MAYbe we should go back to Disney World-A May 2012 PTR;6/7 Link to TR-Post#592; p. 40

[racefanof88]

Thanks, Dana. How many times have you had to change your ADRs?

Girl, I have stopped counting the times, but I know it has been at least 3........ I made changes today and I am praying(silly prayer I know)that I will not have to change them again . With a pending shoulder surgery who knows though . I changed my dates to May 5- May 12th. I posted all about it on my TR.

 

[Lisa29]

So happy that you are getting to stay at your favourite resort. I would love to stay at the Poly but it is so expensive. Maybe one day....

 

[MHTeacher]

So happy that you are getting to stay at your favourite resort. I would love to stay at the Poly but it is so expensive. Maybe one day....

Glad you're reading along!

I have loved the Poly since my first visit there. You're right, though, it is expensive, so we never stay there without some sort of discount. The first time we stayed there in 2007, I got an AP rate. Then in 2009, I had a 40% PIN. This time I had a 32% PIN code. Without any discount, we would not be staying there very much!

 

[MHTeacher]

As I’m counting down the days to my next Disney trip, I thought I’d tell you about our previous trips. (For those of you who’ve read my trip reports before—Sorry! You’ve probably already seen these pictures and heard these stories!)

Our first family trip to Disney was in May 2001. Our girls were five and seven, and I had been after Kevin for us to take them before they got very much older. So, he had finally agreed, and we decided to go right after school finished.

Since this was our first trip, Kevin turned it over to a travel agent, and she worked out the details of our trip. These were the days before I’d discovered the DIS, or any other Disney website, so I was pretty green when it came to knowing very much about anything Disney related. Today, I can't imagine turning the details of my trip over to anyone!

We wound up going May 21-May 25. We had an early morning flight from Nashville that arrived in Orlando before lunch. These were the days before Magical Express, so we took the Mears’ shuttle to our resort—All Stars Sports. These were the good ole days when everyone staying at a Disney resort received the Ultimate Park Hopper-unused days never expired! We had a five-day ticket, so as soon as we were checked into the resort, we headed right to Magic Kingdom.

Funny thing about this picture---I planned out this shot-the girls walking hand in hand toward the castle- for our first trip. The funny thing is that nearly every trip since, I’ve always tried to get the same shot---just with older kids. Some trips I’ve gotten home and thought, “Oh no! I forgot to stage that shot.” Then when I look through all the pictures, I’ve inevitably gotten the picture anyway!

One of the perks of the package was a character meal (Someone who remembers all this better than me can clarify this!) Believe it or not, I don’t even remember researching, or doing any reading up on the various meals. I think our travel agent must have just booked us one! I cannot imagine me letting this happen today! We had breakfast at Crystal Palace.

We wound up visiting all four parks, and Typhoon Lagoon (as that wonderful ultimate ticket allowed entrance to the water parks as well!) during those five days.

I actually took a lot of pictures on this trip, but these were the days of film, and I only have scanned a few into my computer.

This was a magical trip---our first, and that always holds a special place in your Disney heart. We fell in love, but didn’t realize how much we had fallen until it was time to plan another trip!


NEXT-TWO MORE YEARS ‘TIL THE NEXT TRIP!

 

[racefanof88]

I think I posted on one of your other TR about this trip, but we would have been there at the same time. I LOVED that package!! That was our trip to POR and we did the breakfast at CP too.

I love looking at old trip pictures; it makes the memories come back full force. Those were the good ole days when the parks did not seem as crowded.

 

[Queenofallthings]

What a great trip down memory lane! It's nice to have that same shot every year to see how they've grown isn't it? Can't wait to see more!

 

[MHTeacher]

I think I posted on one of your other TR about this trip, but we would have been there at the same time. I LOVED that package!! That was our trip to POR and we did the breakfast at CP too.

I love looking at old trip pictures; it makes the memories come back full force. Those were the good ole days when the parks did not seem as crowded.

Isn't that funny to think that we were there at the same time eleven years ago? Too funny that we even ate at the same restaurant!

I agree that those were good days! Disney wasn't as crowded--the package was awesome-Why would anyone have stayed off site when you got all the perks? The best perk to me was the water park and free hopping! I hate this Magic Your Way stuff!

What a great trip down memory lane! It's nice to have that same shot every year to see how they've grown isn't it? Can't wait to see more!

Thanks! It's fun to see the same picture, and see how much the kids have changed from year to year.

2005 will be coming soon!

 

[MHTeacher]

DOUBLE DIGITS !!! ​

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Awww, I love the pictures of your first trip. The one of the girls walking to the castle is just precious. Don't you wish they'd bring that ultimate ticket back?! When Miguel and I took our first trip back in 2008, we actually used one day on a ticket from my last childhood trip back in 2000 that had never expired. My grandparents had been saving it all those years! If only it was that way now!

Yay for double digits and for being at the Poly in 99 days!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hurray for staying at the Poly!!! What fun!!!

All of your ADRs sound delicious! My stomach is seriously growling now!

Love all the first trip pictures -- the girls were so little then -- hard to believe they are young ladies now -- time goes too fast!

 

[Lisa29]

Isn't it funny how the first time(s) we went to Disney there was hardly any advance planning and now we all panic if we can't get the ADR's we want!! I couldn't imagine going now without having my ADR's booked, knowing the opening hours, days of EMH and fireworks, etc. A good chunk of the fun though is the planning and excitement leading up to the trip.

Your eldest daughter looks just the same, only older obviously, and those sorts of shots are lovely.

 

[micandminforever]

The pictures of your places to eat made my month water,especially that milkshake. I can't wait until March to make my ADR for our Sept. trip. The Sci Fi will be one of my first picks for a lunch break.

I love the old pictures of Disney fun. I loved the old ticket, I even have two of the plus features left on two old tickets, if my dh and I ever want to do the water parks. We only used them at Pleasure Island at the night club portion. Then since they have closed the clubs they have never been used.

 

[natebenma]

Thanks for sharing your pictures and memories of your early trips. We didn't stay onsite until 2008, so I didn't know about those great perks. That really made it worth it. I loved the tickets you could use and get stamped and save for future visits!

 

[MHTeacher]

Awww, I love the pictures of your first trip. The one of the girls walking to the castle is just precious. Don't you wish they'd bring that ultimate ticket back?! When Miguel and I took our first trip back in 2008, we actually used one day on a ticket from my last childhood trip back in 2000 that had never expired. My grandparents had been saving it all those years! If only it was that way now!

Yay for double digits and for being at the Poly in 99 days!

Thanks, Courtney!

The ultimate ticket was the BEST! I wish we had some leftover days on our old ones! Lucky you!

Love all the first trip pictures -- the girls were so little then -- hard to believe they are young ladies now -- time goes too fast!

Yes, it does. It's going so fast---I just want to drag my feet, and slow it all down.

 

[MHTeacher]

Isn't it funny how the first time(s) we went to Disney there was hardly any advance planning and now we all panic if we can't get the ADR's we want!! I couldn't imagine going now without having my ADR's booked, knowing the opening hours, days of EMH and fireworks, etc. A good chunk of the fun though is the planning and excitement leading up to the trip.

I know! I can't believe I just let some travel agent (yes, I never learned her name!) plan my entire trip! That would never happen for me today!

Your eldest daughter looks just the same, only older obviously, and those sorts of shots are lovely.

Thanks!

The pictures of your places to eat made my month water,especially that milkshake. I can't wait until March to make my ADR for our Sept. trip. The Sci Fi will be one of my first picks for a lunch break.

YUM! If I wasn't soooo cold, I'd love one of those milkshakes now!

I love the old pictures of Disney fun. I loved the old ticket, I even have two of the plus features left on two old tickets, if my dh and I ever want to do the water parks. We only used them at Pleasure Island at the night club portion. Then since they have closed the clubs they have never been used.

Oh, lucky you! You need to take those tickets and enjoy a day at one of the water parks!

 

[KatMark]

Michelle, I am loving the walk down memory lane. It's always fun to look back at the first trips. Can't wait for the next tip down memory lane.

 

[MHTeacher]

Thanks for sharing your pictures and memories of your early trips. We didn't stay onsite until 2008, so I didn't know about those great perks. That really made it worth it. I loved the tickets you could use and get stamped and save for future visits!

LOVED those tickets! They were the best!

 

[MHTeacher]

Michelle, I am loving the walk down memory lane. It's always fun to look back at the first trips. Can't wait for the next tip down memory lane.

Thanks, Kathy!

Next walk is coming up!

 

[MHTeacher]

After our first trip to Disney, it was another two years before we headed back. We had started talking about another trip at the beginning of 2005. Then, a magical thing happened! I discovered the DIS, and another “saving” Mouse website! When I read that Disney had released a Buy 4/Get 3 Free deal, there was no waiting around!

I used the special deal, paid for four nights (and four day park hoppers), and got three nights (days of tickets) free. We decided on July 5-12 for our dates, and I chose Coronado Springs Resort for this trip. I can’t remember all the details of our travel, but we flew from Birmingham, direct to Orlando. These were still the days before Magical Express, so that year, I arranged for a car service to meet us at MCO. We had no problems with them, and my girls enjoyed being chauffeured! We spent that evening unpacking and relaxing around our resort.

Our first full day was spent at Magic Kingdom.

We had a late breakfast that first morning at 1900 Park Faire, in the Grand Floridian.

Back in the park that afternoon, we enjoyed this parade-

Anyone remember this one?

We spent eight days exploring the parks, and visiting old attractions,

and, falling in love with some new ones!

(REMEMBER WHEN STANLEY WAS IN ANIMAL KINGDOM??? )

These were the days before the Dining Plan, or if it was around, it was nowhere as popular as it is today. You could even score a walk-up to a table service restaurant! GASP! Ones like these—

50’s Prime Time in Hollywood Studios.

I even scored one for dinner at Chef Mickeys our last full evening!

We had a great eight days playing at Disney that year.

However, this trip convinced us of one great fact. We decided that the next Disney trip would be during a much cooler time of year!

NEXT---Our third trip--A TRIP OF “FIRSTS” in 2005!

 

[natebenma]

GREAT pictures!!! It is so much fun to see how the parks (and your family) has changed!

I don't know what it is that compels all of us to return to vacation in Disney as often as we can. The things that change or the things that remain the same? Or a little of both.