Mickeystoontown's Gang hits the Bahamas & WDW! Who gets choked or stuck this time?

[mickeystoontown]

Hopping over from the May FB page (thanks for posting the link!). LOVED your introductions; I can only imagine how much fun you all have on Disney vacations.

A cruise/WDW trip is so much fun, and I think you made a great choice by staying at CBR after you return from the Dream. Once you see Castaway Cay and experience the island, you'll wish you never had to leave the beach and tropical atmosphere!

Welcome! I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying the pre-trip report so far. We do like to have fun together and there's no better place to act goofy than at WDW!

I suer hope that we have a good time on the cruise. This is our first so we are a bit nervous.

 

[Elleshoodat]

I am joining in from our Facebook group. Y'all are so lucky to be going on a cruise AND to the World ... that's awesome!

I am from Louisiana, too (though I don't live there anymore), if you can't tell from my screen name.

Keep the updates coming! I can't wait to read your trip report, too. If it's half as fun as your PTR, we are all in for a treat!

 

[reelmom]

I can't wait to hear the park plans --- I will have to compare it to our plans to see if we have a chance to bump into each other!

We also drive...My aunt and uncle live in Vancleave, MS..so on Friday night we will head to their house (5 hours) and then get up on Sat. and leave early that morning for the 10 hour drive to Orlando.

My in-laws have a house in Gautier, MS near Vancleave. I know that area well.

 

[lovethattink]

So, I said that this installment would be regarding the "how" but I forgot that I hadn't posted the "when" or the "wheres" for Lacey & Jesse's part of the trip. I can't get away with not giving their details now can I?

WHEN​

Lacey and Jesse's portion of the trip is different from our's because they aren't going on the cruise with us but, rather, are going to meet up with us for just for the Walt Disney World part. Their dates are May 27th through June 2nd.

WHERE​

Their trip starts out something like this:

Number 1 Where: The beautiful city of Knoxville, Tennessee:

If you were paying attention to my intros, you'll recognize the fountain in the picture above as being one and the same as the one that Lacey and Jesse jumped into when they had their engagement pictures taken. You'll also notice that their "Where Number 1" looks way better than our "Where Number 1":

Their drive is also quite a few hours less than our's with our's being over 15 hours and their's being about 10 1/2. Lucky dogs!

Because they won't be arriving until later in the evening and, due to the fact that there were no standard rooms available at the Caribbean Beach Resort under the Spring Room Offer, we booked a room for them at:

Number Two Where: Pop Century Resort!

Jesse stayed at Pop Century when he was in Orlando before but said that they didn't get to do much looking around due to their schedule. Lacey has never stayed at Pop and wasn't with us the year that we drove over to have a look around and eat lunch.


On May 28th, they will be moving over to:

Number Three Where: Caribbean Beach Resort and I have requested that our two reservations be linked so that our rooms, hopefully, will be close to each other.

On June 2nd, we say our goodbyes to each other and to Disney and I'm quite sure that we'll all look something like this:

I guess that 'bout wraps up the Whens and Wheres for Lacey and Jesse's part of the trip. I know that these kinda posts aren't that exciting but it's a necessary evil that I include them....after all, this is a pre-trip report.

Up next, and I promise this time, is the "hows" and possibly even a bit of info on our park plans.

I missed this update! I'm so glad you are keeping your table of contents up to date!

Pop is a fun resort! I hope they get a chance to walk around this time. Hopefully they won't encounter all the construction we did in Feb, with the pool and paiting. I'd think it should be way done by May! And now they'll have refrigerators in the room!

 

[elder]

My in-laws have a house in Gautier, MS near Vancleave. I know that area well.

My aunt teaches at Gautier High School...

 

[mickeystoontown]

I am joining in from our Facebook group. Y'all are so lucky to be going on a cruise AND to the World ... that's awesome!

I am from Louisiana, too (though I don't live there anymore), if you can't tell from my screen name.

Keep the updates coming! I can't wait to read your trip report, too. If it's half as fun as your PTR, we are all in for a treat!

Welcome! Ah, they can take the person out of Louisiana but they can't take the Louisiana outta ya!

I hope that we have many escapades during our trip so that I can come back and write one heckofa report.

My in-laws have a house in Gautier, MS near Vancleave. I know that area well.

Isn't it neat how it really is a small world!

I missed this update! I'm so glad you are keeping your table of contents up to date!

Pop is a fun resort! I hope they get a chance to walk around this time. Hopefully they won't encounter all the construction we did in Feb, with the pool and paiting. I'd think it should be way done by May! And now they'll have refrigerators in the room!

Lacey is excited to try something new (she's only stayed at CBR and offsite) and I am sure they won't mind even if there is construction.

My aunt teaches at Gautier High School...

Like I said above, it reall is a small world!

 

[mickeystoontown]

The How's
I’ve covered the "who". You smart folks figured out the "what". I listed the looooong list of "wheres" and now it’s time to move on to the "how".

How in the circumstance of writing a pre-trip report could be any number of things. Like how did we decide to go to Walt Disney World? Or, how is everybody getting to Walt Disney World? I guess how could even be how come you’re going again? Okay, so that last how would only be used that way if you lived in the backwoods of North Louisiana but it actually is "how", at least where I’m from.

Let’s start with the "How Did We Decide To Go To Walt Disney World"? how

Way back in 1998, when Hunter was a wee little one year old and Lacey was just 11, John had the bright idea of going to Florida for a few days. I am not much of a beach kinda gal but I figured why not. I also figured "If we are going to Florida, why don’t we go to Walt Disney World?" And go to Walt Disney World we did! The trip to Orlando included two days at Disney World, a day at Universal Studios and a day at Sea World. Little did we know that just two days at "the world" would not be enough. We immediately started planning a return trip and that turned into a four day trip. That wasn’t enough time either.

Over the years, the trips became longer and longer and there really wasn’t any other vacation destination in our opinion. Wait, I take that back, there was that one year that I started researching other places to visit but I popped two aspirins , took a hot shower, went to bed , the fever finally broke and I woke up with a clear head and started planning another Walt Disney World vacation.

So, really, the answer to "How Did We Decide To Go To Walt Disney World?" question is: We don’t really plan to go anywhere else any time soon. Sure, we do go to other destinations during the year but our main vacation budget goes to Disney. Do you hear that Disney? Ummmmm, show this loyal Disney nut some love and send me a pin code or a little something something!

Moving on to the "How Is Everybody Getting To Walt Disney World?" how

I guess that’s pretty much already been answered in the "wheres" posts but I’ll refresh ya'll's memory and maybe add a little bit of information.

Every year, we make the 15 to 16 hour drive to Walt Disney World. Oh I price out flights from Jackson, Mississippi (the closest big airport) to Orlando, Florida at least once, if not twice, a week just to see if the airfare is within our budget. It hasn’t been yet but that ain’t keeping me from lookin’. Hold on a minute......................................................................................

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

Okay, I’m back. Just had to check Southwest Airfare. Still too high.

Lacey and Jesse have a shorter drive than we do and, if I am remembering correctly, their drive is a mere 10 ½ hours. I say "mere" because, compared to 15 hours, that’s definitely "mere" in my book.

And, last but not least, in this how roundup is the question:

How Come You’re Going Again?

In all honesty, when we were planning that first trip to Florida and Walt Disney World, I never ever ever ever ever thought that we’d fall in love with Disney like we did. There’s simply no other place that can bring such joy to our family. Don’t get me wrong, we have gone to other places and had some good times but nowhere else can compare.

I mean, where else can you spin in tea cups:

Or climb up a gigantic tree house:

which has views like this:

Encounter mythical creatures like the Yeti:

Take a wild ride in a test car:

Walk around the world in just one afternoon:

And act like no one's looking:

In our opinion, Walt Disney World is THE best vacation destination !

**Up next: I finally talk about our plans

 

[JessietheNCCowgirl]

Hey Lisa,
I am late, but made it over! What a great intro - I am so excited for ya'll! Your trip sounds fantastic with the cruise! What a nice 'un-birthday' present you gave to Lacey and Jesse! I sure hope we can do that for my DD when she gets married and grows up (shuddering as I type that because I'm not ready for her to grow up yet!)

I am like you in that I don't think there's a better place to spend your vacation time/dollars than WDW. Sure, there are places I'd like to see someday, but for now we like to do Disney. I get the feeling that everyone that I work with (and my in-laws) think we're nutso for going to WDW so much! Last year we offered to take my in-laws to WDW for their 50th wedding anniversary present. They said no because they had plans to go Dollywood. Now I've never been to Dollywood so I can't be sure, but I can guess it's probably not quite the same as WDW. Oh well, let them think we're nutso.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to keeping up with your PTR.
Happy Friday and have a good weekend!

 

[MHTeacher]

I totally agree! Why would we want to go anywhere else?

That picture of y'all on Dinosaur is hysterical!

 

[natebenma]

LOVE your "Hows?" You picked some great pictures.

The great thing about these boards is that you shouldn't really have to explain "How come you're going again?"

Look forward to starting to hear about your plans.

 

[amazingact21]

Okay, that picture of you guys on Dinosaur is one of the best I've seen. Gave me a good, long laugh. I wish I could've seen other guests' faces when the looked up at the screen and saw that. "Look, Bob, here's us, and there's Aunt Marie, and look-wait, look at this family! What the heck?!"


Once you take that first trip to the world, you're hooked. (At least, most people are.) I know some people don't understand why nowhere else compares to the world, but they just don't get into the magic like us.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Hey Lisa,
I am late, but made it over! What a great intro - I am so excited for ya'll! Your trip sounds fantastic with the cruise! What a nice 'un-birthday' present you gave to Lacey and Jesse! I sure hope we can do that for my DD when she gets married and grows up (shuddering as I type that because I'm not ready for her to grow up yet!)

I am like you in that I don't think there's a better place to spend your vacation time/dollars than WDW. Sure, there are places I'd like to see someday, but for now we like to do Disney. I get the feeling that everyone that I work with (and my in-laws) think we're nutso for going to WDW so much! Last year we offered to take my in-laws to WDW for their 50th wedding anniversary present. They said no because they had plans to go Dollywood. Now I've never been to Dollywood so I can't be sure, but I can guess it's probably not quite the same as WDW. Oh well, let them think we're nutso.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to keeping up with your PTR.
Happy Friday and have a good weekend!

Howdy! Be ready because our babies grow up waaaay to fast! And, start saving up those extra dollars because you'll want to take them with you even after they've moved out.

I've gotten used to people asking me why we keep going back or doing this when I mention our vacation. Oh well, they don't have any idea what they are missing now do they?

I've been to Dollywood and I can attest that it is absolutely NOTHING like Disney World. Don't get me wrong, it's a great place but it's not Disney.

Hope you have a good weekend as well!

I totally agree! Why would we want to go anywhere else?

That picture of y'all on Dinosaur is hysterical!

It's a stretch for us to go on the Disney cruise....I keep thinking about how much time we are taking away from Disney. I'm sure we'll be fine though.

We always have such a good time staging our Dinosaur pictures.

LOVE your "Hows?" You picked some great pictures.

The great thing about these boards is that you shouldn't really have to explain "How come you're going again?"

Look forward to starting to hear about your plans.

I love the fact that the Disboards are someplace that you can come to and nobody questions why we are going back.

Okay, that picture of you guys on Dinosaur is one of the best I've seen. Gave me a good, long laugh. I wish I could've seen other guests' faces when the looked up at the screen and saw that. "Look, Bob, here's us, and there's Aunt Marie, and look-wait, look at this family! What the heck?!"


Once you take that first trip to the world, you're hooked. (At least, most people are.) I know some people don't understand why nowhere else compares to the world, but they just don't get into the magic like us.

I'm glad that you had a good laugh this morning. We always like to stage our Dinosaur pictures and this trip I was "the picture taking fanatic", Lacey was the "texter", Hunter was the "cool guy" and John was "the one who is always on the phone". All of the guests who came out after us were laughing at the picture and saying "I wish we had thought to do that." It was fun!

Oh we were definitely hooked after that first trip to Disney! Most people that I talk to think that it's like Six Flags or the standard amusement park and it's hard to explain the magic to them.

 

[Angies1274]

Love all your pictures especially the Dinosaur one! I think you really captured how special Disney is. I agree...nothing compares. It's the best!!!

 

[JanaJohn]

Yeah, I know! It's tough when you have a Disney addiction.

If you're going to have an addiction.......that's a good one to have!

 

[KatMark]

Great update, Lisa.

I'm with you; while we may take short trips here or there that are not far home, there is no place like Disney World for us. Andy keeps asking what we are doing for our 30th anniversary next year and I keep telling him we are going to Disney and Marco Island like every year. He keeps asking "don't you want to go somewhere else; there's so many other places you can go?" And my firm response is always -- "but Disney makes me happy and I see no reason to mess with success."

I can't wait to read the "plans."

 

[wakica]

This one...

And act like no one's looking:

is my absolute FAVE!!!! I love that you can have fun, act like a kid and it's totally normal

and MAN OH MAN THAT DINO PIC!!!!
That's the BEST!!! I SSOOOO need to show that one to DH and DD14!
Don't be too surprised if you see one of those show up on our trip report now lol

 

[lovethattink]

That dinosaur picture was just what I needed today!!! You couldn't have planned any better reactions from the other people in your car!!

When newbies ask me for advice about their Disney trips, the first piece of advice I give is to realize you can't do it all within the constraints of a week's vacation. Heck, we have lived here for over a decade and we still haven't done it all!!

 

[cinderella crazy]

That is the best Dinosaur picture I've ever seen! Too funny! Thanks Lisa! I needed a good laugh today!

 

[Caretames1]

We have fallen for WDW the same way you guys have I can't believe we are going on our 4th trip in as many years and have a 5th in the future!


I think the Dino pic is the best! Total Fun!

I'd love to drive, but it's a full 24 hours for us and that just cuts into park time! I'm scared of the cost of plan ticket though!

 

[Kat in GA]

Love the Dinosaur picture! We are always staging our Everest and RnR pictures!

Last September I went to Disney with mom friends - and we staged one of our Test Track pictures - with us choking our friend sitting in the middle - maybe you'll need a choking ride picture to go with your title!