Hello! My name is Melanie and I'm a dis-aholic! Yes, I seriously think I need a 12 step Disney addiction program. A couple of years ago I would never had said this. Sure I like Disney movies and the mouse and all that, but I didn't become a Dis-aholic until a year and half ago. You see, it all started with our first trip last April. Now, I had never been to WDW before (once to DL 10yrs ago, but I don't count that trip. It was on the 4th of July and I don't recall much about it other than not doing much). Anyway somehow I discovered the Dis and I can't stop reading the boards, especially when I have a trip planned. Hmmmm, what happens if there is no upcoming trip, then what do I do? Will I continue to read and live vicariously through everyone elses reports? Maybe.................. Like I said, I think I need a 12 step program.
Last years trip was our first and I had no idea what I was in for. Luckily with the help of the Dis and TGM, I was able to plan a near-perfect trip. Heck, how would I know any better if it wasn't perfect since I had never been there before, right? Well, everything worked out really well. I didn't think the crowds were very heavy and we had a really great time as a family. (link to that TR below).
I fell in
with Disney that trip. Why, I can't really say, but just everything was magical that week. The castle was beautiful, the weather was awesome, and my family was with me. Perhaps it was like getting a piece of childhood back, that ability to experience everything through the eyes of a child and to feel like a child again. We thought it was a once in a lifetime trip for us and didn't have any plans on returning again anytime soon. After all, it wasn't a "cheap" vacation, but it was worth every penny. Looking back, Disney is actually a good value. Look at all the stuff you can do in one area!
After we got home, that Disney-depression set in...................DH and I had an anniversary-moon trip upcoming in September that had been in the works for over a year. Since airline tickets weren't booked, I was able to convince DH to add on a couple of days at Disney, so my second trip to "my happy place" as I now refer to it, was in the works thanks to the military discounts offered. After that trip, we didn't have any vacations planned for the following year. Of course in the back of my now Disney-obsesses mind, I knew I would figure out a way to get back. bawhaa-bawhh (evil laugh).
YES I DRANK THE KOOL-AID................A LOT OF IT!
Here is a picture of the happy family
Well, on a cold January weekend, I happened to be surfing on the Dis. What else is there to do on the weekends right? Ya need something to remind you that sunshine is around the corner. Anyway so I'm playing around with airfare just to see where it is at for spring / summer / heck even fall.............Well I don't know if I hit the lucky train or what, but I was finding airfar to MCO for around $200 pp. This was unheard of for our area! Now I'm getting all excited. I can get us to Orlando for fairly cheap in the terms of airfare prices! So I throw out to DH the idea of maybe another Disney trip because airfare is so low. Of course he didn't seem to enthusiastic about it. Of course, he hasn't drunk the kool-aid yet
A couple of days later Disney released military deals. WOO HOO!!!
Now these aren't as good as last years ticket deal, but still very good! At the same time I believe the also released the 40% room discount to military as well. So between airfare, the cheap tickets and discounted room, it was the Disney gods telling me we had to go again!! 
Flying into MCO meant we could use the ME and we wouldn't need a rental car, which would cut down on the cost of this trip, which I was trying to get as cheap as possible. Now last time we stayed off-site and had a car, so I am a little nervous about relying on Disney transportation, but I'm sure it will be fine. If we don't like it, then we will know for next time. Yes, there will be next time.........<insert evil laugh>
So airfare was looking really good for late April, so I played around with pricing on the
. I had notes and prices written all over the place. DH knew he was in trouble.................when I get something in my head, watch out cuz it's gonna happen! 
I found some dates at the end of April that looked good. DS9 wouldn't need to miss too much school, the dates wouldn't interfere with DH's work scheduled (drill weekend). So now to decide on a resort................values would be the cheaper option, but I was nervous about the 4 of is in those smaller rooms. Last year we had a three bedroom condo; big change!
Well, the moderates were a little bigger and they had cool slides at the pool for the kids. So I called and booked a room at POFQ for 7 days / 6 nights, 4/21 - 4/27. When they asked if I needed tickets, I said we were using the military ticket offer, so we did not. Well, again the Disney gods were upon me............just that morning they released the DDP for military so I was able to add that to our room ressie. 
I figured the DDP would be a good deal since both kids were still considered children on the plan. Might as well take advantage of it while we can. I don't know that I will pay the higher price DS9 the next trip. So room and DDP is booked, I went ahead and purchased the airfare as well. WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY, WE ARE GOING DISNEY
Can you tell I'm excited? Sorry if this PTR is boring. I think this is a great way to put my plans out there. Aaahhh, but how many times will I change my plans? .................. stay tuned for more!
I will leave you with some of my favorite pics from last year:
Last years trip was our first and I had no idea what I was in for. Luckily with the help of the Dis and TGM, I was able to plan a near-perfect trip. Heck, how would I know any better if it wasn't perfect since I had never been there before, right? Well, everything worked out really well. I didn't think the crowds were very heavy and we had a really great time as a family. (link to that TR below).
I fell in
with Disney that trip. Why, I can't really say, but just everything was magical that week. The castle was beautiful, the weather was awesome, and my family was with me. Perhaps it was like getting a piece of childhood back, that ability to experience everything through the eyes of a child and to feel like a child again. We thought it was a once in a lifetime trip for us and didn't have any plans on returning again anytime soon. After all, it wasn't a "cheap" vacation, but it was worth every penny. Looking back, Disney is actually a good value. Look at all the stuff you can do in one area!After we got home, that Disney-depression set in...................DH and I had an anniversary-moon trip upcoming in September that had been in the works for over a year. Since airline tickets weren't booked, I was able to convince DH to add on a couple of days at Disney, so my second trip to "my happy place" as I now refer to it, was in the works thanks to the military discounts offered. After that trip, we didn't have any vacations planned for the following year. Of course in the back of my now Disney-obsesses mind, I knew I would figure out a way to get back. bawhaa-bawhh (evil laugh).
YES I DRANK THE KOOL-AID................A LOT OF IT!
Here is a picture of the happy family
Well, on a cold January weekend, I happened to be surfing on the Dis. What else is there to do on the weekends right? Ya need something to remind you that sunshine is around the corner. Anyway so I'm playing around with airfare just to see where it is at for spring / summer / heck even fall.............Well I don't know if I hit the lucky train or what, but I was finding airfar to MCO for around $200 pp. This was unheard of for our area! Now I'm getting all excited. I can get us to Orlando for fairly cheap in the terms of airfare prices! So I throw out to DH the idea of maybe another Disney trip because airfare is so low. Of course he didn't seem to enthusiastic about it. Of course, he hasn't drunk the kool-aid yet
A couple of days later Disney released military deals. WOO HOO!!!
Now these aren't as good as last years ticket deal, but still very good! At the same time I believe the also released the 40% room discount to military as well. So between airfare, the cheap tickets and discounted room, it was the Disney gods telling me we had to go again!! Flying into MCO meant we could use the ME and we wouldn't need a rental car, which would cut down on the cost of this trip, which I was trying to get as cheap as possible. Now last time we stayed off-site and had a car, so I am a little nervous about relying on Disney transportation, but I'm sure it will be fine. If we don't like it, then we will know for next time. Yes, there will be next time.........<insert evil laugh>
So airfare was looking really good for late April, so I played around with pricing on the
. I had notes and prices written all over the place. DH knew he was in trouble.................when I get something in my head, watch out cuz it's gonna happen! I found some dates at the end of April that looked good. DS9 wouldn't need to miss too much school, the dates wouldn't interfere with DH's work scheduled (drill weekend). So now to decide on a resort................values would be the cheaper option, but I was nervous about the 4 of is in those smaller rooms. Last year we had a three bedroom condo; big change! Well, the moderates were a little bigger and they had cool slides at the pool for the kids.
So I called and booked a room at POFQ for 7 days / 6 nights, 4/21 - 4/27. When they asked if I needed tickets, I said we were using the military ticket offer, so we did not. Well, again the Disney gods were upon me............just that morning they released the DDP for military so I was able to add that to our room ressie. I figured the DDP would be a good deal since both kids were still considered children on the plan. Might as well take advantage of it while we can. I don't know that I will pay the higher price DS9 the next trip. So room and DDP is booked, I went ahead and purchased the airfare as well. WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY, WE ARE GOING DISNEY
Can you tell I'm excited? Sorry if this PTR is boring. I think this is a great way to put my plans out there. Aaahhh, but how many times will I change my plans? .................. stay tuned for more!
I will leave you with some of my favorite pics from last year:
I have started laying out some of the stuff I will pack, such as pool shoes and swim suits.............. but I really need to:
