Here we go again - WDW & DCL with Uncle Tom & Aunt Jen!

[disneychic]

Welcome to my very first Pre-Trip Report! I sure hope I can keep myself and anyone else who reads along interested until our trip begins!

I am really looking forward to this upcoming trip SO much! I know how lucky I am to be traveling with my family, and my young nieces. I can't wait to get the planning started!

This trip will consist of 4 nights at WDW followed by a 3 night Disney Cruise on the Disney Dream - Sunday, Feb. 5th - Sunday, Feb. 12th 2012

So, here’s the cast of characters in this upcoming adventure

Me, Jen (a.k.a. Aunt Jen) a WDW fanatic, DVC member & a former CM (we lived in Celebration from 2002-2009 until my DH got transferred to the North East).

DH – Tom (a.k.a. Uncle Tom) Engineer working for D.O.D. ….waiting on job transfer which was supposed to have happened already! We should be hearing any day if we will be moving (his job would be in Savannah, but we will live closer to HHI so that I can hopefully work for Disney again at the DVC HHI resort….fingers crossed)

Here we are at WDW:

My mom - I don’t get to spend nearly enough time with her. I long for the days when I lived closer to her and could see her whenever I wanted to But, in the meantime between her DVC points and mine we always manage to do at least 1 WDW trip a year w/ just the 2 of us (we’re going in September) and of course we visit each other whenever we can.

Aunt Joann – (she will be traveling with my mom on this trip because my mom’s BF, Jim is not able to) Anyway, Aunt Jo Jo is my mom’s youngest sister, and she lives in Sarasota, FL. She will be joining up with us a day or 2 before we leave for the cruise and she’ll be staying in a studio w/ my mom and then sharing a cabin w/ my mom on the cruise. I’d say she’s my favorite aunt….but ya never know who reads these things and I wouldn’t want to upset all the other aunts….

Here's one of my mom and my Aunt Jo from last September at WDW

My cousin Brian – he is my mom’s godson. His mom was my mother’s older sister and she was my godmother, sadly she passed away a few years ago from cancer. His dream was to go to WDW and my mom made sure that happened in February 2011 and now I’m making sure he goes again in 2012. He is the funniest person I know, and he’s always up for doing fun things. When he asked me what he could possibly give me for booking this trip I said “Brian, there’s just 1 thing I want to do….you & I have to do a karaoke duet on the ship!”…..without missing a beat he said “Done!” So stay tuned cause it’s a done deal!

Here’s Brian and the girls playing a game at the NJ shore boardwalk:

Danielle – Brian’s wife. She is one of the nicest people on the planet. She would do just about anything to help someone out. My family loves her to bits.

Here’s Dan & Samantha

Victoria – my 4 year old niece. I love spoiling her, and I make sure to put some sort of package in the mail to her every month or so with some sort of special present -- I get yelled at by my cousin but I can’t help myself!

Samantha – my 2 year old niece. She may not talk a lot yet, but every time she does my heart melts! She already has her dad’s sense of humor and she may be quiet, but she picks her moments and I’m constantly laughing when I’m around her….even when certain words that aren’t supposed to be spoken by 2 year olds slip out….Guess Brian & Danielle have to really be careful what they say around this little one - which is why there is now a “curse box” at their house – I slipped when visiting them a few weeks ago and I had to put $1 in there myself - I’ve been told there’s already enough $$ in there to pay for a park pass or two!

Here’s my girls last month at their first visit to the museum of natural history in NYC

My DH and I do not have children of our own but we are Aunt Jen & Uncle Tom to Victoria & Samantha, and we love them so very much. I wish I lived closer so I could see them more often (every time we see them, or talk to them on the phone we are still talking about it days & weeks later). After seeing WDW through their eyes in February, we cannot wait to experience this again, as well as experiencing the cruise with them.

My brother – Louie. Another joker…I think my family is full of funny people (believe me, I’m not complaining!) I love my brother more than words can say, and I hate the fact that I only get to see him a few times a year.

Ellie – my brothers girlfriend/soon to be fiancé (we’re all waiting here ). She is a sweet, sweet girl. She also loves Disney so she’s “one of us”
Here’s one of the 3 of us at a BBQ

Here's a little back-story on how this upcoming trip came to be....

In February 2011 my Big 4-0 birthday celebration at WDW turned into a big family trip (you can read the TR by clicking the link below – “It’s my big 4-0 so we’re all gonna go to Disney”). In the meantime I’ll explain as quickly as possible. My DH & I had booked a trip to celebrate my 40th in February 2011 using our DVC points and staying at the Boardwalk. When my mom found out this is what I wanted to do to celebrate, she booked rooms using her DVC points for herself and her boyfriend, my brother and his girlfriend, and my cousin & his family (all at the Boardwalk as well). We ended up having the best trip EVER (I’ll say this was my 2nd favorite WDW trip EVER with the best trip being our Disneymoon) and wishing we could all do a trip like this again…someday.

Here's one of my favorite pictures from our last family trip

So, about 6 weeks after returning from my Big 4-0 WDW trip my DH found out he was up for a promotion at work. This promotion would also be coming with a job transfer. At that time, there were 2 possibilities – Houston or Savannah (as of right now he’s been told it will be Savannah and we’re waiting on a start date/transfer date). A few months before all of this we had booked a DCL Mediterranean cruise for August using our DVC points, but my DH knew that with a transfer looming he would not be able to take 2 weeks to go to Europe. He of course said I could go without him but it didn’t seem right. This was going to be our 1st trip to Europe & I wanted us to experience it together. So, we decided to cancel and go another time. That left quite a few points to be used on another cruise…what to do? How about inviting my cousin & his family to go on the Disney Dream with us next year! We were already going to invite them to go back to WDW with us so why not add on a Disney Dream cruise to the vacation? I was really disappointed that we had to cancel our Med. Cruise, but this would be such a treat, and a guaranteed great time! I couldn’t wait to call and ask them! I started to explain the situation to Danielle…..”Dan, you know that cruise we were supposed to go on in August, well we have to cancel due to what’s going on with Tom’s job. Instead we are going to do a Bahamas cruise on the Disney Dream, and because we had such a great time with you guys on the last trip, and we have so many points available to use we were wondering…” she cut me off and said “Before you finish that question be really really sure about it….because we are going to say yes!” They couldn’t believe that we also wanted to add 4 nights at WDW before the cruise! They were so happy and excited to be going back to WDW & on their very first cruise! Tom & I would be booking the cabin for the cruise & the room at WDW for them using our DVC points so they would just have to save up for park passes, the dining plan and incidentals – making it much easier for them to say yes! When I asked my mom if she wanted to go she said there was no way she would miss this trip! My brother also wasn’t going to be left out so he said he and Ellie will be going with us too! This was really surprising, as my brother & Ellie went on the Wonder a few years back (their 1st ever cruise) and after they got back he said that cruising just wasn’t for him. So, I really didn’t think he would go with us but he said was NOT going to miss this family trip, so they booked a cabin (they aren’t sure yet if they will be able to go to WDW before the cruise but if they can my mom will of course book them a room with DVC points) So, with that our 2012 trip was born!


OK, now that everyone was up for this WDW/DCL trip I had to start the whole booking process. February works well for us all, so the first and most important thing for me to do was to book the cabins on the Dream. I was able to book 2 cabins using my DVC points for February 9th (3 day cruise). For some reason, they made me put Victoria in my room. This is OK, Danielle said she’s excited to stay in the cabin w/ Aunt Jen & Uncle Tom! She may change her mind in the middle of the night and want to stay in the cabin with her mom, dad and little sister and that’s ok too. We’ll just play that by ear. My mom was also able to book herself and my Aunt Joann a cabin using points & Louie & Ellie are booked as well.

The next goal was to book us studios at AKV. We chose this resort for a few reasons: 1st and most importantly the points are a bit cheaper here (especially if you can snag value studios…hard to do but I was going to try) and because I thought the girls would really love this resort. Although BLT would have been the ideal location, I really wanted to conserve points. Also, we thought it would be fun for everyone to stay at a different resort this time and I do love AKV. I was able to book 2 value studios checking in on Sunday 2/5 and out Thursday 2/9. My mom was also able to book a value studio for the same dates!

It’s all official now –Studios at AKV - booked! Cabins on the Disney Dream – booked! Let the planning begin!

 

[WDWLove]

Sounds like you guys are going to have one heck of a trip! I'm going to have to go back and read your "Big 40" TR now!

 

[disneychic]

Sounds like you guys are going to have one heck of a trip! I'm going to have to go back and read your "Big 40" TR now!

Thanks! I'm sure we'll have a great trip! BTW -- if you do go back and read my completed TR (It's my Big 4-0 so we're all gonna go to Disney!) on the last page there is a link to a youtube video with our trip highlights that came out pretty funny!

Thanks for reading along

 

[disneychic]

Now that everything’s all booked and confirmed I started to think of things I could get for the girls, and things we could do to make this trip as magical as possible. The first thing I did was put a little video together of the Animal Kingdom Lodge and of the Disney Dream (I was WAY underwhelmed by the official planning video……computer generated footage – seriously?) and put that in the mail to miss Victoria. You can see a small part of it (the first few minutes) here:

Click photo below for youtube video link


I also knew that I wanted to get some fun things for the girls as well. So, I purchased princess sunglasses from the Disney Store (they were on sale for $1.99), as well as some Disney beach things from the dollar store of all places….I never would have thought they would have Disney things in there but they did. So, I purchased for Victoria – Ariel beach ball, swimmies, tube, pail/shovel and little mermaid sand form toys and the same for Samantha only hers had Cinderella and some other princesses on them and the sand form toys are Finding Nemo (I wanted to get them different ones so they could have more of a variety to play with). The funny thing is that after I purchased all of this I saw some of the same stuff in Target….and it wasn’t $1each!

Also, I picked up some really cute material in Walmart to make bandanas for the girls for pirate night (I know they give out some on the ship, but I saw this and got some to make my own). I also picked up pirate eye patches, and hooks. I am also going to make t-shirts for the whole crew to wear for pirate night. I have the design ready, but still have to get t-shirts and the transfer paper.
Here are some photos of the things I picked up for the girls so-far:

For Victoria:

For Samantha:

For Everyone:

My pirates party bandana material (for the girls):

I still have some more things that I want to do (like get material to make pirate bandanas for the guys) but at least I got started. In my next post I will put our possible itinerary ideas as well as dining choices....before I know it the 180 day mark will be here and I have to book ADR's!

 

[WDWLove]

Your videos are TOO FUNNY I loved the whole "Love Boat/Disney Boat" video! Your family probably really enjoyed that! I also liked your "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" highlight video from your competed TR! That was great too! I wish I knew how to edit videos, maybe I will pick up a program (maybe you could reccomend one?) and do something like that for my family on our next trip!

 

[StephaniexMarie]

I'm really loving your PTR so far! I'm about to watch your video - just started a few seconds and I must say it's adorable.

My mom really wants to do a Disney Cruise in the future, but I love spending a long time at WDW. We'll get on one someday.

The little trinkets you picked up are so cute!

Can't wait for more updates!

 

[disneychic]

Your videos are TOO FUNNY I loved the whole "Love Boat/Disney Boat" video! Your family probably really enjoyed that! I also liked your "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" highlight video from your competed TR! That was great too! I wish I knew how to edit videos, maybe I will pick up a program (maybe you could reccomend one?) and do something like that for my family on our next trip!

Thanks! I had a lot of fun making the videos -- I did a really long one of the entire trip and burned it on DVD for the girls to have. I actually used windows live moviemaker. It was pre-installed on my laptop when I bought it. But, I think you can download it right from the microsoft website.

I'm really loving your PTR so far! I'm about to watch your video - just started a few seconds and I must say it's adorable.

My mom really wants to do a Disney Cruise in the future, but I love spending a long time at WDW. We'll get on one someday.

The little trinkets you picked up are so cute!

Can't wait for more updates!

Thanks for reading along! I'm going to read your Pre Trip Report too! We felt the same way about the Disney Cruise at first -- would we miss going to WDW or spending more time at WDW if we do the cruise? And, I've gotta say, the cruise is also very addicting (this one in Feb. will be #10 for us). It's definitely a Disney experience and more!

 

[Oliquig]

Hey, I'm going to be in Disney the same time as you! I loved your TR (I just lurked) and this one is looking great too, your nieces are so cute, and I'm guessing they are going to love all their new beach stuff.

 

[disneychic]

Hey, I'm going to be in Disney the same time as you! I loved your TR (I just lurked) and this one is looking great too, your nieces are so cute, and I'm guessing they are going to love all their new beach stuff.

Hi and welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed my TR and found my PTR! I can't wait until that vacation!! Do you have anything extra special planned for the Feb. trip? I'd like to do something special for the girls, but not sure what yet

 

[disneychic]

Welcome back to my PTR! Let the planning begin! Some personal updates – the big job transfer – well, we just found out on Thursday that it will be postponed! I’m not happy about it, but I understand. It’s because one of the engineers in DH’s group is very ill. She has Leukemia and has recently had stem cell transplant, going through chemo, etc. She is not doing very well. She has been out of work for about 6 weeks and they just found out that she will be out at least until the end of the year. She is actually one of the engineering group leaders. All of her projects just got handed to my Dh. So, he will not be transferring any time soon. I understand that these things happen, and of course I wish that his work colleague can recover from this. There are just more important things in life than moving up at work. And, I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. So, I guess we’ll be in Maine for a while longer.

Back to the PTR – Tickets….. I did suggest to Danielle that they get 4 day tickets w/ park hoppers. The rest of us have annual passes, so I thought they should get the park hopper option so we can hop – just gives us more options on only a 4 day WDW stay. We did quite a few things on our last trip, but there were many attractions that we missed (including not going to Animal Kingdom at all) so, I thought we may want to try some different options on this trip. Next week I’ll be able to make ADR’s!!! So, in order to book our dinners I have to have some sort of itinerary – here’s what I think may work best….

Day 1:Sunday – Arrive & check in at AKL
Since this day will have evening EMH at MK I thought after everyone arrives at AKL and checks in we could have lunch at Mara and head to MK.
The girls LOVED MK on their 1st trip so this just may be the “must do” option
Afternoon parade – a “must-do”
Get some attractions in for the girls (we missed the Walt Disney World Railroad last time – somehow so I’d like them to try this along with some other things we missed like the Mad Tea Party, Jungle Cruise, etc.)
Dinner at Tony’s Town Square OR Liberty Tree Tavern. I’m torn on this as the last time I ate at Tony’s (in May) the meal was really bad (quality of food). So, I’m wondering if I should try LTT (never had dinner there before)
Wishes fireworks (if the girls aren’t too tired) and then head back to the AKL.

Day 2 - Monday
Head over to Epcot and go on some attractions that we missed last time (Test Track, Soarin’, Living with the land) as well as attractions that the girls liked last time – Turtle Talk, Living Seas
Lunch at Sunshine Seasons OR one of the CS restaurants in World Showcase
Tour World Showcase, let the girls get princess autographs/photos
Early Dinner – Via Napoli
Downtown Disney?

Day 3- Tuesday
Breakfast at AK
Head over to Animal Kingdom (we didn’t go to AK on the girls 1st visit in February 2011 – not enough time). Rides/attractions for the girls:
Kilimanjaro safari
Festival of the Lion King
Primeval Whirl
Triceratop Spin
*Brian & Danielle can go on Dinosaur and Expedition Everest while we watch the girls for them
Have lunch at AK – Not sure where?
Head over to DHS (toy story mania, beauty and the beast, star tours, back lot tour)
Back to AKL – dinner at Boma

Day 4 – Wednesday
MK Day! All day MK – what ever the girls want to do!
Dinner at ‘Ohana!
Down Town Disney?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Oliquig]

When your're watching your nieces at AK you should totally take them to the Boneyard, my niece loved it when we went last time (when she was six.)

I'm not planning on LTT, because being from New England I can get a New England themed food anytime.

 

[disneychic]

When your're watching your nieces at AK you should totally take them to the Boneyard, my niece loved it when we went last time (when she was six.)

This is a great idea! I hadn't even thought of lettiing them run around and play in the boneyard!

 

[disneychic]

Yay! I've made ADR's for our February trip! I love ADR time because it means our trip is getting closer! Here are the ADR's I've made for the trip:

Saturday:
Sanaa (just mom, me & my DH will come in on Sat. the 4th)

Sunday:
Liberty Tree Tavern (after everyone else gets in we will be going to MK as there are EMH hours this evening -- the only one during the time we are there)

Monday:
Teppan Edo (Epcot Day)

Tuesday:
1900 PF (I've never eaten dinner here, but I thought the girls would just love it so we'll give it a try)

Wednesday:
'Ohana


Thursday -- we leave for our cruise on the Disney DREAM!

 

[ajf1007]

I'm loving your PTR as much as your TR from your 40th! The video from that TR was awesome and I love the PTR video you did for your nieces! The Love Boat theme was great - I loved that show! I think it's awesome all of the thoughtful sweet things you do for your nieces. My DH and I also do not have kids and love to spoil my nieces like crazy! They live in Kansas, we live in Pennsylvania so it's tough to see them as often as I would like, so I always try to do creative fun things for them! Your my inspiration!

We have a big trip scheduled for next September, it will be my nieces first time to WDW so my creative juices are already flowing. I decided that once I get the rooms (shooting for a 2 bedroom for us and a studio for my best friend) booked I'm going to start a monthly newsletter for them to keep them excited all the way up to the trip! This trip will be me, my DH, my mom, my brother and sister-in-law, my 2 nieces, my best friend, her husband and their daughter.

You really are my inspiration and can't wait to see what you do next! I'm sorry you won't be taking that transfer now, but like you said, everything happens for a reason I guess. What a transition moving from Celebration to Maine! It's cold there!

Ok, subbing so I can stay up to date!!!

 

[disneychic]

I'm loving your PTR as much as your TR from your 40th! The video from that TR was awesome and I love the PTR video you did for your nieces! The Love Boat theme was great - I loved that show! I think it's awesome all of the thoughtful sweet things you do for your nieces. My DH and I also do not have kids and love to spoil my nieces like crazy! They live in Kansas, we live in Pennsylvania so it's tough to see them as often as I would like, so I always try to do creative fun things for them! Your my inspiration!

We have a big trip scheduled for next September, it will be my nieces first time to WDW so my creative juices are already flowing. I decided that once I get the rooms (shooting for a 2 bedroom for us and a studio for my best friend) booked I'm going to start a monthly newsletter for them to keep them excited all the way up to the trip! This trip will be me, my DH, my mom, my brother and sister-in-law, my 2 nieces, my best friend, her husband and their daughter.

You really are my inspiration and can't wait to see what you do next! I'm sorry you won't be taking that transfer now, but like you said, everything happens for a reason I guess. What a transition moving from Celebration to Maine! It's cold there!

Ok, subbing so I can stay up to date!!!

Hi! Thanks for reading along! We have a lot in common - no kids of our own, living far away from the nieces we love to spoil and bringing them on their 1st trip to WDW! I'm glad you enjoyed my TR and the videos! I like your idea of a news letter -- I like to send Victoria a little something in the mail every month or so, -- I may put something like that together! Thanks for the idea!

 

[Oliquig]

You're ADRs look great! I've been picking up things here and ther for my niece, but keeping them hidden, since she doesn't know about the trip yet.

 

[ajf1007]

Hi! Thanks for reading along! We have a lot in common - no kids of our own, living far away from the nieces we love to spoil and bringing them on their 1st trip to WDW! I'm glad you enjoyed my TR and the videos! I like your idea of a news letter -- I like to send Victoria a little something in the mail every month or so, -- I may put something like that together! Thanks for the idea!

We do have a lot in common!! In addition to the no kids, love our niece's, my dh and I are looking into moving to Celebration. It's part of my 5 year plan. We're just waiting for the housing market to swing up a bit so we can sell our house, then we want to move to Celebration and I want to be a CM at the Boardwalk or any one of the resorts. I'm ready to go as soon as we can.

Funny thing is, I love your video idea too, so I'm thinking about that too. We'll be in WDW (only for one night - family vaca in St. Augustine so we're running away for a night) and I want to take lots of pics and video so I can do something for them. I also want to pick up some park maps and stuff so I can send something along with the newsletter. I have a subscription to Celebrations magazine so I have been saving them up to send too!

 

[disneychic]

You're ADRs look great! I've been picking up things here and ther for my niece, but keeping them hidden, since she doesn't know about the trip yet.

I just can't stop picking things up for them! I want this trip to be so magical and special for them. Infact, I had to tell my mom to STOP telling my cousin and his wife what I'm doing/planning because they keep yelling at me! They say that my DH & I are doing too much but we don't have kids, so we like to spoil theirs! My mom sees them quite often because she lives about 1/2 hour away but I DON'T! So I had to tell her to stop giving up all the info! I think I'll have to hold back on some of the details from now on!

We do have a lot in common!! In addition to the no kids, love our niece's, my dh and I are looking into moving to Celebration. It's part of my 5 year plan. We're just waiting for the housing market to swing up a bit so we can sell our house, then we want to move to Celebration and I want to be a CM at the Boardwalk or any one of the resorts. I'm ready to go as soon as we can.

Oh, how I wish I could move back there - today! My DH promises me that someday we will get back there. Since he works for the D.O.D. (at one of the top 3 defense contractors) he's hoping he can eventually get into Lockheed Martin which is also a top 3 D.O.D. contractor. Also, as you know I worked front desk at the Boardwalk for a few years. I have to say that I absolutely loved it and I miss working there (and working for Disney in general). I met the greatest people in the world working there -- friends that will last me a lifetime (from working at both BW and GF) If you ever do get a chance to work front desk or concierge and they ask you at casting what your top 3 choices are definitely tell them the Boardwalk!

 

[disneylovin24]

This sounds like it is going to be a fun trip! I think I may just have to go back now and read your other TR...

 

[disneychic]

Well, I'm back with a few updates. First, I forgot to post this last week, but I changed the check-in date for my DH and I to check in on Saturday, Feb. 4th. I did this mostly because we like to have a night to catch up with our Florida friends, and I know I'll be running around like crazy with my nieces. So I called DVC and I was able to get a value studio for Saturday night and just added the extra night onto my existing reservation When I told my mom this she decided she wanted to come in a night early too so she added Saturday night onto her reservation as well (not sure which day Aunt Jo will be meeting up with us yet). It actually works out better for us -- especially since we'll probably still be living in Maine. The airport is small up here, there really are not a lot of flights down to Orlando on a daily basis. In fact, the only direct flights are on Saturday and typically don't get us down there until 4:00 PM or later. So, this way I'll be there when my cousin and his family arrives (they are coming from NJ and they will be booking a really early flight 7:00 AM or so).

I am soooo happy and excited - I booked BBB for the girls today! We will be going to the MK location on Wednesday (our last full day while at WDW). I can't wait! I have to think of a cool way to let the girls know. I was thinking making a personalized invitation for them and giving it to them the day before?? Not sure if I want to do it that way, or perhaps make them a count down calendar (when we're about 1 month out) and have that be on the calendar somehow? Not sure. I do know that I'm seriously considering purchasing one of those cricut machines ...but I'm not sure if I'd even use it enough to justify spending the money to buy one (plus all the extras that I'll need for it ). Maybe I'll ask DH to get that for me for Xmas?? Either way, I do have to come up with some ideas (any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!) Since I booked BBB for Wednesday, I switched my ADR's around so that the girls can eat dinner with Cinderella at 1900 PF for dinner on Wednesday night. Here are our dinner plans now with the changes:

Saturday - Sanaa (DH & I, my mom, and our good Florida friends - Marc & Gwen, Adriana & Gilbert)

Sunday - Liberty Tree Tavern

Monday - Teppan Edo

Tuesday - 'Ohana

Wednesday - 1900 Park Fare

Also, I just upgraded my camera to a Canon DSLR...which I cannot WAIT to use -- I even purchased an extra lens to get really great shots! I'll be going to WDW in September so, this will be the perfect time to try this out! I'll post a very brief TR on this vacation (a TR in a Pre TR perhaps??) The dates for that trip are 9/10-9/17. My mom will be joining me for the entirety of this trip We will be staying at AKV - Jambo House (yep, staying there for this trip too) we purchased MNSSHP tickets for 9/13...our 1st MNSSHP! Can't wait - I should get some really cool photos of the decorations, parade and fireworks! Then on Wedsnesday 9/14 my DH will be joining us for the remainder of the trip (he couldn't come for the whole trip due to work). I won't go into any great detail on that trip but I will be posting some photos taken with my new camera!