Happy Birthday Grandma, We're going to Disney World, The PTR, HUGE NEWS!!

[PennyLane1084]

So, I’ve been thinking that it’s way WAY too early to begin writing my PTR. Right we are….hold on lemme check my ticker…..11 months and 11 days out. But reading other TRs and PTRs has got me itching to share my planning with everyone.

Ok First lemme introduce myself, I’m Kristin, a 26 year old geek living with her boyfriend in Worth, IL, which is a small little suburb southwest of Chicago. I’ve been to Disney quite a few times as a kid. My mom had a really good job, making good money, so we used to go to Disney every year. My mother is a Disney commando and a planning fanatic. I’ve learned from the best. I can fondly remember every Sunday after dinner we would watch the Disney Planning video. Then mom would start a countdown on the fridge. My brother, Ryan, and I would practically kill each other trying to be the first one to get to the fridge to pull off the number. Mom even made up a song to get us up the morning we’d leave, “Wake up, it’s time to go to Disney World, Wake up, it’s time to go to Disney World.”

My brother and I started getting burnt out on Disney. We wanted to do other things on our vacations. Our last trip to Disney was in 1999. In 1997 my mom was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and the bank she worked for got bought out and she lost her job. Since ’99, we’ve tried to plan trips to Disney but because of money or mom being too sick to go, things never panned out.

2008 The trip the never was
Finally, my mom’s MS went into remission and things were looking up. We decided that we would plan a trip to Disney for the entire family. That meant Mom, Dad, ME, my boyfriend, my brother, my grandmother, my mom’s sister Jennifer and her daughter Mia. This would be Mia first time to the world and she was very excited. I had just started a new job making good money, so I was going to help out financially with the trip. We had rented a house offsite in Kissimmee, We had all our ARDs booked. I booked Mia a spot at BBB.
With 6 months to go, I lost my job and had to go back to working part time. Due to the fact that I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, I had to play $400 a month for insurance, all my Disney money went to pay for that. We still tried to make it work. With 3 months to go, and the money situation looking dismal for everyone we decided to cancel the trip and rent a house in Wisconsin Dells instead. The Dells IS NOT Disney but we made the best of things and had a really good time.

I swear things happen for a reason. The week we had planned on going down to Disney my dad broke his foot or maybe it was his hand. But the guy who would have been doing majority of the long driving would have been a bit handicapped. My aunt also found out she was pregnant. So, she wouldn’t have been able to do the rides which she loves. The next year I wanted to take my grandma and mia for her birthday, but that didn’t pan out.

Fast forward 3 years. I’ve been wanting to go back to Orlando since the new Harry Potter park opened at IOA. I am a HUGE Harry Potter fan, (yes, even bigger than Disney, sorry folks) and can miss this opportunity. While my Aunt was over my house, I started watching some programs about Disney on the Travel Channel, and she said how bad she wants to take the kids. This only a few days after losing our uncle Victor, and realizing how precious life is, we decided to look into a trip to Disney. So, we look into everything and decided that we are going to do it, and surprise my grandma on her birthday.

My mom’s a little worried because my aunt is not exactly the best at saving money. She thinks that she’s going to bail on the trip. So this time I HAVE A BACKUP PLAN!!!! A back up plan you say? Yes, indeed. And possibly a small trip this summer for my BF and I but that another story for another time.
But I’m getting really hungry and I need to go eat lunch and stop writing PTR’s while at work. It’s ok though it’s a slow day.

 

[PennyLane1084]

Is it lame to be the first to reply to your own post? Well I found this picture on my Facebook from back in the day.

This is my brother and I on the Speeder Bikes outside Startours circa 1997 or 1999. I think '99 because of my backwards hat. I went through a "I want to dress like a boy and wear my baseball caps backwards" phase.

 

[PennyLane1084]

Right now, I'm in a early planning stages of the trip.

The Dates: September 17 - September 22, 2011

Our Digs/: We originally wanted to stay on site and use the free DDP deal. But my aunt wanted us all to stay together. We found a house in Celebration for pretty cheap. We asked them to reserve it for us but we haven't sent the deposit yet. Now as I've been reading other TRs and PTRs. I really REALLY want to stay on site. Right now i'm crunching numbers and thinking that if we all stay at the same resort, we will still be together but but just enough. If the babies get wily and want to nap but the rest of the adults don't, they can go back to the hotel. Plus i'm also thinking we'll save a money on gas and parking by not driving to the parks.

Now the our Cast or Characters:

Me: KRISTIN, 26

I'm a fun loving, goofy, nerd. I'm sort of the ringleader of this whole excursion and will be the Disney Commando.
Favorite Disney Character: Stitch

STEVE, 25

Her is my and my darling boy in Vegas about 3 years ago. He very sensible and also a huge geek/gamer. He thinks i'm silly for my Disney love. Recent quote: "I don't understand why you would want to read about other people's trips" on me reading TRs.
Favorite Disney Character: Jack Skellington

THE BIRTHDAY GIRL!!!! CEIL/GRANDMA, 81

My grandmother. She's only a "senior" when she can get that 15% off on Wednesdays at Kohls. She a pistol and she not slowing down anytime soon. This trip is especially for her. My aunt really wanted her to experience Disney with her grand daughters because we're not getting any younger here.
Favorite Disney Character: Mary Poppins

RYAN, 19 (see picture above)
My Brother. Huge foodie. Currently works as a Line Chef at a Canjun/BBQ restaurant. Hopes to one day go to culinary school and open in own restaurant. Upon discussing all the new stuff at the World since we've been there last in '99 the said "Oh man, it's like i'm gonna be a kid again!"
Favorite Disney Character: Goofy

Jennifer and Matt

My aunt works for the City of Chicago, while Matt, her boyfriend stays home with the kids. My grandma's not too fond of Matt but i'm hoping they will put there differences aside for the sake of the trip.
Jen's Favorite Disney Character: Belle
Matt's Favorite Disney Character: hmm....i really don't know

MIA, 10

"Mom. I AM a Jr. Teenager!" My oldest cousin, of the bunch. She is also my baby but would absolutely kill me if she heard me refer to her as such. She loves EVERYTHING Disney Channel. Her room is plaster with pictures of Miley Cyrus, Demi Lavato, Selena Gomez, The JoBros and all those other kids from those goofy shows. Can't you tell i send WAY too much time watching this stuff with her. This will be her first time to The World, and she is the most excited (next to me) about the trip. She a totally girly-girl/ prima donna. Just got her hair cut for picture day and thought she was just too cool.

My Babies, Madeline, 2 1/2 and Julianna, 1 1/2

They are not my babies in the sense that I did not give birth to them, They are however my babies in that I spoil them like CRAZY and I love them like they're my own. These two are partners in crime. They do EVERYTHING together. Right now they are all about the princesses.
The one on the left is Madeline or Maddie. She the more hyper of the two. But afraid of everything. Literally afraid of her own shadow.
The other one is Julianna, or JuJu as we call her (like Jujubees the candy). On her own she's very calm and sweet. But always know how to put Maddie in her place.
Maddie's favorite Princess: Cinderella
JuJu's Favorite Princess: Snow white. she Snow white thanks to me.

A few more pictures

The babies at the Bean in Millenium Park in Chicago

Mia and Grandma at a Cubs game. GO CUBS GO!

 

[smileycrissy]

Hi!!! (They need to make a smiley that waves, the best I could do was this guy).

I saw you on Madison's page and followed you over. Wow, you've got a big group with you. I think its more fun that way. My sis recently came to visit and we were a group of 8 in total. We had so much fun together. Now when the fiancee and I go alone we feel so lonely being a party of two.

Well if you're a commando, then I would expect you to start planning and writing almost a year out. I'm don't mean it in a bad way. Besides a lot can happen in a year as you've already experienced on your possible trip in 2008.

In my honest opinion its a toss up with staying onsite vs offsite. Growing up my dad always stayed offsite. We were a family of 5 and he wanted to save money so we stayed about a 20-30 min drive away from Disney. The fiancee and I have done both offsite & onsite. As for onsite we only stayed once and we hadn't even planned it. It was nice but we also didn't take advantage of the extra perks such as EMH or taking the buses. (Fiancee prefers to be able to drive than be stuck waiting for a crowded bus. ) So unfortunately I can't give a great opinion on staying onsite. I know my sis LOVES to stay onsite now when she comes down. I'd say definitely crunch your numbers to see which ends up a better deal. Especially since you have a person or two who may not be 100% going.

I look forward to reading more.

 

[PennyLane1084]

YAY A READER!!

Hey smiley. I do recognize you from MAdison's wish trip.

So we decided we're going to stay on site after all. I really believe we will save money in the long run since we get a deal with the DDP for free. And we'd also save money on gas and parking by taking the buses and not driving to the parks.

I think we're going to stay at the Caribbean Beach Resort. I saw the Nemo themed room and I know the girls will love that. Juju and Maddie love Nemo. But I saw the pirate themed room and I kinda want to stay in one of those. I love me some pirates. YARG!

 

[PennyLane1084]

Planning, Planning.....

I think we're going to drive down. My aunt really wants to fly. So, they might but Me, Steve and my brother will probably drive down together. Out of all the times I've been to Disney I've only flew there once, and steve has family down in Florida so, he did the drive every year when he was a kid. The drive I speak of is 21 hours give or take a few.

So our first day I'm thinking, we check in, wind down in the room, check out the resort, do some swimming and then maybe head over the DTD for dinner and some shopping. Maddie's really into Dinosaurs right now, I would love to have dinner at T-Rex but it's not on the DDP. Plus i'm a little worried she might get freaked out in there.

Our first full day in the parks is also my gram's birthday. Not matter what, you have to go to MK the first day IMO (in my opinion). I don't really feel like i'm in Disney until I see that Castle. Plus it's Gram favorite park.

Now help me out here DIS'ers. Should get our "First Timer Visit" Buttons for the girls and my gram's "Happy Birthday" button when we check in or when we go to MK?

For dinner we are going to Chef Mickey's for sure because, again, it's the birthday girl's favorite.

Another question: If I want to get a little cake after dinner do I ask for it when making the ADR or when we check in that night? or both?

Day 3 and 4 I know we want to do DHS and Epcot. But not sure which parks on which days yet.

Now Animal Kingdom. No one in my family is horribly fond of this park. We might skip it and do Universal and IOA for the last two days.

Decisions, Decisions.

Also I've decided i'm going to buy Mia the Birnbaum's Disney for Kids by Kids book for Christmas. My mom used to get it for me when I was younger, and love to read about the parks and what not. I'm also gonna throw in some Disney Dollars.

 

[smileycrissy]

I'd say get the buttons at check-in if you can. That way you can place the button for Grandma on her pillow for a nice little surprise when she arrives.

I think when you make the ADR you can ask them about adding a cake.

I totally agree with the drive down. It's so much fun & you have such great memories from it. My fiancee & I had such a blast doing the drive down when we relocated here. And I have several fond memories of doing the drive down with my family when I was younger. So I am happy to hear that you are doing it.

LOL, either the Nemo or Pirate room sounds cute.

 

[PennyLane1084]

Now that we'll have the DDP, I've started thinking about ADR's to make during our trip.

Yesterday I was explaining the DDP to Steve (my DBF) and when he found out Teppan Edo was part of it, he about crapped his pants. We LOVE japanese steak houses with Habachi grills. So that is one meal we will stray from the group for.

Chef Mickey's is another must do. The plan is to go there for my gram's birthday dinner.

One character breakfast that is a must, is Ohana at Poly. I absolutely love Stitch so I really want to go there.

Other ADR ideas:
50's Prime Time Cafe
Liberty Tree Tavern
CRT
Garden Grill
Big River Grill and Brewing Works
Whispering Canyon Cafe
Biergarten

The main problem is that my gram is VERY picky. She doesn't like much ethnic food, aside from some mexican. She is allergic to fish, she doesn't like Asian or Italian. As long as a restaurant has a burger or some kind of steak on the menu she will find something to eat. I also think she would like Biergarten. She is polish and german food is a bit similar to Polish food. My gram also like to have a tall glass to beer. As far as the babies go, as long as there is mac 'n cheese, hot dogs, or chicken nuggets, they'll be fine. As far as character meals go, they will probably be too distracted to actually sit down and eat.

Some other places I want to eat at that do not require ADRs:
Beaches and Cream
Main Street Bakery
Aloha Isle = DOLE WHIP (never had one)
Yorkshire County Fish Shop

I can't make any ADRs until March. So, We'll just have to sit tight for a while.

 

[PennyLane1084]

Well it turns out my Mom and Dad may be join us on the trip. They recently inherited my families apartment building and they felt they couldn't leave apartment building without any of the family members that take care of it. My aunt convinced them that we will have a very trusted friend house sit (she has house sat for us in the past) and that we have cell phones in case of an emergency. It's not like we're going out of the country or somewhere it will be hard to get a hold of us. So, they are going to think about it. I really hope they decide to come along.

 

[KatMark]

I hope you don't mind me joining. Being that we are from the same state and that your grandma goes to a Cubs game, this has to be good.

 

[smileycrissy]

Well it turns out my Mom and Dad may be join us on the trip. They recently inherited my families apartment building and they felt they couldn't leave apartment building without any of the family members that take care of it. My aunt convinced them that we will have a very trusted friend house sit (she has house sat for us in the past) and that we have cell phones in case of an emergency. It's not like we're going out of the country or somewhere it will be hard to get a hold of us. So, they are going to think about it. I really hope they decide to come along.

Yay for Mom & Dad possibly coming.

Disney is much more fun with a big group.

I def suggest you go to Whisphering Canyon Cafe, the food is ok, I think Grandma will find something she will like. But the entertainment is by far the best part of the place. Its so much fun!! Read some reviews on the place, if you ask for a small glass, they literally bring you a small glass, my sis told the waiter she was thirsty & her brought her a giant glass of soda, etc.

What about San Angel Inn or the new mexican retaurant La Hacienda? I haven't eatern at either (checking out San Angel later this month) but since you said she liked Mexican food, she may enjoy that.

Oh and the Sci Fi Diner - DF and I went to that many years ago (I think it was like 2003) and we liked it there.

 

[PennyLane1084]

I hope you don't mind me joining. Being that we are from the same state and that your grandma goes to a Cubs game, this has to be good.

YAY! Another Reader!!! And a fellow Illinoisian! Illinoisian? I guess that's what you'd call us right?

Grandma is a HUGE Cubs fan. We go every year with a bus full of seniors. My gram is a member of the Internation Polka Club (yes she loves to Polka) and they have organized trip all year long. We did 2 games this year. One to Milwaukee for a Brewers game against the Cubs and another to Wrigley Field. We ride in a nice coach bus and get sandwiches, crackers and peanuts. And all the pop and beer you want. The only downside is that even if it's the only cold day in July, and your team is down by 5 runs and your legs are about to fall off from walking up and down the ramps because the 10 year wants cotton candy and a monkey wearing a cubs jersey, you have to stay the WHOLE time because the bus doesn't leave until the game is over.

On the way home from Milwaukee we watched a DVD of the Dean Martin Variety Show. I got a kick out of it, my 10 yo cousin on the other hand, she didn't exactly find the humor. I guess Dean Martin just isn't as entertaining as that darn Demi Lovato.

 

[KatMark]

YAY! Another Reader!!! And a fellow Illinoisian! Illinoisian? I guess that's what you'd call us right?

Grandma is a HUGE Cubs fan. We go every year with a bus full of seniors. My gram is a member of the Internation Polka Club (yes she loves to Polka) and they have organized trip all year long. We did 2 games this year. One to Milwaukee for a Brewers game against the Cubs and another to Wrigley Field. We ride in a nice coach bus and get sandwiches, crackers and peanuts. And all the pop and beer you want. The only downside is that even if it's the only cold day in July, and your team is down by 5 runs and your legs are about to fall off from walking up and down the ramps because the 10 year wants cotton candy and a monkey wearing a cubs jersey, you have to stay the WHOLE time because the bus doesn't leave until the game is over.

On the way home from Milwaukee we watched a DVD of the Dean Martin Variety Show. I got a kick out of it, my 10 yo cousin on the other hand, she didn't exactly find the humor. I guess Dean Martin just isn't as entertaining as that darn Demi Lovato.

My husband would LOVE your grandma...he loves the Polka (it's about the only dance he can do ). Good for Grandma going to the games. We make it a point to go to one game a year when my boss gets us tickets. Unfortunately, it was a sad game this year because they lost and the bleachers were half empty (and it was 90 degrees outside)...I think the fans are trying to tell the owners they better do something quick. The bus sounds like a fun way to go to the game.


I meant to comment on your "Other ADR ideas" (my comments are in red):

50's Prime Time Cafe we always enjoyed our food here
Liberty Tree Tavern loved our lunch here; never done dinner because I'm not a "big" Thanksgiving meal person
CRTnever done...we have two boys (now 24 and 22) who would never eat in a castle with princesses
Garden Grillit's been years and years--probably over 15 since we've been there but I remember we enjoyed it and the character interaction
Big River Grill and Brewing Worksnever done
Whispering Canyon Cafeone of two Disney restaurants you could NOT pay us to ever eat at again
Biergartenan all time favorite, although I was disappointed in it last month (I've unfortunately not gotten that far in my TR to review it, but should have it up in the next day or two

 

[PennyLane1084]

I def suggest you go to Whisphering Canyon Cafe, the food is ok, I think Grandma will find something she will like. But the entertainment is by far the best part of the place. Its so much fun!! Read some reviews on the place, if you ask for a small glass, they literally bring you a small glass, my sis told the waiter she was thirsty & her brought her a giant glass of soda, etc.

What about San Angel Inn or the new mexican retaurant La Hacienda? I haven't eatern at either (checking out San Angel later this month) but since you said she liked Mexican food, she may enjoy that.

I really want to go to Whispering Canyon Cafe. And I was really excited that a new mexican restaurant opened at the Mexico pavillion. La Hacienda is another place I want to try. The menu looks really good.

 

[smileycrissy]

Whispering Canyon Cafeone of two Disney restaurants you

Hi KatMark, so sorry to hear you got sick @ Whispering Canyon. Do you remember what you had? I know the chicken looked 'suspicious' to me. My nieces ordered it and they didn't want to eat it. It looked like it could've cooked just a lil longer. But the rest of the dishes were good.

@ Kristin - have a Dole whip as soon as you can. That way when you realize the powerful addiction it has, you'll be able to get a few in during your stay. Just writing this is making me crave one.

 

[KatMark]

Hi KatMark, so sorry to hear you got sick @ Whispering Canyon. Do you remember what you had? I know the chicken looked 'suspicious' to me. My nieces ordered it and they didn't want to eat it. It looked like it could've cooked just a lil longer. But the rest of the dishes were good.

@ Kristin - have a Dole whip as soon as you can. That way when you realize the powerful addiction it has, you'll be able to get a few in during your stay. Just writing this is making me crave one.

Hi, smileycrissy. I didn't get sick...my husband did. We had the skillet and we just found the food awful. I never even touched the meet except a little of the pork brisket which was just okay. I think Mark got sick on either the chicken or the ribs (the chicken did not seemed to be thoroughly cooked and the ribs were fatty and grissly). The only thing we enjoyed was the bottomless milkshakes. Our service was awful as well...2 hours for just the two of us and we never even ordered dessert. We could have had an off night, but we won't be going back.

 

[HAVOKROTTS]

To SmileyCrissy

I am glad you are enjoying your time at the Happiest Place on Earth, Disney.

Just wanted to say hi.

 

[PennyLane1084]

@ Kristin - have a Dole whip as soon as you can. That way when you realize the powerful addiction it has, you'll be able to get a few in during your stay. Just writing this is making me crave one.

Oh Man smiley, I can't wait to have a Dole whip! I've been collecting my spare change and that's my "Dole Whip Fund" for the trip. Just seeing pics of them makes my mouth water.

And YAY MORE READERS. why isn't my banana dancing?

 

[DisneyCP08]

Hi, joining in. Love you ADR ideas. And glad to hear that your parents may be joining.

 

[PennyLane1084]

I'm beginning to think that there is no way my aunt will be able to afford this trip. So, I'm preparing to execute Plan B, possibly Plan C, and if necessary Plan D.

What are these alternate plans say ye?

PLAN B:
I take my grandmother and my cousin Mia to Disney, just the 3 of us.
The problem with this plan is that my aunt does not want Mia to go to Disney World with out her. My grandma mentioned this to my aunt a few weeks ago saying "Well if you can't afford it, maybe Me, Kristin and Mia can go." My aunt freak out and said "Mia WILL NOT go to Disney World with out me!!"

Now it's not like my Aunt doesn't want her daughter to go on vacation without her because Mia's has gone on vacations with my family in the past. In fact my aunt has never been able to afford to take her kids anywhere really. She's just REALLY bad at saving money. I suggested taking the kids to Sesame Street Place (the babies were crazy about sesame street at the time) in Pennsylvania last year, she thought that was a great idea and looked into hotels and stuff. That trip never transpired. I believe you can see a pattern emerging.

I personally think that she is being sort of selfish. Mia has the opportunity to go and she's at the perfect age for it. The babies in my opinion are still too small to go. I can understand that she wants to experience Disney with her child for the first time. Seeing her face light up when she first sees the castle, that kind of stuff. But if there is an opportunity for your child to go without you, wouldn't you let them go because you know it will make them happy. And my grandma really only wants to go if she can go with Mia.

Plan C:
Ditch the family altogether and do a friends trip during Star Wars Weekends
This may happen anyways. All my friends are HUGE geeks. My girlfriends and I looked into a girls weekend to Orlando last year but since we all work part-time we couldn't afford it. So I mentioned it to another friend of mine and he loved the idea of checking out SSW. We also all want to check out WWOHP, because we all love Harry Potter too. So more than others (me ). This would only be a long weekend trip though But that would be fine with me.

I do also have an alternate version to this plan as well. (Am I crazy with the planning. Maybe.....maybe. ) Steve's(my bf) Dad lives a short 45 minutes north of Orlando in Deland, FL. Since we usually go visit him once a year ANYWAYS, and the WWOHP is open now, and well, we're so close by, why not just stop by while were down there. And maybe when we get down there I might just find some tickets to IoA that just happened to appear in our suitcase. Whatever shall we do?
But in all seriousness Steve knows that next time I go down with him to see his family I have an ulterior motive. I proposed the idea of going down to Orlando for SSW and he liked the idea. I figure we can fly into orlando, get a hotel for the weekend, go to DHS one day when all the cool Star Warsy stuff is going on and then the next day go to WWOHP at IoA. And then the next day have his dad pick us up and the hotel, take us back to his house in Deland and spend a few days with steve's family (His awesome uncle also lives right next door to his dad).

So now we shall she what happens. I said to Steve a few days ago, "I'm going to Disney World next year if I have a hitchhike there." He looked at my like a had sprouted another head and said "I'll go with you to Disney World, Babe, it's ok." I was secretly thinking to myself that I could always find some Dis'ers down there to hangout with but I didn't tell him that. Then he'd REALLY think I was crazy.



Plan D:
I take my grandmother to Disney and convince the rest of my family to come along
I know she doesn't really want to go without my cousin, but I know she still wants to go to Disney. If my parents and brother come along it would be more fun, however, I know my grandma will be thinking "Mia would be having so much fun doing this" since she's already experience Disney with me and My brother when we were little. So I have a feeling she would rather not go to Disney at all.

My mother agrees with me about my aunt. My grandma honestly is not really getting her hopes up about the trip knowing that it is dependent upon my aunt coming through. But I really don't want to disappoint her.