Miracles do happen! DH is coming with us too! My August Pre Trip report

[jll45]

Hi my name is Jennifer and I'm a professional lurker.
I have been reading all of the great trippies and pre-trippies and have decided to start my own report. Feel free to lurk and read because it's what I do. I promise to come out of hiding and start posting as much as possible. I guess you could say I am shy.

Our Dates: August 12-20, 2008
Where: Pop Century

The reason I decided to write a trip report is because the unthinkable has happened. Last month, I took my DH for his first ever trip to "The World" in less than 12 hours I converted a "Disney Hater" into a "Disney Lover". Let me tell you that it is possible.
We went to Tampa to visit his cousin for a long weekend. Our 5th anniversay was on May 31st. What a better gift than a day trip to my favorite place in the whole world. He had a great time for the day. He went on rides something he never does and forgot about work for a little while.

You see, my husband loves his job. He goes to work sick and never takes days off. He gets 2 weeks off every year and normally ends the year with at least a week and a half of vacation left over and all of his sick days intact. He's the guy people wonder if he has a life outside of the office. He never talks about anything but work and has no pictures of personal effects of any kind at his desk.

So when we were on our plane ride home from Tampa and he suggests that he might want to join us in August I almost passed out. I couldn't believe that my "Disney Hater" wanted to go back. After the once yearly trips that he's paid for since we've been married he now wants to see where all fo his money has been going. Once he gave to the sign I hustled on over to the laptop and booked his airfare. He was stuck now! 3 more vacation days are now in the works to be used. His boss might just about have a heart attack. That is when he actually tells him. It's been over a week and he still hasn't said anything.

The Cast:

Me: Jennifer(33) - Disney Lover and Planner. I've been in love with everything Disney for as long as I can remember. I've been making trips since '81. There was a day trip before that and can't remember when. Former Disney Store cast member. I worked there from 1994-1997.

DH: Chris(35) - The former Disney Hater and payer of all trips. This is his 2nd trip to Disney and his 1st time staying there. He will be joining us late on Thursday, August 14 and staying until Tuesday August 19.

DD: Kaitlyn (12 will be turning 13 before we leave) - Lets just say that summer school will be just wrapping up before we leave. And the primary reason of the dates was because of this. She is a great kid but a little lazy at school. Aims to please almost most of the time.

DD: Cassidy (9) - The Diva. Impossible to wake up. But always manages to get a move on in Disney. Tans so dark it unnatural. She is already darker than I ever get and it's only June.

DS: Riley (4) - Loves Cars and Thomas the Tank Engine. Went on the day trip and has the best time with his daddy in Disney. The motivation for DH going back.

DGM: Donna(65) - My mom and my constant companion on all past trips. She goes with the flow and lets me plan everything. Likes to take mid-afternoon breaks and lounge by the pool.

My BFF: Cara(30) - Arriving Wednesday August 13. Can't wait to go and has come over for many planning sessions. We've been friends for 13 years and sealed the BFF deal on our first trip together in 1996. This will be our 4th trip together.

BFF's Mom: Carolee (60) - My mom's very good friend too. My mom and Carolee used to work together at a Catholic high school. Carolee still works there. That's how Cara and I met, from our mom's. Easy going and always has a great time with us.

So that makes 8 of us spread amongst 3 rooms at Pop Century.

Up next: Photos of the cast with my DH actually smiling!

 

[jll45]

Here are pictures of the cast. I hope these work. I can't find any pictures of me because I am always the photo taker.

DH Chris and DS Riley last week in the butterfly garden in Epcot.

DD Kaitlyn with our kitty George

DD Cassidy

BFF Cara with DS Riley and DGM eating in backround. She'll love that picture!

Now that I have the pictures out of the way a little backround on how we started planning this vacation.
Originally, we weren't even going to go. Last year, we stayed at the Poly and it hit the wallet hard. It was pretty much set in stone that this year's trip was out of the question and then I received an email. An email from Disney with a pin code for 40% off value resorts. Since, I am not one to resist a sale within 12 hours of receiving the email I was booked. It took 2 days of me going back and forth over whether to add the deluxe dining plan to decide that was way to go. Since there was 5 of us going we would need 2 rooms. This was perfect because the rooms are small and I can only stand so much together time with mom before I need to retreat.

So I tell BFF Cara that I am going after my mom told hers not 24 hours before that a trip was not happening. Within 24 more hours they are signed on too. Turns out that they called Disney and had a pin code attached to their name too. Who can resist $49 a night plus tax.

Let the planning begin. Cara and I got together over a few Friday and Saturday nights to come up with a plan and where we wanted to eat. With all of the dining credits we had we needed an outline of what restaurants everyone wanted to eat at and on what days. So we asked opinions and formulated "The Schedule".

Coming soon, our ADR's and plans.

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

Just coming out of the woodwork to say "Hello!" to fellow lurker!

I'm so glad you were able to go again!

 

[jll45]

Just coming out of the woodwork to say "Hello!" to fellow lurker!

I'm so glad you were able to go again!

Thanks! I appreciate you reading.