karajeboo
DISmom by land and by sea!
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2007
- Messages
- 6,591
Yes, we are BACK with yet another trip report!!! This time we brought the WHOLE family and our OWN brand of fireworks!!! I will copy the first couple of posts from the PTR and then begin anew!!!
Seriously? Have we lost our ever lovin minds????
Uh, if you know the McSparklesons, you know that this is indeed the case!
You also know how much we LOVE WDW and DCL. And I'll fill you in on a little secret. Even though she never lived as close as we did to WDW, my sister, Kami, loves that mouse too and tries to get there as much as possible!!!!
So as my parents got tired of hearing Disney This and Disney That from me and my sister, they broke down one time and said, "we really need to try to get there."
See, my parents have not seen WDW since, well, EVER! What they saw was Magic Kingdom in 1981, and one or two things have changed since then.
So Kami and I talked about it, and decided that our parents' 50th Anniversary would be a great time to take them to the Happiest Place on Earth!
While my parents were visiting me in Jacksonville, FL, over Christmas in 2009, Kami told me to go ahead and tell them what we were planning. Even though their anniversary fell in June, none of us wanted to deal with Florida heat in June. And Kami and I had both been to WDW in December before and felt it would perfect in all aspects for our parents - weather AND decor. Mom LOVES decorating for Christmas and I know she will LOVE WDW all lit up!
Our family....
The Original McSparklesons...... Kara and Ally (10)
But we like to bring Daddy (Jeff) too.....
Kami's brood.....
From 2010 Kami and Todd, and their kids Emma (now 13) and Spencer (now 11)
And of course Grandma and Grandpa, cause we wouldn't be here without them.... EWWWWWWW!!!!! Stop the visual!
With the kids the first morning.....
We told them of our plans to take them to WDW for their 50th Anniversary, and we had almost TWO FULL YEARS to wait! And then a few months later, we got transferred from Jacksonville, back to Greenville, SC. So we were losing our proximity to the World. We were all very glad to have this trip to look forward to!
There wasn't much to do at first, except count down the days, and believe me, there were a lot of days to count!!!! So we started tossing around some ideas. I came up with the idea of renting DVC points to bring down the cost of staying in a Deluxe Resort, because I really wanted Gma and Gpa to have the option of going back to the resort during the day to take a break if they want to. And a deluxe resort offers so much more to do, even if it's just grabbing a drink and people watching.
So Kami and I started thinking of resorts that we thought would appeal to our parents. Jeff and I were convinced that they would LOVE AKL. Kami didn't care for it when she stayed there, but it might be my favorite. And I thought Gma and Gpa would be amazed at the idea of an African Savannah right off their balcony!
After we got moved to SC last summer, I got to work. See, I'm a planner. I'm an obsessor. I'm an obsessive planner.
I made a notebook. I instructed Gma and Gpa to thoroughly go through notebook and let us know where they would like to stay. This book had photos and descriptions of every WDW resort, as well as photos and descriptions of every WDW table service restaurant! I included info on dining plan, renting points, etc.
Gpa kept saying, "whatever you decide will be fine."
But I didn't want to decide! Well, I did..... but this was THEIR anniversary gift so I wanted THEM to decide!
They finally came back with......
Boardwalk? I never in a million years would have guessed this, although I'm THRILLED because the Epcot resorts are my favorite location!!!! Jeff and I honeymooned at BWI in 1998 so we love this resort!
I researched and found BWV points to rent that would only cost us $110/night Sunday - Thursday! Yes, you read that right. We will be staying at a deluxe resort for LESS than the cost of a moderate. I am beyond excited!!!! Each family will have their own room. No WAY was I sharing a room with these nuts that I call family!!!! Hey, I grew up in that house, doesn't mean I have to live with them on vacation!
And anyone that has ever traveled with extended family know..... there are bound to be some fireworks! I made this trip in 2008 with my in-laws. Whoo weee! The stories I have from that one!
Sooooo....... Kami and her family left Friday, December 9 bright and early. Jeff, Ally and I left on Saturday bright and early. And Gma and Gpa left at the crack of 2pm on Saturday.....
I can promise you that you will laugh, you will cry, you will throw things at your computer monitor. Stick around, you'll have fun.....
And if you want to read the whole PTR..... McSparklesons bring their OWN Fireworks.... the WHOLE Family!
Up next, the trips to the world.......
Chapter 1: Button Takes us to Florida - Beep Beep!
Chapter 2: The Eagles Have Landed
Chapter 3: Well Isn't That Something?
Chapter 4: THE Poem
Chapter 5: Let the Memorie egin
Chapter 6: We're FINALLY Walking Right Down the Middle of Main St, USA!
Chapter 7: The Joys of Anklebiterland
Chapter 8: You Want My Crust?
Chapter 9: Day One Ditty
Chapter 10: The WRONG Stuff
Chapter 11: San Angel Inn - and 'rita roadies
Chapter 12: This Thing You Call "Typewriter"
Chapter 13: Superstar Servers at Via Napoli
Chapter 14: Come Get Your Gluwein!
Chapter 15: Little Butts (and Grandma!) on the Curb
Chapter 16: I've Never Been a Lion
Chapter 17: Coochi Coochi
Chapter 18: Herbie Issues
Chapter 19: Watch Out for One Eye!
Chapter 20: Going Off the Rails on the Crazy Train
Chapter 21: Work it Girl!
Chapter 22: So Many Pastries, So Little Time
Chapter 23: Elbows off the Table!
Chapter 24: Sad Day...Go Home Day
Chapter 25: Shedding Some Tears......
Seriously? Have we lost our ever lovin minds????
Uh, if you know the McSparklesons, you know that this is indeed the case!
You also know how much we LOVE WDW and DCL. And I'll fill you in on a little secret. Even though she never lived as close as we did to WDW, my sister, Kami, loves that mouse too and tries to get there as much as possible!!!!
So as my parents got tired of hearing Disney This and Disney That from me and my sister, they broke down one time and said, "we really need to try to get there."
See, my parents have not seen WDW since, well, EVER! What they saw was Magic Kingdom in 1981, and one or two things have changed since then.
So Kami and I talked about it, and decided that our parents' 50th Anniversary would be a great time to take them to the Happiest Place on Earth!
While my parents were visiting me in Jacksonville, FL, over Christmas in 2009, Kami told me to go ahead and tell them what we were planning. Even though their anniversary fell in June, none of us wanted to deal with Florida heat in June. And Kami and I had both been to WDW in December before and felt it would perfect in all aspects for our parents - weather AND decor. Mom LOVES decorating for Christmas and I know she will LOVE WDW all lit up!
Our family....
The Original McSparklesons...... Kara and Ally (10)
But we like to bring Daddy (Jeff) too.....
Kami's brood.....
From 2010 Kami and Todd, and their kids Emma (now 13) and Spencer (now 11)
And of course Grandma and Grandpa, cause we wouldn't be here without them.... EWWWWWWW!!!!! Stop the visual!
With the kids the first morning.....
We told them of our plans to take them to WDW for their 50th Anniversary, and we had almost TWO FULL YEARS to wait! And then a few months later, we got transferred from Jacksonville, back to Greenville, SC. So we were losing our proximity to the World. We were all very glad to have this trip to look forward to!
There wasn't much to do at first, except count down the days, and believe me, there were a lot of days to count!!!! So we started tossing around some ideas. I came up with the idea of renting DVC points to bring down the cost of staying in a Deluxe Resort, because I really wanted Gma and Gpa to have the option of going back to the resort during the day to take a break if they want to. And a deluxe resort offers so much more to do, even if it's just grabbing a drink and people watching.
So Kami and I started thinking of resorts that we thought would appeal to our parents. Jeff and I were convinced that they would LOVE AKL. Kami didn't care for it when she stayed there, but it might be my favorite. And I thought Gma and Gpa would be amazed at the idea of an African Savannah right off their balcony!
After we got moved to SC last summer, I got to work. See, I'm a planner. I'm an obsessor. I'm an obsessive planner.
I made a notebook. I instructed Gma and Gpa to thoroughly go through notebook and let us know where they would like to stay. This book had photos and descriptions of every WDW resort, as well as photos and descriptions of every WDW table service restaurant! I included info on dining plan, renting points, etc.
Gpa kept saying, "whatever you decide will be fine."
But I didn't want to decide! Well, I did..... but this was THEIR anniversary gift so I wanted THEM to decide!
They finally came back with......
Boardwalk? I never in a million years would have guessed this, although I'm THRILLED because the Epcot resorts are my favorite location!!!! Jeff and I honeymooned at BWI in 1998 so we love this resort!
I researched and found BWV points to rent that would only cost us $110/night Sunday - Thursday! Yes, you read that right. We will be staying at a deluxe resort for LESS than the cost of a moderate. I am beyond excited!!!! Each family will have their own room. No WAY was I sharing a room with these nuts that I call family!!!! Hey, I grew up in that house, doesn't mean I have to live with them on vacation!
And anyone that has ever traveled with extended family know..... there are bound to be some fireworks! I made this trip in 2008 with my in-laws. Whoo weee! The stories I have from that one!
Sooooo....... Kami and her family left Friday, December 9 bright and early. Jeff, Ally and I left on Saturday bright and early. And Gma and Gpa left at the crack of 2pm on Saturday.....
I can promise you that you will laugh, you will cry, you will throw things at your computer monitor. Stick around, you'll have fun.....
And if you want to read the whole PTR..... McSparklesons bring their OWN Fireworks.... the WHOLE Family!
Up next, the trips to the world.......
Chapter 1: Button Takes us to Florida - Beep Beep!
Chapter 2: The Eagles Have Landed
Chapter 3: Well Isn't That Something?
Chapter 4: THE Poem
Chapter 5: Let the Memorie egin
Chapter 6: We're FINALLY Walking Right Down the Middle of Main St, USA!
Chapter 7: The Joys of Anklebiterland
Chapter 8: You Want My Crust?
Chapter 9: Day One Ditty
Chapter 10: The WRONG Stuff
Chapter 11: San Angel Inn - and 'rita roadies
Chapter 12: This Thing You Call "Typewriter"
Chapter 13: Superstar Servers at Via Napoli
Chapter 14: Come Get Your Gluwein!
Chapter 15: Little Butts (and Grandma!) on the Curb
Chapter 16: I've Never Been a Lion
Chapter 17: Coochi Coochi
Chapter 18: Herbie Issues
Chapter 19: Watch Out for One Eye!
Chapter 20: Going Off the Rails on the Crazy Train
Chapter 21: Work it Girl!
Chapter 22: So Many Pastries, So Little Time
Chapter 23: Elbows off the Table!
Chapter 24: Sad Day...Go Home Day
Chapter 25: Shedding Some Tears......
Can you see the 
Can't wait for another Karajeboo TR!!!
Saw your post on FB and thought, "I gotta read this one!" After living in FL, I know keeping the speed within 10 mph of the speed limit is hard to do.
