It's kinda fun to do the impossible -wd

[CJDisneyMommy]

And it is official, the countdown has begun for our next trip= T MINUS 49 DAYS. Meet the dreamers:



Me, my name is Katie. I am Disney obsessed, and I'm not afraid to show it. It truly is the happiest place on earth and I am so excited to be going back. I am 22 years old and a SENIOR in college...FINALLYYY!!!! Well, I will officialy be a senior in 6 days when my last summer course ends, and I will have 92 credits!!!! I am majoring in Psychology and I absolutely love it! So many people change their majors, but I have stayed with Psych all along and I am pretty proud of it. I work for an awesome jewelry company..maybe you've heard of it...PANDORA Jewelry. Love love love my job, I am so lucky to have such an amazing occupation! I like scrapbooking (you should see my outstanding scrapbook from the last trip- it couldnt look better...of course unless I actually finished the last two pages! lol) I love to travel, and am actually going on my first business trip in one week to Toronto. Wow, did I just say business trip? Gee whiz, I'm getting OLD! I have a one year old son who is my heart and sole. He is the coolest kid you will ever meet...he knows how to swim!!! The child is fearless, I'm telling you, its weird! But awesome!! He just turned 18 months on August 6th, which will put him at 20 months when we go to Disney September 30-October 5! Well...he will be 20 months the day after we get home. I'm dreading that day, so lets not go there!

Moving on, my sons father is George, but we call him JR (yes, he is a jr.and he thinks George is an old man name lol sorry if any Georges read this). I met him in the health room when I was in 6th grade, and he was in 8th. All at once...AWWWW He is 23 years old and works for a building company currently stationed, I guess we will call it, at the FDA- Food and Drug Administration in Laurel, MD...20 minutes ish from DC. He loves playing cards- especially Texas Hold 'Em and other random poker games. He had never been to Disney before I was around, and this will be his THIRD trip...in the past three years I think? His first trip was in August 2008 with myself, we stayed at the Caribbean Beach and took advantage of the free dining plan- we LOVED it! We both liked the resort, but I would never recommend it with little kids unless you have a rental car. We were ALWAYS the last to be dropped off, and it took forever for a bus to pick us up. Plus, it was a rediculous walk to main building-where the restaraunt and cafeteria is. Not to mention, at the time, I was 17 weeks pregnant! whew..you're telling me. His second trip was in December of last year- also my son's first trip! Such a special time

On a boat in OC, MD...LOVE this picture, but you cant see his face

At a petting farm with the Conner beast

Speaking of my son, his name is Conner and he is just an amazing little boy! He was born on February 6, 2009 at 11:29 PM, weighing 7 lbs 4 oz. The baby months were the best by far, even with the lack of sleep, sadly they have left us and we are in the terrible 1's. Whoever decided to name it the terrible two's was on something, because its here, full throttle. Conner loves the pool, he has more energy than anyone I've ever met, loves animals (especially cats), LOVES to cuddle with stuffed animals and puts himself to sleep by playing with the tag on their buttswhatever makes him happy. This will be Conners second trip, before he is even two years old! Such a lucky little boy

This picture was taken at the Fort Wilderness Cabins last December, he was about 10 months old. The hat he is wearing came with his first haircut which he got on Main Street in the MK. Compliments of Princessmomma, without whom, I never would have known about this wonderful Disney secret.

This was taken in Ocean City at the end of July, so much more recently...he is so big

Might I add, this trip is being funded by my mom, Conner's Lola(45). It's official, after 18 months, we have settled on calling her Lola. She wasn't ready for any other name that "aged" her. My brother, Shane(13), is also part of the crew on this one. I don't have a ton of pictures of either but will after Disney!!!


This would be myself and the broface in Disney last December. duh, the santa hat.

This is the best one I could find of all of us...minus Conners dad.
Shane, Mom, Me, and Conner

The official dates are October 1-5, but JR, Conner, and I willl be going down one day ahead of my mom and Shane. I am looking into either the Pop Century or All Star Movies for that one night. Any suggestions? The remaining nights are still undecided. We have a room of some sort at the Boardwalk, but are looking into two rooms at the Port Orleans.


Stay tuned for moreee!!!



Stay tuned

 

[CJDisneyMommy]

So, no followers yet Guess I need to spice this one up a bit!


This will be Conner's second trip to the world, the first time he was ten months old and didn't really understand what it meant to be "afraid". So he pretty much did fine with anything and everything I put him on...other then the occassional "i'm tired" whining...

He actually even fell asleep on It's A Small World

And he was so interested in moving Dumbo up and down...so much that he wouldnt look at my moms camara

I look like I was smoking something...but hey, the piccture is about Conner lol so ignore my hair (it was raining/humid...in December. Oh yes, that was a fun day)

BUT, when we went to the ocean a few weeks ago, I put him on a little airplane ride on the boardwalk...with me...and he just about crapped his pants. Soooo that being said, I am a little nervous about how he is going to respond to the rides and all the stimuli Disney throws at you. I started making him a picture book of all the characrers I am thinking (and hoping) we will see in the parks, and also some pictures of the inside of the rides. My hope is that the pictures will be a slight introduction of what is to come in 6 weeks when we get there. Now I know it will be completely different when he's surrounded by the loud noises, but this is my attempt at helping him. Now we all have to hope and pray that it works

I still haven't decided where we will stay our first night, my debate is between the Pop Century and All Star Movies. Please please SOMEONE give me suggestions. I've never stayed at either, so I'm totally blind as to which one is better.

The following nights are still up in the air because my mom is waiting for the AP rates for the fall to come out, BUT the remaining amount for the Boardwalk is due early next week, so she is kind of freaking out right now. I would love love love to stay at the boarwalk or beach club...any deluxe for that matter. They are all so convenient, and that is a major help when staying with a toddler. BUT they are SOOOO expensive...SO my hopes are that she will settle with Port Orleans French Quarter. We have stayed Riverside a few times now, and while I really like it, I'm ready for a change. I LOVE the white mansions but they are apparently very inconvenient and a long walk to everything. The Caribbean Beach is out (I think) because we haven't discussed it at all, and I actually stayed there two years ago, and the walk to the bus stop, pool, everything...TERRIBLE.



I am pretty sure my mom will be booking our flights today, I found $69 each way airfare on Airtran on Tuesday, and she conveniently found the same price on Southwest yesterday. The good thing about Southwest is they don't charge extra for the bags and if we need to reschedule our flight, there is no fee. BTW the only way I would be rescheduling our flight is if someones foot was falling off, we ARE going to Disney lol. I can't wait any longer.


Conner has his very own Mickey suitcase, which he LOVES!!!

In addition, I bought him his very own backpack (also compliments of Princessmomma, another awesome idea I copied!). He already has mickey luggage, so we went with Toy Story

I haven't bought the goodies yet, so ideas to stuff in this little bag would be much appreciated




So, the question remains, where will we stay? Such a big decision for this vacation...stay tuned to find out!!!!

 

[CJDisneyMommy]

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We pillage plunder, we rifle and loot.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.



45 DAYS!!!

 

[jenny105]

Hi! Been meaning to check out your PTR but I haven't had time to DIS lately. I usually do it from work (shhh don't tell) but work has been super busy lately! Luckily, I have some free time today.

Your son is SO cute!!! I love the pic of him and his mickey ears and his luggage.

We're staying at Pop Century so if you're looking to go down for one night before everyone else gets there, Pop is a good place to go. It's newer than the other values and I think they just renovated most if not all of the rooms. Plus there's a giant Mr and Mrs Potato Head. Who doesn't love them???

Looking forward to reading more about your trip!

 

[CJDisneyMommy]

YAYYY I have a follower!!!

I do mine at work too so your secret is safe with me Unfortunately my work has been a bit slow lately, so I have been spending way too much time getting myself amped up and excited for this trip.

We have officially booked the Pop Century for September 30th, and I'm actually pretty excited to try somewhere new. While I LOVE the deluxe resorts, I've never stayed at any of the values so it will be a fun change. I'm excited to see how Conner reacts to all of the bright colors and giant statues. I got the room on expedia for $57...it only came to $65 with taxes, I thought that was really good.

I'm trying to decide where to request our room to be, I'm leaning towards the 1960's because the hippy dippy pool seems to be the best, and I think that is also near or where the little kid pool is....well its not really a pool but water shooting out of the ground. I think Conner will just be beside himself lol

 

[jenny105]

YAYYY I have a follower!!!

I do mine at work too so your secret is safe with me Unfortunately my work has been a bit slow lately, so I have been spending way too much time getting myself amped up and excited for this trip.

We have officially booked the Pop Century for September 30th, and I'm actually pretty excited to try somewhere new. While I LOVE the deluxe resorts, I've never stayed at any of the values so it will be a fun change. I'm excited to see how Conner reacts to all of the bright colors and giant statues. I got the room on expedia for $57...it only came to $65 with taxes, I thought that was really good.

I'm trying to decide where to request our room to be, I'm leaning towards the 1960's because the hippy dippy pool seems to be the best, and I think that is also near or where the little kid pool is....well its not really a pool but water shooting out of the ground. I think Conner will just be beside himself lol

It would help if I subbed to your PTR. I forgot to do that last time! I'm a dope

I know you can only stay in the 60s buildings if you booked a preferred room. That's where those rooms are located. I've stayed in the 80s section once and the 50s section twice. The 50s section is a short walk from the main building and the 80s a little more out of the way but a short walk to the buses if you cut through the parking lot. I think you'll like the resort, it's a lot of fun and so many opportunities for photo ops!

 

[CJDisneyMommy]

So since my last post I have gone on a bit of a buying spree for this trip that I am just WAYY over excited for...aside from Conners new toy Story backback, I made a trip back to the disney store in the wonderful Arundal Mills mall (this is apparently the biggest mall on the east coast-obviously aside from MOA in Minnesota-BUT its only 5 minutes away from my house!!!)

Anywho, I bought all three of us matching shirts for our second day in the parks. The first day we won't be going into MK until that evening for MNSSHP
I didnt take pictures YET but this is similar to what I got


This one is a lot like Conners

and JR's...

and mine is pretty much a mix of the two...Gray isn't my absolute favorite color, but it was the only color shirt that had a match in mens, womens, and toddler sizes.

I also bought Conner his very own (pretend) camera for our trip...also a goodie for his new Toy Story back pack

My newest task is costumes for MNSSHP. I bought Conner a pirate costume on ebay...it hasnt arrived yet but this is the picture on the ad:

And I am thinking I will dress JR up like a pirate as well... how cute would it be if him and Conner matched??

Now I am lost for myself...I can't decide between Minnie Mouse and a pirate. I think it would be SOOOO cute if we all dressed up like pirates....but the minnie mouse costumes I keep seeing on Ebay are adorable. Help please!!



On a side note from Disney planning, I just got back from my very first business trip. We went to Toronto for Retail Appreciation Day, pretty much where a lot of our Canadian stores come to learn more about the company. It was definitely a learning experience, and I loved ordering whatever food/drinks I wanted.

This was our little "puddle jumper", it was only about a 75 minute flight, and the plane held 37 passengers.

For some reason, I love to walk out onto the runway. I dont know why...maybe I feel special?? lol

This is a view of the CN Tower from the plane...pretty cool eh?

CN Tower view from my room...which I might add was on the 32nd floor (there were only 34)

LOVE this pier....wait, wait...it gets better....

HOW FREAKING COOL!?

And last but not least this is the only picture I am in on my trip...what can you do, it was a work trip. And might I add, we got to the hotel around 5 pm last Thursday and left around 5:15 pm Friday...yes, the NEXT day. Talk about short. It was cool though. For dinner on thursday I ordered $19 Shrimp cocktail and $40 Sole filled with lump lobster and crab. MMM MMMM MMMMM And when we got back to the hotel that night, everyone drank in the lounge for a little...I kept ordering these amazing mojitos. They were strawberry kiwi mojitos and literally had CHUNKS of fruit floating inside the glass. Pretty and yummy.

I didnt take a picture but oh was it good

 

[jenny105]

Cute shirts! I think you should be Minnie Mouse. Just think of the photo op!

I love Toronto. I've been there a couple times but haven't been in years. I fit in well in Canada since I'm such a hockey nut.

Mmmmm, mojitos...

 

[CJDisneyMommy]

Its' a small world will be closed for refurbishment while we are in Disney. There goes Conners first ride of the trip. I was going to use this attraction to get him resituated/adjusted to the rides and all of the stimulation Disney provides. I thought this would be an easy way to get him used to it....oh well. Now I think we will be leaning towards the Wedway or Carousel. We shall see...


I also learned through my research that Toon Town will be closing in 2011, Ariels Grotto is totally closed, and so is Star Tours. I'm not heart broken over star wars, but JR LOVED that ride, so I will be disappointed by his disappointment.

Aside from the negatives, I can't wait to get on Splash Mountain (I didnt get on it last year), and I CAN'T WAIT FOR MNSSHP!!!!


I bought all of our costumes, and we will be a family of pirates. I figured I can be Minnie Mouse next year

 

[princess_momma]

I thought I had posted over here!! Dang it!! I'm sorry!! But I'm here.

I'm so excited you are so close!! And that I got a shoutout!! Yay for first haircuts in the MK!! How aweome. I think it's great that we always take our sons when they are the same age...it'd be better if it were the same time though.

Anywho...so I just realized, they are exactly 3 months apart! Landon was born November 6th!! How fun. I'm kinda freaking out about having a two year old though...like how did that even happen????

Can you please, please, please take pictures of your scrapbook and show me?? I'll try to take pics of my last one and put them up!! I would love to take scrapbook!! I really, really, really need to get better at it. I guess I just don't have enough time to put allllll my effort into it, but I don't think they're that bad. Half the time, my room looks like Hobby Lobby threw up in there. Oh well. I want to re-do Landon's scrapbook but have never got around to it. When I started it, I made it 8.5 by 11 for whatever reason and I want it 12 by 12. So that means instead of starting over, I just pretty much stopped.

I can't believe you went to WDW while pregnant. I'm pretty sure that's the only time I would ever cancel a trip. Because my pregnancy hormones would make me extra emotional so I would FOR SURE without a doubt, cry because I couldn't go on my favorite rides.

Anywho...I think that's all I wanted to add!! I hope your morning gets to going better!!

 

[CJDisneyMommy]

I thought I had posted over here!! Dang it!! I'm sorry!! But I'm here.

I'm so excited you are so close!! And that I got a shoutout!! Yay for first haircuts in the MK!! How aweome. I think it's great that we always take our sons when they are the same age...it'd be better if it were the same time though.

Anywho...so I just realized, they are exactly 3 months apart! Landon was born November 6th!! How fun. I'm kinda freaking out about having a two year old though...like how did that even happen????

Can you please, please, please take pictures of your scrapbook and show me?? I'll try to take pics of my last one and put them up!! I would love to take scrapbook!! I really, really, really need to get better at it. I guess I just don't have enough time to put allllll my effort into it, but I don't think they're that bad. Half the time, my room looks like Hobby Lobby threw up in there. Oh well. I want to re-do Landon's scrapbook but have never got around to it. When I started it, I made it 8.5 by 11 for whatever reason and I want it 12 by 12. So that means instead of starting over, I just pretty much stopped.

I can't believe you went to WDW while pregnant. I'm pretty sure that's the only time I would ever cancel a trip. Because my pregnancy hormones would make me extra emotional so I would FOR SURE without a doubt, cry because I couldn't go on my favorite rides.

Anywho...I think that's all I wanted to add!! I hope your morning gets to going better!!

I'll take pictures of the scrapbook but I have to admit I kind of cheated on this one lol you'll understand when I post pictures...but it was by far the best buy of that vacation ( I think the book itself was only $30...when we went in Dec 09, each dining receipt got you 10% off at select stores in DTD) I really want to take a class too, I like what I have done with my books, but I love looking at others for inspiration. Not to mention with school, I have totally fallen off the bandwagon...I literally just started Conners baby book YESTERDAY. I only got 3 pages done but they look pretty good I guess, I'll let you judge lol

Thats crazy that Landon will be 2, and so soon!! Where does time go? It really baffles me how quick it flies by! I couldn't believe the difference in those 2 pictures from the airport that you have on your TR...

23 days until my trip, and I think its almlost time for you to plan your next one!! I'm already considering going back in february for Conners bday-its pretty cheap!!

 

[CJDisneyMommy]

So it is official, we are staying at the Pop Century for all 5 nights. We requested the 50's building because we want to be somewhat close to the parking lot, and we don't want to be right on top of the hippy dippy pool. I'm afraid it will be too noisy at night AND more importantly in the middle of the day when we take our naps. I personally think I need a nap just as much as Conner especially for the late magic hour nights!

PS, We bought a meal plan so we have booked one pretty expensive restaraunt per day to make the most out of it

Day 1: JR, Conner, and I will fly out of Baltimore at 7 AM!!!! We should get into MCO a little after 9 and arrive at Pop maybe around 11ish? We will have that whole day to explore DTD and spend money that I shouldn't..shh dont tell JR I am thinking about eating lunch at T Rex...I've never been there and it looks amazing! Has anyone else eaten there??? Oh and we are taking the ME to Pop since my mom will be picking up a rental car the following day. It should be interesting taking that long bus ride with Conner, I hope he starts dancing when the TV turns on. I love that excitement that rushes through you when the bus gets close enough for the music to start!! And then the feeling when you pass under the Disney World signs!!! I love it!!! I have butterflies!!!

Day 2: My mom and Shane will get to Orlando and should be at Pop around 11 or noon ish. They are getting the rental car at the airport (PS I Love how easy it is at MCO, just cross the street and theres all the rental companies!)Anywho, she is stopping at Walmart or Target, something along those lines, to pick up water bottles and some snacks for Conner. I still buy him beechnut jars of fruit and he drinks them through a straw like a smoothie! hes a riot And we HATE buying 3 dollar water bottles in the park when we can buy a whole case for that price. After my mom checks into her room we are eating at.....

CHEF MICKEYS!!!!!!!
I'm super excited about this ADR because I have never eaten there and I think Conner will love seeing the characters. We are also hoping this will be a nice RE-introduction into the world of Disney characters!

After dinner, we are hoping to sneak into the pool at the Yacht and Beach club for an hour or so, go home for a quick nap, and then.............

MICKEYS NOT SO SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY!!!!!
with my little family of pirates!! my mom still doesnt know what she is dressing up as so I'll have to update on that later. Since we are eating a sit down lunch, we plan on doing a quick service dinner somewhere in MK-probably Liberty Tree Tavern. I LOVE THEIR FOOD!

Day 3: I'm starting to mix the days up so I hope I have this right. I want to say we are going into MGM in the AM. Saturday is supposed to be a big drunk fest at Epcot bc the food and Wine fest. is starting, and the locals go to it on the weekends. Also there is supposed to be some kind of race or something along those lines, and it ends in Epcot, so thats another crowd that will be taking over that park. We have ADR booked for the Sci Fi Drive in place, I've never eaten there so I really want to try it out. I am kind of hoping the big TV would keep Conners attention, and maybe that would be a somewhat relaxing meal (haha yeah right I know). That evening I believe we have to suck it up and work with the crowds at Epcot in order for us to see Illuminations on this trip. I think we will be avoiding the countries this night and eat in futureworld...maybe a quick service in the Land (another quick service area that I LOVE) I swear The Land has this smell to it when you walk in that I just LOVE, kind of like the Polynesian. I think its a combination of the smells from Soarin' and plants in the green house on Living with the Land. Also another great ride- does anyone remember when a tour guide was on the boat with you? Now its just a recording...either way I still have a love for that boat ride.

Day 4: I believe we will be tackling AK during the first portion of the day. Rumor has it The Flame Tree BBQ is closed for refurb (i hope its not bc we ALWAYS eat lunch there) BUT, if it is indeed closed, we're going to try a quick service meal in the Coronado Springs which has also been refurbed.

And now I've definitely gotten myself all mixed up and I can't remember where we are going that night. But I do know we have ADR at Kona one day and another day we have to chose between Le Cellier and Akershus (both booked for the same meal-we just can't make up our mind)


And I have to tell you, I am doing the 21 day/3 week dance!!!!!!! I leave in three weeks from today!!! I hope it flies by!!

 

[CJDisneyMommy]

Real Life Update:

This weekend JR and I are going to the Wine Masters event held at this redic mansion for Cystic Fibrosis. My moms work sponsors it, and she had some extra tickets (which might I add are $225 a piece- CRAZY, right?) I went to it last year and they had a bunch of wine experts there/wine tastings. At the end of the night, they auction off all of this crazy expensive stuff but I like to watch what people get. The money they spend on this stuff just baffles me. Like seriously, what is your job and how do I get it!? Don't get me wrong, I love mine and I think I'm really lucky- but seriously, how do they have SO much money?!

The super exciting awesome and amazing part of this is, my best friend is coming with me!!! This is super exciting because she goes to a college that is a couple hours away so I don't get to see her that often now a days. But congrats to her, she is is graduating this winter so I am super excited for her! And I can't wait to have her close by again.

This event is really dressy so I had to buy JR a suit, shoes, tie, new belt, SOCKS...and let me tell you: I thought it was expensive to dress myself (dress and shoes) BOY, are men SOOOO much more expensive to dress for these events.


PS. How do you post a video on here? I took the funniest video of Conner with the sleepy hahas and I totally want to share it lol

 

[jenny105]

I think only the preferred rooms are near the Hippy Dippy pool so you shouldn't be right on top of it. I've stayed in the 50s buildings twice. It's really nice if you get a room facing out toward the lake. It's a lot more quiet than facing the bowling pin pool!

I've eaten at TRex before. The food is good but it's SO noisy in there. I loved walking around and seeing the dinosaurs but when you're trying to eat and there's a dinosaur roaring in your ear every 5 minutes...it gets old! We were sat right in front of one!

 

[CJDisneyMommy]

I think only the preferred rooms are near the Hippy Dippy pool so you shouldn't be right on top of it. I've stayed in the 50s buildings twice. It's really nice if you get a room facing out toward the lake. It's a lot more quiet than facing the bowling pin pool!

I've eaten at TRex before. The food is good but it's SO noisy in there. I loved walking around and seeing the dinosaurs but when you're trying to eat and there's a dinosaur roaring in your ear every 5 minutes...it gets old! We were sat right in front of one!

We found a map online that highlights all of the preferred rooms so we can see where we definitely WONT be..since we dont pay the extra for preferred. And we found another map of the buildings that have been refurbed recently...and we DEFINITELY want to be in one of those if we can. Have you heard the horror stories about bedbugs?? Its scary!!!

I kind of wanted to eat underneath one of the giant octopus' on the ceilings ar TRex, they are SO pretty! I'll ask to not be placed directly in front of a dinosaur, I don't want to scare Conner. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[jenny105]

I don't want to know anything about bedbugs!!!! Aren't most of the rooms refurbished by now?

I stayed in building 3, facing the lake. It was so nice!

 

[CJDisneyMommy]

ok, posting pictures of my scrapbook from our December '09 trip

cover

inside of cover

So thats it! The last two pictures are examples of what the pages looked like before I added pictures, so when I say I kinda sorta cheated on this one, that's what I mean. I added some stickers and 3D knick knacks on some of the pages, like the page with the snow flakes and snow men- that was me....everything else was prefixed when I bought the book. It is definitely one of Disneys secrets, this would have costed so much more if I had put it all together myself, not to mention the time!

 

[CJDisneyMommy]

Is there such thing as a 17 day dance? Well, if not, I'm making one! And I'm doing it today!!





Last year, I packed so early that I had to keep unpacking and repacking...I'm trying to avoid doing that again this year but I don't know how much longer I can wait lol

 

[CJDisneyMommy]

I don't want to know anything about bedbugs!!!! Aren't most of the rooms refurbished by now?

I stayed in building 3, facing the lake. It was so nice!

I think about half of the buildings are done...I just want ONE new room. These stories about the bugs are terrifying, believe me, I wish I had never been told either!

 

[jenny105]

I think about half of the buildings are done...I just want ONE new room. These stories about the bugs are terrifying, believe me, I wish I had never been told either!

I'm just going to try to erase it from my memory. I would think they do their best to put as many people as they can in the newer rooms.

There can be a dance for any amount of days! Yay for being in the teens!