I didn't think I'd ever go back!!! (PTR)

[fgtriot]

So I originally posted this in the DisDads section but was advised to move it here. I hope you enjoy.

So it's been 7+ years since my first trip to WDW. DW and I took my DS9 when he was only 18mo and planned nothing. Seriously we knew where we were staying (her parents had a timeshare in the area) and we bought a 4 day park hopper pass but that’s it. Even though we had a good time, DW and I realized we could not do that again without more planning. Well, right before the trip DW and I found out she was expecting again so second trip plans would have to wait. Then I sorta got laid off (actually I worked in real estate/mortgages and the market started to drop) so we could not financially afford a second trip. Finally just when we thought we could go again, we got pregnant again and then economy completely bottomed out. For a while it didn’t seem like we would ever go back. I was able to change industries and found a well-paying job for a well-established bank but we had gotten so far behind. Then tax season 2011 came. DW and I sat down and pulled out the bills/collection notices as we always do and to our surprise we weren't behind. What? Wait? There’s gotta be something or someone we owe money to? But there wasn’t. Something on one of the vehicles or around the house must be broke? Nope. (Happy dance!!!!!)

So there we were, in a position we hadn't seen in many, many years. We had some extra money! After agreeing to establish an emergency savings, DW asked if we could go on a family vacation since we hadn't been on one since WDW 7 years ago....... Hey!!!! WDW, do you think we can afford it? So we looked it up. Had to take a little back from the savings but it was within budget. So as I usually do, I asked all the questions looking for a reason not to do it. But, I couldn't find one. The baby (DD3 ) is actively potty training (although progressing solely) and no longer taking naps. My vacation request was approved from work and I even get a corporate discount making WDW even more affordable. How could I say no? I couldn’t, especially since I had secretly been as giddy as a school girl discussing her first crush with her friends, hoping it would work out!
AWESOME!!!!!!! (Happy dance #2)

Now that we knew we could afford a trip and knew when we wanted to go; the harder questions came. Well at least they seemed like hard questions to novice planners like us. Do we book through a travel agent or direct? How can we get the cheapest airfare? Would a complete package be cheaper or should we separate things to maximize my corporate discount? Do we stay at a value resort and splurge for a bigger dining plan? How do the dining plans work? Where can we use the dining plan? Which park on which day? Should we plan every detail or leave time to "wing it"? OMG I have a headache!

Just as the feelings of uncertainty were about to become overwhelming, DW had an idea. We needed to enlist the assistance of some good friends who have been to Disney multiple times over the past few years and had just joined DVC. (These friends will be further referred to as GFs) The problem was that between our busy schedule and their busy schedule, we could not get together for 3 weeks. So in the mean time we turned to the all-knowing internet. This is when DW first stumbled across DIS Boards.

With much newly obtained information the plans finally started to come together and we decided to book directly from WDW. First we learned that a family of 5 like ours cannot stay/fit in the value resorts so we decide on Port Orleans Riverside. With that, we are only able to afford the dining plan with 1 quick service, 1 sit down, and 1 snack. We found that we could get cheaper airfare on our own, so we went that direction. Now that the basics are down one major question remained before we could work out the rest of the details.

Do we tell the kids now or let this be a surprise? I like surprises!

So we decided that we would surprise the kids the day we leave. We have bought themed backpacks for each child and stuffed it full of things to do on the plane with the same theme as the backpack. DS9 gets Phineas and Ferb, DD7 is the Princess, and DD3 loves Tinkerbell. We also bought each child a traditional Mickey Mouse t-shirt which is what we will give them to dress the morning of. The catch is that we are leaving on Sunday and normally would go to church but hopefully my kids are smart enough to realize that we don’t normally wear t-shirts to church and start to ask questions when we will give them their bags (hopefully someone will be willing to send Fairy Godmailers to go in them too). If that doesn’t work then the friends who are driving us to the airport being there should peak their curiosity.

In the meanwhile we had to decide where to eat and schedule any necessary reservations. WOW, were we overwhelmed at all the options. Since there was still time before we could actually call the make reservations (apparently not more than 180 days before the trip ), we were able to do plenty of research. Between our GFs with their experiences and the DIS boards there is only one meal we still haven’t decided on. DW called exactly at 7am the first day we could make reservations and we got everything we wanted including CRT and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. I know the last one isn’t a restaurant but…. It is important to get in the day we are in MK.

So here is how our itinerary has shaped up so far:
Sunday 9/25: Arrive at Orlando Airport around 2pm . Check in at POR and explore the resort a little before heading to DTD. There we plan on letting the kids make their own ears and eating at WGP Express. Since MK has Magic hours until 1am, we are going to head there for a few just to get the initial excitement over with but definitely not going to stay the whole time. Maybe get some pictures, explore Main St and the Castle, see the electrical parade and Wishes

After that each day is geared around a different kid and selected based on who has additional magic hours. We customized each one a map for their day; highlighting things we believe they would like the most. We also tricked them into watching the Ultimate Disney DVD set to get ideas of things they would want to do. It doesn’t appear they have caught on to anything which has me questioning their ability to figure out the surprise. I am not listing the character meet and greets, I assume that is a given. Except that we will not meet Rafiki!! DD3 is terrified of him for some reason and has only seen him on TV.

Monday 9/26: Hollywood Studio (Me & DW). Lunch at Pizza Planet; Dinner at Kouzzina by Cat Cora. Must dos include: Toy Story Mania, meet Phineas & Ferb, Disney Jr. live, Rock n’ Roller Coaster, Beauty & the Beast live, and the parade. Unfortunately they are not showing Fantasmic while we are there.

Tuesday 9/27: Animal Kingdom (DD3 – our animal lover). Lunch at Y&Y(CS); Dinner at Chef Mickeys since the park closes early. Must dos include: Expedition Everest (for the older two), Festival of the Lion King, Kali River Rapids, Kilimanjaro Safari, Finding Nemo – the Musical, and the parade.

Wednesday 9/28: Epcot (DS9 – our scientist/techie). Lunch at Sunshine Seasons; Dinner at Coral Reef. Must dos include: Kim Possible adventure, ImageWorks, Innoventions, Soarin, Test Track, The Seas w/ Nemo, Turtle Talk, and Illuminations. This might be a little adventitious for one day but…. We would explore the worlds more if it was just DW and I.

Thursday 9/29: Magic Kingdom (DD7 – our princess). Lunch is still a mystery, Dinner at CRT. Must dos include BBB, Big Thunder Mountain, Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, PhilharMagic, Monsters Inc Laugh floor, Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, the Carrousel, parade. Much time will be spent with characters.

Friday 9/30: The day we leave. Maybe go to DTD before we go for last minute souvenirs. Flight leaves Orlando around noon.

Well that gets us through the initial planning but it is not the end of the story. More has developed since then however; I will have to post those updates at a later time. Hope you enjoyed reading, let me know if you’re following or if you have any tips/advice.

 

[fgtriot]

So through all that I never even introduced myself or the rest of the cast.

However, I dont know how to add pictures. Can someone, anyone help me?

 

[mrssmith06]

Good start, can't wait to read more!

So through all that I never even introduced myself or the rest of the cast.

However, I dont know how to add pictures. Can someone, anyone help me?

Use a photo hosting site like Photobucket and copy the IMG code and paste it to here, it should look something like this:
[IMG ]http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k302/cheesecake_011/mickey.gif [/IMG ]

Hope that helps!!!

 

[fgtriot]

Good start, can't wait to read more!



Use a photo hosting site like Photobucket and copy the IMG code and paste it to here, it should look something like this:
[IMG ]http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k302/cheesecake_011/mickey.gif [/IMG ]

Hope that helps!!!

Oh ok. I can use Facebook too cant I?

 

[fgtriot]

OK so this is my first attempt to add pictures to this so lets see how it goes. I realized after giving the story of how we got to where we are that I never introduced who we are.

Me (Matthew) and DW. We are quickly becomming true Disers, with every passing day closer to our surprise trip.

Small pic I know but its the one I was "told" to use.

DS is 9 and has been to Disney World before but he was only 18mo then and doesnt remember it. DS is our scientist so Epcot will be his day. Loves Phineas and Ferb and wants desperatly to ride EE.

Next is DD7 aka "the princess". Her favorite Princess is Cinderella MK is gonna blow her mind. We have books BBB and CRT for her.

Finally DD3, "the boss". She's into Tinkbell which worked greatly because her sister wasnt giving up the princess title. She is also our biggest animal lover (especially hippos) so AK is planned with her in mind.

So here we are. Wanna be Disers with our first real trip already paid in full for the end of September. Sorry the pics are so large, I am new to html and will have to learn how to resize.

There has also been some changes from our original plans but I will have to update those at another time. Would love to know who if anyone is reading this and what you think.

 

[fgtriot]

So I almost forgot that I never updated this PTR with the changes we've made. The excitment of the trip getting closer and closer has DW and I going over the plans and regoing over them. Reading as much as we can on the Dis for tips on everything. We want this trip to be perfect for the kids.

The other day we were talking to the kids over dinner about what they would do if we ever did go to WDW. Someway, somehow DD3 took it as we were going and took off from the dinner table into the livingroom and began dancing while singing "I'm going to meet Mickey, I'm going to meet Mickey" That was interesting trying to calm her excitment without confirming she was right (still trying to keep it a surprise). This was an awesome confirmation on why we are going in the first place, the excitment of the kids.

Anyhow, the changes to our initial plans:

1) no longer dining at Kouzinna. They brought back Fantasmic!!!!! I dont remember much from my first visit to WDW but I remember Fantasmic and loved it so pardon me while I happy dance. This also means a Fantasmic/Dining package. We chose Hollywood and Vine. Havnen't heard the best reviews for H&V but for my kids it was the best choice of the options and we couldn't pass the special seating given DD3.

2) just got approved for my own Disney Chase Visa (seems trivial given that I work for Chase but I'm still geeked) This means special meet & greet while at Epcot. The $200 gift card is a definate plus too.

Actually that's it. Seemed like there should be more but..... only 47 more days, can't wait for the welcome package!!!!

 

[prattpak]

Subbing!! Great looking family Matt! Sounds like you have some great meals planned.
Let me throw this idea out to you. When we go with the kiddos we normally take a mid-day break and go back to resort for a few hours for naps, pool time or just relaxing. Go back around 6pm and enjoy some of the EMH offered. Most of the kids, (and some parents) will be starting the meltdowns and leaving the parks so they will start to empty a little more then they already will be.

 

[PixieMama]

Joining in!

. This was an awesome confirmation on why we are going in the first place, the excitment of the kids.

Awww, cute story... and yes, getting to see WDW through your kids is so worth all the planning and organizing and stressing!