Hunter family holiday

[hunterfaimly]

I'm going to try to write my first PTR. I have read many, why not give one a shot! This trip will be a family reunion trip on my husbands side. This entry I will introduce everyone and next entry I will discuss more of our plans.

Myself: Noelle 36, mom of two, nurse by trade, stay at home by choice and planner. I went on several trips in childhood when we lived in Orlando, one day trip at MK on honeymoon(what were we thinking??) DCL in 2007, and we have went the last 3 years to WDW staying at POR. My favorite character is currently Minnie Mouse but really I love them all.

DH: Bill 39 engineer for the railroad also known as the fun parent. He went on one trip as a kid and the same as myself on the others. His favorite character is probably Donald duck or goofy.


DD Maddison 8, reader extrodinare. She is your typical oldest child. Very responsible, straight A student and Mom's helper. She says she is to old for all the characters but when she sees a princess she lights up.


DD Makenna 3 onery and cute! She is the baby, adorable and funny. She also is stubborn like no other. She sleeps with a stuffed piglet every night but very much is into the princess as well.

DMIL Janet, newly retired. She is slightly overwhelmed with all the info. She is trusting my DSIL and myself to make most of the choices while she foots most of the bill. She is looking forward to Cinderella the most other than just time together.

DFIL Bill, retiring upon return. He is a go along kind of guy but mostly talks about the world showcase. Got to get both of these up to walking the miles and miles that are required in a day at WDW


DBIL Brian 37. Machinist and my husbands brother. He went to WDW once in childhood with the rest of the family, they camped offsite. He took his own family in 2011 for spring break and they stayed off site. This will be the first time for all the in-laws to stay onsite. This trip was his idea


DSIL Becky 41 accountant by trade, stay at home mom by choice to 3 lovely children. She is the planner in her family and my sidekick planner on this trip.


DN Adam 10 energetic boy through and through. Growing up so fast


DN Jason 8 also a typical boy. Full of energy, no volume control and ready for fun. The boys and Maddison are good play buddies.


DN Kendra 4. Sweet and quite. Loves all things princess and fairy. She is friends and enemies with Makenna.


DBIL Bruce 35. Also my husbands brother, he is single and no children. He is going along but not sure about this at all. He is great and I'm looking for ways to make this a fun trip for him as well.

That is all of us. A year ago I was very worried of all this time together, as we get along fine in small doses, but have never spent more than 48 hours all together. In January my DH had a major health crisis, we are still dealing with the fall out, and it has brought us all so much closer together. I love them all to pieces and am so glad we will have a chance to celebrate together at the end of a long difficult year. As I mentioned before I have never done report before and am not very tech savvy. Expect lots of grammer and spelling mistakes and few pics or games. Lots of conversation and ideas kicking around. I love to brainstorm together for my trip and yours.

Noelle

PS I know that my name even includes a spelling mistake

 

[hunterfaimly]

Now we can discuss some of our plans for this trip! We did a surprise trip for our kids Christmas 2011. The last gift they opened Christmas morning was the reveal that we were leaving in 2 hours for the airport. We stayed at POR the 25-31. The morning after returning we had Christmas at my DMIL with that family and of course we were very excited about how great it was. BIL said he thought we should all go for Christmas together. Everyone kind of laughed and went on. A couple hours later he said it again and my MIL asked if he was serious and he says yes lets do it. We talked about what days we could do it and how we would handle it. That was it, we were in planning mode.
We have met a couple times and firmed up the plans and here is what we have so far. We booked 4 rooms at All stars Sports, MYW with dining. We are flying out of Indianapolis on Saturday Dec. 21. While technically we would fit in 3 we thought it better for everyone to have their own space. Looked into renting a house but transportation would be a nightmare and the EMH become very important this time of year. Since we all live in 4 different cities in 2 different states, MIL wanted us all together the night before our flight in case weather got dicey or anything like that. So we are going to book a hotel for the night before near the airport, that isn't done yet.


*arrive at MCO around 1:30
All star sports 4 rooms
that evening everyone will be on their own for dinner.
* 2 days at Epcot dinner at Beirgarten and Garden Grill with a candlelight processional
* 2 days at Magic Kingdom with dinners at CRT and Crystal Palace
* Hollywood Studios day with dinner at 50's PTC
* Animal Kingdom day with dinner at Tusker House
* 25th do whatever you want all day dinner at Grand Floridean Cafe
* 29th we are flying out in the afternoon so morning is personal choice.

The exact days will be figured out once the EMH come out and the schedule of fantasmic, CLP, all that stuff. The flights were booked already. Not sure that was the best choice, as I am sure the prices will come down as more airlines open up booking. When traveling with a group of 12 we need to pick our battles. Everyday we will be on our own for breakfast, lunch and touring. We will be having matching shirts made for a couple days, for the rest we are picking a color and everyone will just wear that color so we look decent in pictures. My immediate family has decided on what we will do for several of the meals that we will be on our own for. Breakfast will almost always be in our room as we are getting ready for rope drop, things like cereal, milk, juice, yogurt, granola bars, fruit ect. I will send a box ahead with some items and use some snack credit for others.


21st lunch at the airport upon landing, dinner at Earl of Sandwich
Epcot lunches will be at Yorkshire County Fish shop and Katsura Grill
Magic Kingdom lunches will be Be our Guest and Tony's
Hollywood studio lunch at Hollywood and Vine
Animal Kingdom lunch at Dinosauraus
before leaving the 29th we will have breakfast at Aukershus. Not sure what we will do on Christmas day yet. Thank you all so much for letting me ramble on.



Noelle

 

[hunterfaimly]

It's a snow day, no school, here in Indiana due to an ice storm last night. Boy spring can't come soon enough. Maybe if I list some of the questions I'm still kicking around I get some folks here to talk to me. I know how much DISers like to help, time to exploit that trait.

How would you handle photopass plus for four people with one person paying?
How would you spend Christmas Day at the world?
Any ideas of a special treat for MIL and FIL?
What can we do with the left over counter service credits?
Any experience with booking meals for such a large group?
Who are you? Where are you from?

Noelle

 

[indimom]

Hello, fellow Hoosier!
You must be a northerner. We're from the southern end of the state and our weather is all clear today.
In fact, my kids are making up a snow day today on the first day of their spring break. lol. They were suitably annoyed.

I can't answer many of your questions since I've never gone with an extended group or done any of the Christmas extras, but I hope all your plans work out. It sounds like you've got good reason to celebrate as a family!

I don't know if you were looking for any "off site" ideas for your IL's or yourself, but we did take one Orlando trip at Christmas and discovered the ICE! exhibit at the Gaylord Palms Resort. It was very unique and we really enjoyed it. It was a busy place, and there was a wait to get in even with tickets, but it was a really neat experience. Even the kids liked it.

Good Luck with your PTR and planning.

 

[hunterfaimly]

No one to talk to, no problem, I will ramble to myself. Today was my DH first day back to work after 2 months. He was in the hospital for 2 weeks and then a long recovery. He had diverticulitis and it ruptured spilling infection into his abdominal cavity. It resulted in emergency surgery, sepsis and septic shock. This was what I alluded to in my opening post. DH works for the railroad and is hoping to be on a train by the weekend. Not sure how I feel about that. I'm glad we will soon get back to normal, but I have gotten used to having him home.

Bought tickets and back stage passes to see Jillian Michaels today. 2 years ago I lost 75lbs. I have gained 15 back since the first of the year, probably due in part to the above situation. Now I have 50 I need to lose and I am back to working hard at it. I am super excited to meet Jillian.

Noelle

 

[hunter1211]

Hello from another Hunter family! I hope you are are able to get some answers to all your questions and have good luck planning a magical vacation.

As far as your questions......

How would you handle photopass plus for four people with one person paying?Never had the photopass with more than me and my kids.
How would you spend Christmas Day at the world? Never have been at Christmas
Any ideas of a special treat for MIL and FIL? maybe let them go out by themselves one night.
What can we do with the left over counter service credits?not sure, it's never has happened to us.
Any experience with booking meals for such a large group?I am booking for a bit smaller group of 9 and so far it's not a problem. You just may have to call on some ADR's vs doing them online.
Who are you? Where are you from?I am Wendy, a sahm to 5 girls and we live in Georgia.

Can't wait to read more of your magical trip report!

 

[hunterfaimly]

Hello, fellow Hoosier!
You must be a northerner. We're from the southern end of the state and our weather is all clear today.
In fact, my kids are making up a snow day today on the first day of their spring break. lol. They were suitably annoyed.

I can't answer many of your questions since I've never gone with an extended group or done any of the Christmas extras, but I hope all your plans work out. It sounds like you've got good reason to celebrate as a family!

I don't know if you were looking for any "off site" ideas for your IL's or yourself, but we did take one Orlando trip at Christmas and discovered the ICE! exhibit at the Gaylord Palms Resort. It was very unique and we really enjoyed it. It was a busy place, and there was a wait to get in even with tickets, but it was a really neat experience. Even the kids liked it.

Good Luck with your PTR and planning.

HI!! The town we live in is half way between Fort Wayne and Indy. We have missed 3 days so now we have one added onto the end of the year. Hopefully that is the end of it, but a few fog delays would be nice Thanks for the tip on the ICE! exhibit, it sounds interesting and maybe a break from the crowds. I will run it by the brother in-laws

Noelle

 

[hunterfaimly]

Been a few days, waiting until I had a little something to report I guess. First I am so excited that my Maddison made the battle of the books team. She is the only 3rd grader in the county that is on a team. The rest of her team was 4th graders and the other 5 teams are 4-6 depending on the school. She is a super reader and will literally jump for joy over a new book. One of a kind kid.
Today is Palm Sunday so we got together with my husbands extended family. We only see his aunts, uncles, and cousins about 3 times a year so that is always nice. Bill has returned to work so he was unable to go but I was able to fill them all in and thank them for the prayers and such. His one cousin lives near the hospital (which is an hour from our house) and let me shower at her house and just have an hour or so to decompress every other day.
Of course with most of us there the conversation quickly turns to Disney. We spoke of lunch plans and arrival and departure day plans as well. Brother in law will be making a break for the parks, I think FIL will join them and MIL will come with us for shopping and dinner at Earl of Sandwich. Departure day we will be going to Akershus for breakfast before check out and a 1 o'clock flight. Brother in law will probably stay in the room and pack before take off. MIL said she will look into table service she may want to book ADR for lunch and let me know. She bought everyone a passporter for Christmas this year but has yet to read it herself. She offered to come stay at the house while I make the ADR but I assured her it was not necessary.

Have a great day!
Noelle

 

[hunterfaimly]

We have been spending some time education my MIL about how to make the most of a Christmas trip to WDW. One trick to to plan to sit down at lunch as much as possible. The counter service places are a mad house with lots of waiting, holding food while trying to find a table. Always see people using trash cans as tables and I am so grossed out by that. In a less busy time of year I love a counter service meal, when hungry go eat. Less planning in general is nice but this is not the time to do that IMHO. Meanwhile I'm looking at my plan and see we are mostly doing counter service lunch. Guess I should take my own advice.
Problem being we have the Dining plan. We will have 8 counter service credits to use, table service credits are already spoken for with nightly family meals. We like to eat as we get ready in the morning, just works better with the kids. So we have priced moving up to Deluxe dining, $900 and we would then have 6 credits left over.
I think we will switch our Epcot days to table service at England and Japan. Leave EOS for arrival day, counter service at Animal Kingdom and BOG. Leaves 5 counter service credits unused and will cost a bit more out of pocket (not sure how much yet but I will be ball parking that when I have the proper time to obsess ) but I can't think of a better solution. My MIL is so worried about having any credits left over. I think I'm ok with it so long as we all have a good time in the end.
Ok so now that I have that out I can do a bit of personal business. No one in my life wants to talk Disney enough so I have to put my thoughts down here, but I like to talk about other things on a occasion as well. My daughter had her battle and did very well personally but her team won only 1 of 5 matches. 2 other matches went to triple overtime. Any time you can get kids excited about reading though is a successful endeavor. This weekend of course is Easter so this morning we went to an Easter egg hunt. The little one was so cute and only wanted the pink eggs. We went to see The Croods, I thought it was a less funny version of Ice Age 3. Kids enjoyed it though. When we go home we made Easter story cookies and now I need to go play Easter Bunny.
Before I go though I wonder what you all think of the news that they are ending the afternoon parade at Hollywood Studios. We have missed it all three trips. Afternoon parades are difficult to make due to nap times for us. We have seen the Jingle Jungle Parade, and the Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It but have missed the one here. Suppose they will have a new one take its place or just going to be no more like EPCOT?

Noelle

 

[indimom]

We have been spending some time education my MIL about how to make the most of a Christmas trip to WDW. One trick to to plan to sit down at lunch as much as possible. The counter service places are a mad house with lots of waiting, holding food while trying to find a table. Always see people using trash cans as tables and I am so grossed out by that. In a less busy time of year I love a counter service meal, when hungry go eat. Less planning in general is nice but this is not the time to do that IMHO. Meanwhile I'm looking at my plan and see we are mostly doing counter service lunch. Guess I should take my own advice.
Problem being we have the Dining plan. We will have 8 counter service credits to use, table service credits are already spoken for with nightly family meals. We like to eat as we get ready in the morning, just works better with the kids. So we have priced moving up to Deluxe dining, $900 and we would then have 6 credits left over.
I think we will switch our Epcot days to table service at England and Japan. Leave EOS for arrival day, counter service at Animal Kingdom and BOG. Leaves 5 counter service credits unused and will cost a bit more out of pocket (not sure how much yet but I will be ball parking that when I have the proper time to obsess ) but I can't think of a better solution. My MIL is so worried about having any credits left over. I think I'm ok with it so long as we all have a good time in the end.
Ok so now that I have that out I can do a bit of personal business. No one in my life wants to talk Disney enough so I have to put my thoughts down here, but I like to talk about other things on a occasion as well. My daughter had her battle and did very well personally but her team won only 1 of 5 matches. 2 other matches went to triple overtime. Any time you can get kids excited about reading though is a successful endeavor. This weekend of course is Easter so this morning we went to an Easter egg hunt. The little one was so cute and only wanted the pink eggs. We went to see The Croods, I thought it was a less funny version of Ice Age 3. Kids enjoyed it though. When we go home we made Easter story cookies and now I need to go play Easter Bunny.
Before I go though I wonder what you all think of the news that they are ending the afternoon parade at Hollywood Studios. We have missed it all three trips. Afternoon parades are difficult to make due to nap times for us. We have seen the Jingle Jungle Parade, and the Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It but have missed the one here. Suppose they will have a new one take its place or just going to be no more like EPCOT?

Noelle

I'm with you on your dining plan. Sometimes you gotta stop worrying about the dollar value and go with the stress-free value. I think bumping up sounds like a great idea for your group.
Sounds like you had a very busy Easter! Ours was a bit crazy too, but always fun.
Congratulations on your daughter reading challenge. It sounds like a fun way to get kids interested!

Sorry I can't really help with your parade question. We're another family who hasn't been to many parades. We tend to leave the parks around 2-3 for a swim break and cool down. I think the only day-time parade we've ever seen was the Star Wars one at DHS. I have always wanted to see the parade at AK, it looks so fun with all the animal puppets. Alas, I will miss it again on our trip this year. Boo!

Great update! Keep it comin'!!!

 

[hunterfaimly]

Time has flown by this week. Maddi is home on spring break. We spent Monday doing some shopping and getting supplies for 4-h projects. Also went to the running store and picked up new shoes, my feet have been killing me at the gym, hopefully this is the problem and not an injury. Maddi was supposed to spend 2 nights with Grandma sewing her project but called after one night sick. We spent Tuesday nursing her back to health. Wednesday I woke up with a migraine. First one I have had in about 3 years. I lost alot of weight, working out and eating better and the migraines went away. The last 3 months I have gained weight and this is my bodies way of letting me know I need to be better. Thursday I decided this spring break needed an infusion of fun so we went to the movies and roller skating. Yesterday I went to lunch with some friends and to another friends business opening.
Finally the weather is nice so we can enjoy the outside a bit and today is my birthday. Looking pretty good for 73 Tell people your much older and watch the compliments that you get. I look so so at 37 but 73 wooo. Not sure what we will do today as it is up to the kids and hubby.
Have spent a good part of the last hour dreaming of DCL next year lol always dreaming up the next trip. Maybe a bounce back offer of some kind when we get there this year. Those always suck us right in. Hope you all are enjoying spring weather where ever you are.

Noelle

 

[indimom]

Time has flown by this week. Maddi is home on spring break. We spent Monday doing some shopping and getting supplies for 4-h projects. Also went to the running store and picked up new shoes, my feet have been killing me at the gym, hopefully this is the problem and not an injury. Maddi was supposed to spend 2 nights with Grandma sewing her project but called after one night sick. We spent Tuesday nursing her back to health. Wednesday I woke up with a migraine. First one I have had in about 3 years. I lost alot of weight, working out and eating better and the migraines went away. The last 3 months I have gained weight and this is my bodies way of letting me know I need to be better. Thursday I decided this spring break needed an infusion of fun so we went to the movies and roller skating. Yesterday I went to lunch with some friends and to another friends business opening.
Finally the weather is nice so we can enjoy the outside a bit and today is my birthday. Looking pretty good for 73 Tell people your much older and watch the compliments that you get. I look so so at 37 but 73 wooo. Not sure what we will do today as it is up to the kids and hubby.
Have spent a good part of the last hour dreaming of DCL next year lol always dreaming up the next trip. Maybe a bounce back offer of some kind when we get there this year. Those always suck us right in. Hope you all are enjoying spring weather where ever you are.

Noelle

I'm glad your Spring Break is turning around. It's no fun to have illness interfere with the family time.
Have a great day today!!

 

[hunterfaimly]

I've been reading for years about buying Disney gift cards at discount from Target stores. I understand you can get a discount on the cards somehow, saving 10-20%. So my question is how do you get the discount. Going this particular week of the year I know we will get no deals at all. Anyone out there have experience with this?
My MIL thinks she may want to box some things up and send them home through the mail or UPS. I guess she plans to shop a lot or buy breakables. Anyone have any experience with this?

TIA
Noelle