shirts on etsy. I'm trying to get brave & attempt to try them myself!
The earbuds are a great gift idea. I am going to look for those.
The pillowcases are too cute also.

I'm wanting to try the Jalapeno Cheese Stuffed pretzel too. Can you only get it in AK?
Panera Bread did have a jalapeno cheese bagel that I was addicted to getting every week, but they quit having it several months ago. I'm still craving it & I'm so sad they don't have it anymore!!!

Your Easter pics are great!

I thought about trying to do the tie-dye shirts myself as well, but didn't want to risk it. I'm not usually a very crafty person, so I figured I'd probably just mess it up!

I'm not sure about the Jalapeno Cheese Stuffed pretzel--AK is the only place I've seen it mentioned.

Yay Animal Kingdom! I know it's not a popular park, but I think the park holds a lot of great attractions.


I hope Mark and Jaden enjoy Everest! I'm sure it'll be fun for you to watch their reaction to it.


The car situation is difficult. You either have to choose space or gas. I guess I'd say just look over your budget and/or finances and see if you have any wiggle room for extra gas money. If you think you can come up with it without really noticing it being gone, I'd say go for the Tahoe! But, then again, I've only traveled to WDW in my DH's two door Cobalt, and I always get exhausted with how cramped it is. (Not to mention how long it takes to place all the abgs in the trunk. Reminds me of the game Tetris.)

I think they will enjoy Everest as well!

We still haven't made up our minds about whichn one we're driving! lol I agree that Tetris is a very good comparison!

Wow, can't believe pretty soon you'll be under one month!

I know gas is so expensive, but the extra space is so nice. But, y'all aren't super far away, so maybe it would be ok. On the other hand, since you're not so far, maybe you could all make it in the Honda. I'm no help either way!

lol! You're right, we aren't super far away...It's just the fact that we'll be doubling our gas expense. Plus Mike is really afraid of something happening to the Tahoe if we drive it...It would be our luck that we'd hit a deer or blow out a tire! We still haven't decided what we're gonna drive though!

 

[cinderella crazy]

I love WDW and all but I think one of my favorite things about Disney trips is buying the stuff for the trip! It's so much fun to go shopping and then take pictures of it to show other Disney fanatics! Love your purchaces!

Your AK plans look great! I have never heard of the Jalepeno stuffed pretzel thingys. I may have to hunt those down.

Less than a month to go! So exciting!!!

 

[UGAFan0829]

Before I post about our final morning in Disney, I just have to make this statement...

ONLY 25 DAYS LEFT!!!​

​

I can't believe we're so close!!! It's really amazing how fast the days have flown by!! I can't even tell you how excited I am about this. But more than anything, I can't wait for the big reveal!!

Now, on with the plans for our final morning...
Since we'll have a 7+ hour drive ahead of us, we won't be visting any parks on our last day. Instead, I decided that we'd have a nice big meal to get our day rolling. So, our first order of business is breakfast with Lilo & Stitch over at 'Ohana!!

I'm really excited about this meal! Mike and I ate here in 2009 and LOVED it! Lilo and Stitch are two of my favorite characters, and the food is really good!

(Sorry for the huge pics--Photobucket was being a pain and wouldn't let me re-size them.)

This will be our only actual sit down breakfast of the trip, and I thought the last day would be perfect for it.

Traditionally, on our last day, Mike and I always make Downtown Disney our very last stop before heading home, and as of now our plan is to keep it that way.

I've actually been trying to get a little later time for our breakfast just so that we don't have to be up so early. Usually we'll pack everything up and go ahead and check out before we go to breakfast on our last morning, but to keep us from being rushed, we may actually head back to the resort and do that afterwards, but we'll just have to wait and see what the time looks like.

So, that's it...those are all our plans! I really can't believe this vacation is so close! We're pretty much ready to go other than maybe picking up a few more odds and ends, but nothing major. Mark's shoes came in last week and they fit perfectly, so now they both have a new pair of shoes. The next fun part will be to start packing, though I still have a little while before I do that. I'm not sure what else I'll have to post or update on between now and then, but as soon as I have something, I'll make sure and share it with everyone!

 

[UGAFan0829]

I love WDW and all but I think one of my favorite things about Disney trips is buying the stuff for the trip! It's so much fun to go shopping and then take pictures of it to show other Disney fanatics! Love your purchaces!

Your AK plans look great! I have never heard of the Jalepeno stuffed pretzel thingys. I may have to hunt those down.

Less than a month to go! So exciting!!!

I agree--shopping for everything is a lot of fun. We don't usually buy this much, but of course we wanted to make it as special as possible for the kids!

I had never heard of the cheese pretzels either until I read about them in a TR here on the DIS!

 

[MHTeacher]

Love breakfast at 'Ohana---The juice is the most delicious!

We're having breakfast there again during this trip.

 

[Pinkocto]

Breakfast with Lilo and Stitch was fabulous, we did that in 2008, very fun. I hope the next three weeks fly by!

 

[amazingact21]

Breakfast at Ohana's on your last day sounds like a brilliant idea! Fills you up for that long carride back, but also gives the kids some character interaction and one last dose of Disney. Clearly, I like the plan.

With less than a month to go, I don't know how you can keep this secret. It must be so hard not to slip and say something!

 

[mousetravel]

I've been debating on getting an ADR for Ohana's, but after seeing your pictures, I am thinking of going there for sure! We've only been one time, back in 2006, on our first WDW trip. DD saw your food pics and said she wants to go back!

 

[UGAFan0829]

Love breakfast at 'Ohana---The juice is the most delicious!

We're having breakfast there again during this trip.

I definitely agree about the juice! It is delicious and one of the things that makes 'Ohana unique to me!

Breakfast with Lilo and Stitch was fabulous, we did that in 2008, very fun. I hope the next three weeks fly by!

Thank you! I can't believe how fast the days are going! It's almost a little scary!

Breakfast at Ohana's on your last day sounds like a brilliant idea! Fills you up for that long carride back, but also gives the kids some character interaction and one last dose of Disney. Clearly, I like the plan.

With less than a month to go, I don't know how you can keep this secret. It must be so hard not to slip and say something!

Exactly what I'm thinking, Alicia! Nothing like leaving Disney on a nice full tummy!

Keeping the secret is definitely hard. I cannot wait until the reveal!!

I've been debating on getting an ADR for Ohana's, but after seeing your pictures, I am thinking of going there for sure! We've only been one time, back in 2006, on our first WDW trip. DD saw your food pics and said she wants to go back!

Yes, you definitely need to go back!!!!

 

[UGAFan0829]

Well, as of today, we are officially IN THE TEENS!!! I honestly can't believe how fast the days are going by!! I know I keep saying how excited I am, but I just can't say it enough! I so can't wait for the reveal!! It's been so hard not telling them!! But I hope that it will be worth it in the end! The only thing I'm worried about is that Mark will be disappointed that we aren't going on a Disney Cruise instead. Bless his heart, whenever we talk about Disney he always tells me that he wants to go on a Disney Cruise more than he wants to go to the World. But, I'm just not ready to take them on a cruise just yet. Hopefully that will come in the next year or so, but I really want them to experience the World first!

We had Mark and Jaden for the weekend, and since Mark loves fishing so much, Mike and I took them both fishing on Saturday afternoon. They both had a lot of fun and caught a lot of fish. I was proud of Jaden as she caught her first one all by herself!! After a while the fishing started to get a little old, so she decided to sit on the edge of the water and play. She came out a muddy mess, but it was okay since she was enjoying it!! Here are a couple pics of their catches:

I did buy a couple new items over the weekend that are for the trip. First, Mike and I made a stop at Academy Sports & Outdoors over the weekend and I found a pair of shorts that will go with most all of my Disney shorts, and since I still need a couple pair to make it through the week, I went ahead and picked them up.

My other purchase was a L.L. Bean toiletry bag that I've been eyeing for a really long time now. According to the reviews, it's suppose to hold a ton of items, and I'm hoping that holds true as I always have a ton of those to pack. I ordered the "family" size in hopes that it will accomodate everything plus my hair dryer which would really make things easy for me, so we shall see. I'll definitely make sure to post pics once it arrives!

Not much longer until it's time to start packing!

I hope everyone has a great week!!!

 

[Pinkocto]

Teen Dance!!!!

 

[mousetravel]

I did make ADR's for Ohana!! Just couldn't resist after seeing those pics!
Plus, I think it's the least expensive of the character dining options! (which goes right along with my "saving money" theme!)

Can't believe you're in the teens already on your countdown!

 

[onescgirl]

Yay for the teens! I know you are too excited for Mark & Jaden!

Mark & Jaden had great catches! My husband would be jealous! He loves to fish, but I can't stand it! I just like to ride around in the boat & sight see.

I can't wait to see pics of your LL Bean bag. You know, you are just going to make me want to order one!