July 2010 Big Bdays Family Reunion (Update 9/28 Final Thoughts)

[Marshay]

****We are back! TR begins on page 16, post 234. See post #2 for table of contents.***

Marshay


====================
Welcome!! We are going to WDW, July 11th - 20th, Boardwalk Villas.

There are 3 families going on this trip -- my family, my parents and my sister's. We're going in mid-July and my oldest daughter and I will celebrate some BIG birthdays on the same day!! She will turn 5 years old and I'll turn 40!! My sister and her family haven't been back to WDW since 2004 so they will get to see a lot of new things, too and my duaghters will have other kids to play with, even though they are a bit older.

It's gonna be a Hot, Hot, Hot Family Reunion and Big Birthdays!!

This will be our fourth DVC trip (previously at Beach Club, Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo and Bay Lake Tower) and 2nd time going in July.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Here we are -- Nov 2009.

I am a SAHM to two girls. Rachel will be 5 yo in July and Elizabeth was born in March 09. My oldest has been to WDW 4x already and asks us every few weeks, "when are we going back to WDW?"

My youngest was just looking around all the time on our last trip in Nov and didn't really appreciate the characters.

I love to scrapbook, do crafts, play volleyball and plan trips to Disney! I will turn 40 yo on this trip. I've been to WDW over 30x. My parents started my love for Disney in the late 70s.

My DH is a self-titled Computer Geek. He is 46yo (and can't believe he is a dad again at his age!). He loves photography, not planning anything, going "out" and eating a good meal. Surprisingly, he is the one to suggest that we buy DVC -- so we did in early 2007. He did not grow up loving Disney but has learned that if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!

 

[Marshay]

Pre Trip Report Updates
Tentative Schedule, Page 2, post #23
ADRs, Page 3, post #36
New Travel Plans, Page 6, post #83
AmTrak's AutoTrain, Page 7, post #91
Update on Travel to Disney, Page 8, post #108
Priceline and National Train Day Tour of Autotrain, Page 8, post #116
Crafts and Goodie Bags (and Chocolate Bacon Candy Bar), Page 9, post #130
Fairy Godmother and LGMH, Page 12 (post #177) and Page 13, post #182
Smartphone and Packing Motivation, Page 13, post #189

Post Trip Report Updates
Day 1 Driving, Page 16, post #234
Day 1-2 Driving and pics, Page 17, post #251
Day 3 We Arrive!! Boardwalk Villas, Page 18, #268
Day 4 AK @ Night, Page 19 #272
Day 5 DHS/Epcot, Happy Birthday to Us!, Page 20, #286-287; Also Page 20, #294.
Day 6 A Shopping We Will Go!, Page 20, #295
Day 7 A 13 Hour Park Day, Page 20, #296
Day 8 Elizabeth's First Haircut, Page 21, #303
Day 9 MK, Page 21, #306, 310 and 313
Day 10 Why did we Choose DHS? Page 22, Post #329
Day 11 The Dreaded Day Arrives, Page 23, Post #338
Day 12 The AutoTrain, Page 24, Post #346
Final Thoughts, Page 24, Post #353

 

[Marshay]

I tried to find the most recent photos of my family but all I could find was Winter ones. As soon as I get Elizabeth's birthday photos up, I'll repost. It's spring and we don't want to see these winter coats anymore!!

These photos were taken at the National Gaylord at Washington's ICE! exhibit.

The kids -- Matt, Mark and Rachel

Barb, Carl, Matthew and Mark (sister's family)

My parents

 

[Marshay]

and I just may need one more...

 

[Trentmom]

Yay, I am first

Sounds like it will be a fun trip

I vote for Boardwalk


That will be fun to celebrate your birthdays there

 

[mousescrapper]

I'm in for more fun!

 

[kaoden39]

I'm here!

 

[cherbear]

oops I thought I posted here already!

 

[Leleluvsdis]

Can't wait to read more!!! BTW your girls are precious!!!

 

[Marshay]

Thanks guys for joining -- both new and old!

Unfortunately, this trip is put on hold. I'll have an update in a few weeks or so.

Enjoy your Christmas!

 

[kaoden39]

Thanks guys for joining -- both new and old!

Unfortunately, this trip is put on hold. I'll have an update in a few weeks or so.

Enjoy your Christmas!

 

[mousescrapper]

Oh no...I hope it's nothing bad [reason to put on hold]

I will be here when you have a chance to update....

J~

 

[Marshay]

OK, for some good news, Jerry and I talked about this trip and it is back on! We decided that while we work on our issues, we shouldn't deprive ourselves of some fun in the future. I appreciate all your prayers (and continued ones!). Enough said.

TRIP IS ON!!

So I made our DVC ressies for July 11th - 20th at Boardwalk Villas, standard view one bedroom. My parents had requested first floor + poolside so I made a similar request.

I was worried that we wouldn't be able to get into the same resort as them for the cheaper points (standard view), but we were! Thank you God for your small miracle!

Now I'm looking for flights. Unfortunately, SW which we usually take is over $220 per person. Normally we fly down for $130-170.

So I checked with Jet Blu and they have tickets for only $160 and actually better times. I'm learning from the DIS that JB has tvs, you can pick your own seat on-line and no need to do that 24 hr check-in. Sounds like a winner to me!

I'd like to wait a bit longer so our airline tickets cost don't come right as all our Christmas bills ... but of course, I don't want to lose that great price, either, esp if SW price doesn't come down.

 

[mousescrapper]

TRIP IS ON!!

 

[Marshay]

thanks!

 

[Trentmom]

I am very glad to hear that the trip is back on and you are working on things

 

[cherbear]

VEEEERY excited for you Marsha!

 

[kaoden39]

Marshay, You are still in my thoughts and prayers. I am glad that your trip is on.

 

[Native NYer]

Joining in and can't wait to read more!!!

 

[Marshay]

Welcome Native New Yorker!!

I got my Disney confirmation in the mail today. We are confirmed for Boardwalk Standard View, 1 bedroom for nine nights.

So not much else is happening right now for our July trip...things we are thinking about:
1) Dining Reservations
2) Rental Car vs. Magical Express vs Both
3) Jet Blue vs. Southwest vs Driving Down

I need to make my dining ressies on Jan 12th, so I'll start to actually plan my park and dining this week. Since the July 2010 schedule isn't out yet, I'll base the schedule on the July 2009 schedule and hope the basics don't change too much.

Also, to save on the rental car, we are thinking of taking Magical Express to WDW and then just renting a car for only part of the trip...then we'll either take ME back to the airport or if the cost isn't too much, then we'll take the rental car back to the airport.

We're also looking at either driving down to FL or taking Jet Blue. SW is nearly twice as expensive for our dates so unless they come down drastically, we'll switch to JB.