It's Late September And They Really Should Be Back At School - A PTR

[celestialred]

Yay I can finally start a PTR!

As you can tell, we've selected later in September to go (9/21-9/27). The title for the PTR is a slightly paraphrased lyric from Rod Stewart's "Maggie May." And yes, we are pulling the girls out of school for the trip (such heathen parents we are ), hence the origin of the title.

We've decided to stay at CSR. DH and I really enjoyed our honeymoon at the resort *ahemmprtn* years ago and decided it's the best fit once again for us as a family. With all the princess-y and fairy stuff he'll be subjected to during the trip, poor guy needs a break from all the estrogen and CSR also fits the bill there! I've shown my older dd pics and videos of CSR and she gave her stamp of approval. It seems that every fifth wedding anniversary we end up doing a big event or trip, so this is it (albeit a bit delayed). Our fingers are crossed for Free Dining during this as well. We'll be splurging on MNSSHP tickets and BBB appointments for them.

So, as far out as we are, not much in the way of stuff happening now. Both girls are getting new luggage for Christmas from their grandparents (thank goodness for Black Friday sales!). I'm wondering what refurbs will be going on in the parks, some of them seem to be cutting it close to our visit date and being opened.

Ahh, the planning and scheming can now commence!

 

[Disney9.9.10]

I'll join in! Sounds like an exciting trip - I am also pro "taking kids out of school for a Disney trip" lol We are also going in September and I'm staying at CSR for the first time in a few days! It will be nice for you guys to revisit the resort Looking forward to reading all about your plans!

 

[celestialred]

So, here's a "still need stuff" list that I will be adding to from time to time.

-park bags for all of us: Me and the girls - look at VB hipster and mini-hipster bags. I will be venturing to the annual outlet event here in spring to see what I can find. DH - um, yeah, he's on his own with that. He's always been a backpack man so he may just use what he has here.

-costumes: for MNSSHP, me and the girls will dress up, DH likely will too if what he does isn't too hot. He went to a costume party as Cornholio from Beavis and Butthead when we were dating, so that's always a good lazy costume fallback.

-park sandals/shoes for all of us: I still have my original pair of Teva sandals I wore on our honeymoon. Thick leather straps in a criss-cross pattern with the hiking sole. They have held up and granted they are a little worse for wear, but they're battle tanks. So I will bring those as well as a lighter pair for around the pool. Will probably get Tevas for the rest of the fam.

 

[celestialred]

Update time, finally!

Sandals: I bought all four of us some Tevas from Amazon. I found sale sandals and also got a 20% off code so they worked out to around $40/pr.

Bags: I ended up passing on the Vera Bradleys and picked up some pullstring backpacks from 31 for me and the girls. I'm still not sure what DH will do, I have a feeling he's just going to use my bag.

The bags and girls' sandals will be their Easter presents. I'll be using the bags in lieu of baskets, and I will pack them with their sandals, some new clothing, and some other stuff that I'm still figuring out.

Mar 25 is our 180+10 ADR date and I'm hammering out most of the days. Here's the preliminary timeline.

Sat: Arrival day, HS once unpacked, dinner at Sci-Fi Drive-In
Sun: AK, lunch CS, dinner at Boma and hanging out at AKL for a bit to explore
Mon: BBB appt at DTD in the AM, then EP lunch at Akershus and dinner CS
Tue: resort chill-out and pool day, then MK for MNSSHP. Dinner at the Wave.
Wed: MK day, lunch CS, dinner at Ohana and Wishes fireworks from Poly Beach
Thu: EP for F&W soft open OR MK day 2
Fri: Departure day, late flight out, zip over to EP or MK again

Feedback always appreciated for the timeline. I'd really like to get over to the Boardwalk area one evening.

 

[starann]

Joining it! Some of our days overlap!

My boys don't know about the trip yet, so I can't give them the bags I got them (for my 2 big boys and my nephew I got drawstring bags..not 31 even though I sell it...that are Star Wars Lego, they were $5.98 on clearance from Target!) for Easter....but bit by bit I am putting stuff away for the trip!

Which reminds me, Easter break starts tomorrow, so I better get the eggs ready to hide for them cause after today they will be home with me all the time!

 

[Suziewan]

We are going the same week and I'm taking DS8 from school as well we are going to MNSSHP on the 24th, DS is thinking of being Stitch and I might whip up something Daisy/Minnie like for my DM and I. I have a pair of Teva's that I've used on a few trips and they are always great, I think you'll be comfy in them.

 

[celestialred]

Geez I just realized I've been a bit remiss in welcoming everyone as they join in, so, belated welcomes and thanks for following!

The girls looooved their Easter bags. They ended up getting their sandals, some tank tops (clearanced at Target), and some sunglasses. Of course, they got their share of chocolate goodies and peeps too. While we were at easter lunch with my extended family, my parents gave them some goodies, including kid-size rain ponchos that are definitely being packed in their bags.

ADRs are set! And tweaked some from the original plans, but it still works out well. DH helped me move some days around.

Sat: Ohana dinner
Sun: Boma dinner
Mon: Sci-Fi lunch
Tue: BOG dinner
Wed: CP breakfast
Thu: Akershus lunch
Fri: probably do F&W

Flight is booked too! Got a nonstop r/t for a decent enough price via the SWA site, the route is currently an AirTran route.

I'm so glad the big stuff is planned now. Now I get to concentrate on the smaller "creature comforts" for the trip.

 

[DisneyJillian18]

Going to join in here as well! Trying for a trip in early September for my birthday! Nothing is booked yet, hoping for a free dining announcement soon so we can seal the deal! So happy your family had a good Easter!

 

[JoanneDisFan]

Subscribing. Don't feel bad about pulling your kids. We only have a few years to make an impact on their lives. I'm also pulling DD from school for our trip.

 

[happybelle]

Joining in.

 

[celestialred]

Welcome new followers!

We hit Free Dining, hooray!!! Saves us about $900 for the trip.

As busy as our schedule is, something had to give of course. Sadly, it's a BBB appointment for the girls. Oddly enough, it was a friend's dd's BBB session that gave us the Disney bug again. But I have plenty of girly stuff to take along that they won't miss it. My older dd was okay with skipping it when I told her our schedule was too tight.

Costumes for our MNSSHP night are finalized if not completely bought or made. Older dd will be a kitty mummy (a cat dressed as a mummy - ah creativity); younger dd will be a fairy princess; DH will be a pirate, and I will be dressed in a Maleficent-inspired outfit.

 

[Ckmommy72]

Hey Nicole...It's Cari From the March Mamas...just joining in on your PTR. Can't wait to hopefully meet you in person!