We knew we were going to take two trips this year (our cruise in May) and then one more. But what to book? Hubby wanted to go see friends in Rhode Island (Nice but I want more). He initially balked when I suggested Disney - we have been there the last two Christmases. Yes that is true I said but both those times have been over crowded, over loaded and over done. I want quiet and time to enjoy. 
Kept addressing the issue and he finally agreed. Yipee!!!
Now the big issue - When? Work is way to busy till the middle of October and even if I took time off I would be stressed thinking about it. First week of November is out. The boss is going and taking his two kids for the first time. (He has been having me help him plan it out since I am his assistant and know alot about Disney). I look around Mid November and I start to read that it is not too crowded that time of year (park hours look decent). Now the big issue when to leave/return. Hubby works the midnight shift and sleeps during the day. He suggests going to work early the night before we go and he can sleep and we take an afternoon flight. 
Great thinking.
I look and figure out if we leave on Friday, Nov 14th and come back on Tuesday the 18th that gives us three full days there after arriving Friday night and hubby getting the rest of the sleep he needs. Plus it only costs him two days vacation and leaves him two to take at Christmas. Look at airfare and it is doable (even more doable since we had discount coupons from Continental from our messed up flight two years ago on Christmas day - Did you know planes have batteries that die if you don't shut them down - replacing them takes 3 hours and makes you very late to your destination (Disney/Fort Lauderdale Trip Christmas 2006
). 
Hotels do we want cheap AS Movies (I love the statues) or moderate Port Orleans? (No CBR - been there done that - not impressed). I keep searching for two people (thinking two parents not the 20 year old kid - but then we have the other worry - what will happen in the house when we are gone
The last two Christmases were budget busters by staying at BC. Ask DD and she surprisingly says yes (OK I admit I am happy - she is as much a Disneyaholic as I am). She will take and miss two days of class (I even suggested if she wanted she could return home one day early and not miss the one day when she has three classes - she said no she was good). Now we have our cast of characters (me - 42 (will be 43 when we go), DH -41 and DD - 20).
Where to stay - DD looks and says what about POFQ and I look and say ok - I love the south and New Orleans. We have already stayed at Riverside when it was Dixie Landings for DD's first trip ever to the World when she was five (yikes that was 15 years ago
). Call up and get AAA rate (cool save over $110 bucks for the four nights over regular rate). Now the tough part waiting for hubby to get the time approved to take off of work and get the dog into boarding - no boarding no vacation. What a long wait till that was approved (Actually it was less than 24 hours but with hubby's work it is surprising that his boss said yes almost right away - he doesn't like to answer email sometimes.).
Kept addressing the issue and he finally agreed. Yipee!!!
Now the big issue - When? Work is way to busy till the middle of October and even if I took time off I would be stressed thinking about it. First week of November is out. The boss is going and taking his two kids for the first time. (He has been having me help him plan it out since I am his assistant and know alot about Disney). I look around Mid November and I start to read that it is not too crowded that time of year (park hours look decent). Now the big issue when to leave/return. Hubby works the midnight shift and sleeps during the day. He suggests going to work early the night before we go and he can sleep and we take an afternoon flight. Great thinking. I look and figure out if we leave on Friday, Nov 14th and come back on Tuesday the 18th that gives us three full days there after arriving Friday night and hubby getting the rest of the sleep he needs. Plus it only costs him two days vacation and leaves him two to take at Christmas. Look at airfare and it is doable (even more doable since we had discount coupons from Continental from our messed up flight two years ago on Christmas day - Did you know planes have batteries that die if you don't shut them down - replacing them takes 3 hours and makes you very late to your destination (Disney/Fort Lauderdale Trip Christmas 2006
). Hotels do we want cheap AS Movies (I love the statues) or moderate Port Orleans? (No CBR - been there done that - not impressed). I keep searching for two people (thinking two parents not the 20 year old kid - but then we have the other worry - what will happen in the house when we are gone
The last two Christmases were budget busters by staying at BC. Ask DD and she surprisingly says yes (OK I admit I am happy - she is as much a Disneyaholic as I am). She will take and miss two days of class (I even suggested if she wanted she could return home one day early and not miss the one day when she has three classes - she said no she was good). Now we have our cast of characters (me - 42 (will be 43 when we go), DH -41 and DD - 20).Where to stay - DD looks and says what about POFQ and I look and say ok - I love the south and New Orleans. We have already stayed at Riverside when it was Dixie Landings for DD's first trip ever to the World when she was five (yikes that was 15 years ago
). Call up and get AAA rate (cool save over $110 bucks for the four nights over regular rate). Now the tough part waiting for hubby to get the time approved to take off of work and get the dog into boarding - no boarding no vacation. What a long wait till that was approved (Actually it was less than 24 hours but with hubby's work it is surprising that his boss said yes almost right away - he doesn't like to answer email sometimes.).
. What a nightmare waiting for dinner the next few nights. Christmas 2007 
at the Contemporary. After getting DD's approval for that and Mama Melrose I call up to get the ADR. The third choice was the Plaza at Magic Kingdom for our last night since that was Magic Kingdom's EMH night. I had called and gotten the Plaza reservation when we were still discussing the other reservations. 
The lady switched my Plaza reservation from Monday to Sunday and I got Mama Melrose for Monday night. Wahooooooooo. Now I got all my ADR and a Mickey Party. I was dancing around the house this morning. 
I know the meals aren't cheap but it doesn't seem right to get something we may not use. 
I want the nice view. I will pay for that.
We asked my mom to come along with us. She had been taking care of him before and during his hospitalization and really was stressed. We thought she would really appreciate it.
but I am so happy that my mom will get to go away and have something to look forward to. 
