Is 18 months too long out for a TR? I think not! An October 2011 PTR!

[tlenzendorf]

Well we are at it again. Planning our 3rd trip in as many years. The whole family went in 8/2009(TR needing to be finished), DH and I went in 3/2010(TR needing to be started), and here I am already thinking about our next trip!

I love Disney. I mean love it, think about it all the time, hum songs and research it CONSTANTLY. Hello, my name is Tricia and I've been a Disneyholic for 2 years now.

No, I don't want help for my addiction! I want help nurturing it and keeping it strong I am really starting to think about buying into DVC, but for right now DH and I have too many bills. I do think that he would really consider buying in, we've had lots of discussions about it. Discussions that get lengthier when we get back.

Since my PC seems to have an issue with photobucket, I'll have to come back and add photos later!

Our cast of characters for our October 2011 Adventure:

Me, currently 30, turning 31 in less than 2 weeks, and will be 32 for our trip

I am the planner of all things Disney. I drive DH crazy!

Brent, aka DH

Not actually my DH, but a girl can always dream, right? Plus its just easier to say DH sometimes than Brent, or my BF. Cause sometimes I get really confused... is BF best friend? Is it boyfriend? Is it brother's friend? So DH is what I'll use! Yes, this is typical for him...

Mariah, aka DD11(will be 12 next year )

Hahaha, thought I'd use this pic to throw you off!

Let me tell you people without kids and those with young kids. Parenting preteens is not for the faint of heart! She constantly has me at wits end. But I love this kid. Really, she is my baby, no matter how old she gets. And when she isn't driving me nuts she is a fantastic girl.

Alyssa, aka DD9(will be 10 in a few weeks and 11 for next years trip)

Alyssa is Brent's daughter. She is his only child and boy does that sometimes show. But she is also a really great kid. Smart as can be and has a memory twice as long as an elephants. Alyssa can be kinda shy sometimes, especially around new people. She reminds me a lot of myself when I was that age.

Ellie, aka DD5(will be 6 in July, 7 for next years trip)

I think she is the devil's spawn. J/K. A little bit. She is the cutest thing, but MAN does she have A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E!! I wanted a boy, I cried when I found out she was a girl since I only want 2 kids. Well, I think she is a boy in a girl's body who likes to dress girly and be girls sometimes... That kid is the biggest daredevil I have ever met, when SHE is in control. When she is not in control she is the biggest chicken EVER! She is scared of rides, water slides and almost anything bigger than her(which is a lot since she is tiny). I really hope by next year that she gets a growth spurt and musters up some courage to do the big rides!

Well, that is our crew in a nutshell. Like I said, I'll add pictures later tonight. When HOPEFULLY I'll get an update done on our August trip and get closer to putting that one to bed.

Here is the cliffhanger to get you all to keep reading:

Can I actually finish my TR, start and finish this year's TR AND keep up with an 18 month PTR?? We shall seeeee, muah hahaha!

 

[tlenzendorf]

All right, well the good news is this is my second post on this report, so I can at least keep up with one

I love Halloween. I love dressing up, decorating, handing out candy to all the kids and getting to see their costumes. I even WANT my kids to have a Halloween party so I can have even more fun.

After seeing all the pics from MNSSHP I decided we MUST go. This was after our "last for a long time" "all out" "do it all" trip in August... Before we went again in March... I know, you are seeing how sick I really am... I thought Brent would say we had to wait like 3 or 4 years(again before our March trip)... but after seeing how much fun COULD be had with the right planning, he fell in love almost as much as I did and wants to go more often, too. Plus, I think the kids might have rioted after he and I got back from our trip in March if they didn't think there was a chance they could go again sooner rather than later.

Being the awesome parents we are, when we got back and there was gasps of "You went to Disney WITHOUT us??" "How could you??" "You are the meanest parents ever!!"... We told them maybe we'll go back in a few years. But we wanted to go a few other places with them first Knowing full well we were planning on going again next October.

During the March trip we did some resort hopping to scope out places we were thinking about staying that would be fun for everybody. Where did we decide you ask? I'm not telling!! You either have to wait til we get further along in this PTR or wait until I write my March 2010 TR.

 

[tlenzendorf]

Ok you lurkers, I see you out there This is going to be one interesting PTR if I'm just talking to myself. Which isn't really that much of an issue. Sometimes its just nice to converse with others...

 

[tlenzendorf]

You lucky people who have decided to check out my PTR get a preview of pics from mine and DHs March 2010 trip! You feel pretty special now, don't you? Uh huh, you should, since I haven't even STARTED that TR yet!

 

[JoyMouse]

Hi Tlenzendorf! I just hopped over from my PTR to check out yours! We are also on a distant planning schedule. We go in January of 2011. No sense waiting for the last minute. Keep up the posts and I will check in on you!
Joy

 

[tlenzendorf]

Hi Tlenzendorf! I just hopped over from my PTR to check out yours! We are also on a distant planning schedule. We go in January of 2011. No sense waiting for the last minute. Keep up the posts and I will check in on you!
Joy

Thanks for joining in! My name is Tricia. I'm excited, my first PTR and my first reader. There should be a prize or something. I'll have to come check out your PTR now!

 

[tlenzendorf]

Over Labor Day weekend, the Wisconsin Badgers play in Las Vegas, so we are currently planning a couple's vacation to go and enjoy the atmosphere. Basically the city is invaded in a sea of red and white and its like one huge tailgate. We aren't going to the game itself(been there, done that, too much hassle), we are going to watch it at the ESPN zone at NY, NY.

I have been watching flight prices closely They are sky high right now! I can't believe it! Its over half the cost of what we paid for the five of us to go to WDW!

So, you ask, how does this have anything to do with Disney?? Well, it made me realize that flight times are out for October 2010, so I have been getting guesstimates for what dates we'll be going next year. I hope prices stay similar. They aren't too bad!

Keep your fingers crossed that I can actually find a decent price for Vegas. Right now the best price I've found is $357/person! We paid just over $1,000 for the 5 of us to go to WDW!

 

[tlenzendorf]

I finally got a call back from our TA for our Vegas trip! She will be on the lookout for prices/times so its nice to have another set of eyes other than me stressing out about it!

Onto Disney now!

I have a whole big list of stuff from our last trip to remember! Here they are in no particular order...

-Akershus Princess Breakfast at Epcot
-Get a book on hidden Mickey’s
-Get Garden Grocer delivery for soda and snacks
-Buy kids rain coats
-Ponchos for Splash Mountain
-Halloween Costumes for MNSSHP
-Be at MK over an hour early for potential family of the day
-Rest longer for EMH
-Leave early early for early breakfast ADRs
-PACK LIGHT for parks
-Save for Disney Quest in case of rain
-Quarters for laundry, penny press
-Transfer to BW/YC/BC by boat from DHS or Epcot
-Bring cold medicine/pain relievers
-Do the Animation Studio and meet characters there
-Eat lunch at Starring Rolls Café
-Eat breakfast at the MK bakery
-Autograph books and pens
-Make tie dye shirts
-Bring sleep aid
-Get a headphone splitter
-Put toothbrushes/toothpaste and next day clothes in carry-on

Why, you ask about the toothbrushes/toothpaste and next day clothes in carryon? Well, that is because I am such a genius sometimes! Brent said we needed to get the checked suitcase filled so that when it was getting tossed around stuff wouldn't fly all over inside and be a big mess when we open it. So, being the genius that I am, emptied my ENTIRE carry-on into the big suitcase(we needed to be sure we had room from the trip to bring home souvies... you'll have to check out my next TR after I get started to find out what they are...). INCLUDING my personal bag with my toothbrush, toothpaste, pjs, etc...

We landed into MCO at 8pm. Which is about what time I'm guessing we'll land this next trip. Guess what happens when they say up to 3 hours for your bag from ME? It takes 3 hours! We didn't get our suitcase until 11, so I couldn't brush my teeth or get ready for bed until after our luggage arrived

This trip I am going to have our first days stuff in our carry-on so we can have them hold our luggage til the next day and we can still be ready and get on with our evening and be ready to go the next morning!

I am glad I read that list before I posted in since I copied and pasted it! You would have been able to figure out where we decided to stay!

 

[tlenzendorf]

Hmmm so I've been thinking of this from another PTR that I've been reading. I need ideas for our Halloween costumes. Yes, I know we are 18 months out. But we have me, Brent, Mariah, Ellie and Alyssa. One guy and 4 chicks. We want Disney costumes that all go together. So bring on the ideas! Hmmm, if I can actually get some posters instead of lurkers there MAY be a prize involved!

 

[JoyMouse]

Okay...I want a prize!! LOL! I totally understand about Halloween issue...my family is already stressed about it and it is only early April! I think y'all should go as Pongo, Perdi and a couple of the dalmation pups. Or...as some of the monsters from Monsters Inc! Well...the options are unlimited!

On another note...you have me thinking of what we need to start amassing for the trip...rain ponchos for sure! We were at Sea World with about 300 of my nearest and dearest 3rd and 4th grade friends (I am a teacher ) on March 12th and nearly drown! It flooded...I also want some Croc rainboots! I don't remember ever getting so wet...

 

[tlenzendorf]

Okay...I want a prize!! LOL! I totally understand about Halloween issue...my family is already stressed about it and it is only early April! I think y'all should go as Pongo, Perdi and a couple of the dalmation pups. Or...as some of the monsters from Monsters Inc! Well...the options are unlimited!

On another note...you have me thinking of what we need to start amassing for the trip...rain ponchos for sure! We were at Sea World with about 300 of my nearest and dearest 3rd and 4th grade friends (I am a teacher ) on March 12th and nearly drown! It flooded...I also want some Croc rainboots! I don't remember ever getting so wet...

Thats kinda funny that you mention Monsters Inc. When Brent and I went in March he was "that guy" hahaha!

After dealing with a lot of rain this past trip and having used ponchos and rain coats, I highly recommend rain coats instead. We were so much more comfortable. The only issue is that the front of our legs got wet. But that only happened when it down poured. I didn't even know Crocs made rainboots! Tell me more

A teacher huh? I want to be a teacher to have the breaks, but I don't know if I could deal with kids all the time like that. Which is pretty funny because I work in a pediatrics office, but I only see each child for 3-5 minutes each and then I'm on to the next one

 

[JoyMouse]

The Croc rainboots are cute (IMO). They are light, just like the original Crocs and go up to about the ankle. Check out Crocs.com and see what you think!

My husband was once "that guy" too! How funny is that! He spent the rest of the day laughing when folks recognized him.

I love teaching, especially when it is time for a break! I have third graders, so they are still really sweet for the most part. I can't imagine dealing with ill kiddos all day...flu season is awful at school, can't imagine it in a peds office!

Keep up the report, I am enjoying it!
Joy

 

[2_Eagle_Mom]

Hi Tricia!

Leaping over from Skinny Island! I don't know how I missed the link to your PTR.

I don't think you're planning too far out. Of course I'm a meeting planner so 11 months is just about right to get everything in order.

My suggestion for your halloween costumes is: Hercules, Meg and the muses. the bonus would be the costumes would be cool to wear in the FL heat.

I'll head over to your TR now. Please come visit me on my PTR/mini 09 TR. Please excuse the blatent plug...

Adventure (and Food) are calling our names - Oct 2010 PTR

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

Hey, I'm joining in too! Your list of stuff to remember and do looks fun...I saw you had Akershus on there, and we really enjoyed that last time we did it! I am also going to Vegas soon...in 21 days to be exact! My friend and I got a really good deal through Delta Vacations (Delta Airlines vacations website). For RT airfare from Philadelphia and three nights at Harrah's, it was only $350 per person. Everywhere else I checked out was at least $450-600 for the same trip. If you do go their website, be sure to click on the "Deals" tab and choose one of the Vegas discounts to get the Vegas discount code applied.

 

[tlenzendorf]

Hey, I'm joining in too! Your list of stuff to remember and do looks fun...I saw you had Akershus on there, and we really enjoyed that last time we did it! I am also going to Vegas soon...in 21 days to be exact! My friend and I got a really good deal through Delta Vacations (Delta Airlines vacations website). For RT airfare from Philadelphia and three nights at Harrah's, it was only $350 per person. Everywhere else I checked out was at least $450-600 for the same trip. If you do go their website, be sure to click on the "Deals" tab and choose one of the Vegas discounts to get the Vegas discount code applied.

Wow, that is a great deal! We went thru Allegiant and got 4 nights at the Flamingo for $530/person. With the football game and it being Labor Day weekend that was really good considering what some of the prices were that we saw

 

[tlenzendorf]

Hi Tricia!

Leaping over from Skinny Island! I don't know how I missed the link to your PTR.

I don't think you're planning too far out. Of course I'm a meeting planner so 11 months is just about right to get everything in order.

My suggestion for your halloween costumes is: Hercules, Meg and the muses. the bonus would be the costumes would be cool to wear in the FL heat.

I'll head over to your TR now. Please come visit me on my PTR/mini 09 TR. Please excuse the blatent plug...

Adventure (and Food) are calling our names - Oct 2010 PTR

I am a big planner! Brent just laughs at me, but everybody sure does enjoy the benefits of all my planning!

I'll come visit your reports in just a bit. I have to work or something for a few minutes

 

[bellebookworm9]

Hi! We too are planning to go back in October 2011, over Columbus Day weekend, staying at the Beach Club Villas. I'm a crazy planner as well, and we just got back 2 months ago from a 12 day trip! We want to do the Food & Wine Festival and MNSSHP. Perhaps we'll be in the world at the same time? (I'd love to know where you want to stay...) I've been thinking about costumes for us. My mom has always wanted to be the hat from cat in the hat. That's right, just the hat. I told her Cat in the Hat belongs to Universal, but I don't think that will deter her. I'm still undecided for me.

 

[tlenzendorf]

Thats funny that she just wants to be the hat!

We went in March of this year, just Brent and I, and we stayed at Coronado Springs. We LOVED it. After resort hopping our first day to check out places we were thinking about staying we decided that we would stay there again with the kids. We are going to get 2 rooms, hopefully connecting so we can do kids in one room, us in the other. We debated Beach Club Villas, but we just really liked Coronado.

We also want to do F&W and MNSSHP. I am still undecided on costumes and I've been thinking lots about it! Good thing we have over a year still...

When is Columbus Day weekend? We are going October 21(Friday) or 22 thru the 29(Saturday) or 30th... currently undecided. It will depend on flight times and costs. Here in Wisconsin our kids always have off the last Thursday and Friday of the month for teacher's conferences. So the kids will miss 3 days of school already, we don't really want them to miss school the 21st if they don't have to.

 

[bellebookworm9]

Thats funny that she just wants to be the hat!

We went in March of this year, just Brent and I, and we stayed at Coronado Springs. We LOVED it. After resort hopping our first day to check out places we were thinking about staying we decided that we would stay there again with the kids. We are going to get 2 rooms, hopefully connecting so we can do kids in one room, us in the other. We debated Beach Club Villas, but we just really liked Coronado.

We also want to do F&W and MNSSHP. I am still undecided on costumes and I've been thinking lots about it! Good thing we have over a year still...

When is Columbus Day weekend? We are going October 21(Friday) or 22 thru the 29(Saturday) or 30th... currently undecided. It will depend on flight times and costs. Here in Wisconsin our kids always have off the last Thursday and Friday of the month for teacher's conferences. So the kids will miss 3 days of school already, we don't really want them to miss school the 21st if they don't have to.

Columbus Day is the 10, we'd be going the 7-11 (Friday-Tuesday), because I get Monday & Tuesday off. I'd probably be missing Friday and Wednesday because my school is an hour away and we have to figure travel time, unless I can miraculously arrange my schedule to not have class on those days. Not having class on Friday is a definite possibility; Wednesday, not so much.

I think Coronado is one of those places that people either love it or hate it. I've never heard from anybody that was mixed about it. If you start your trip report I'll pop over to read what you thought. We just stayed at Kidani Village and we LOVED it there. I want to stay there again, but since we are going for such a brief time, and mainly for F&W, we figured Epcot resorts were the place to be (and renting points from a DVC member is cheaper than an All Star!) After much debate between Beach Club Villas and Boardwalk Villas, we've decided we want BCV. I really, really want to try out Stormalong Bay, so hopefully it will live up to the hype. Unfortunately, I can't be booked until November, so it's a few more months of waiting for me!

 

[tlenzendorf]

We now have something new to worry about when we go on our trip! Who is going to watch our fur babies??? We got 2 mini dachschund puppies last Sunday. They are both boys, named Harley and Pudge, it sure is weird saying "the boys" and not "the girls" since our 3 kids are girls

Since I know you all can hardly wait and stand it, here are their pictures!

This is Harley:

This is Pudge:

Here they are together: