I can FINALLY be excited

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

My backstory..

Inlaws invited the whole fam on a Disneyland vaca. They are paying flights/hotel/car rental.

But DH gets NO TIME for vacation. So we've been working HARD the last three weeks. DH working overtime, I have done stuff for family, dh has done plumbing jobs for family..we earned enough to get the time off!

Now just to save for the food..but that won't be as difficult. YAYAYAYAYAYYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYYYYYYYYYYYYY

I had to share with people who might understand. It was quite a feat and I get teary everytime I picture my kids' faces when they first see it. *Sniffle* I just wasn't allowing myself to get excited until I could relax.

 

[Wavy Blue]

Yay! I can't relate, but I'm happy for you nonetheless! Anyone going on a Disney trip can understand someone else's excitement, if nothing else.

NO vacation? Geez, that is one rough job! But I'm glad you worked it out! Have fun!!!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I know a little bit about how you feel. I'm an accountant, so it's known that you don't take time off for vacation during tax season. But this past November I was invited to go to Disneyland and get a special tour of the Walt Disney Studios in mid-February. Considering that it's near impossible to get on the backlot of the Walt Disney Studios, this was the only time I could do the trip.

Fortunately, I work for my father, so we had an understanding that my life would belong to him after I got back. So from about mid February through mid-April, I worked slightly under 60 hours a week(and was sick for roughly 2 weeks of this time) 6 days a week. And you know what? I'd do it all again.

Have fun and congratulations.

 

[MATTERHORN]

Oh, I'm so happy to hear that!! Have a great (paid) vacation, it doesn't get much better than that!

Andrea

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Yay! I can't relate, but I'm happy for you nonetheless! Anyone going on a Disney trip can understand someone else's excitement, if nothing else.

NO vacation? Geez, that is one rough job! But I'm glad you worked it out! Have fun!!!

Well he just started with this company a couple months ago so it doesn't start for another like 6 months. *siiiigh*

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

I know a little bit about how you feel. I'm an accountant, so it's known that you don't take time off for vacation during tax season. But this past November I was invited to go to Disneyland and get a special tour of the Walt Disney Studios in mid-February. Considering that it's near impossible to get on the backlot of the Walt Disney Studios, this was the only time I could do the trip.

Fortunately, I work for my father, so we had an understanding that my life would belong to him after I got back. So from about mid February through mid-April, I worked slightly under 60 hours a week(and was sick for roughly 2 weeks of this time) 6 days a week. And you know what? I'd do it all again.

Have fun and congratulations.

Oh man. I feel ya! It's sooo so hard to do it without any break at all, but I know it will be worth it. And that must've been SO AWESOME!

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Oh, I'm so happy to hear that!! Have a great (paid) vacation, it doesn't get much better than that!

Andrea

Thanks!!

 

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

How awesome!! Congrats. I'm glad all that hard work pulled off. Have a great time How lucky that your inlaws are willing to pay for so much. Thats sweet of them.

 

[Sherry E]

My backstory..

Inlaws invited the whole fam on a Disneyland vaca. They are paying flights/hotel/car rental.

But DH gets NO TIME for vacation. So we've been working HARD the last three weeks. DH working overtime, I have done stuff for family, dh has done plumbing jobs for family..we earned enough to get the time off!

Now just to save for the food..but that won't be as difficult. YAYAYAYAYAYYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYYYYYYYYYYYYY

I had to share with people who might understand. It was quite a feat and I get teary everytime I picture my kids' faces when they first see it. *Sniffle* I just wasn't allowing myself to get excited until I could relax.

I can relate. I worked one low-paying job for 14 years and didn't take a single day off, let alone a vacation, for 11 of those years. When I finally did have to take a day off, it was because I injured my back and couldn't move! I had made twice-yearly trips or more to Disneyland from about 1972 up until about 1995. It was my favorite place. I brought all my friends with me every year and we just had a blast. I just love the feeling that captures you when you are there. Then, because of money, I had to stay away from the place I loved so much since childhood for five years! Once I finally made it back for a couple of trips in 2000-2001, I knew I couldn't stay away again for that long. But finances took a terrible turn again and I had to stay away for another 6 years! Once I made it back for a couple of trips last year, I knew I couldn't stay away for that long again! But, lo and behold, finances took an unexpected bad turn earlier this year when I became jobless, and my plan for this coming Christmas at DLR/GCH was lost.

With the help of some free DL tickets I have, and a couple of friends who have been my Disneyland companions for decades, we will be going for a small trip in October to see the Halloween decorations, but I still have to scrape up some money. It is great to have people who will do something nice for you when you need it! So I know how you must feel about that. And though I am so grateful to even be doing that trip because it didn't look like it was going to happen, I still have my heart set on getting there for December, when the holiday decorations are up. My wheels are spinning as to how to make that happen if I don't get a job soon. I am pretty clever, so I will come up with something!

Anyway, I am so happy for you and your kids that you are getting to go to DLR. No child should miss out on that experience. I was thinking about a friend of mine the other day. He and his family live in New Orleans and have been struggling tremendously since Hurricane Katrina, and his three kids have never been to Disneyland or WDW. If I had the money, of course, I would gladly pay for them all to fly out and go there, just so his kids would have the chance to experience it at least once in their lives.

 

[wdhinn89]

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

I can relate.

Oh wow. I'm glad you're going too!

Yeah I'm glad my kids will be getting this exp. I was 8 my first time, as my mom was a single parent (teacher so not paid well)..and I think I missed out on some magic being that old?

I wish every kid could go at least once.

 

[Sherry E]

Oh wow. I'm glad you're going too!

Yeah I'm glad my kids will be getting this exp. I was 8 my first time, as my mom was a single parent (teacher so not paid well)..and I think I missed out on some magic being that old?

I wish every kid could go at least once.

Well, I am glad your family is going and that I am going! I actually do get excited for other people when they get to go because I know that feeling of not thinking it is going to happen, and then finally it becomes a reality! It must be tough for parents to take their kids to DL because it IS so expensive, and even though the prices were much lower way back when I was a kid, it was STILL a costly endeavor - especially on a teacher's salary, like your mom's. I don't know if you missed out on any magic, necessarily, by not going earlier than age 8. You still get that feeling of magic when you first walk through the gates, no matter what age, I think. But there is something great about seeing the looks on small kids' faces - like the ones I see who are 4 or 5 years old - when they first get a taste of the magic! The important thing is that you did get to go and that you didn't miss out on the experience, and now your kids will get to experience it too! That will be so exciting for all of you! You must let us all know how the trip goes when it happens!

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Well, I am glad your family is going and that I am going! I actually do get excited for other people when they get to go because I know that feeling of not thinking it is going to happen, and then finally it becomes a reality! It must be tough for parents to take their kids to DL because it IS so expensive, and even though the prices were much lower way back when I was a kid, it was STILL a costly endeavor - especially on a teacher's salary, like your mom's. I don't know if you missed out on any magic, necessarily, by not going earlier than age 8. You still get that feeling of magic when you first walk through the gates, no matter what age, I think. But there is something great about seeing the looks on small kids' faces - like the ones I see who are 4 or 5 years old - when they first get a taste of the magic! The important thing is that you did get to go and that you didn't miss out on the experience, and now your kids will get to experience it too! That will be so exciting for all of you! You must let us all know how the trip goes when it happens!

Yeah. We were thinking we probably couldn't go for another couple years so it was a great surprise (and a little overwhelming with the money issues). But it will all be worth it when we take them on their favorite character rides..I can NOT wait for them to see pooh in person!

I want to know how yours goes too! Been a long time, right?! You'll beat me there, so I wanna know all your tips

 

[Sherry E]

Yeah. We were thinking we probably couldn't go for another couple years so it was a great surprise (and a little overwhelming with the money issues). But it will all be worth it when we take them on their favorite character rides..I can NOT wait for them to see pooh in person!

I want to know how yours goes too! Been a long time, right?! You'll beat me there, so I wanna know all your tips

Well, I was just there last year, after a sad six-year absence. BUT I had planned to resume my yearly visits again until I lost my job this past February. So it looked like DLR would be out of the question this year altogether, until I got that PIN# discount thing for the hotels in the mail AND a couple of friends decided to pitch in and help, so that is how the October trip this year is coming to fruition. But, to tell you the truth, after that, I am not sure when I will get back there again if things don't improve for me SOON. I HATE to think of being away for another 6 years, but I am grateful to be going in October. And I WILL report on how it goes! I forget - what month are you going? Whenever it is, it will be so great for you guys to see the joy in your kids' faces when they see DL. It is a moment that can't be beat, I am sure

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Well, I was just there last year, after a sad six-year absence. BUT I had planned to resume my yearly visits again until I lost my job this past February. So it looked like DLR would be out of the question this year altogether, until I got that PIN# discount thing for the hotels in the mail AND a couple of friends decided to pitch in and help, so that is how the October trip this year is coming to fruition. But, to tell you the truth, after that, I am not sure when I will get back there again if things don't improve for me SOON. I HATE to think of being away for another 6 years, but I am grateful to be going in October. And I WILL report on how it goes! I forget - what month are you going? Whenever it is, it will be so great for you guys to see the joy in your kids' faces when they see DL. It is a moment that can't be beat, I am sure

Ohhhhh Yeah it's hard to take big breaks. That's all I've ever done. I went when I was 8, 12, 16 and honeymoon at 20. It wasn't PLANNED to be every 4 years but it was. And DH went those ages too! (we're the same age) We didn't know each other but EVERY time we were in the parks at the same time. Crazy. So we were disappointed when we couldn't go when we were 24. Instead we're going when DS is 4 sooo maybe keep every 4 years for THEM? LOL

We're going last two days in NOV and first week in Dec. But only have the 3 day park hoppers so I guess we'll be exploring Cali a little.

 

[Sherry E]

Ohhhhh Yeah it's hard to take big breaks. That's all I've ever done. I went when I was 8, 12, 16 and honeymoon at 20. It wasn't PLANNED to be every 4 years but it was. And DH went those ages too! (we're the same age) We didn't know each other but EVERY time we were in the parks at the same time. Crazy. So we were disappointed when we couldn't go when we were 24. Instead we're going when DS is 4 sooo maybe keep every 4 years for THEM? LOL

We're going last two days in NOV and first week in Dec. But only have the 3 day park hoppers so I guess we'll be exploring Cali a little.

Sounds like you and your husband were meant to be. I know another friend who had a similar experience with his wife, where they had a series of 'near-misses' for years without ever meeting, even if they were in the exact same location at the same time or knew the same people. When the time was right, they finally met and then got married. It makes me wonder what would have happened if they had met on one of those other occasions when they were in the same place at the same time. Maybe they would NOT have ended up married, or it could have taken a different turn.

Even every four years going to DL would be good for you and your family (just to keep up the tradition!) if you KNOW for a fact it will be every four years. If you have a schedule, then you have it to look forward to. Then you can have a plan in place and fine-tune all the details and get your kids excited about it. It's the not going to Disneyland for years and having no idea when you will be able to get back because it just seems impossible that is so discouraging. But I have faith that this will not be your family's only trip. I think you will find a way to take the kids again, even with your hard working husband's schedule.

I didn't realize you were going to be in the park when the HOLIDAY decorations are up!!! I am even MORE excited for you! Just thinking about DL during the holidays fills me with girlish glee! That is the best time to go! You are so lucky! Not only will your kids get a dose of the Disney magic but they will see the Disney Holiday magic, which we have all agreed on this board, is very special. That is my favorite time of year to go to DL (that is why I won't be satisfied with just an October trip!). I mean, to say it is 'magical' isn't even enough. Just wait until you show your kids the It's a Small World Holiday overlay ride - especially at night, when the exterior is all lit up in bright colors. And the Haunted Mansion Holiday ride is a treat, too. ToonTown. Oh, you guys will love it. You will have such a good time. With any luck, maybe you can take the kids to a character meal, like Goofy's Kitchen or something. That is my favorite restaurant.

3-day Hoppers are enough to see both parks and have rest breaks at the hotel. I mean, that will be good for a first trip for the kids and then, maybe in the future, you guys can stay longer. That is SO great of your Inlaws to do this for you, especially at such a special time of year!

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Sounds like you and your husband were meant to be. I know another friend who had a similar experience with his wife, where they had a series of 'near-misses' for years without ever meeting, even if they were in the exact same location at the same time or knew the same people. When the time was right, they finally met and then got married. It makes me wonder what would have happened if they had met on one of those other occasions when they were in the same place at the same time. Maybe they would NOT have ended up married, or it could have taken a different turn.

Even every four years going to DL would be good for you and your family (just to keep up the tradition!) if you KNOW for a fact it will be every four years. If you have a schedule, then you have it to look forward to. Then you can have a plan in place and fine-tune all the details and get your kids excited about it. It's the not going to Disneyland for years and having no idea when you will be able to get back because it just seems impossible that is so discouraging. But I have faith that this will not be your family's only trip. I think you will find a way to take the kids again, even with your hard working husband's schedule.

I didn't realize you were going to be in the park when the HOLIDAY decorations are up!!! I am even MORE excited for you! Just thinking about DL during the holidays fills me with girlish glee! That is the best time to go! You are so lucky! Not only will your kids get a dose of the Disney magic but they will see the Disney Holiday magic, which we have all agreed on this board, is very special. That is my favorite time of year to go to DL (that is why I won't be satisfied with just an October trip!). I mean, to say it is 'magical' isn't even enough. Just wait until you show your kids the It's a Small World Holiday overlay ride - especially at night, when the exterior is all lit up in bright colors. And the Haunted Mansion Holiday ride is a treat, too. ToonTown. Oh, you guys will love it. You will have such a good time. With any luck, maybe you can take the kids to a character meal, like Goofy's Kitchen or something. That is my favorite restaurant.

3-day Hoppers are enough to see both parks and have rest breaks at the hotel. I mean, that will be good for a first trip for the kids and then, maybe in the future, you guys can stay longer. That is SO great of your Inlaws to do this for you, especially at such a special time of year!

That's what I told him! We were meant to be. I mean, what are the odds that our families would go at the same time every year? Same days! Crazy. And I didn't meet him til high school haha!

You're right, I can make every 4 years. Maybe make it every 2 and plan for it..save a little at a time. I mean we're doing it in 4 MONTHS this time so..we HAVE to be able to right?!

And YES I am SOOOO excited. I have never been during the holidays. I have such a soft spot for October through December ANYWAY. I know I'm gonna tear up a LOT. I cry at Christmas trees. I'm a dork. Poor husband

My son has seen examples of both HM and is DEF more fond of the overlay for the holidays. The other is 'too scary!' so it's a good thing it'll be changed on his first visit I think. DH is THRILLED about this. He has loved NBC since it's come out.

I was so nervous about this trip..because I wanted it to happen so badly and wanted DH to be able to stay the whole time and now that he can...I still tear up.

Thanks for the tip on Goofy's. We hadn't been considering a character meal but if we can save enough maybe we'll put one in the works!

 

[Sherry E]

That's what I told him! We were meant to be. I mean, what are the odds that our families would go at the same time every year? Same days! Crazy. And I didn't meet him til high school haha!

You're right, I can make every 4 years. Maybe make it every 2 and plan for it..save a little at a time. I mean we're doing it in 4 MONTHS this time so..we HAVE to be able to right?!

And YES I am SOOOO excited. I have never been during the holidays. I have such a soft spot for October through December ANYWAY. I know I'm gonna tear up a LOT. I cry at Christmas trees. I'm a dork. Poor husband

My son has seen examples of both HM and is DEF more fond of the overlay for the holidays. The other is 'too scary!' so it's a good thing it'll be changed on his first visit I think. DH is THRILLED about this. He has loved NBC since it's come out.

I was so nervous about this trip..because I wanted it to happen so badly and wanted DH to be able to stay the whole time and now that he can...I still tear up.

Thanks for the tip on Goofy's. We hadn't been considering a character meal but if we can save enough maybe we'll put one in the works!

I have had those tearful moments, believe me. When there is something you want so badly and it just seems so out of reach because maybe you have been struggling so much, or like it is not going to work the way you want it to, and then suddenly, everything seems to be coming together perfectly... it moves you to tears. As another poster and I were saying on a different thread, you have to go through a little of the 'bad' or the 'tough times' to really appreciate the good when it happens. I think that this trip for your family to DLR, at that special time of year, is going to be PERFECT. It sounds like everything is falling into place just as it should to make it a wonderful time for all of you! Where will you be staying? At one of the DL hotels or one of the Good Neighbors? In any case, make sure you stroll through the grounds of the DLH because there is fun stuff there to see and the lobby with the Christmas tree in the GCH cannot be missed!

Yes, if you can swing it, try a character meal. I only suggest Goofy's because it is my favorite and it is a really good buffet. But it is not cheap. You can get a AAA discount if you have AAA. Other members of this board like other character meals better, and depending on your kids' preferences, you might want to try one of those. But it is an experience that can't be missed! In fact, a friend of mine, her son and her mom have been at DLR since yesterday, and I told her she could NOT miss eating at Goofy's Kitchen, so I talked her into going there and they should be there at this very moment! They almost didn't go into DCA at all, but I told her she cannot take her little boy to DL and NOT go into DCA to ride Toy Story Mania! I pushed them to TSMM because I knew they would love it (they LOVED the Buzz Lightyear ride and rode it several times in a row), but they were hemming and hawing about the long line for TSMM, so sure enough, she called me from DCA last night at about 8:45 p.m., and said, "We just went on TSMM and we loved it so much that we are going on it again, even though the park is closing...It was great!" And then her signal died! (See, if they had listened to me and gone on TSMM earlier in the day, they would have been able to get on it multiple times during the day! Sigh. No one ever listens to me!)

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

I have had those tearful moments, believe me. When there is something you want so badly and it just seems so out of reach because maybe you have been struggling so much, or like it is not going to work the way you want it to, and then suddenly, everything seems to be coming together perfectly... it moves you to tears. As another poster and I were saying on a different thread, you have to go through a little of the 'bad' or the 'tough times' to really appreciate the good when it happens. I think that this trip for your family to DLR, at that special time of year, is going to be PERFECT. It sounds like everything is falling into place just as it should to make it a wonderful time for all of you! Where will you be staying? At one of the DL hotels or one of the Good Neighbors? In any case, make sure you stroll through the grounds of the DLH because there is fun stuff there to see and the lobby with the Christmas tree in the GCH cannot be missed!

Yes, if you can swing it, try a character meal. I only suggest Goofy's because it is my favorite and it is a really good buffet. But it is not cheap. You can get a AAA discount if you have AAA. Other members of this board like other character meals better, and depending on your kids' preferences, you might want to try one of those. But it is an experience that can't be missed! In fact, a friend of mine, her son and her mom have been at DLR since yesterday, and I told her she could NOT miss eating at Goofy's Kitchen, so I talked her into going there and they should be there at this very moment! They almost didn't go into DCA at all, but I told her she cannot take her little boy to DL and NOT go into DCA to ride Toy Story Mania! I pushed them to TSMM because I knew they would love it (they LOVED the Buzz Lightyear ride and rode it several times in a row), but they were hemming and hawing about the long line for TSMM, so sure enough, she called me from DCA last night at about 8:45 p.m., and said, "We just went on TSMM and we loved it so much that we are going on it again, even though the park is closing...It was great!" And then her signal died! (See, if they had listened to me and gone on TSMM earlier in the day, they would have been able to get on it multiple times during the day! Sigh. No one ever listens to me!)

Exactly. We've had a LOT of bad lately. Even with the announcement of this trip. DS just had to get staples in his head (instead of stitches) and car trouble and blah blah. But we'll get through it. We have to!

And we're staying at Desert Inn..I guess they could get us the suites and two families are sharing..cheaper that way for so many (like 30 of us total). I do wanna check out the other hotel lobby's tho.

Dang no AAA! And LOL Seriously, why do people never listen to those who know! I may need to do some character meal research. A guy DH works with said he hated the Lilo and Stitch one but I'm not sure why.

 

[Sherry E]

Exactly. We've had a LOT of bad lately. Even with the announcement of this trip. DS just had to get staples in his head (instead of stitches) and car trouble and blah blah. But we'll get through it. We have to!

And we're staying at Desert Inn..I guess they could get us the suites and two families are sharing..cheaper that way for so many (like 30 of us total). I do wanna check out the other hotel lobby's tho.

Dang no AAA! And LOL Seriously, why do people never listen to those who know! I may need to do some character meal research. A guy DH works with said he hated the Lilo and Stitch one but I'm not sure why.

Yes, if you are a group of 30 people, you need to go the cheapest route to DLR! Yikes! These are some inlaws you have, footing the bill for all that! That is a big crowd! The largest group I ever went with was about 11 or 12 people, and that was even a little hard to control! One person would get left behind while the other ten went wandering off. It was crazy, but fun.

I don't know why people don't listen to me. This same friend who got on TSMM at the last minute ALSO did not take my advice to upgrade her tickets to Hoppers the night before she went into DL, so she could avoid the lines at the ticket booths in the morning. Instead, she upgraded them in the morning and got stuck in a long line. She admits she should have listened to me because she wasted a lot of time in the line!