LET ME AT THAT MOUSE! A Pre-Trip Report

[Sneezie]

I love, love, love trip reports. Pre-trips reports, on-going trip reports and especially completed trip reports.
My absolute favorite trip reports are the Overdue and Overpacked Series by LaLa, that girl can really bring the funny. I have been known to spring a leak while reading her work. I also enjoy reading trip reports by Mel Happy Haunt, Zzub, GlendaMax, Nurse_Mommyx4, Frickles, KPK89, Jami, HaleyB, UtahMama, and Horsegirl. If you've written a trip report and you aren't in my list, I just haven't read your report yet. I love trip reports, all - big or small. I am so jealous of these people because they are SO GOOD at retelling their stories with the right amount of humor and emotion.

As I read each of their trip reports, I began to wonder whether or not my story was worth being told. I weighed the pros and cons:

I love trip reports that include children (LaLa, Me(l), Frickles). We have no small children in our party.

I love trip reports that have a small, intimate family (LaLa, Me(l), Zzub, etc.). We have a cast of ten!

I love trip reports that weave an emotional tale that can cause you too weep (Zzub, LaLa). No special reason why were going except that we love the World and it was time to go back.

Well, after weighing my options I decided that I should not write a trip report…. Just kidding. I'll write one. I just don't think I'll be very interested in reading it. I have attempted to write one before but it's harder than it looks and in my case when the going gets tough, I get going. But I'm going to try to stick it out this time.

So here I go. I'm taking a deep breath and diving in… again.

Next up… the cast!

 

[Sneezie]

We have a large group, so I'm not going to bore you with the details of everyone's life story. I'll group us together by room assignment.

Room #1: Me (Tamara); Dsis (Farrah); DD (Jasmine) We are in the picture in my signature. I'm the one in the white t-shirts and black capris, my sister is in a blue shirt with khaki shorts and Jasmine is the teenager with the smirk. The other lady is my cousin, Dana, who will not be taking this trip with us this year.

Room #2: My Dbro (Donnie); DBWife (Ayeshia); DBStepD (Anesha); DBWifeSIS (Myesha) - Have I confused you enough? Donnie and his wife are bringing along a stowaway! We just found out that his wife is with child. Don't tell Disney! My brother and his family live in Dallas and I haven't seen him in over a year. I can't wait to meet him at the airport!!!

Room #3: My Dcousin (Kenya); DcousinD1 (KeMarr); DcousinD2 (Kia) KeMarr and Kia came with us last year. It was their first time. They are hooked. They really wanted their mom to come this time and she decided to join us!

We will be staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge (yeah, deluxe baby) from Wednesday, September 5th to Sunday September 9th then moving over to the All Star Music resort for one night before heading back home.

We will be dining on Disney's dime again this year. Gotta love that Free Dining Promotion. I have only made three ADRs so far and I'm thinking of changing one or two of them.

So far we will be crunching, munching and lunching at the Coral Reef on Thursday, Sept 6th. We will celebrating my brother's 29th birthday there. I have scheduled the diver to swim over to our table and have sent in the pictures for his personalized menus!

We will be hula-ing and coconut racing at O'hana on Thursday night (maybe)

We will be breaking our fast at Donald's Breakfastosaurus on Saturday morning (maybe)

I'm seriously thinking of changing the Breakfastosaurus to Ohana. I really love the pineapple bread.

We have one more table service credit to use, but we are going to just play that one by ear.

The counter service meals we plan to have on the DDP are Earl of Sandwich; FlameTree Barbecue, The Mara, and give me a suggestion. (This is my way of seeing if you're really paying attention)

And it's all on Disney's Dime.

We plan on eating at the ESPN Club and Beaches and Cream (gotta try the Kitchen Sink) but that will be OOP.

Usually, for our trips I have the whole thing planned with itineraries and confirmation numbers typed up and ready to go then I promptly forget them in the room and end up running around the parks like a chicken with my head cut off. Well this time, I'm going naked: no plans, totally unprepared, flying by the seat of my pants.

I'm going to expect the unexpected. But then doesn't that make the unexpected expected?

Next Up: What I'm doing Now! 9 Days before Takeoff!!!

 

[jordanyosh]

Just some advice during the free dining period. It is very hard to come by ADRs. Check at the concierge desk in your resort a few times a day or at guest relations at each theme park. Sometimes folks cancel their ADR and a space opens up.

Yacht Club Galley, Marrakesh are two restaurants off the top of my head that often have space.

Here's to you living on the wild side w/ no ADR for one meal... Have a great time and I look forward to hearing more.

 

[Sneezie]

Thanks for the advice.

We went to Disney during free dining last year at the same time that we're going this year and the parks were practically empty. I guess we're hoping for the same outcome this year. I'll try to narrow our last Table Service down to three options and make the ADR as soon as we get there.

 

[Sneezie]

Okay, here's what I'm doing now… nine days before the big trip! Fortunately, I have a lot going over the next few days so the countdown should go quickly.

Today, August 27th - my brother is flying down from Dallas for an interview with a hotel here in Baton Rouge. We're keeping our fingers crossed because we really want him and his family (and their bun-in-the-oven) to move back to Louisiana. I'm actually leaving work early to pick him up after the interview and we're driving down to my mom's house. I'm looking forward to seeing him. Unfortunately, he's heading back tomorrow morning.

Tomorrow, August 28th - MY BIRTHDAY!!!! I'll be turning 34 tomorrow and yes, I plan on coming in to work. As a sort of present to me, my supervisor promises to be away from the office!!!! I love birthday's, especially mine.

Wednesday - Saturday Preparing for my big Birthday Bash.

Sunday, Sept 2 - I am throwing myself a birthday party… We'll be eating bar-be-cue, drinking beer, and dancing. I even have a sack race, three-legged race, space walk and a piñata! Does this girl know how to throw a party or what!!!

Monday, Sept 3 - Labor Day. Clean up any remnants left over Okay from the party. Get my house in order and PACK!!!!

Tuesday, Sept 4th - Go in to work and wrap up any loose ends. Fidget and walk back and forth to my supervisor's office asking him what time it is until he finally has enough of me tells me to get the h - e - double hockey sticks out of there!!!

Wednesday, Sept 5th - Leave on a jet plane for Orlando! Finally!!!!

 

[disneyaddicted]

Your trip sounds like it's going to be fun. no plans and an open ADR? Picture me hyperventilating right now. But you seem to be dripping with confidence about going commando free. I can't wait to read more, and incase I am not able to check in tomorrow.
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear Tamara
Happy Birthday to you!!!!!!!!

 

[Sneezie]

Thanks for stopping by and Thanks for the birthday wish!!!

My day is starting out just like any other day. My knee did pop this morning when I got out of bed, so I guess I really did get a year older!

 

[stepdisney]

Okay, I'm in, especially since I chickened out of my pre-trip report. I promise to do a trip report and complete it when I come back, since we are leaving in TWO DAYS. You all sound like fun. Enjoy your trip.

Happy Birthday to you...... (You really don't want me to sing)

 

[Sneezie]

Welcome aboard!

How exciting that you only have 2 days left!!! Have you started squealing yet? I have!!!

I can't wait to read your trip report when you get back.

 

[Suzerella]

Sounds like a fun crowd. I'm looking forward to your trip report of AKL-I just booked there today on a whim for December.

Have fun!

 

[stepdisney]

Welcome aboard!

How exciting that you only have 2 days left!!! Have you started squealing yet? I have!!!

I can't wait to read your trip report when you get back.

I squealed so loud I frightened the children . Now they just say oh, that's just mom. Must be something about Disney..

 

[disneyaddicted]

Thanks for stopping by and Thanks for the birthday wish!!!

My day is starting out just like any other day. My knee did pop this morning when I got out of bed, so I guess I really did get a year older!

Hi there,
I hope you had an awesome birthday.

 

[Sneezie]

I squealed so loud I frightened the children . Now they just say oh, that's just mom. Must be something about Disney..

Tomorrow, Tomorrow, stepdisney loves tomorrow!!! I'm squealing with you!!!

Hi there,
I hope you had an awesome birthday.

I had an absolutely awesome birthday and I haven't even made it to my party yet!

 

[Shannie]

You had a great birthday, and your party sounds like so much fun!!! Have a great trip, and I cant wait to read all about it!!!

 

[Avivasmom]

Hope you had a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY...(I was born in August too).

Sounds like your trip is going to be fun with the family.

Hope the knee is feeling better.

 

[Glendamax]

Hey! Sorry I'm late!!!!! I'm at the very beginning!

 

[Glendamax]

Hey Sneezie! I just found your report today! I guess right now you are setting up for your party! Hope you have a great time.

As for you ADRs, I would change from Breakfastaurous to something else. To me, the food isnt as good as it used to be. For your second openning, you HAVE to eat at BOMA! That food is sooo good. Last year I only ate dinner there. This year, I'm doing breakfast too. (side note: when I arrive on the 9th, I'm going to eat at Mara before heading out. If you're hungry, maybe you can join me)

Suzerella What are your dates for Sept and Dec? I'm going in those months too: 9/9 - 9/14 and 12/11 - 12/15

Well Sneezie, I'm glad you're taking a second shot at a report! Please finish this time!!!!!

I'll be looking for more tomorrow!

 

[Sneezie]

I feel like dancing to some Stevie!!!

That's how excited I am!!!

Farrah just pulled down the flight info and we are in boarding group A!

Woo Hoo!!!

This is the last day before THE DAY and I am too excited to think straight. Unfortunately and fortunately I have alot of work to do. It's unfortunate because I'm ready to go... duh! It's fortunate because the work is keeping me busy and as anyone who's ever studied Murphy's Law knows, when you need extra time, time flies.

But take that Murphy because I want the time to fly. Hah!!

Shoot, maybe I shouldn't have said that, my clock just ticked backwards one minute.

Oh, look at all of the work I have to do... will I ever finish in time? There, it just ticked forward five minutes!!

My day is only half over once I get off from work. I have to pick my dog up at the PetSmart hospital. Could someone tell me how it's costing me another $55 for a re-check on something they did two weeks ago. They are such a rip off. I just feel like they are holding my dog and their bill is the ransom. But I love him and I'll pay anything for them to set him free, and apparently they know this.

Then I have to go and pick up the shirts that Farrah and I had embroidered for a group to wear on one of the days of our trip. It's a surprise for them. Unfortunately we thought about it at the last minute and when we went to look for the shirts we couldn't find the same color for everyone. Most of the people in our party have lime green, but unfortunately, the lime green didn't come in the larger sizes so some of us had to get gray. Darn this voluptuous figure of mine! The lady who did the embroidering called last night and said that her embroidery needle broke off in one of the shirts and put a hole in it so she went to Wal-mart and got another shirt that was close to the green but not the exact same green. (We'd gotten the lime green shirts at Michael's) We'd seen the green at Wal-Mart and didn't like it at all so I told her to return that green and get a gray to match the bigger shirts. I'm so excited to see the shirts, I'll post some pictures of them as soon as I step into the 21st century!!!

I also have to go by a few of my clients and pick up deposits! Money, money, money, money! Money!!!! Then I have to get Tanner (my boxer) ready for his week-long stay at grandma's house.

What I have to do now is print out a trip report to read tonight, plus another one to read on the plane tomorrow.

I have to go now, but don't let me forget to tell you about my birthday party!

 

[Sneezie]

Hi Glenda!!! We have tried Boma for dinner and breakfast so we were looking for some place new. I was starting to question Breakfastosaurus myself. We decided to do Ohana for breakfast, instead, because we love the pineapple bread. We still don't know what we're going to do with the last ADR. We may just end up downstairs at Boma.

I probably will join you at the Mara!

I can't wait to meet you!

Peace Out!!

 

[Glendamax]

Hi Glenda!!! We have tried Boma for dinner and breakfast so we were looking for some place new. I was starting to question Breakfastosaurus myself. We decided to do Ohana for breakfast, instead, because we love the pineapple bread. We still don't know what we're going to do with the last ADR. We may just end up downstairs at Boma.

I probably will join you at the Mara!

I can't wait to meet you!

Peace Out!!

YAY!!!!!! BYE SNEEZIE!!!!!! CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU!!!!!!!