Lucky #13 (NEW 6/5 PG.15 Goodbye everybody!)

[oybolshoi]

Since I probably won't get very far in my trippie before you leave and because you will undoubtedly be too busy to read much anyway...I wanted to let you know that SSR was wonderful.

We stayed in The Springs this time, which is not originally where I wanted to be (I wanted Congress Park), but it did end up being a great location - we were less than a 5-minute walk from the bus stop, the main pool, and the carriage house and maybe a 15-minute walk from DTD if I was dragging my feet (which I admit to doing sometimes!).

The grounds were lovely, the room was extremely clean, the service was great, and the ducks were quite friendly. We did a lot of walking around the resort and fellow walkers were very friendly. Came across a few rudies at the bus stop, but that's to be expected anywhere on Disney property - some people have a big vacation entitlement chip on their shoulder.

I hope you and your family enjoy staying at SSR as much as we did. My only caution is in regard to the transportation system - allow yourself plenty of time to get to where you want to be, especially if you are trying to get to another hotel for ADRs. The wait time for the buses last week was really unpredictable.

Have a great trip!!

 

[nts4wdw]

Since I probably won't get very far in my trippie before you leave and because you will undoubtedly be too busy to read much anyway...I wanted to let you know that SSR was wonderful.

We stayed in The Springs this time, which is not originally where I wanted to be (I wanted Congress Park), but it did end up being a great location - we were less than a 5-minute walk from the bus stop, the main pool, and the carriage house and maybe a 15-minute walk from DTD if I was dragging my feet (which I admit to doing sometimes!).

The grounds were lovely, the room was extremely clean, the service was great, and the ducks were quite friendly. We did a lot of walking around the resort and fellow walkers were very friendly. Came across a few rudies at the bus stop, but that's to be expected anywhere on Disney property - some people have a big vacation entitlement chip on their shoulder.

I hope you and your family enjoy staying at SSR as much as we did. My only caution is in regard to the transportation system - allow yourself plenty of time to get to where you want to be, especially if you are trying to get to another hotel for ADRs. The wait time for the buses last week was really unpredictable.

Have a great trip!!

Thanks for the report! I had to quit reading the DIS last night because I kept finding "negative nellies" and started to get toooo nervous. I'll probably not be around too much these last couple of days just for that reason. The last couple of days before a trip just kill me. I start to second guess all my decisions and doubt that my planning will make the trip special enough. Chuck is my level head who always reminds me that with tons or little planning we always have fun just being together. But it seems the mom in me just wants to make it perfect.
With that said, your report made me feel better. Even if we don't get what we request, it is all beautiful. We are still staying someplace we never dreamed we would. And thanks for the heads up on the buses!
I'm so glad your trip was good. I'm looking forward to hearing about it when we return. Thanks again for taking the time to reassure me.
My mantra for this week: It's gonna be OK.

 

[nts4wdw]

It's almost time!! I spent the last two days reading two awesome trip reprts by mlill. From her, I got the idea to make trip journals for each of the children (and myself of course.) Jake made them actually. He headed each page with the date then made a column down the side with our plans and a place to write beside them. We will put them in folders we get on our BIG grocery day and decorate the front with stickers and such. I think it will help with trip reporting and may give me a chance to include some guest reporters.
See you soon.

 

[MNRMommy]

my big plans are working! I am actually about to get ready to go for some Thai food with some friends today and then will go out next weekend for it also. I am sure on my big day itself I will have a cake at home...nothing too exciting last year was more fun since I spent it in the MK!!!!

I hope that your week goes by supper fast and remember to take tons of pictures to share with us!!!!

I love the idea of the childrens journals. I tried to do some our last trip but the kids were just too darn tired. Your kids are probably the perfect age for this so I look forward to reading things from their points of view. I hope you have a wonderful time and trust me I understand the Mommies need to make everything perfect. However, the fact that you are at Disney World with your family is perfect enough so take time to relax and enjoy!!!!! Have a wonderful trip.

OK. Editing because I noticed I quoted Luvfigments response instead of nts4wdw. Forgive my Mommy is tired brain.

 

[Twingle]

To backdrack to page 13, yes, one big tote bag! And then I had a plastic bin for food. And a bagillion lovies for the three kiddos. Plus a double stroller. And I drive a Suburban.

MNRMommy, you mentioned that you bring your own sheets and towels and such. I used to do that, now we take the blankets off the bed and lysol/clorox spray down the sheets and any other surface we may touch. Along with many other bad habits I have, I am also a germ-o-phob.

Lynn, you are getting so close now! How exciting! Love the idea of guest reporters, very cool idea. It's so great that your kids are older, and you can really get their feedback on so much. The last time we were at Disney I purchased a bunch of postcards, and every night while we ate dinner we'd talk about what our favourite thing was that we did that day, and write it on the postcard. Once we got home I puched a hole on the upper left corner, and put them all on a keychain. It didn't hold up very well (my three kids are not know for being gentle!), but it was lots of fun and we can still read everything.

Great mantra for the week! Don't let those negative nellies get to you, some people just have to complain, no matter what. You'll have a wonderful time!

 

[dreamsofdisney]

Just wanted to chime in and wish your family a wonderful trip!

I really enjoyed your last TR and I've had fun following along with your pre-trip report. We're going through some major WDW withdrawal in my house, and without a set date for our next trip (still working on DH!) it's fun to live vicariously! Or at least, it will have to do...

Have a magical 13th trip!

 

[nts4wdw]

I hope you have a wonderful time and trust me I understand the Mommies need to make everything perfect. However, the fact that you are at Disney World with your family is perfect enough so take time to relax and enjoy!!!!! Have a wonderful trip.

OK. Editing because I noticed I quoted Luvfigments response instead of nts4wdw. Forgive my Mommy is tired brain.

Thanks! I may add that to my mantra, "It's gonna be OK. Relax and enjoy!" By the way, I'm glad I'm not the only one who suffers from Mommy brain!

And then I had a plastic bin for food.
Lynn, you are getting so close now! How exciting! Love the idea of guest reporters, very cool idea. It's so great that your kids are older, and you can really get their feedback on so much. The last time we were at Disney I purchased a bunch of postcards, and every night while we ate dinner we'd talk about what our favourite thing was that we did that day, and write it on the postcard. Once we got home I puched a hole on the upper left corner, and put them all on a keychain. It didn't hold up very well (my three kids are not know for being gentle!), but it was lots of fun and we can still read everything.

I like the plastic bin idea for the food. I'd probably have to sit on it though. The postcard idea is great too. We have sent postcards to ourselves at home in the past. It is fun to have their input. We've got a lot more downtime planned on this time than in the past just so we can do whatever strikes us at the time. Should be fun.
Almost time for you!! I know you are excited.

Just wanted to chime in and wish your family a wonderful trip!

Have a magical 13th trip!

Thanks for speaking up! I hope you get a trip on the calender soon. Here's some pixie dust for you!

 

[MeMom]

Just read your last TR and glanced through the pre-trip one. Most people SLEEP in the middle of the night, but I sleep for about three hours, then my body wakes up and I can't make it go back to sleep for anything. So, I make the time productive. I've got a load of clothes in right now, and I'm Dising. In about an hour, I'll get sleepy and go to sleep for about an hour, just in time to wake up and start the day. What a weirdo! Anyway, I enjoyed your report. Opening Animal Kingdom had to have been pretty cool for everyone! I look forward to standing in the good old Pop Century bus lines again very soon. One thing I want to be sure to do is to get a picture of the WDW arch on the road over from Pop. I didn't realize you could see it from there, but when I saw someone else's picture, I thought I'd seek it out next time. I definitely want to spend lots of time in World Showcase this time, too, and I'll check out the China garden, for sure. Anyway, just thought I tell you I enjoyed your report, and I'm excited for you guys since you're on your way again. We'll look forward to more reports and pictures. We're hoping to do a live feed on our July trip, so watch for us. My daughter, Brooklynnsmommy, has already started a thread on the pre-trip board, so if you get a chance, check it out. She's got to get the pre-trip pictures up when she has time, and we're hoping to take a bazillion pictures on our trip to share with everyone. Have a great trip!

 

[nts4wdw]

Just read your last TR and glanced through the pre-trip one.

Thanks for stopping by! I love all the trips in your signature. We've got two more after this one on the books. It's the only way to get over having to come home, having another trip to plan.
I'm hoping to check in one more time before we go. Chuck wants to paack up this laptop tonight.

 

[DebIreland]

Wow! It's almost here? That's amazing!

Have a totally fantastic wonderful amazing time Lynn. Hope it's the best trip ever. Tell Chuck, Emily and Jake to have a blast too!

Can't wait to read your report when you get back.



P.S. Don't get too drunk doing laundry now.

 

[meeskamouska]

Okay...so are ya gonna fock us back or what???? I can't wait to play I spy while at MGM!!! Hope you have a rockin' good time!!!!

 

[nts4wdw]

Thanks Meeska and Deb for the well wishes!
Well, this is it. The clothes are packed , the ADRs are set, and the car is gased up. Walmart has been stormed and I have packed enough food to feed a small army. The children are officially freaking out, complete with random screaming and running about. Here is The Pile!

It's always exciting to see the suitcases start lining up.
Thanks to all of you for encouraging me along the way. You are a swell bunch of people. And to all you lurkers out there, speak up on the trip report. It's much more fun if you join in.
Keep checking in. If we are able to do our live report, I hope to put a link here for it.
And now in honor of our last night before the trip, (I don't count tomorrow night because we are leaving at 2 AM.) some trip resolutions:
I promise not to freak out if we don't get exactly the room we want. It will all work out in the end.
I will try not to pout if the family wants to swim. Even though, we could swim in South Carolina.
I will ride Soarin' without crying (not because I love it, but because I am terrified) just because the children want to sit next to me and they might not want that for much longer.
I will not worry so much about how I look (I am sooooo vain) as about how much fun we are having.
I will keep a good attitude because they are watching me.
I will supress the urge to pant, drool or throw my panties on the stage when Off Kilter is playing. (Just so I don't get us kicked out of Epcot)
I will not worry as much about how fast we are moving as about what is around us and where we are.
I will think of those with no trip, to better cherish the trip I have.
And finally if all this fails, I will take a deep breath and say to myself, "At least I'm not at work."
See you on the other side!!

 

[dreamsofdisney]

I promise not to freak out if we don't get exactly the room we want. It will all work out in the end.
I will try not to pout if the family wants to swim. Even though, we could swim in South Carolina.
I will ride Soarin' without crying (not because I love it, but because I am terrified) just because the children want to sit next to me and they might not want that for much longer.
I will not worry so much about how I look (I am sooooo vain) as about how much fun we are having.
I will keep a good attitude because they are watching me.
I will supress the urge to pant, drool or throw my panties on the stage when Off Kilter is playing. (Just so I don't get us kicked out of Epcot)
I will not worry as much about how fast we are moving as about what is around us and where we are.
I will think of those with no trip, to better cherish the trip I have.
And finally if all this fails, I will take a deep breath and say to myself, "At least I'm not at work."

This was great!! I could use a few of those on our next trip. Especially the one about not worrying about what I look like. I'm so self-conscious, I often end up in tears by the time we leave the room. Not exactly a "Happiest Place On Earth" move on my part!

Wishing you all the most magical of vacations!

 

[luvfigment]

Oh I am so sad I didn't get the chance to wish you a Happy Vacation!!! Well hope you have a great trip!!!!!! Can't wait to read the Trippie and see the shirts on your guys in the parks!

 

[DisneyJo]

Have a great trip Lynn, I love your list it's just so true

 

[arizonacolbys]

Hope you all have an awesome trip!! Your list has a lot of great points! Can't wait to hear all about it when you get back!!

 

[Twingle]

Thanks Meeska and Deb for the well wishes!
Well, this is it. The clothes are packed , the ADRs are set, and the car is gased up. Walmart has been stormed and I have packed enough food to feed a small army. The children are officially freaking out, complete with random screaming and running about. Here is The Pile!

It's always exciting to see the suitcases start lining up.
Thanks to all of you for encouraging me along the way. You are a swell bunch of people. And to all you lurkers out there, speak up on the trip report. It's much more fun if you join in.
Keep checking in. If we are able to do our live report, I hope to put a link here for it.
And now in honor of our last night before the trip, (I don't count tomorrow night because we are leaving at 2 AM.) some trip resolutions:
I promise not to freak out if we don't get exactly the room we want. It will all work out in the end.
I will try not to pout if the family wants to swim. Even though, we could swim in South Carolina.
I will ride Soarin' without crying (not because I love it, but because I am terrified) just because the children want to sit next to me and they might not want that for much longer.
I will not worry so much about how I look (I am sooooo vain) as about how much fun we are having.
I will keep a good attitude because they are watching me.
I will supress the urge to pant, drool or throw my panties on the stage when Off Kilter is playing. (Just so I don't get us kicked out of Epcot)
I will not worry as much about how fast we are moving as about what is around us and where we are.
I will think of those with no trip, to better cherish the trip I have.
And finally if all this fails, I will take a deep breath and say to myself, "At least I'm not at work."
See you on the other side!!

OMG, Lynn, I know you are gone, but please, please, PLEASE tell me you did NOT pack that treadmill. I know it folds-up and everything, but won't you be getting enough walking done at Disney?!?

Anyway, looking forward to seeing you get dragged away from Off-Kilter, panty-less in Epcot. I'll make sure to give you the Focker sign while you're being taken away!

 

[dreamsofdisney]

OMG, Lynn, I know you are gone, but please, please, PLEASE tell me you did NOT pack that treadmill. I know it folds-up and everything, but won't you be getting enough walking done at Disney?!?

Anyway, looking forward to seeing you get dragged away from Off-Kilter, panty-less in Epcot. I'll make sure to give you the Focker sign while you're being taken away!

 

[jenr812]

I love your trip resolutions! Fabulous!

I so wish we were there at the same time. I'd love to meet up with you. Though we don't live that far from each other...

Hope you're having an amazing time!!!

 

[winkers]

I finally got all caught up and you're gone! I hope you're having an amazing time!