Boo Bear
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2008
- Messages
- 2,341
Momma Boo & Buddy Bear's 2014 Celebration of Life
Pre-Trip Report
Pre-Trip Report
I would like to start my Pre-Trip Report by introducing myself.
Hi I'm Bridgette and I'm and 30 year old single mother from Indiana. My son, Liam, is 2. He will be turning 3 just before Christmas.The Beginning: My first trip to Disney World was in 1990 with my Mom, Dad and Big Sister. I was 6 years old and have scattered memories, but the ones that still remain are incredibly magical. We stayed at the Contemporary Resort and visited Magic Kingdom and Epcot.
Things I Remember: M&M Mickey head shaped pancakes at Chef Mickey's, Learning how to hula dance at the Polynesian, My sister being scared of the Haunted Mansion at first then she wanted to ride it a second time, the Tea Cups, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain, Body Wars, and Figment biting the braid in my sister's hair. We still have a Figment towel around here somewhere!
The Magic Unfolds: Fast forward to June 2008. I was dating a guy and we were planning on visiting his Aunt in Orlando and maybe going to Disney World for a day. That's when I stumbled upon the beautiful adventure that is planning a Disney Vacation! I bought the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2008 and it was by their recommendation that I check out Disboards.com. (Hence my Join Date of June 2008). In an instant, our day trip turned into one night at Aunt Kathy's and 5 days in WDW. I became a Disney Rewards Visa card holder. We stayed at the Contemporary Resort in the Garden Wing and had a water view. It was kind of a let down because he didn't want to do any of my plans and wanted to be in the room most of the trip. I walked to the MK happily alone to watch the fireworks and shop around during the days. It was blissful. Things between us didn't work out, but our relationship did inspire me to to California to pursue further education in my field. (I'm a photographer.)
Brief Personal Info: When I was pregnant, I left a toxic, life threatening relationship and moved 2400 miles back in with my parents. Overcoming many hardships has shaped who I am, made me a better person and mother to my beautiful son.
When I realized that I would be a single mother I started saving for a special WDW trip for just my child (didn't know if the baby was a boy or girl at the time) and me. After Liam was born, I decided that I'd set a goal for making the trip as a 4th birthday surprise for my guy. My supportive and wonderful parents knew about this dream and graciously gave me some tickets that they won at a charity auction. The tickets had a two year expiration, and so our trip got bumped up by a year.
On December 22, Liam will be 3. Originally I had figured we'd go in January and Liam could open the surprise on his birthday with his gifts. Thanks to the Disboards, I received the helpful advice that if I go a few weeks sooner, Liam could get into the parks free of charge and eat for free at character buffets as long as he's still 2 at the beginning of our trip. As a single mother working 2 jobs, this was incredibly valuable advice.
I booked a room only reservation at the Art of Animation hotel in a Little Mermaid room as soon as the dates became open last year. I am working with a wonderful Travel Agent, Katie, from Hi Ho Vacations. Katie has been wonderful about keeping me up to date on different promotions, special ticketed events and answered many questions.
In September I was on vacation in Florida with my amazing boyfriend and we decided to take a day trip to WDW. We arrived around 11am and thanks to the disboards and my Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids 2014, I knew about FP+ and Magic Bands. We immediately went to get FP+ for Space, Splash and BTMRR. We managed to get a lot of shopping done, take lots of photos together and ride a few other rides, go to DHS & Epcot for Rose & Crown and Illuminations. He's been very supportive of this upcoming trip and we all wish he could come with us, but work is work and he's a chef. He can't get two vacations in a row. He does want to go back next year when he gets his next time off. He watched fireworks with me, let me do my plans and even carried all of the bags in the parks. He wouldn't even let me carry one when I asked. Such a gentleman! (About time!)
As of this morning, our trip will now take place from Nov. 29-Dec. 5th, 2014. We arrive at Pop on the 29th and transfer to AoA on the 30th, where we will remain for the rest of our stay.
After all of my planning and purchasing a ticket for MVMCP, and TONS of posts about planning trips and bumping into the same people repeatedly, I've decided to plan this trip report! My dream is already a reality since I received our Magic Bands yesterday! (11/13)
I will do my best to keep up with the Trip Report through the Pre, TR, and Post phases and add to it as I go. Photos will come piece by piece. Im going to try to dig up some photos of past trips. I'll have to dust off my scanner! UH OH!
Goodnight
