IDK what the heck I'm doing, but here's my PTR!

[firecracker725]

One of the things that has been bugging me about our trip is internet access. I am really not willing to pay what Disney is asking, but I'm also unwilling to go 6 days in a really overwhelming place without access to the net.

My potential solution (and I'm totally open to input here...) is to upgrade my AT&T Wireless service to an unlimited data plan during the month of May. Though I do not have a "smart" phone, my Samsung Propel has a decent browser and a GPS feature that would come in quite handy while away from home for a week.

Of course, we'd have our laptop for the times we're off property and able to get a free connection (Panera?). So what do you guys think???

 

[firecracker725]

As I sit here with 17 third graders, I'm dreaming of WDW. We have 7 more instructional days and two post planning days, I'm very busy wrapping up end of year tasks. BUSY!!!

 

[firecracker725]

I'm on

I'm just about to check-in online! I still can't believe we're going to Disney. It seems like just yesterday that I started planning all of this, and now it's almost here!!!

I can't even tell you how much I need to enter a make-believe world right now. So much has happened in these past few weeks, and I have really been put through the ringer.

On a Tuesday evening my mother was admitted to the hospital for a possible stroke. After extensive testing, her doctor diagnosed her with cancer. They couldn't find a primary tumor, but she had METs in her brain. So, my husband, our daughter, and I made an emergency trip to Mississippi on Thursday to accompany her to an appointment with an oncologist on Friday. He ordered a PET scan and several other appointments for the following Wednesday.

While we were at my mother's house on Saturday, an F1 tornado struck the house. There was moderate roof damage, and two 30 year old trees fell on the powerlines, causing quite a bit of damage. Electricity wasn't restored until Monday.

Ben couldn't miss any more school, so we all left on Sunday. I teach 3rd grade, and we were in the middle of testing. I couldn't really afford to take much time off, but I also needed to be in MS for all of my mother's appointments on Wednesday. So...I left immediately after school on Tuesday, attended the appointments on Wednesday, and then drove back to GA on Wednesday night. Crazy, right? Well, it doesn't end there.

My mother didn't have cancer. It was inded a stroke. Not that a stroke is anything minor, mind you. We didn't think it was "good" news, but it wasn't quite as devastating as the big "C". She has since had a follow-up MRI which confirmed the stroke. Her neurosurgeon wants to follow up again in 8 weeks to determine if surgery is warranted. I have a feeling he'd like to operate, but the area is near her motor strip, and surgery could possibly do more harm than good.

That's enough, right? Well, apparently I've p'd off the heavens big time because I got into a car accident on the way to school on that following Friday morning. Some idiot decided to bust a U-turn in front of me while we were both going full speed. I broad-sided him, and he drove off. They never caught him, and though I have damage, I'll have to file it on my insurance and pay the $250 deductible to have it repaired.

Keep in mind, that this ALL occurred within a 9 day span.

Bring on the magic...I certainly feel that I deserve it!

 

[Disneychix]

OMG! That is a string of unfortunate events! I'm sending good thoughts for your mother. How scary!
Enjoy your vacation! Take it easy and soak it all up!

 

[firecracker725]

Single Digit Dance!!!! Only NINE more days!

So I was looking over my originial plan, and I realized that I've made some changes since then.

Day 1: We'll be driving, and the MIL will be flying. We expect to arrive around 4 p.m., but the MIL's flight doesn't get in until then. I originally planned dinner at Trail's End, but I think I'm going to CXL in favor of Downtown Disney.

Day 2: We were originally going to start at MK, then move to AK for EMH, but we decided to just make that whole first day an AK day so we won't be teased by the fabulous MK only to have to up and leave in the middle of the day. We'll grab a quick dinner, then the MIL and DD will head back to the resort while the hubs and I go to DHS to see Fantasmic. We feel that it would be too much for the DD, and since the MIL is there, we might as well take full advantage.

Day 3 (Thursday) will be all day at MK with a nap/cool down in the middle of the day. Actually, we're planning on doing that every day. I have no intention of keeping my 2 year old from her nap, and I just don't feel she'd rest all that well in her stroller. We have an ADR for dinner at Crystal Palace, then we're going to watch Spectromagic and Wishes. Hopefully, we'll be able to keep the DD up for those.

Day 4 is kind of a flex day. There's no official plan, though I hope to spend a good bit of time at MK. This will be the MIL's last park day, as she will be leaving on Saturday, so DH and I might try to stay awake for EMH at Epcot.

Day 5: We plan to hit DHS for EMH. We're probably least excited about this park in general, so we may try to head over to Epcot in the afternoon.

Day 6: Epcot..all day.

Day 7: Departure day We have an ADR at Chef Mickey's for 7:10, so we'll be full on the ride home.

Part of me wants to plan everything down to the minute, but the mommy in me realizes that two year old's don't always do what you expect them to do, so I'm trying to be flexible..something that doesn't come naturally for me. We'll see how it works out.

 

[creativeamanda]

You know often, overplanning is better than under planning. Of course, I might be a bit obssessed with my trip.

Congrats on your trip--it sounds very similar to our first trip--2 onsite meals (Trail's End--which is very reasonable with pricing, and Crystal Palace.) We had a cooler of food, took snacks and such into the parks, and ate one meal onsite (cs) daily. We went offsite for one breakfast. It was still the best trip to that date.

Have fun!

 

[firecracker725]

School ended for me today. Yippee! Now I can devote all my time to packing and planning for our trip which is in 4 days!

Sadly, I have lost our camera. I think it got misplaced in all the chaos surrounding our emergency trip to Mississippi. This means that we'll have to buy another, so that adds to the budget and crazyness of trying to prepare for this trip.

I can't even tell you how excited I am. I'm laying out the suitcases tonight, so I can start packing them over the weekend. The hubs has a conference this weekend, so I'm going to be alone with our daughter, but I'm determined to make a dent in the preparation.

 

[therussells08]

Hi from another teacher! I'm sorry I'm late to your PTR but I hope you guys have an awesome first trip to WDW! I can't wait to hear all about it when you get home!!

Your daughter is gorgeous, BTW!!

 

[firecracker725]

Hi from another teacher! I'm sorry I'm late to your PTR but I hope you guys have an awesome first trip to WDW! I can't wait to hear all about it when you get home!!

Your daughter is gorgeous, BTW!!

Thanks!

 

[firecracker725]

OMG! That is a string of unfortunate events! I'm sending good thoughts for your mother. How scary!
Enjoy your vacation! Take it easy and soak it all up!

Indeed. Thanks so much. I'm just so excited to be going.

You know often, overplanning is better than under planning. Of course, I might be a bit obssessed with my trip.

Congrats on your trip--it sounds very similar to our first trip--2 onsite meals (Trail's End--which is very reasonable with pricing, and Crystal Palace.) We had a cooler of food, took snacks and such into the parks, and ate one meal onsite (cs) daily. We went offsite for one breakfast. It was still the best trip to that date.

Have fun!

Food can be a serious budget buster. We're determined not to break the bank on something we'll have nothing (save for our waistlines) to show for.

 

[sl_underwood]

We will be there at the same time, staying at CBR.