Mom Mom Mom Moooooomm "Is it time to go YET???"a First time Pre-Trip

[lovemyblt]

Okay here goes my first try..... I hope you enjoy reading my Pre-trippy!

Let me introduce our cast of characters!

First is me, 34 and self proclaimed Disney Freak

DH, 35 newly a Disfreak! here he is enjoying a beer @Biergarten!

My Awesome Mom referred to as Gram, without her I could not do it!

My DS 13-we will be celebrating his 14th birthday at Disney!
My DD11 she’s a Princess with a Pirates heart hmmm Elizabeth Swann??
My DD3 (almost 4) my fiery little redhead who loves all things Disney....

And lastly joining us on this trip
My niece who is 23 and the biggest kid at heart! My Mom is taking her for her Graduation present. (no picture becasue photobucket is annoying me!)

So let me start with a bit of background! I love Disney and have the Mickey tattoo to prove it!

Since childhood I have loved Disney, at one point my bedroom door was plastered with Disney Catalog covers! I have collected movies since I was 13 and did my school reports on Walt! (can you say obessesion?)

My DH has a different background- his first trip to Disney was not Magical- he was young and his dad pretty much “checked a box” and took them to Disney- the 3 boys were pretty much set free in the park- not a real family vacation if you know what I mean.

So when I suggested taking the kiddos in 2006 he balked at the idea. However, I am persistent and In January 2007 I decided I was going to take them. I enlisted the help if Gram to convince my DH that this was something important to do before our DS got to old for the kid magic.SHe can be a little persuasive with financing options! So because my DH is super fabulous he relented and I booked the vacation!

Needless to say we went, we had a blast and best of all DH got the “Magic” this time! (so much so that we came home and bought a DVC!)​

 

[ClaraBug]

WooHooo!

Im first!!

nice start, Cori!!

 

[lovemyblt]

WooHooo!

Im first!!

nice start, Cori!!

Somehow I knew you would be!!!! Thanks Clara and Welcome!!!

 

[lovemyblt]

Okay so fast forward to now- I booked AKV for 10 days in September, I cannot wait to see it- I am sure the pictures do not do it justice!

So the plan was Sunday thru Tuesday and then came the airfare issue. I really wanted to make each day count so that meant getting there early on Sunday and slogging thru the day. We are not early risers so getting up at 3:30 in the morning would kill the day for us. I checked flight pricing and found out it was cheaper to fly Saturday……Hmmmmm the wheels were spinning.

DH was thinking cost wise, another night in a hotel plus meals was not good for our budget. So my Disney Mathematician came out. If we save this much on airfare, stayed at a value resort and ate at the food court could we do it? (you all know how that fuzzy math works!!)

So it worked out to be only a bit more (if you include Disney Fuzzy Math) and we could fly Saturday in the late morning and only need 1 meal at the resort.

So the new plan was hatched.
A Saturday afternoon flight, allowing all of us to sleep well and be fresh when we get there and getting us a few more hours of Disney time!
We will be staying the night at All Star Movies and then Sunday transfer to AKV.
Woooooo Hoooo an extra (almost) day at Disney!

So to sum up – We are leaving Saturday the 19th and will be staying til the 29th.
Most of our time at AKV and our tickets will have the Park Hopper Option (thanks to the military ticket pricing this was a huge savings for us this year).

No dining plan for us…. Part of the deal with getting the DVC was I had to do some in room cooking.
Oh Joy in room cooking!!!!​

 

[lovemyblt]

A little side note here today.
I called DVC Member service because when I made the Ressies and ordered the ME I forgot to add my niece! I certainly wasn't paying $100 bucks to get her from the airport!!
So I called today they added her and our return trip (somehow this wasn't listed)
I also asked if I could have our bags sent directly to AKV since we won't need much for 1 night at ASMovies. Lo and Behold Yes!!!!
"yes ma'am just tell Bell services (didn't it used to be called a bell hop?) at ASM to send your bags to AKV and they will hold them for you!!!"
WOOO HOOOOO less to transfer!

SO I was a happy camper today! I love having a reason to call Disney!

 

[lisalonglash]

What a great start to your PTR, Cori!

Oooh, AKL - that resort looks gorgeous! Way to use that fuzzy Disney math to get an extra day - now that's using your noggin

You have a beautiful family and how wonderful that your mom is coming!

Looking forward to more

 

[lovemyblt]

What a great start to your PTR, Cori!

Oooh, AKL - that resort looks gorgeous! Way to use that fuzzy Disney math to get an extra day - now that's using your noggin

You have a beautiful family and how wonderful that your mom is coming!

Looking forward to more

Thanks!
We are actually at the Villa's but plan on trekkin' to the Lodge for a look around!
My Mom is awesome I can't imagine vacation with out her! She alwasy take the little one home and we stay then meet them back there for a break! It gives us a chance to bond with the big kids!
I have more in the works I have to finish editing and then I will post!

 

[lovemyblt]

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!!!!!!​

 

[lovemyblt]

okay whether your ready or not here's my next installment!

So here I am over 130 days from my departure date and I have nothing fun to do!
(Aside from hanging out on Disney websites LOL)
No ADR’s to book, ugh 90 days out is not fun and no park hours or Least Crowded Parks Charts.
Hmmmphhhh

What’s a girl to do?
Why tentatively plan according to old LCPC’s and personal experience!!!!

So the tentative plan is underway are you ready for it? It’s a bit rough so bear with me!

Saturday the 19th arrival day!!!!!!!!! Take the ME to All Star Movies, Hang out at the pools and eat at the Food Court

Sunday 20th move to AKV (woo hoo our first trip HOME!) Downtown Disney and Earl Of Sandwich then back to the hotel to explore!

Monday 21st Epcot/break/Epcot

Tuesday 22nd Magic Kingdom Crystal Palace Breakfast

Wednesday 23rd Down Day

Thursday 24th DHS (unless this is an F! night)

Friday 25th Animal Kingdom

Saturday 26th Down Day

Sunday 27th Magic Kingdom

Monday 28th????

Tuesday 29th Departure Day- probably DTD for last minute shopping…..

Now since we have Military Tickets we only have 5 days So although we are at Disney for almost 10 we only have 5 in the parks…… I am going to price an additional day if we feel we need it we will buy it…..

Also Park Hours and schedules are not out for September yet this could change drastically!! But for now does anyone have thoughts or input?
​

 

[lovemyblt]

hmmm no thoughts??? No input??? HA then I must be doing alright- WOO HOO!!!

 

[lisalonglash]

I swear I posted this already, but anyway, here it is again

okay whether your ready or not here's my next installment!

So here I am over 130 days from my departure date and I have nothing fun to do!
(Aside from hanging out on Disney websites LOL)
No ADR’s to book, ugh 90 days out is not fun and no park hours or Least Crowded Parks Charts.
Hmmmphhhh

I sooooo agree - hmmmphhhh indeed!

What’s a girl to do?
Why tentatively plan according to old LCPC’s and personal experience!!!!

So the tentative plan is underway are you ready for it? It’s a bit rough so bear with me!

Saturday the 19th arrival day!!!!!!!!! Take the ME to All Star Movies, Hang out at the pools and eat at the Food Court

Hey! We'll be next door at ASMu that day! Pool party!

Sunday 20th move to AKV (woo hoo our first trip HOME!) Downtown Disney and Earl Of Sandwich then back to the hotel to explore!

Monday 21st Epcot/break/Epcot

Tuesday 22nd Magic Kingdom Crystal Palace Breakfast

Wednesday 23rd Down Day

Thursday 24th DHS (unless this is an F! night)

Friday 25th Animal Kingdom

Saturday 26th Down Day

Sunday 27th Magic Kingdom

Monday 28th????

Tuesday 29th Departure Day- probably DTD for last minute shopping…..

Now since we have Military Tickets we only have 5 days So although we are at Disney for almost 10 we only have 5 in the parks…… I am going to price an additional day if we feel we need it we will buy it…..

If memory serves, additional days after the first 3 days are pretty darned cheap, so that's good!

Also Park Hours and schedules are not out for September yet this could change drastically!! But for now does anyone have thoughts or input?
​

 

[lovemyblt]

Hey! We'll be next door at ASMu that day! Pool party!

So my conversation with DH would go like this
"I swear honey they are not axe murderers- would axe murderers bring their kids???"

And his response would be "Its a good cover"

LOL I insist "not axe murderers just crazy Disney addicts like ME!"

DH: "I don't know whats worse" (don't let him fool you HE BOUGHT the DVC!)

 

[lovemyblt]

I have a list of must do ADR’s :
Chef Mickey’s (kids request!)
Hoop Dee Doo (family tradition)
Boma or Sanaa (haven’t decided this one yet)
Primetime Café
Crystal Palace (early morning no one in park love the pictures I get!)
Do I need ressies for Beaches and Cream or can we just stroll in????

Am I missing anything major here?
We are planning on Snacking and Drinking our way around the World Showcase….
Also who has must have drinks???
I am heading to the Margarita stand first off in Epcot but are there any other drinks not to miss?
We aren’t huge drinkers but we enjoy a good drink every now and again!
DH loves beer so I am sure he will be heading for Germany and he’s also after a Kona Longboard at the Poly…..
Me? I am a mixed drink girl and the sweeter the better….

 

[lisalonglash]

So my conversation with DH would go like this
"I swear honey they are not axe murderers- would axe murderers bring their kids???"

And his response would be "Its a good cover"

LOL I insist "not axe murderers just crazy Disney addicts like ME!"

DH: "I don't know whats worse" (don't let him fool you HE BOUGHT the DVC!)

Yeah, my dh is the same, but he's learnt to just go with the flow now - he'll meet up with anyone for me at this point, I've warped him!

 

[lisalonglash]

I have a list of must do ADR’s :
Chef Mickey’s (kids request!)
We're planning on doing CM the last morning
Hoop Dee Doo (family tradition)
HDDMR looks wonderful!
Boma or Sanaa (haven’t decided this one yet)
I'm really looking forward to trying Boma!
Primetime Café
I want to go there, but dh asked if we could go to "that Sci Fi one", so I buckled LOL
Crystal Palace (early morning no one in park love the pictures I get!)
Ooooh, us too - can't wait to see what the park looks like empty!
Do I need ressies for Beaches and Cream or can we just stroll in????
I don't think B&C takes ADRs

Am I missing anything major here?
We are planning on Snacking and Drinking our way around the World Showcase….
We had a WONDERFUL time doing that!
Also who has must have drinks???
France, of course! I've heard the margaritas in Mexico are great too!
I am heading to the Margarita stand first off in Epcot but are there any other drinks not to miss?
I should read ahead before I reply!
We aren’t huge drinkers but we enjoy a good drink every now and again!
DH loves beer so I am sure he will be heading for Germany and he’s also after a Kona Longboard at the Poly…..
Me? I am a mixed drink girl and the sweeter the better….

Sounds good to me!

 

[lovemyblt]

LOL well I never read ahead either!

I have been soooo out of touch, we have been sick not sure if its allergies or a summer cold plus we had a CRAZY weekend. The weird thing is we didn't do much

Now i have to catch up on everyones Trip reports!!!

 

[dlwharp]

I am heading to the Margarita stand first off in Epcot but are there any other drinks not to miss?
Me? I am a mixed drink girl and the sweeter the better….

Hi! Just found your PTR and subscribed! We're staying at AKL for 3 nights at the start of our trip in August!! We're then moving to our home resort of SSR for the rest of the trip, but I'm so excited about AKL!

Have you tried the Lapu Lapu's at the Polynesian - a party in your mouth! Also, the Champagne Mojitos at SSR are mighty fine!

 

[lovemyblt]

Hi! Just found your PTR and subscribed! We're staying at AKL for 3 nights at the start of our trip in August!! We're then moving to our home resort of SSR for the rest of the trip, but I'm so excited about AKL!

Hi and Welcome! I cannot wait for AKV I am chomping at the bit to get there, 110 days to go!!!!
Are you staying in the treehouses at SSR?

Have you tried the Lapu Lapu's at the Polynesian - a party in your mouth! Also, the Champagne Mojitos at SSR are mighty fine!

We are doing a monorail drink tour and they Poly is our first stop gotta get me a Lapu Lapu I keep hearing all about them!

CHampagne Mojitos hmmmm I bet my niece would love them (she's 23) she loves a good Mojito!

 

[dlwharp]

Hi and Welcome! I cannot wait for AKV I am chomping at the bit to get there, 110 days to go!!!!
Are you staying in the treehouses at SSR?

No, I don't think we'll ever get to stay in the Treehouses - our family isn't very big and I couldn't justify the points. I bet they are fabulous though! We'll be staying in a studio at AKV (just DH and I), then when DD arrives 3 days later, we'll move to a 1 bedroom at SSR.

The monorail drink tour sounds great - think we'll have to try that

 

[lovemyblt]

We are planning on the Treehouses in 2011... hopefully we can get them since its not our home resort....

The kids wanted to switch this time LOL