It's the truth,it's actual! Road trip,CSR, DxDP,MNSSHP! *NEW PTR LINK IS UP!! PG 38*

[inkedupmomma]

Hey guys, if you are interested in cool baby blankets go to etsy.com and check out lilyweston! Great stuff!

 

[inkedupmomma]

Seeing all the PhotoPass pics together was like having a re-cap of your trip. Fabulous!

ahaha.. yeah it was!

 

[inkedupmomma]

FUDGE!!! I just started my final thoughts and it all got erased! grrrr!

 

[reelmom]

I am only up to your Animal Kingdom day(page 12) but I have to stop. I can only ignore the kiddos for so long. I am really enjoying your TR and can't wait until the kids go to bed so I can continue reading.

 

[Trentmom]

WOW


your photopass pictures are incredible!!!

Where was the 2nd one taken with castle background in a window?

I love that one


SO many great shots with the kids and characters. Love Tinkerbelle ones

 

[clearskies]

Hello. I saw your trip title and figured I would send a picture your way. It looks like you are nearing the end or the report but better late than never.

Nothing too special from Splash but it fits the title of your Trip Report.

If you would like a full size picture, let me know and I will send it your way.

 

[inkedupmomma]

I am only up to your Animal Kingdom day(page 12) but I have to stop. I can only ignore the kiddos for so long. I am really enjoying your TR and can't wait until the kids go to bed so I can continue reading.

yay, i'm always grateful for new reader's! glad you are enjoying it and thank you!

WOW


your photopass pictures are incredible!!!
thank you!
Where was the 2nd one taken with castle background in a window?
it is the background for the pic at 1900 park fare!
I love that one


SO many great shots with the kids and characters. Love Tinkerbelle ones

Thanks again!

Hello. I saw your trip title and figured I would send a picture your way. It looks like you are nearing the end or the report but better late than never.

Nothing too special from Splash but it fits the title of your Trip Report.

If you would like a full size picture, let me know and I will send it your way.

Hi and thanks so much! that shot is perfect! I didn't have my camera ANY of the times we went on splash mountain, so i really appreciate this pic!

 

[clearskies]

Hi and thanks so much! that shot is perfect! I didn't have my camera ANY of the times we went on splash mountain, so i really appreciate this pic!

You're welcome. In case you want a full sized picture I put one here.
http://www.pbase.com/clearskies/image/119712164/original.jpg
If you go to the link it will display the picture and you can right click your mouse and select "Save Image As..." and you can put in our your hard drive.

I started reading your trip report and there is a lot to go through but it is a lot of fun!! Thank you for sharing your trip.

 

[inkedupmomma]

You're welcome. In case you want a full sized picture I put one here.
http://www.pbase.com/clearskies/image/119712164/original.jpg
If you go to the link it will display the picture and you can right click your mouse and select "Save Image As..." and you can put in our your hard drive.

I started reading your trip report and there is a lot to go through but it is a lot of fun!! Thank you for sharing your trip.

thanks for joining in! and thanks for sharing your TR!

 

[HilJoy14]

Lots of great Photopass pics! The one with the dark clouds over the castle sure looks ominous!

 

[reelmom]

Ok, I am caught up. Too bad it is almost over. It seems like you had a great trip. I had a few things I wanted to comment on but now I can't remember all of them.
1- Congratulations on your engagement! Have you set a date yet?
2- Your kids are beautiful. I love the picture of them in the hammock with the castle in the background.
3-Waffle House Rules- must be a southern thing. BTW, butter and salt on the grits.
4- The magic carpet was beyond awesome. Don't understand why they would not let you bring it in. Not much different from a stroller.
5- Looking forward to your PTR.

I had to add that the frogger story made me laugh so hard. I don't know why I found it so funny but it I was laughing so hard I was crying.

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

Sorry I've been so behind!! I finally moved home and am officially a college graduate! And, since no one is hiring, I will be a full-time DISer until I can find a job, hahaha. LOVE the photopass pics! I might actually do that this time. How exactly does it work??

 

[ryanshana]

Wonderful trip report....as always I am late haha

I notice you said bucks county...and you look very familiar (we are also around the same age) Did you go to Neshaminy?

 

[inkedupmomma]

UHM... for some odd reason I never got an update showing people replied..so sorry for the late response!

Lots of great Photopass pics! The one with the dark clouds over the castle sure looks ominous!

Thanks you! it's one of my accidental favs!

Ok, I am caught up. Too bad it is almost over. It seems like you had a great trip. I had a few things I wanted to comment on but now I can't remember all of them.
that always happens to me.. i keep a notebook by me now lol

1- Congratulations on your engagement! Have you set a date yet?thank you and nope.. prolly will just be a JOP kind of deal

2- Your kids are beautiful. I love the picture of them in the hammock with the castle in the background.thank you so much <3

3-Waffle House Rules- must be a southern thing. BTW, butter and salt on the grits.maybe we will give it another try next year??

4- The magic carpet was beyond awesome. Don't understand why they would not let you bring it in. Not much different from a stroller.i think cause they hate us??

5- Looking forward to your PTR.me too

I had to add that the frogger story made me laugh so hard. I don't know why I found it so funny but it I was laughing so hard I was crying.

as sad as it is, it IS funny. but that poor frog. i will NEVER get that image out of my mind!

Sorry I've been so behind!! I finally moved home and am officially a college graduate! And, since no one is hiring, I will be a full-time DISer until I can find a job, hahaha. LOVE the photopass pics! I might actually do that this time. How exactly does it work??

hey you!congrats!1 must be such a relief!! hope you had fun in vegas!! as for photopass you will have to ask Sophia! She is the one who did the whole thing! she was just kind enough to let us join in!

Wonderful trip report....as always I am late haha

I notice you said bucks county...and you look very familiar (we are also around the same age) Did you go to Neshaminy?

No neshaminy here. New hope! thanks for joining in!

 

[inkedupmomma]

Hey guys, how is everyone?? Sorry I have been MIA.. Life as been busy and I just couldn't bring myself to finish this up..cause no one likes the trip to be over! But it is a rainy yuck day here, so I figured I would hop on here and give you guys the good the bad and the ugly of our trip! Also, for some reason I had replies to my last post and had no clue! The dis does that from time to time..grr! Apologies again for my late response!

I have been reading my own TR so that I cold give you a good final conclusion, so it won't all be done today, but I will give ya what I have written down so far! Also, I wrote things down as I read, so there is absolutely no order to likes, and dislikes! Hopefully this will make it more fun to read??


Getting nails done with Kayla- That was fun and we will def do it again next year!

taking time off of work before and after trip! Definitely made packing easier and then unpacking and getting life back together easier! I know not everyone can do this, but if you can, do it!

Ok, on the driving bit. Now that we have driven straight through and stopped. I do not planning on stopping again. None of us slept well, and the lack of disney charm was just down right disappointing. Not worth the extra time or money!

With saying that, we need to come up with a better driving plan.. need to figure out that perfect time to leave our house!

now I have written down firsts...

going with friends- my first thought is, amazing! lovedddd having people there! with saying that though, being in large group def complicates things. especially if the other group has kids. Also, most of the pics of my kids had other kids in the pics. I need to remember to get solo pics too! Now with saying all that, having friends there though is such a blessing. It is so cool to be able to text your friend and be like hey meet me at Cindy's castle lol! or hey, come by my room! plus my kids loved it! I am definitely looking forward to having friends there again..not sure I would want to do it any other way now! Although, scheduling a few solo days or half days is a good idea too!

Dessert Party- this was a first for us. I loved the idea of it, and I would love to do a private DP..but I am not sure how i feel about the group thing. It sucked being so far from spectro It didn't click in my head when I scheduled it that we wold be so far..but we had a GREAT view of wishes! We were all kind of tired at this point, so maybe tghat is why we didn't LOVE it. But it was definitely cool. They had a good assortment of desserts also!

Wishes cruise! Holy crazy amazing! I would do it any day! Definitely recommend this big time! I can not thank Sophia enough for inviting us! If you are even considering doing this, do it! I hope to do it again one day!

John proposing... ok, it isn't the actual first time he asked me to marry him. BUT it is the first time in Disney World It is also the first time it felt awesomely real. i was prego with jack when he first proposed and I always felt it was forced...if that makes sense?? This time he actually was sneaky and romantic, which makes me believe it a whole lot more. Is that mean? weird?? Also, having friends there to join us was amazing!

Deluxe dining- still love it. Idk why so many people have to talk smack about it! I guess if we ate three large meals a day with it, it wouldn't work. but right now we still love it! Next year Jack will be on it with us, and that may be too much food? The year after Kayla will be considered an adult, so we may skip it all together then?? But for now we plan on doing it again next year!

HDDMR- having John be in the show, definitely put the icing on the cake! We loved this show so much again! It is funny and the food isn't half bad! Just a good fun time! Sadly, now that John was in it, he would like to try something new next year

Coronado Springs Resort- LOVED it! Selling feature was the pool! Not just the pool, but we loved the tropical colorful feel to it! felt like we were on a vacation other than just Disney! The new rooms are gorgeous and spacious! I think this may be our new home away from home! At least til I can afford the boardwalk

Window Decorating! So glad we did that! made coming back to the room so very fun! and the kids loved looking at it! Just put even more magic in the trip! Luckily we drive so we can bring as much as we want!

Another thing I am glad we did was surprise Kayla... I know the way we did it was mean...but man, the look on her face was so worth it! I am thinking of doing it again next year..not sure how though??

Here is something I am not glad we did... waiting to do last minute stuff, well, last minute! Added way too much stress! Definitely need to fine tune some things next year!

OK, I know I said last year that I was going to pack less..well clearly I packed even more! That is something that needs to change next year! Maybe my bit of OCD should step aside?? Idk, but having so much stuff is NOT necessary! I am looking for any and all tips on lighter packing for next year!

I wish I took more pics of each state sign! and just pics on the way up and down in general..makes for a boring part of the TR without pics of even the stupid stuff!

OK... another no more is waffle house,shoneys, or crapper barrel! We didn't like any of the food and it was added expenses! Only part I will miss is my shopping at crapper barrel... not sure I am ready to give that up yet..but that food..ugh.

I have to go get ready to pick Jack up from school now, but that is my first of many entries on my last thoughts! Hope they are helpful to someone

 

[praisehisname]

Great last thoughts. With what you learned on this trip, next year should be even more awesome!

 

[inkedupmomma]

Great last thoughts. With what you learned on this trip, next year should be even more awesome!

I hope so! stay tuned for more last thoughts!

 

[KatMark]

I just saw your "last thoughts" and you did a great job (although I disagree with you on Waffle House--DH and I love this place for breakfast and go at least twice a trip).

So any news on a wedding date? Or still up in the air?

 

[englishrose47]

Yes Jeen any wedding plans yet !! I know where the Honeymoon will be !!!!

 

[inkedupmomma]

Hello everyone! Happy Holidays! Guess that is coming a day late and buck short. Life has been crazy busy since right before Thanksgiving! I feel like I have been on auto-pilot! This year Thanksgiving was supposed to be at my older sisters house, but due to some unforeseen drama it winded up being at my house! I am not a huge turkey day fan, but I did it anyway! It was the first turkey I ever cooked too! Came out awesome! After Thanksgiving we also had a "Tree trimming party". Which is just a fancy name for a pot luck type deal..without the sit down dinner part! This will be a new tradition for us! It was o much fun, and so nice to just have friends over in a chill environment! Having everyone bring a little something took a LOT f stress off of me... I mean as much as I can de-stress that is lol

2 weeks after our party it was Kayla's 9th birthday Who told my baby she could go and grow up ?? I have a VERY tough time with birthday's! This one was no different. Worse in fact! It dawned on me, this is her last year as a single digit! I was/am not a happy camper! Idk if I had said it on here or not, but Kayla reallly wanted to go to Washington D.C. this year for her bday. With Disney in September and hotel prices in DC being outrageous it just wasn't gonna happen! It would have been over $1k! I felt guilty as all get out and decided to plan a surprise trip to NYC instead! I am from NY and my dad lives in NYC. Well one surprise winded up turning into a million! It started off with is staying at my dads and just seeing the Holiday sites, to us staying at a Hotel in Time Square, seeing Shrek the Musical, having brunch at Alices Tea Cup, and then seeing the Tim Burton exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art!!

You are probably asking yourself, "didn't she just say DC was too expensive..surely this NYC trip must be just as much!" You might be right, BUT my dad paid for our hotel as a gift to Kayla. Also my Uncle does interior design work for this hotel, so we were able to get a Penthouse room in Times Square for get this... ready.. $125.00!!!! We did end up spending about $400.00 at the end of it all, with food, Shrek tix, shopping., gas, and tolls. But still much cheaper than Dc and we did so much cool stuff!

Also, I forgot to mention, I felt guilty for not having an actual b-day party like I always do for Kayla, so about 3 weeks before our surprise NYC trip, I planned a surprise party on her actual bday!

On her bday we woke her up with presents allover, chcoltae chip pancakes and sent her off to school. I dropped Jack off at my grams before school was over and picked Kayla up from school solo. Surprise number one, me all to herself! Surprise number 2... Then I told her we would be going to Nurture Spa where she would be getting a hair cut and manicure! At this point John would be getting home to prep the house for the surprise party! I sat and watched her get all pampered, the whole while dying to tell her! As you may recall, I am not great with surprises! While she was getting her self all done up, she said she wanted to go to a place near our house for dinner. I didn't wanna blow the surprise so I agreed. OMGGGGG... the people at the Spa were SOOO slow! I even told them 5 times that we had a surprise party to be to..HER surprise party! ( Oh funny side story, there was another little girl there, and it was her bday, she was getting hair cut and manicure, and afterward was having a surprise party! Me and her dad were like woah twins!)

Finally they were done and it was almost time for her party. I had to rush to this restaurant and run through dinner. I'm surprised Kayla didn't think I was up to something!! I just kept saying, daddy and jack would really like to spend some time with the birthday girl and it's getting late! Dinner was a hit, then finally we headed home. Boy was she SURPRISED!! My plan had worked out great! At this point she still had no clue about the NYC trip the following day! After she was done opening gifts from her friends, I handed her a HUGE box all wrapped up. Inside there was another box wrapped up..then another..the n another..then..get where this is going?? Finally she reached a letter with something inside of that wrapped up. The letter was an invite and itinerary for a weekend in NYC. Wrapped up were the tix to see Shrek the Musical! She was elated! But a bit overwhelmed at this point!

The rest of the party went great and we all had a lot of fun! I was proud of myself for being able to keep s many surprises hush hush! You have no clue how it was killing me! I think I am getting good at it now though! The end result was well worth the torture I felt

My computer is being all weird at the moment, so Iam going to restart it.

Once it's back to normal I will post pics of everything!

Feel free to post pics of your Holiday too! Share some stories too!