DMGeurts
Never open texts with the "Hand Sewn Button" attac
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2008
- Messages
- 9,666
This is it!
My DREAM trip to Disney.
Hi all!!! Welcome to "our" PTR... A place for us to plan, and make this Awesome/Crazy/Epic trip a reality.
Some of you may know me... I go by "D~" here on The Dis...
This trip started to formulate in my head back in March of 2014. DH and I were taking a road trip from MN to TN to deliver a car to my In-laws... One thing led to another, and I was doing Dismeets during the entire trip. I started to think... How fun would that be, to rent a 15 passenger van, start here in MN and pick up my bestest Dis friends on the way - eventually landing ourselves in WDW for an Epic Dismeet Trip??? Cool right?
Well, I never said anything to anyone... Seriously - who would want to be stuck in a van with me for days? Probably no one...
So, a few days back, I let something slip in another TR... and I was a goner... As it turns out - my Dis friends thought this was brilliant and wanted to join in.
So far... This is the plan (subject to MANY, many changes...)
Dates, TBD... But thinking "Fall 2016"...
I (DMGeurts) will fly in to Chicago...
Suzi will fly into Orlando (or another airport on the route) with Michelle (Bigsis1970)
To meet up with Mo (Chicago Mo) and Kathy (KatMark) - who both live in Chicago...
We will rent our van in Chicago...
Meanwhile... Terri (denovagirl) will fly in to St. Louis...
To meet with Lori (STLmickeymom)...
And Monica (Tartar63)...
They will then find a "convenient" place to meet up with the 15 passenger van... From here on out - this van will be referred to as "Van #1"...
This is where it gets a little sketchy... As my geography kind-of sucks...
But somewhere in this general vicinity... Lois (Disneychic2) should hop in the Van... Now, Lois has no idea that she is even going on this trip... but it's been decided she is coming. Surprise Lois!!!
You're going to Disney World!
Also, at some point... Tess (IamtheQueen) will have to hop in... I am not sure if she is going to fly into Chicago with the rest of us? Or if we are adding her at another location... But she is definitely coming...
We will continue south... Making our way to Nashville to pick up Connie (Oopsidaisy)...
And her good friend - fellow Disney addict and Cruise buddy... Rochelle (Quackattack)... Who I am not certain knows she is included in on this trip either...
From Nashville, we continue to Florida, via Georgia - to grab Ariana (Pluto0908)...
I am also saving room in the van for Nini (NiniMorris) - She is currently on a cruise and unavailable for consultation...
So... We have a 15 passenger van... Did you count how many people are coming? I think we are currently at 13?
Van #1 is almost full... Actually - I would consider it FULL - because we have all of our luggage too...
Now... Part of my dream trip is to be doing Dismeets the whole way there... So no fear... If you can't partake in the trip itself... Feel free to meet the Van at any designated "pit stop" to do a Dismeet with all of us!
I want to make sure everyone is aware from the start... This van does not deviate from the mapped out plan (yet to be determined)... So, we can't zig-zag all over the country to do Dismeets... If someone wants to meet up with us, you'll have to make a bit of effort. But it will be fun - I promise.
Connie is in charge of all of the food stops... She has promised us some excellent food on this trip.
Mo's Mom is in charge of van decorating (she doesn't know this yet... Nor has she agreed to it...)
I would like to recommend that we all stay at the same resort. Because once we get to WDW, we don't want to have to make many stops to drop everyone off. One resort. We want this trip to be incredibly cheap - so everyone can participate.... So, we are thinking Value resorts.
Each person is in charge of booking their own rooms/finding room-mates/paying for their own rooms.
Same with park tickets.
And dining.
We will organize which park I plan on being in each day... And we can all meet up as it works out. I (personally) have no desire to tour in a large group... As much as I think it could be great fun at times. Maybe we can start off together - and branch out, or meet up later for later risers? Just an idea?
I would like to plan a meal or two for all of us together though. Maybe something FUN - like HDDR?
Of course - dressing up and Disney-bounding is A-OK and highly encouraged!
I think this is it? All of the above is subject to change.
And a final thought... We are not opposed to adding another van - or two, if necessary and more people want to join in on the fun.
Any of you who have followed our Epic Dismeets in the past - know that Suzi, Mo, Tess and I love to have LOTS of FUN!!!! This trip will be a blast...
D~
My DREAM trip to Disney.
Hi all!!! Welcome to "our" PTR... A place for us to plan, and make this Awesome/Crazy/Epic trip a reality.
Some of you may know me... I go by "D~" here on The Dis...

This trip started to formulate in my head back in March of 2014. DH and I were taking a road trip from MN to TN to deliver a car to my In-laws... One thing led to another, and I was doing Dismeets during the entire trip. I started to think... How fun would that be, to rent a 15 passenger van, start here in MN and pick up my bestest Dis friends on the way - eventually landing ourselves in WDW for an Epic Dismeet Trip??? Cool right?
Well, I never said anything to anyone... Seriously - who would want to be stuck in a van with me for days? Probably no one...

So, a few days back, I let something slip in another TR... and I was a goner... As it turns out - my Dis friends thought this was brilliant and wanted to join in.
So far... This is the plan (subject to MANY, many changes...)
Dates, TBD... But thinking "Fall 2016"...
I (DMGeurts) will fly in to Chicago...
Suzi will fly into Orlando (or another airport on the route) with Michelle (Bigsis1970)
Yay! This means we can have as many Mickey Waffles as we want!!
No seriously....I wish you were coming....another one I actually know, and like alot!! We'll miss you!
1. Who Am I? - So, I'm Suzi. I live in Southwestern Maine, born and raised. I work part time (8-2 M-F) for a local insurance agency, and to be honest....I hate it. I sell Avon and Thirty-One to hopefully be able to quit the insurance job in a few years. I have been married to my husband, Bill for just over 12 years. We have a soon-to-be 8 year old boy, Bradey who is the love of my life.
2. Touring Style - I am a planner. I like to be at the park a little before rope drop and hit the ground running. I usually take a break midday, then hop to another park that evening. I always plan my mornings out, but leave the evenings open to do whatever we feel like. We have always and probably will always get park hoppers because it just makes the planning so much easier.
3. Favorite Park/Least Favorite Park - Magic Kingdom & Epcot are my favorites, and Hollywood Studios is my least fav. AK is a 1/2 day park for me too, but I do enjoy it.
4. Favorite Character - Not sure I can answer this. I love them all! I am a traditional with my love for the Fab 5, but also love some newer characters like Pascal and Sven too.
5. Rides - Again, can't really answer a favorite here. I love all the rides. The only one I don't really enjoy is Kali, just because I hate to walk around totally soaked. But I will ride everything!
6. Food/Restaurants - Yes. I love them all.....I like to plan a couple sit down breakfasts, but for the most part, I grab something at the food court then hit the parks and plan my big meal for either an early dinner or late lunch. Some favorites are Boma, Via Napoli, Kona and believe it or not...the QS Captain Cooks at the Poly.
Very much looking forward to this trip! The ride down sounds like so much fun.....we'll see. I might fly into TN too.....maybe.

To meet up with Mo (Chicago Mo) and Kathy (KatMark) - who both live in Chicago...

Hey! Great Job Monica!!! SO CUTE! I agree with Lois. Nice bag. I hear that talented person is on these boards somewhere!
Well since we are Introducing ourselves (and it's kinda fun) I will do it too!
I'm Michelle everyone but my job calls me Mo. I am married to Tom who i have not talked to him about this trip yet. Hey i have 2 years! He is a Disney fan.. We have the most beautiful - awesome triplets in the world: Zack Matt and Meg. Who CANNOT find out i am going to Disney without them...Job #1 I work for the lovely City of Chicago, I have a dog training job and i have a FUN part time job which i call #2
I am the Volleyball Coordinator for the kids school- Newly appointed Basketball coach for 4th grade girls, Taxi to everything else the kids are in.. We have three dogs Lex (great dane) Logan (Golden Retriever) Piper (shetland sheepdog) Then we have Stevie (Ferret) who is a character all in his own.
My Favorite Park: MAGIC KINGDOM!!! no explanation needed. Believe it or not Hollywood Studios love the theme and atmosphere.
Least Favorite: Animal Kingdom
Favorite Ride: Tower of Terror!! Least favorite: Tea cups ()and It's a small World (terrifying)
Favorite Resort: POLY!!! well we shall see what it looks like after all the construction. My new love is Art of Animation
Favorite Restaurant: Be Our Guest - O'Hana Capt Cooks (IT HAS TONGA TOAST!)
Touring style: I wander attached to one of my cameras or I always go left..
I am not such a fan of the new FP system yet ONLY because i haven't been able to perfect it.. Once i have the swing of things and can add it to my chaos better i will love it.
Does that sum it up?!?! Oh I do LOVE to have a good time laugh and joke around..
Oh.. I smoke too...
I have met in real life several Dis-ers and i can honestly tell you it was like meeting your BFF for coffee. You just hit it off like you see each other everyday!!! well i guess when you talk to each other pretty much daily while re-telling your life on a public internet forum- You do pretty much know that person...
We will rent our van in Chicago...
Meanwhile... Terri (denovagirl) will fly in to St. Louis...

To meet with Lori (STLmickeymom)...

And Monica (Tartar63)...
They will then find a "convenient" place to meet up with the 15 passenger van... From here on out - this van will be referred to as "Van #1"...
This is where it gets a little sketchy... As my geography kind-of sucks...
But somewhere in this general vicinity... Lois (Disneychic2) should hop in the Van... Now, Lois has no idea that she is even going on this trip... but it's been decided she is coming. Surprise Lois!!!


Also, at some point... Tess (IamtheQueen) will have to hop in... I am not sure if she is going to fly into Chicago with the rest of us? Or if we are adding her at another location... But she is definitely coming...

Well since everyone is introducing themselves I guess I can jump in here too.
My name is Tess, or Terry, or T, I answer to all three - or even Teresa, though not many people call me that...the nuns in elementary school did....
I'm married to Charlie, and have 4 adult children (2 boys and 2 girls), one of whom is married - lives about 4 miles from me, one is engaged - lives on the other side of the state, one has a significant other - lives in NJ, and the baby is single and she lives in Chicago, which gives me a good excuse to go visit Mo...
We have 3 dogs - Lady (Cocker Spaniel), Buddy (Chihuahua mix), and Rosie, (also a Chihuahua mix), we've had Lady since she was 8 weeks old, she is now nearly 13 years. We also had her brother, Duke, but we lost him to cancer nearly 2 years ago. Buddy and Rosie are rescue dogs and are 9 years old.
I am a land use planner for York County. I love my job and have been there about 20 years total. I am originally from Baltimore and am a lifelong Orioles fan and more recently (about 18 years) a Ravens fan. Unfortunately, Charlie is a Steelers fan.
We are DVC owners and travel to WDW nearly every year, and I have to say that Charlie is a bigger Disney fan than I am.
My favorite park is MK, hands down! The first and last park we visit each visit.
Least favorite park - I don't really have one, though DHS could be. Just not enough to keep me interested for more than 1/2 day lately.
Favorite resort - Boardwalk and Animal Kingdom equally
Favorite restaurant - this one is so hard because I haven't been to a "bad" restaurant, but I think I'm going to say Tony's Town Square.
Touring style - I'm more of a go with the flow person. I am more relaxed, definitely not "commando". I generally won't wait in a line for a long time to get on a ride, since I know I'll be back.
My favorite rides - all of them? Seriously, though, I don't care for Stitch, Tea Cups (can't do round and round rides) and Mission Space.
Favorite character - Minnie Mouse
We will continue south... Making our way to Nashville to pick up Connie (Oopsidaisy)...
sweetpeaandevie~ I could probably pick you and your mom up at the airport. Would love for you to join the movie night, the more the merrier!
I suppose I need to formally introduce myself...
I am Connie, a fourtysomething year old. We live on a five acre piece of heaven just east of Nashville, TN. I work as an administrative assistant to the dean of the School of Business at a local university.
I have been married to my Disney loving DH for 18 years. We have three children, a 15 year old DD, a 12 year old DD, and a very rambunctious 8 year old DS.
For fun as a family, we enjoy going to the Nashville Zoo, having Disney themed movie nights with friends, backyard bonfires, spending time at the in-law's condo in Gulf Shores, AL, and we are very involved in our church. We really just make our own fun with just about everything we do.
Up until last month we were BIG Disney World fans, nothing could be better...UNTIL....
we took a Disney cruise last month (Oct. 2014). We all agree that it was, by far, the BEST VACATION EVER. It was seven days of. No other way to describe it. We still love WDW, but DCL has our hearts now, for sure.
Guess that sums it all up for me and mine.

And her good friend - fellow Disney addict and Cruise buddy... Rochelle (Quackattack)... Who I am not certain knows she is included in on this trip either...


From Nashville, we continue to Florida, via Georgia - to grab Ariana (Pluto0908)...

I am still bouncing off the walls excited about this trip! I really wasn't planning on going back till 2017 so this will be a bonus trip. I haven't told Jim yet but I'm sure I'll get around to mentioning it sometime.
As for rooms, if we do stay at a value I will probably get a room by myself. Not that I don't want to see everyone but I am a pretty strong introvert and having down time by myself is necessary. If there are any other introverts in the group you will understand where I'm coming from. I do love interacting with people but it is a bit more work for someone as shy as I am.
Here's a little bit about me in case you haven't visited one of my PTRs or TRs (I feel like I'm auditioning to be in a group, pick me, pick me! ).
1. Who Am I? - My name is Ariana, I'm 41 and live outside of Atlanta, GA. I was born and raised in Pennsylvania but moved to GA about 12 years ago when my husband was transferred for work. I am still a die-hard Steelers/Penguins/Pirates fan and will always be no matter where I live. I am married, hubby's name is Jim and he is not the biggest Disney fan. It has started to grow on him but he definitely does not have the urge to run back the day we get home like I do. We do not have any children but do have four dogs. I work as an accountant for a local county government.
2. Touring Style - I can go with the flow and usually do when I'm with a group but personally I prefer being up early and making rope drop. If a park is open, I want to be in it! I came home from my last solo trip so tired I could barely stand.
3. Favorite Park/Least Favorite Park - Magic Kingdom all the way although I have only ever done one trip that did not include at least one day at all four parks. Least favorite is probably Epcot but that doesn't stop me from being there every trip.
3. Favorite Character - Pluto, Pluto, Pluto!! He has been the love of my life for as long as I can remember. I collect Pluto items and have a whole room dedicated to him in my house. Other characters I like are Dumbo, Flower, Mittens, and Maximus. Favorite princess has always been Belle although I really like Anna from Frozen.
4. Rides - There are very few rides I won't/can't ride at WDW. I do have some motion sickness issues that limit me but I still love the thrill rides. I just can't always ride them multiple times in a row. Star Tours is the only one I cannot ride, it gets me sick every time even when I take meds. Others I don't like are RnRC (too rough and leaves me with a headache) and Stitch at MK (do I really need to get into reasons for that one?). My favorite rides in each park are - MK - Pirates, HS - TSM, AK - EE, Epcot - Soarin.
5. Food/Restaurants - Here's where things get a little complicated. I am an extremely picky eater. But that being said, I am comfortable eating on my own so if the group picks something I don't like I can go elsewhere and meet up later. Some of my favorite restaurants at WDW are Rose & Crown, Coral Reef, BOG, The Plaza, Mama Melrose and Chef Mickeys.
OK, that's probably way more info than anyone wanted to know about me so I'll end this here for now.
I am also saving room in the van for Nini (NiniMorris) - She is currently on a cruise and unavailable for consultation...
So... We have a 15 passenger van... Did you count how many people are coming? I think we are currently at 13?
Van #1 is almost full... Actually - I would consider it FULL - because we have all of our luggage too...

Now... Part of my dream trip is to be doing Dismeets the whole way there... So no fear... If you can't partake in the trip itself... Feel free to meet the Van at any designated "pit stop" to do a Dismeet with all of us!

I want to make sure everyone is aware from the start... This van does not deviate from the mapped out plan (yet to be determined)... So, we can't zig-zag all over the country to do Dismeets... If someone wants to meet up with us, you'll have to make a bit of effort. But it will be fun - I promise.
Connie is in charge of all of the food stops... She has promised us some excellent food on this trip.
Mo's Mom is in charge of van decorating (she doesn't know this yet... Nor has she agreed to it...)
I would like to recommend that we all stay at the same resort. Because once we get to WDW, we don't want to have to make many stops to drop everyone off. One resort. We want this trip to be incredibly cheap - so everyone can participate.... So, we are thinking Value resorts.
Each person is in charge of booking their own rooms/finding room-mates/paying for their own rooms.
Same with park tickets.
And dining.
We will organize which park I plan on being in each day... And we can all meet up as it works out. I (personally) have no desire to tour in a large group... As much as I think it could be great fun at times. Maybe we can start off together - and branch out, or meet up later for later risers? Just an idea?
I would like to plan a meal or two for all of us together though. Maybe something FUN - like HDDR?
Of course - dressing up and Disney-bounding is A-OK and highly encouraged!
I think this is it? All of the above is subject to change.
And a final thought... We are not opposed to adding another van - or two, if necessary and more people want to join in on the fun.
Any of you who have followed our Epic Dismeets in the past - know that Suzi, Mo, Tess and I love to have LOTS of FUN!!!! This trip will be a blast...

D~