SharkyGoddess
Happier than a shark at a sushi bar.
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2007
- Messages
- 2,168
I've been trying to decide if I should start writing a pre-trip report now, 1 month and 3 weeks away from our trip, or wait until we are just a week or two away. Considering how side tracked I can get, I decided now was a better plan!
Where to begin... I believe first I will start with how long we have been wanting to make this family trip together. In 2007 my (not yet) husband and I decided to surprise the kids with a trip to Disney. We chose Disney because my littlest guy was only 3 at the time and we felt he would better be able to enjoy himself and ride more rides with us there, and we were right. Up until that trip to Disney, I have never so thoroughly planned a trip, but I have to admit... I enjoyed every single second of it! It made the trip itself so much nicer planning what park to be in each day and having a reservation for dinner planned each night at that park. Everything about that trip went smoothly. On our way home, my oldest son brought up wanting to go back to Universal, a park he, his sister and I had visited every year for 3 years together. My (not yet) husband, the kids and I all talked about Universal and how much we love it there. How the atmosphere is so much more relaxed and the employees (stars I believe they are called) are so much more friendly than the cast members at Disney. My (not yet) husband had never been to Universal so naturally we all filled him in on all of it's wonders. From there, the trip planning began.
The following year we didn't make our much desired trip to Universal for several unforeseen and uncontrollable reasons. So, we planned a small family get-away to Gatlinburg instead. In 2009 we still yet were dealing with outside forces demanding our time, attention and finances and once again were disappointed to not be able to take a now much deserved family trip. Thankfully each year we kept Universal on our minds, and in our hearts, and saved up the money for our trip. Let the happy planning begin! That is, after I explain the bittersweet side to our trip.
You see, in Florida also lives my grandparents. Both are very old and neither in good health. My grandfather, Pop as we call him, has not only a bad heart, but cancer as well. He was in remission for a very brief time, but unfortunately that time has ended. Pop is a precious little man with beautiful white hair and sparkling blue eyes, and I don't want him to leave this world without the kids and I being able to see him one more time. While I know our visit with him will be very short , it's one I feel I simply must make. Before anyone asks, he lives with family and you know how families sometimes are, so a short trip will be best for everyone. All I want is a moment to hug him, tell him I love him and see he and my grandmother just one more time.
Now that I have talked a little bit about the reasons for our trip, on to the trip planning itself.
So far we I have booked, unbooked and re booked our room at the HRH for October, purchased tickets for all 7 days and added a one day S&S for my husband and I and even pre-ordered the Universal Guide 2011. YAYness!!! What this leaves me is a month to prepare my dog and cat sitter (AKA my Mom) and get all of the last minute details knocked out before we launch ourselves South. I think I'll save those little details to talk about as I do them.
Now to introduce the STARS of this vacation!!!
There's myself- SharkyGoddess, I am the 38yo SAHBandM, with trip planning OCD, & who's kids will tell you has ADD. Which in my case stands for Attention Deficit DUCK. It's a long story.
Babboo- a 45yo self proclaimed Nerd, who listens to 70's music and is referred to by the teens as "Old Guy"
Stealth Child- a 16yo (god help me he has a permit to drive) BASS guitarist, with not only the Rock Star looks but attitude to match. He's what you might call aloof.
Stick Figure- my energetic, loud, hormonally moody, but very loving and responsible 14yo band enthusiast girl!
Squishy- my sweet, adorable, favorite chil... oh wait... the other two may be reading this... ehem... YOUNGEST child who can make me climb the walls and melt my heart all at the same time. He's 5yo and a boy. What more can I say?
Well, there you have it. Hopefully I didn't bore anyone to death and you guys will stick with me through the rest of our planning!
Where to begin... I believe first I will start with how long we have been wanting to make this family trip together. In 2007 my (not yet) husband and I decided to surprise the kids with a trip to Disney. We chose Disney because my littlest guy was only 3 at the time and we felt he would better be able to enjoy himself and ride more rides with us there, and we were right. Up until that trip to Disney, I have never so thoroughly planned a trip, but I have to admit... I enjoyed every single second of it! It made the trip itself so much nicer planning what park to be in each day and having a reservation for dinner planned each night at that park. Everything about that trip went smoothly. On our way home, my oldest son brought up wanting to go back to Universal, a park he, his sister and I had visited every year for 3 years together. My (not yet) husband, the kids and I all talked about Universal and how much we love it there. How the atmosphere is so much more relaxed and the employees (stars I believe they are called) are so much more friendly than the cast members at Disney. My (not yet) husband had never been to Universal so naturally we all filled him in on all of it's wonders. From there, the trip planning began.
The following year we didn't make our much desired trip to Universal for several unforeseen and uncontrollable reasons. So, we planned a small family get-away to Gatlinburg instead. In 2009 we still yet were dealing with outside forces demanding our time, attention and finances and once again were disappointed to not be able to take a now much deserved family trip. Thankfully each year we kept Universal on our minds, and in our hearts, and saved up the money for our trip. Let the happy planning begin! That is, after I explain the bittersweet side to our trip.
You see, in Florida also lives my grandparents. Both are very old and neither in good health. My grandfather, Pop as we call him, has not only a bad heart, but cancer as well. He was in remission for a very brief time, but unfortunately that time has ended. Pop is a precious little man with beautiful white hair and sparkling blue eyes, and I don't want him to leave this world without the kids and I being able to see him one more time. While I know our visit with him will be very short , it's one I feel I simply must make. Before anyone asks, he lives with family and you know how families sometimes are, so a short trip will be best for everyone. All I want is a moment to hug him, tell him I love him and see he and my grandmother just one more time.
Now that I have talked a little bit about the reasons for our trip, on to the trip planning itself.
So far we I have booked, unbooked and re booked our room at the HRH for October, purchased tickets for all 7 days and added a one day S&S for my husband and I and even pre-ordered the Universal Guide 2011. YAYness!!! What this leaves me is a month to prepare my dog and cat sitter (AKA my Mom) and get all of the last minute details knocked out before we launch ourselves South. I think I'll save those little details to talk about as I do them.
Now to introduce the STARS of this vacation!!!
There's myself- SharkyGoddess, I am the 38yo SAHBandM, with trip planning OCD, & who's kids will tell you has ADD. Which in my case stands for Attention Deficit DUCK. It's a long story.
Babboo- a 45yo self proclaimed Nerd, who listens to 70's music and is referred to by the teens as "Old Guy"
Stealth Child- a 16yo (god help me he has a permit to drive) BASS guitarist, with not only the Rock Star looks but attitude to match. He's what you might call aloof.
Stick Figure- my energetic, loud, hormonally moody, but very loving and responsible 14yo band enthusiast girl!
Squishy- my sweet, adorable, favorite chil... oh wait... the other two may be reading this... ehem... YOUNGEST child who can make me climb the walls and melt my heart all at the same time. He's 5yo and a boy. What more can I say?
Well, there you have it. Hopefully I didn't bore anyone to death and you guys will stick with me through the rest of our planning!
. Hoping for fantastic weather. I'm already wearing my down parka here, I get cold easily. What day are you doing 
