He's Going to Camp AND We're Still Going to Disney:) Update Dec 14 post #665

[pooksma]

OCDP-that’s me. The Obsessive Compulsive Disney Planner. Once one trip ends I am immediately looking forward to another. Last year was the first time DH and I tag teamed on a Pre-Trip Report. We’re going to try it again but this time it has to be super secret because it’s a Mom and Dad only trip. Shhhhh!

The cast for this trip is very small, just myself (pooksma-currently on Educational Leave to finish my Master’s in Education ) and DH (declansdad-private college instructor ).

Missing from this trip will be the pookus (DS Declan)

and of course the cat

(who gets miffed every time we go away for more than one night)

This trip was not even on the radar until we noticed a few things that traveling with a then-six-year-old brings : (1) Thrill ride junkie itis , (2) dinners at reasonable hours, (3) an overall lack of alcohol consumption (which I plan on rectifying this time), and (4) the need to get to the next ride and ignore the shows. These things, combined with Mom’s lack of a close encounter with one of her fav characters, Mary Poppins, led us to decide it was time for Mom and Dad to take a trip for the adults.

We have never taken a vacation of more than a weekend without DS. And there will be some feelings of guilt for certain. However, I have been inspired by many DISers who have gone sans the child and I think it’s about time! Actually the last trip DH and I took alone, without friends or family, was in 1995 to Cuba. We were newlyweds then. Wow, that’s a long time ago says you, darn right says I. So here we go-let’s plan!

Our first booking is never the resort which I guess is different from some people but traveling from Canada and always in the summer due to the above mentioned careers, we always book our flights first. One thing we have learned from this is to expect changes in schedules (insert oh yeah its Delta here) but take it with a grain of salt since in our opinion it costs way too much to fly from Canada.

Flights were booked way back in November and it was worth it as the CND was worth over $1 US.

Now to choose a resort.

Let the searching and second guessing begin!

 

[MeMom]

I'll be the first of what will be many, many followers on this read...this secret mission you are planning.
What kind of camp is Declan going to? When are you going to tell him about it?

It will be enjoyable, no doubt, to get to enjoy more of the shows and more of World Showcase, such as the movies, without a youngster who is full of get up and go. I think you'll miss him a lot, though. Everything will remind you of him, I bet. I predict you will bring him back lots of souvenirs.

I look forward to hearing all about your planning, and I really look forward to seeing all the great pictures I know you'll bring back!

 

[pooksma]

You wanna stay where???

When we last visited our brave parents they were trying to decide where to stay for this secret vacation. Let's listen in shall we and see if the OCDP can manage to convince her que sera sera DH they need to decide NOW...

DH- " I told you it really doesn't matter where we stay as long as we stay within our budget. You decide."

Me-" So that means we're not going back to the Poly huh?"

DH-"Not unless we get a 40% code again. Oh and no split stays this time. If we were there longer ok but for one week I'd like to just stay put."

Me- "I like the look of POFQ. How about there?"

And thus it was decided. POFQ it is. Thanks to the awesome trip report from Tim and Lesley (if they make it here and read this -your help was appreciated )

Now to scope out POFQ on the sly and start thinking about ADRs. Oh and don't think I've forgotten my desire to further enjoy some of Epcot's "coolies". This too must figure in to the equation (sorry that's the Math teacher in me )

To decide ADRs we each made a list of places we'd like to try and some favs.

What did we come up with? Tune in next episode to find out. Will it be bangers and mash at Rose and Crown, or will Ma finally get to see Mary Poppins at 1900 Park Fare?

 

[declansdad]

Here is one of the reason htis trip can't come soon enough!

This was taken from the road in front of our house. YOu can just see the top of ds's head and he is about 4'5".

This is the hole he was standing in.

Is it August yet????????

 

[Hedy]

Wow, that's a lot of snow! You'll love POFQ-it's a great resort. And good luck re Delta.

 

[pooh'smate]

I grew up in Maine and I feel so bad for all of you up north. You have had so much snow this year. Looking forward to reading more.

 

[declansdad]

Wow, that's a lot of snow! You'll love POFQ-it's a great resort. And good luck re Delta.

I grew up in Maine and I feel so bad for all of you up north. You have had so much snow this year. Looking forward to reading more.

We have had lots more than normal and to have that much still on the ground is crazy.

Thanks to both of you for reading along.

 

[declansdad]

I'll be the first of what will be many, many followers on this read...this secret mission you are planning.
What kind of camp is Declan going to? When are you going to tell him about it?

It will be enjoyable, no doubt, to get to enjoy more of the shows and more of World Showcase, such as the movies, without a youngster who is full of get up and go. I think you'll miss him a lot, though. Everything will remind you of him, I bet. I predict you will bring him back lots of souvenirs.

I look forward to hearing all about your planning, and I really look forward to seeing all the great pictures I know you'll bring back!

MeMom, how could we forget to welcome you?? I guess you are like part of the family, sometimes you just take things for granted.

How your Easter went well and looking forward to hearing about the rest of your trip.

 

[buffy0214]

I'm so jealous....a trip without the kids. The last trip Hubby and I took without the kids was probably Disney in 96 and that was because we didn't have kids

I have really been wanting to take a Disney trip with hubby only but I think I would be riddled with guilt For now, I'll live through you guys

I love your list...I like character meals with my kids and all but it would be nice to have a meal without have to stop and get an autograph or take a picture every 5 minutes.

 

[pooksma]

I'm so jealous....a trip without the kids. The last trip Hubby and I took without the kids was probably Disney in 96 and that was because we didn't have kids

I have really been wanting to take a Disney trip with hubby only but I think I would be riddled with guilt For now, I'll live through you guys

I hear ya! You'll get brave enough to do this too, I promise
Course that's easy for me to say now...

 

[MinnieMommy]

WOW! A grown-up only trip!
I mentioned to DH once that I was really looking forward to a trip someday with him alone to WDW... and he looked at me like I had two heads!
I was thinking once the kids were grown-up, moved out, or away at school. But, the idea of kids away at camp having a good time may be a REALLY good chance to sneak away!

 

[pooksma]

WOW! A grown-up only trip!
I mentioned to DH once that I was really looking forward to a trip someday with him alone to WDW... and he looked at me like I had two heads!
I was thinking once the kids were grown-up, moved out, or away at school. But, the idea of kids away at camp having a good time may be a REALLY good chance to sneak away!

We'll see how well this works out.

 

[pooksma]

Honestly our choices for ADRs were quite similar. We have a couple places we wanted to return to (Le Cellier and Ohana), a couple of maybes (Coral Reef, Tony's and 1900 Park Fare) and places we wanted to go without DS because he's already said he didn't want to go there.

So this is our final list. (I think)

Tues. Aug.5 (arrival) CS somewhere that night for supper

Wed. Aug. 6- Ohana breakfast (LOVE the pineapple and the Stitch juice)
Raglan Road supper

Thurs. Aug. 7- Coral Reef early supper (5:40pm)

Fri. Aug. 8- Boma (DS wasn't interested last trip-he's a picky eater)
I'm really excited about this one!

Sat. Aug. 9- Le Cellier for late lunch (Yum Yum Cheddar Cheese Soup
and those wicked breadsticks!)

Sun. Aug. 10- Whispering Canyon (First visit- Plus I want to see WL)

Mon. Aug. 11- Spoodles - a quiet last night on the Boardwalk



Sooooo faithful readers, whaddya think??? (I'm sure DH will add his 2 cents to this)

 

[buffy0214]

If you are like me, this won't be your final list

Looks yummy to me. I love that pineapple bread, too, and would love to try Boma. No Victoria and Alberts, though? That is definitely a "grown ups only" meal.

 

[DCinNs]

Power to the parents! (child free trip!) We too will someday do a sans child vacation....

Thanks to your trip report from last August and your decision to go again in August that I am feeling better about our decision to go in August. I have to say we are nervous about the weather, ie. heat, hurricanes, etc!

We too will fly from the States, Portland, $1500.00 cheaper than Halifax for the 3 of us

Is it August yet?

 

[declansdad]

Power to the parents! (child free trip!) We too will someday do a sans child vacation....

Thanks to your trip report from last August and your decision to go again in August that I am feeling better about our decision to go in August. I have to say we are nervous about the weather, ie. heat, hurricanes, etc!

We too will fly from the States, Portland, $1500.00 cheaper than Halifax for the 3 of us

Is it August yet?

Welcome to our journey. We looked at Portland as well but when we booked Delta (out of Bangor) was much cheaper than anyone else.

When in August are you going?

 

[declansdad]

If you are like me, this won't be your final list

Looks yummy to me. I love that pineapple bread, too, and would love to try Boma. No Victoria and Alberts, though? That is definitely a "grown ups only" meal.

The V & A would be very nice but I have to dress up at work everyday . I don't need that on vacation. Plus that would mean a second checked bag that Delta will now charge me for.

 

[DCinNs]

Welcome to our journey. We looked at Portland as well but when we booked Delta (out of Bangor) was much cheaper than anyone else.

When in August are you going?

August 5th to 14th. Jet Blue was 99.00 each was plus tax, although that seems to have gone up since we booked last month. The airfares & rental cars go up and down like the stock market! It's a long drive but who cares in August!! My girls can do some extra shopping with a vehicle to carry it all home.... maybe I should have flown from Halifax

 

[declansdad]

August 5th to 14th. Jet Blue was 99.00 each was plus tax, although that seems to have gone up since we booked last month. The airfares & rental cars go up and down like the stock market! It's a long drive but who cares in August!! My girls can do some extra shopping with a vehicle to carry it all home.... maybe I should have flown from Halifax

We will be there at the same time. Delta was 158+ tax for return flights when we booked.

 

[MinnieMommy]

Your dining plans look pretty yummy!
I'm not sure if I would go to Whispering Canyon though. What about Artist Point? We've been to Whispering Canyon a few times.. once ordering a la carte, another time getting the skillet. I know everyone has there own opinions on this.. but we didn't think the food was spectacular. We are going back, but it's for the atmosphere, not the food. If the reason you're going is for atmosphere, great... but if it's for a "nice meal"... I would skip it.