It was to be a SURPRISE trip, but I blew it May 2012 PTR (New May 9 )

[wdwgirl03]

I'm here. Two weeks! Wow, that would have been some surprise! How awesome.

 

[Queenofallthings]

You know I am joining in

I am so happy and excited for both of you!!!!!

Thank you so much honSo happy you're coming along...too bad we won't be there at the same time, but next year for sure

Too bad the surprise was ruined, but planning together, and chatting about the upcoming trip might be lots of fun! So glad that you girls are getting some time together before school!

You are so right! Seeing how excited she was made it all ok! Planning our ADR's was more fun together than just me doing it whenever I could catch a minute

This is so so exciting!!! Hurray!!!! Can't wait to read about all the planning!!!

Isn't it? Thanks Mary...can't wait to tell you all about what we have planned so far!

wow that would have been a great surprise! But if Jasmine is anything like me, then im sure she is happy to know about it and get excited that she has it to look forward to! I am trying to get down there at the end of may also but it will be a last minute decision since i graduate in the middle of may from college. It's exciting that she is starting university and I am glad she decided what she wants to do! can't wait to read about your plans!

Hi Brittney!

Jasmine is like you and said she was so happy to know...she kept asking me how I would have packed for her She usually shops before we go anywhere so I guess that might have been an issure I always say half the fun of a trip is planning it and looking foward to it!

You will have to let us know if you will be going, we would love to meet up even if it's just a quick hi! So happy you're following along!

Woooooo hooooooooo I'm joining the fun . I bet Jasmine was so happy to find out that y'all get to have one more Mother/Daughter trip . I wish I could have kept our May dates because we would have been there the same time as you, Lisa, and Michelle. I am bummed about that, but I am hoping we can get there early enough on June 1st and maybe, just maybe have a small meet.

Dana She was over the moon, I haven't seen her that excited in a while! You know Dana when I was reading your PTR I thought "oh I hope they get in on Jun 1, even if we can only see them for a few minutes it would be wonderful! We'll keep our fingers crossed!

I'm here. Two weeks! Wow, that would have been some surprise! How awesome.

It would have been but I was careless It's almost like it was meant to fall there tho...it's so tough to keep a surprise! Glad you're here!

 

[mermaid764]

I am so happy and excited for both of you

You guys are gonna have an amazing trip, and what an awesome last surprise for Jasmine before she starts school!

Can't wait to hear about all of your plans

 

[Queenofallthings]

I am so happy and excited for both of you

You guys are gonna have an amazing trip, and what an awesome last surprise for Jasmine before she starts school!

Can't wait to hear about all of your plans

Thank you so much hon!

We are gonna give it our best shot....we always have such an amazing time together!

Gonna get the first post together this morning!

 

[amazingact21]

I was so excited to see you had a PTR posted! May is such a nice time to visit, and to have 2 weeks of just mother/daughter time sounds perfect! I can't wait to follow along.

 

[Queenofallthings]

I was so excited to see you had a PTR posted! May is such a nice time to visit, and to have 2 weeks of just mother/daughter time sounds perfect! I can't wait to follow along.

Thank you so much hon! You don't know how happy that makes me....I really have no idea what the May weather is like or what the crowds are like!

So happy you're here I have to say tho I am bummed that we're missing you by a few days I just saw your PTR and I will be following along as I'm sure you know

 

[Queenofallthings]

So I have just a little over 3 months to put the final touches on this our latest trek to the World.

Peg booked us our room only reservation at All Star Music with the 20% promo that's on right now...or at least that's what it was for the value that we're staying at! I had already looked up park hours, extra magic hours, parades and fireworks but what I didn't realize is that Star Wars Weekends are on while we're there so I may need to change one of our weekend days to not be at DHS! Now, having said that, is this something we should be doing? We're not Star Wars fans but it is an event that we have never been to so I'm second guessing not attending! Any help would be appreciated

Weather....any help with the May weather would be appreciated! I'm thinking hot but not as hot as August, but I honestly have no idea

The other thing that is causing me a little bit of stress right now is the price of flights! If I have my way (since I'm paying, it will be my way) we will fly either Delta through Minneapolis or United through Chicago. The only way we'll fly Westjet or Air Canada through Toronto is if it is a major savings. I am not a fan of collecting our luggage and going through customs there and trying to make our connection in an hour....just not a whole lot of fun in my eyes. I like to clear US customs in Winnipeg and not worry when in Minneapolis or Chicago about our luggage, we find our gate and we grab a bite to eat and we relax, I much prefer that!

I did receive an email from Disney Destinations with the Free Dining Pin code, however, it was $1000 more than our room only and I know we won't eat a $1000 worth of food in 2 weeks. We share meals a lot of the time now and we find then we're not full and uncomfortable after either!

I ordered our one park pass this morning from airmiles and will just go to guest service when we arrive and get the other one! We added the park hopper as we find that's a must for us. We didn't add the water parks this trip because we found for Jasmine and I it was a bit of a waste when we could just relax by our pool at the resort. She would like me to go on all the water park rides and I don't like them so it doesn't happen. It worked great when all the kids were there, but not just her and I.

Speaking of Jeff, he is a little bummed that he isn't going this time around but he is trying to take some extra spring courses so in the end he will finish sooner. I think that's a smart plan!

I have my lists started, our itinerary is in the works and our ADR's are made, although Jasmine did mention that she would like to go to Kona for breakfast so I am going to try and book that a little later today!

 

[dawnbu40]

Star Wars weekends at DHS are very busy. If neither of you are into Star Wars, I'd skip it and avoid the crowd.

May is very hot. Last year we were there in early May and August and May was just as hot as August. The difference is May is not as humid or rainy. You will definitely want your daily pool breaks


Breakfast at Kona is always a great start to any day

 

[wakica]

Hi NEIGHBOR!!!!!!!!!!! I'm subbing on to watch your plans come together We are just a hop skip and a jump away from you in Saskatchewan We will be heading home the week you head down so we will be missing each other.

i'm SO glad your able to squeeze another trip in. Oh well if it's not a surprise - I tried surprising dd13 this trip too (I could never hide a whole trip tho) with a surprise surfing lesson at Typhoon Lagoon but she got it out of me. hahahaha so I totally get where your coming from. i would have LOVED to see her expression at the last minute but i just totally suck at surprises so oh well. We sometimes have to have the 6 days (or however many depending on gifts) of Christmas b/c we can't wait any longer and can't keep the secrets!

Anyway, weather will be GREAT!!! highs of 30/31 and lows around 19/20. I know I don't have to grab out my handy dandy translation chart for a change since I'm speaking to a fellow Canadian . Normally I have a chart by the computer for just this reason but today I luck out and can just go with Celcius. Anyway, i think it can get up around 40 in August plus it's rainy season so it is significantly cooler although being that we are used to cold winters and 30 as our highest temps i will still find 30's hot!!! lol

As for SWW's we wouldn't worry about it either. We don't do parks for people things or really for characters much now that dd is older so if it's just the rides and atmosphere your there for I'd AVOID the SW crowds like the plague!!!!!

I hear your grief on all the airport visits to get down there too. We have sometimes flown west to Calgary, then back across Regina to head East to a major centre and then down to the states. I'ts a MISERABLE milk run!! We avoided it this time by going to Tampa!! We saved hundreds on our flight, got WAY better arrival and departure times, and we are renting a car anyway so who cares if it takes us 1.5 hours instead of .5 hours to get to our condo anyway. The better times and price are worth it in the end. Hope you find a good flight!!

We don't do the dining either. None of us are big eaters so it just doesn't pan out for us. We got a condo for $70/night. Will eat small breakfasts in condo, eat CS or brought in snack foods for lunches and supper back at the condo so we only count the few CS lunches and the few TS suppers that we throw in to splurge as holiday costs b/c groceries are groceries and we'd buy those if we were home. DH pithces in lots too for meals so it still feels like a relaxing holiday for me We are also only a 2 min drive from our condo door to enter the world so I figure we can't go wrong. If it were just me though - I'd TOTALLY be on site and using disney transportation everywhere.

Well, I've babbled enough!!! Looking forward to following your ptr!!! Have you been to mine yet? I recognize your name from somewhere.

 

[TanzUnited99]

Woot woot, another Queen/Jasmine PTR!!!

Please tell me you will still be returning in 2013.

Wow Criminal Justice - way to go Jasmine! Aaw I'm sorry about the surprise being spoiled but at least this way you both can plan together

 

[wdwgirl03]

Yeah, May can be pretty warm but you are right, it's definitely not as bad as the middle of summer.

As for the Star Wars weekends, I am with you-not really a Star Wars fan but if you're there, why not go? It could be sort of interesting. The only downside is that it sounds like it gets pretty crowded with the people who DO like Star Wars.

 

[MHTeacher]

I didn't realize is that Star Wars Weekends are on while we're there so I may need to change one of our weekend days to not be at DHS! Now, having said that, is this something we should be doing? We're not Star Wars fans but it is an event that we have never been to so I'm second guessing not attending! Any help would be appreciated

We're not big Star Wars fans either, so we've never made it over during the event. I think the true fans swear by it, but for us, it's no biggie. The extra crowd is reason for us to avoid that park during the weekend.

Weather....any help with the May weather would be appreciated! I'm thinking hot but not as hot as August, but I honestly have no idea

Still hot, but not quite as humid as August. I'd say probably upper 80's for day temps. I don't think it's all that bad, but I'm from the south anyway, so I know it's not like July/August/September. Honestly, the year we went during Labor Day week, that was hotter than any time I've been in May.

 

[Queenofallthings]

Star Wars weekends at DHS are very busy. If neither of you are into Star Wars, I'd skip it and avoid the crowd.
Perfect...thanks so much! I believe I have the 26th booked to go to DHS so will change that!
May is very hot. Last year we were there in early May and August and May was just as hot as August. The difference is May is not as humid or rainy. You will definitely want your daily pool breaks
Good to know...we are definitely planning our pool afternoons I won't miss the humidity that's for sure!

Breakfast at Kona is always a great start to any day

Jasmine enjoyed it so much when you met you guys there that she really wanted to go again so I will definitely be doing that on one of our pool days. I figure we can head over their in the morning and be back with lots of pool time!

Hi NEIGHBOR!!!!!!!!!!! I'm subbing on to watch your plans come together We are just a hop skip and a jump away from you in Saskatchewan We will be heading home the week you head down so we will be missing each other.
Hello neighbor!! That's too bad that we will be missing each other!

i'm SO glad your able to squeeze another trip in. Oh well if it's not a surprise - I tried surprising dd13 this trip too (I could never hide a whole trip tho) with a surprise surfing lesson at Typhoon Lagoon but she got it out of me. hahahaha so I totally get where your coming from. i would have LOVED to see her expression at the last minute but i just totally suck at surprises so oh well. We sometimes have to have the 6 days (or however many depending on gifts) of Christmas b/c we can't wait any longer and can't keep the secrets!
I hear ya on that! I did actually pull off a surprise trip when she turned 12...I almost blew it so many times! I told her we were going out for dinner with a few friends and that my bff and I would be picking her up from school. My bff told her that we quickly had to stop at the airport as she had to pick up a package for her hubby at Air Canada Cargo! We got to the airport and she asked if I would go in with her and I went on saying "oh Brenda, it's cold, can't you just go why do I always have to go" to which my darling replied "mom, don't be like that, she would do it for you" so out we all got, Brenda opened the back of the SUV and there was the luggage! We sang her a little song about her birthday and going to Disney and she started bawling....not from happiness, she just realized with no warning she had to get on a plane and she hates flying....too funny!
Anyway, weather will be GREAT!!! highs of 30/31 and lows around 19/20. I know I don't have to grab out my handy dandy translation chart for a change since I'm speaking to a fellow Canadian . Normally I have a chart by the computer for just this reason but today I luck out and can just go with Celcius. Anyway, i think it can get up around 40 in August plus it's rainy season so it is significantly cooler although being that we are used to cold winters and 30 as our highest temps i will still find 30's hot!!! lol
I always forget to translate from Celsius too....I guess I never think of it! Glad we should have good weather!
As for SWW's we wouldn't worry about it either. We don't do parks for people things or really for characters much now that dd is older so if it's just the rides and atmosphere your there for I'd AVOID the SW crowds like the plague!!!!!
Absolutely going to change one of our days....
I hear your grief on all the airport visits to get down there too. We have sometimes flown west to Calgary, then back across Regina to head East to a major centre and then down to the states. I'ts a MISERABLE milk run!! We avoided it this time by going to Tampa!! We saved hundreds on our flight, got WAY better arrival and departure times, and we are renting a car anyway so who cares if it takes us 1.5 hours instead of .5 hours to get to our condo anyway. The better times and price are worth it in the end. Hope you find a good flight!!
I love clearing customs in Winnipeg...it's pure heaven! I have considered checking out driving to Grand Forks or Fargo, but haven't yet!

We don't do the dining either. None of us are big eaters so it just doesn't pan out for us. We got a condo for $70/night. Will eat small breakfasts in condo, eat CS or brought in snack foods for lunches and supper back at the condo so we only count the few CS lunches and the few TS suppers that we throw in to splurge as holiday costs b/c groceries are groceries and we'd buy those if we were home. DH pithces in lots too for meals so it still feels like a relaxing holiday for me We are also only a 2 min drive from our condo door to enter the world so I figure we can't go wrong. If it were just me though - I'd TOTALLY be on site and using disney transportation everywhere.
When we use DVC and stay in one of the villas we always have breakfast in the rooms and sometimes lunch and most of our snacks....it can't be beat!
Well, I've babbled enough!!! Looking forward to following your ptr!!! Have you been to mine yet? I recognize your name from somewhere.

I haven't, but I'm on my way over there now!

Woot woot, another Queen/Jasmine PTR!!!
Can you believe it....we are so fortunate! I never take these for granted that's for sure!
Please tell me you will still be returning in 2013.
I will be going with Peg and her family, but Jasmine will be working!
Wow Criminal Justice - way to go Jasmine! Aaw I'm sorry about the surprise being spoiled but at least this way you both can plan together

It is way more fun to plan with someone than do it by yourself....that's half the fun right!

 

[Queenofallthings]

Yeah, May can be pretty warm but you are right, it's definitely not as bad as the middle of summer.
I am so happy, I was so worried about it! I wish the F & G festival wasn't ending the day after we get there
As for the Star Wars weekends, I am with you-not really a Star Wars fan but if you're there, why not go? It could be sort of interesting. The only downside is that it sounds like it gets pretty crowded with the people who DO like Star Wars.

I'm hoping they will have merchandise out during the week so I can pick something up for Geodoc...he loves SW!

We're not big Star Wars fans either, so we've never made it over during the event. I think the true fans swear by it, but for us, it's no biggie. The extra crowd is reason for us to avoid that park during the weekend.

Sounds like you and I feel the same way


Still hot, but not quite as humid as August. I'd say probably upper 80's for day temps. I don't think it's all that bad, but I'm from the south anyway, so I know it's not like July/August/September. Honestly, the year we went during Labor Day week, that was hotter than any time I've been in May.

Jasmine and I love our afternoons by the pool so I'm very excited to hear this! It is a ritual we started when we began going during the summer months in 2006 and have never stopped...we work it into every afternoon we're there!

 

[Missyrose]

So I have just a little over 3 months to put the final touches on this our latest trek to the World.

Peg booked us our room only reservation at All Star Music with the 20% promo that's on right now...or at least that's what it was for the value that we're staying at! I had already looked up park hours, extra magic hours, parades and fireworks but what I didn't realize is that Star Wars Weekends are on while we're there so I may need to change one of our weekend days to not be at DHS! Now, having said that, is this something we should be doing? We're not Star Wars fans but it is an event that we have never been to so I'm second guessing not attending! Any help would be appreciated

Weather....any help with the May weather would be appreciated! I'm thinking hot but not as hot as August, but I honestly have no idea

The other thing that is causing me a little bit of stress right now is the price of flights! If I have my way (since I'm paying, it will be my way) we will fly either Delta through Minneapolis or United through Chicago. The only way we'll fly Westjet or Air Canada through Toronto is if it is a major savings. I am not a fan of collecting our luggage and going through customs there and trying to make our connection in an hour....just not a whole lot of fun in my eyes. I like to clear US customs in Winnipeg and not worry when in Minneapolis or Chicago about our luggage, we find our gate and we grab a bite to eat and we relax, I much prefer that!

I did receive an email from Disney Destinations with the Free Dining Pin code, however, it was $1000 more than our room only and I know we won't eat a $1000 worth of food in 2 weeks. We share meals a lot of the time now and we find then we're not full and uncomfortable after either!

I ordered our one park pass this morning from airmiles and will just go to guest service when we arrive and get the other one! We added the park hopper as we find that's a must for us. We didn't add the water parks this trip because we found for Jasmine and I it was a bit of a waste when we could just relax by our pool at the resort. She would like me to go on all the water park rides and I don't like them so it doesn't happen. It worked great when all the kids were there, but not just her and I.

Speaking of Jeff, he is a little bummed that he isn't going this time around but he is trying to take some extra spring courses so in the end he will finish sooner. I think that's a smart plan!

I have my lists started, our itinerary is in the works and our ADR's are made, although Jasmine did mention that she would like to go to Kona for breakfast so I am going to try and book that a little later today!

Have you thought about getting one of you an AP (since you'll be there for two weeks)? The AP discount for values during your trip is 25% and then you can get a TIW card for 20% of your TS meals!

 

[racefanof88]

May is hot, but nothing like August. Like Michelle said, it is the humidity that gets ya. Relative humidity in May is around 70% with temps in the upper 80's, so the heat index would be about 100 degrees. August is a totally different beast with average humidity in the 80's and temps in the 90's, the heat index would be over 120 degrees. Of course those are just averages, there are times that humidity can be 100%. Most people don't pay much attention to the dew point, but down here in the South, it makes a HUGE difference. Any day that the dew point it above 70, it is going to be surface of the sun hot and oppressive............ Average dew point in May is 64, but it comes in at 73 during August.

As far as Star Wars Weekends, we don't pay much attention to it. If the park looks too packed we just go to a different park. DHS isn't our favorite park anyway so it isn't a big deal for us.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that we can get down there early on the 1st. I am being cautiously optimistic .

 

[Johndough]

Hurray! Count me in. I love your TRs and I was bummed too that I'd have to wait over a year to read your next TR. As long as you set your expectations for summer-like weather for your May trip (hot & humid and thunderstorms), there shouldn't be any surprises there. So happy for you and Jasmine to have 2 weeks of quality WDW time together!

 

[declansdad]

man, I go away for a couple of days and come home to find you booked another trip. No fair!!



Have a great tiime, looking forward to hearing all about it.

 

[Queenofallthings]

Have you thought about getting one of you an AP (since you'll be there for two weeks)? The AP discount for values during your trip is 25% and then you can get a TIW card for 20% of your TS meals!

You know, I hadn't thought about that! I will have to run the numbers and see how it works out. Thanks for the suggestion

May is hot, but nothing like August. Like Michelle said, it is the humidity that gets ya. Relative humidity in May is around 70% with temps in the upper 80's, so the heat index would be about 100 degrees. August is a totally different beast with average humidity in the 80's and temps in the 90's, the heat index would be over 120 degrees. Of course those are just averages, there are times that humidity can be 100%. Most people don't pay much attention to the dew point, but down here in the South, it makes a HUGE difference. Any day that the dew point it above 70, it is going to be surface of the sun hot and oppressive............ Average dew point in May is 64, but it comes in at 73 during August.

As far as Star Wars Weekends, we don't pay much attention to it. If the park looks too packed we just go to a different park. DHS isn't our favorite park anyway so it isn't a big deal for us.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that we can get down there early on the 1st. I am being cautiously optimistic .

I figued if we've survived August every summer since 2006 May couldn't be much worse But then again, I have learned never to assume.....

I am going to be cautiously optimistic too, fingers and toes crossed never hurt either

Hurray! Count me in. I love your TRs and I was bummed too that I'd have to wait over a year to read your next TR. As long as you set your expectations for summer-like weather for your May trip (hot & humid and thunderstorms), there shouldn't be any surprises there. So happy for you and Jasmine to have 2 weeks of quality WDW time together!

Thank you so much...you're makin me blush I am so excited about this trip, I can't even begin to put it into words!

Jasmine is very engaged in the planning this time and come to think of it she was last year too, but I think that's because she really wanted the trip to be extra special for Jeff.....awww young love

So happy you posted and that you're following along!

man, I go away for a couple of days and come home to find you booked another trip. No fair!!



Have a great tiime, looking forward to hearing all about it.

Give me a few days at home and look what happened I don't think Geodoc has realized yet that we'll be there over the Star Wars Weekends....I'm gonna break it to him today

Hope all is well down east and please tell pooksma and Declan we said hi!

 

[amazingact21]

I'm trying to think of what the weather is usually like around here at the end of May, and if my memory is correct, it's pretty warm, but not unbearable. If you can handle WDW in August, late May will not a big problem. I will say, though, you might catch a few afternoon showers, but they go away quickly.

Of course, I'm kind of afraid the weather is going to be different this year than most, because it is unbelievably warm right now. Normally, Florida gets in the 30s and 40s during all of January and February, but this year we've stayed between 60 and 70 degrees. (It's been warm enough to go to the beach, which is not normal!) So, I know for me, I'm planning a hot May trip.



I'm not sure about Star Wars weekend. I've never been during those times, but I don't think it should mess with your plans too much. Maybe just cause DHS to be a little more crowded than usual.