I SWEAR I will not look at flights again...No "Attendance Award" for YOU!"

[emmysmommy]

I am so sorry... I can't imagine the thoughts of "why" and "what if" that must fill your mind. So tragic and senseless.... I understand the lack of enthusiasm for your trip right now but at least you will be creating wonderful memories and infusing joy into the life of your DS with the time that you will spend together in such a magical place.

Hang in there.

 

[wdwloverz]

How absolutely horrible, I am so sorry.

 

[tallen429]

I'm back! I'm baaaack!!
Did ya miss me??

Sorry to have semi-flaked on my report. I won't go on and on about it, but I'll say that the last weeks have been sad, exhausting, and generally crap. We have been getting billboards posted, putting flyers on windshields, having fundraisers...etc. There are still no leads.

I am SOOOOOO ready for this trip!
I NEED this trip.
I'm practically counting the hours.
(13 days!)

So I figured today was a good day to start writing again because...
(drumroll....)
It's my BIRTHDAY!

Guess what DH gave me! Guess! Guess!!
Ok, I can't actually hear you shouting an answer at your computer screen so I'll tell you.
$150 Disney Gift Card!
You see, I rarely ever buy myself any special items during our trips. I always seem to spend on those around me instead of myself.
He told me I MUST spend it on myself.
Um, OK!!

So now I get to sit around dreaming about what to use it for.
Another signature meal? (Flying Fish, I'm looking at you!)
A tour? I've wanted to do Behind the Seeds for a long time....

Hmmm....

 

[tallen429]

Well, I fell allllll the way to the middle of page two after my last update so I guess I lost some of my DisLove.

The last couple days I have really been enjoying talking to my Mom about all of the things we are going to do and the yummy food we plan to eat!

I know she remembers things from the 2010 trip but even I can see that some bits and pieces could blur together and so a lot of it will feel like new to her again!

Our previous trip Mom LOOOOOVED the Beach Club (Poly, not so much..either of us. We did a split stay)
I'm happy to report that she is really excited about the resorts we will try this time around and I think it is really fun that they will be new to her.
She loves to just soak in the scenery and atmosphere so after looking at links I've sent her of the resorts, she is really looking forward to lots of "ooohing and ahhhing" (as she puts it!)

More and more I see a truly magical trip in front of us and I'm going to treasure every minute!

 

[danicaca]

I am still here! Glad you are still excited, and cool about the giftcard! DH got a gc at work as an incentive, and he chose a Disney one, then gave it to me for Christmas - still trying to decide what to spend my $100 on! I have a little bit more time to decide - 132 days! Hope you have a great trip!

 

[tallen429]

I am still here! Glad you are still excited, and cool about the giftcard! DH got a gc at work as an incentive, and he chose a Disney one, then gave it to me for Christmas - still trying to decide what to spend my $100 on! I have a little bit more time to decide - 132 days! Hope you have a great trip!

Yippee! Thanks for still being here! Congrats on the bonus GC! FUN! Today I got ANOTHER $50 card from my Mom during my (belated) birthday lunch with her. I'm just rollin' in DisDough!

 

[tallen429]

Ok this is going to be a bit of a PTR rant...

WHHHyyyyyy?!?!??? (if you are old enough to know what I'm talking about, imagine Nancy Kerrigan grabbing her knee...)

So the weather in the Orlando area has been BEAUTIFUL all month. Yes, I know they had a bit of a warm front and it isn't the usual temp range, but seriously...now I see that almost ALL of our days are either going to be unseasonably cool, or RAINY when the temps are a bit warmer.

Seriously??? REALLY??
(You have to understand that the only other time Mom has been to WDW was when I took her in Dec 2010 and Florida had RECORD cold temps during our trip)

So now we can't even get the normal, lovely, low 70's temps that are usual for the time of year? We get a high of 60 and a low in the 30's???

Yes, I know the Orlando weather changes faster than most people change their underwear, but I'm just dreading another crappy weather trip.
Oh, and for the past several days the forecast shows that on the couple of days it will be warmer, it will also THUNDERSTORM.

Not. Freakin'. Fair.

 

[tallen429]

Well, I guess I'm just talking to myself here...but that's ok, I'll just keep right on chatting at the air.

We leave to go to the airport one week from this evening!!

I've never done the "go stay at the airport before the trip" thing before. We have never needed to. Honestly we probably could have managed without doing it but this way it will be much simpler and since the room was free on points anyway, why mess with a good thing, right? That extra sleep will come in handy later in the day when we want to fully enjoy having so much "first day" magic!

Do you know how you always seem to decide you just need one or two more things before a DisTrip that you really probably actually don't need but you are compelled to buy anyway?? Yeah, that's me this week. I bought a new pair of Ryka's. I already have a glorious pair that are the MOST comfortable walking shoe when it's cooler. (For warmer temps nothing beats my Keens)
BUT BUT BUT...the pair I have is tan because I wear a lot of brown/cream/green shades. Sooooo....I just HAD to have the same pair in white with gray and black, right? Right??? EXACTLY what I thought! So I bought them.

As a surprise, I also ordered a cross body small purse for Mom. It's the same one I have but in a different color pattern. This thing is GREAT! It's by Lily Bloom. We used to shlep a backpack around and then I got this little thing and DH calls is my Hermione Bag. He swears I could magically pull anything out of it at any time! It's very compact and lightweight but it has several different compartments and seems to hold a ton!
Anyway....I got one for Mom because she likes mine. So VERY freeing after years of "the backpack"!!

Still considering adding a meal or two to the lineup, but haven't made any concrete plans yet...

So EXCITED!!!!

 

[danicaca]

Ok this is going to be a bit of a PTR rant...

WHHHyyyyyy?!?!??? (if you are old enough to know what I'm talking about, imagine Nancy Kerrigan grabbing her knee...)

I totally read that in Nancy's crying voice...I must be old enough! And so feeling the not fair weather feeling - since we are going in June, I am afraid of what our forecast might be!

Well, I guess I'm just talking to myself here...but that's ok, I'll just keep right on chatting at the air.

Totally not talking to yourself - I am home sick, so on here way more than I should be...

We leave to go to the airport one week from this evening!!

Woo hoo! Can't wait til I can say that, but until then, I can get excited for other people!

I've never done the "go stay at the airport before the trip" thing before. We have never needed to. Honestly we probably could have managed without doing it but this way it will be much simpler and since the room was free on points anyway, why mess with a good thing, right? That extra sleep will come in handy later in the day when we want to fully enjoy having so much "first day" magic!

Do you know how you always seem to decide you just need one or two more things before a DisTrip that you really probably actually don't need but you are compelled to buy anyway?? Yeah, that's me this week. I bought a new pair of Ryka's. I already have a glorious pair that are the MOST comfortable walking shoe when it's cooler. (For warmer temps nothing beats my Keens)
BUT BUT BUT...the pair I have is tan because I wear a lot of brown/cream/green shades. Sooooo....I just HAD to have the same pair in white with gray and black, right? Right??? EXACTLY what I thought! So I bought them.

Totally with you here. Just when I think I have purchased everything I need for our trip, something else presents itself and I say "oh yes, I do need that for our trip!"
As a surprise, I also ordered a cross body small purse for Mom. It's the same one I have but in a different color pattern. This thing is GREAT! It's by Lily Bloom. We used to shlep a backpack around and then I got this little thing and DH calls is my Hermione Bag. He swears I could magically pull anything out of it at any time! It's very compact and lightweight but it has several different compartments and seems to hold a ton!
Anyway....I got one for Mom because she likes mine. So VERY freeing after years of "the backpack"!!

LOVE that bag! I just might need one...
Still considering adding a meal or two to the lineup, but haven't made any concrete plans yet...

I am also considering adding a visit to 'Ohana - DH says to leave our plans as is, but dinner looks so yummy there! Trouble is, I don't know what I would nix in order to go there...
So EXCITED!!!!

I am excited for you! One of my other DIS friends is there right now, and I love hearing about other people's trips - it helps me pass the time before I go! Have lots and lots of fun!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Joining in! And all caught up!

I started checking the weather too as soon as we hit the 10 day mark. I know it changes a lot that far out. And yesterday, I checked three times for our arrival day (and yours!): chance precipitation went from 60% to 20% to 0% during an 10 hour period! This morning it's up to 60% again. I don't know why I torture myself like this.

Looks like we have a couple of restuarants that we overlap! We'll be doing Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey's along with Boma, Le Cellier, 1900 Park Fare, and Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party to round things out!

Always fun to hear about other DIS friends' plans when they will be at Disney the same time as us!

 

[shalom]

Don't check the weather ahead of time! It'll jinx you!

Good deal on the gift cards.

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

Ok, how did I not join in on this one before?? Your family is adorable!! I have to admit...I read the whole report at once! I am so sorry about your friend. That is horrible!!

My mom is a waffler too, and sometimes believes I can interpret coded messages too! I love the Hermione bag...I am one who carries a huge bag too! Maybe I need to check that out!

Ok, I know you are almost to your trip! Have a wonderful time! We go in 60 days (PTR in my siggie), and I am so excited!!

 

[tallen429]

Joining in! And all caught up!

I started checking the weather too as soon as we hit the 10 day mark. I know it changes a lot that far out. And yesterday, I checked three times for our arrival day (and yours!): chance precipitation went from 60% to 20% to 0% during an 10 hour period! This morning it's up to 60% again. I don't know why I torture myself like this.

Looks like we have a couple of restuarants that we overlap! We'll be doing Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey's along with Boma, Le Cellier, 1900 Park Fare, and Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party to round things out!

Always fun to hear about other DIS friends' plans when they will be at Disney the same time as us!

Wow! Sounds like you have some yummy meals planned! I've never done the dessert party because, as I mentioned waaay back in the begininng, I really don't eat sweets. It wouldn't be worth the $$ but it always looks so fun! THe weather...yep. Crazy. It's looking a bit better as of now.

Don't check the weather ahead of time! It'll jinx you!

Good deal on the gift cards.

I know I know...But it's like a train wreck. You can't NOT look!

Ok, how did I not join in on this one before?? Your family is adorable!! I have to admit...I read the whole report at once! I am so sorry about your friend. That is horrible!!

My mom is a waffler too, and sometimes believes I can interpret coded messages too! I love the Hermione bag...I am one who carries a huge bag too! Maybe I need to check that out!

Ok, I know you are almost to your trip! Have a wonderful time! We go in 60 days (PTR in my siggie), and I am so excited!!

Thanks for reading! Maybe our Moms could get together and enjoy a big bottle of syrup?! You don't have long till your trip!! How exciting!!

 

[tallen429]

I totally read that in Nancy's crying voice...I must be old enough! And so feeling the not fair weather feeling - since we are going in June, I am afraid of what our forecast might be!


I am excited for you! One of my other DIS friends is there right now, and I love hearing about other people's trips - it helps me pass the time before I go! Have lots and lots of fun!

Thanks!!
In the interest of full disclosure, I'm not a fan of Ohana. That's putting it mildly. That said, I think everyone should try it at least once. If you can get an adr, I'd say go for it!

 

[tallen429]

Three days until we head to the airport!!
(Remember people, the ticker is wrong.)

I haven't packed yet, but I don't really need to until Wednesday or Thursday. It doesn't take me long. Over the years I've become a pretty darn efficient luggage filler-upper!

I still really want to add Flying Fish to our dining line up but I haven't made a res. Every time I've looked online there has been plenty of availability so I'll probably chance a "same day" attempt.
I always hesitate to make dinner reservations because you just never know what the day will bring, how tired you'll be...etc. Now that most of the best restaurants require a credit hold and charge a cancellation fee, I'm even MORE careful about over loading on ADRs.

It dawned on me that I never explained the second part of my trip title! L really likes to try for the "no absences" award at school. He was actually BUMMED that he had to miss school for this trip! He was upset that this blows his chances for an attendance certificate at the end of the year. Crazy kid!

 

[wiigirl]

Joining it!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I can't wait till our kids get just a little bit older and we can start going to the upper end restaurants at Disney! Not that we couldn't try it now - but myself and DW wouldn't be able to enjoy it as much since we would be constantly attending and distracted by our young children. So decided to save those restaurants for future trips in about 2-3 years!

 

[tallen429]

Joining it!

Hi!! Thanks for stopping by!

I can't wait till our kids get just a little bit older and we can start going to the upper end restaurants at Disney! Not that we couldn't try it now - but myself and DW wouldn't be able to enjoy it as much since we would be constantly attending and distracted by our young children. So decided to save those restaurants for future trips in about 2-3 years!

Our kids started travelling very young and quite a lot internationally so they have always been pretty easy to take to nicer restaurants. We're VERY lucky in that way. However, I do think it's nicer when the kids can really enjoy the meal, so waiting a bit isn't a bad idea. They'll get more out of it in a year or two.

 

[kittylady1972]

Three days until we head to the airport!!
(Remember people, the ticker is wrong.)

I haven't packed yet, but I don't really need to until Wednesday or Thursday. It doesn't take me long. Over the years I've become a pretty darn efficient luggage filler-upper!

I still really want to add Flying Fish to our dining line up but I haven't made a res. Every time I've looked online there has been plenty of availability so I'll probably chance a "same day" attempt.
I always hesitate to make dinner reservations because you just never know what the day will bring, how tired you'll be...etc. Now that most of the best restaurants require a credit hold and charge a cancellation fee, I'm even MORE careful about over loading on ADRs.

It dawned on me that I never explained the second part of my trip title! L really likes to try for the "no absences" award at school. He was actually BUMMED that he had to miss school for this trip! He was upset that this blows his chances for an attendance certificate at the end of the year. Crazy kid!

Ok so I JUST came across your trip report...YIPPEE!!! I know we are going at the same time when I recognized your font color from you being one of the few people probably reading my PTR and commenting!

How exciting and love the personal time with kids trip. As another mom of three I know it's hard to get that quality time and I always feel guilty we don't do enough one-on-one time with our kids. I'd love to just do a mommy-daughter trip with my DD one day. If my DH also continues to travel and rack up some more miles I might be able to make that happen.

Also with regards to the weather...well I am okay with the highs of lowtomid 70s or high 60s and lows in the high-40s and 50s since TODAY here in Maryland our high...is 24 degrees. It will be in the 20s (for HIGHS) for the next few days and FRIDAY...they are showing chance for SIGNIFICANT SNOW ACCUMULATION! So yeah I'm okay with that Florida weather...no problem!

 

[tallen429]

Ok so I JUST came across your trip report...YIPPEE!!! I know we are going at the same time when I recognized your font color from you being one of the few people probably reading my PTR and commenting!

How exciting and love the personal time with kids trip. As another mom of three I know it's hard to get that quality time and I always feel guilty we don't do enough one-on-one time with our kids. I'd love to just do a mommy-daughter trip with my DD one day. If my DH also continues to travel and rack up some more miles I might be able to make that happen.

Also with regards to the weather...well I am okay with the highs of lowtomid 70s or high 60s and lows in the high-40s and 50s since TODAY here in Maryland our high...is 24 degrees. It will be in the 20s (for HIGHS) for the next few days and FRIDAY...they are showing chance for SIGNIFICANT SNOW ACCUMULATION! So yeah I'm okay with that Florida weather...no problem!

Hey!!! Thanks for stopping by!
I hope you do get a chance to do a Mom and Me trip, they are so special! Next year it will be DDs first one on one with me.
I have to say that while all of our many trips have held special memories, the first M&M trip with G is tied with L's second M&M trip as my all time favorite!
I have to catch up on your report since the time is COMING!!
Oh, and FYI, it's about 15 degrees here today with some SERIOUS wind chill blowing! Bbbrrrr!!!