Mommy's Magical Memories (Update 7.12.2012)

[photographymom517]

Let's begin with an Introduction!!! Sorry it's taken me a very long time to update this -- but once I post the Intro and a few updates, I'm sure you will understand!!!

Our last trip to Disney was in September 2011 and I am actually STILL in the process of updating my Trip Report. You can find that thread here:
Preggo, pennies, and pastries!!!

I meant to finish it by the end of January but that just didn't happen! I still have a few more days to go on that report, so I'll be updating this PTR and that TR at the same time. Please feel free to follow along with both! If you don't want to read the chatter, go to the first page & there's a Table of Contents there!

It was a trip of firsts for us! We ate at many new restaurants, were able to enter our favorite park (Epcot!) through the International Gateway, attended our first MNSSHP and Wishes Dessert Party and took our first tour (Behind the Seeds).

We are now planning another trip to Disney sometime in November or December. We won't have exact trip dates for awhile, but I am tentatively going to say that we're leaving sometime after Thanksgiving Day. We are THRILLED with these dates because we will be seeing the Christmas decor on property for the very first time!!!

Let's start with who we are & go from there!

My name is Hope. I am a stay-at-home mom with a Bachelor's Degree in Human Resource Management/Business and recently became a Travel Agent. Prior to the birth of my son, I worked as an Administrative Assistant at a construction company and also as a Wraparound at local elementary schools. I took my first trip to Disney when I was 5 years old with my parents and grandparents. It was a special trip for me and I have many fond memories of it despite how young I was! My favorite memories of that trip include purchasing a giant Minnie Mouse and riding on IASW with my grandpa. I remember that it rained a lot on that trip, I wore a coat most days, and we were stuck on the monorail in a lightning storm! Interesting for sure!

Since that, I have been back to Florida and Disney around 10-12 times. This includes family vacations, attending a week long camp with my drill team/marching band during high school, and traveling with my husband and son. I actually marched with the drill team during the Magical Music Days at Epcot. I have also gone to Florida a few times with family & not stopped at Disney. I have no excuse for this other than the fact that I was too young to drive at the time, so I basically had to go where my family went!

This is me on our trip last September. At the time I was 20 weeks pregnant!

Who do I usually travel with? My husband, Bob and our son, Luke. They both traveled with me to Disney in 2009 and it was their first trip! I was very excited that year to share my love of Disney with them. For some strange reason, I only took around 400 pictures that trip (we had 3 full days and 2 partial days on property). In 2010 and 2011, I took thousands of pictures!!! And to be honest, I know I'll probably surpass those numbers this year! Here's a pic from Character Spot from last year! I loved how Donald Duck stooped down so he was at the same height as Luke!

This year, we have a VERY special addition! A new travel guest! Our sweet and precious new baby, Tyler! Obviously, this year will be his very first trip!!! And I think mommy has quite a bit planned for the little guy!!! I'm sure he will grow a ton by the time our trip rolls around! But here's what he looks like right now!

I am beyond excited for our trip!!! I already have a lot of things planned out in my head. I know what I want to do, I just need Disney to release those November park hours! I am subscribed to Touring Plans and will definitely be checking the numbers asap to plan out my park days! As I mentioned, I'm a TA and what makes a good TA? Organization and planning, of course!! I already have four spreadsheets on my computer for our upcoming trip! One is ADR's, one is a general list of must do's, one is a list of activities, and one is a quote/budget sheet! I cannot wait to share all of this with you!!!

In the meantime, while you're waiting for me to update again...here are a few pics from last year!

Update coming soon!!!

 

[photographymom517]

Reserved for Future Table of Contents

 

[photographymom517]

Links & Information

1) Cake Information (From DIS member LurkyLoo's website)

Cakes by Location by DisneyTravelBabble​

 

[ronnmel]

Am I first? Woohoo! Will be following this PTR, especially since I plan on going with Peanut just a few weeks after you.

 

[photographymom517]

Am I first? Woohoo! Will be following this PTR, especially since I plan on going with Peanut just a few weeks after you.

Glad to see you here, Melanie!!!

How's your little Peanut doing?? I hope you and the baby are both doing well. Is he/she very active now? I noticed in your signature, it says the baby is now the size of an eggplant!!!

I need to private message you & catch up!!!

Do you have trip dates yet? Our dates are always crazy -- I doubt we'll have anything set in stone until after summer. But I definitely will be booking something for myself if Free Dining is extended!!! I'll just book tentative dates & try to transfer before its 45 days out. We'll see!!!

 

[basketkat]

I'm here! Can't wait to hear about all of your planning!!!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

I'm here!!! Can't wait to read all about it!

 

[Tink9721]

I'm here!!!!

And I'll really try to keep up this time I didn't do very well on your last PTR

 

[Megablocks]

I'm here of course!

I got the pictures in the mail today...LOVE them! They are all going on the corkboard above my desk!

 

[stephielela]

I'm here!!! I really wish we could get dates that overlap. I just know that Luke and Jack would have a great time! Maybe next year... I still think you need to go on our Dream cruise with us! The boys would have tons of fun in the kids club together!

 

[ronnmel]

Glad to see you here, Melanie!!!

How's your little Peanut doing?? I hope you and the baby are both doing well. Is he/she very active now? I noticed in your signature, it says the baby is now the size of an eggplant!!!

I need to private message you & catch up!!!

Do you have trip dates yet? Our dates are always crazy -- I doubt we'll have anything set in stone until after summer. But I definitely will be booking something for myself if Free Dining is extended!!! I'll just book tentative dates & try to transfer before its 45 days out. We'll see!!!

Hi Hope!

Peanut is doing fine. I'm guessing you missed the big announcement (since you were busy giving birth ) that we are expecting a girl!! Some days she's calm, but then some days she's crazy active. I love it.

I'm really interested in doing the 5K (either running it, or walking it in the stroller division), so we are aiming on going from early January to the end of marathon weekend. Being a teacher, I never get a chance to travel during low-crowds so I really want to use this opportunity. I don't want to go earlier because I want her to be a least 6 months. I saw that your tentative dates are before Christmas, but if it changes it'd be so much fun to meet!

 

[photographymom517]

I'm here! Can't wait to hear about all of your planning!!!

Thanks for following along!!!

Are you writing PTR's for any of your trips? I'd love to hear all about your cruise and Disneyland! I really hope to do both someday!

I'm here!!! Can't wait to read all about it!

Hi Erika!!! Glad you found my PTR! I am LOVING your Christmas report -- it's giving me so many ideas of decor to make sure to see!!!

I'm here!!!!

And I'll really try to keep up this time I didn't do very well on your last PTR

Hey Christine!! No worries about my other PTR -- I didn't do a very good job of keeping up either and it was my own report!!!

I'm here of course!

I got the pictures in the mail today...LOVE them! They are all going on the corkboard above my desk!

Meghan, glad you got the pictures! I was so happy to hear you put them above your desk!

I'm here!!! I really wish we could get dates that overlap. I just know that Luke and Jack would have a great time! Maybe next year... I still think you need to go on our Dream cruise with us! The boys would have tons of fun in the kids club together!

I really wish we could overlap too! I had such high hopes for this year, too, but then we decided to try for Christmas again! I'm super excited to see all the decor, the parade, party, etc. But it would be wonderful to finally meet you in person!

And I totally agree -- Luke & Jack would have soooo much fun together at Disney! It would be neat for him to have a friend in the kids club too when we decide to finally cruise! We shall see! Never know about us & our crazy last minute adventures!

Hi Hope!

Peanut is doing fine. I'm guessing you missed the big announcement (since you were busy giving birth ) that we are expecting a girl!! Some days she's calm, but then some days she's crazy active. I love it.

I'm really interested in doing the 5K (either running it, or walking it in the stroller division), so we are aiming on going from early January to the end of marathon weekend. Being a teacher, I never get a chance to travel during low-crowds so I really want to use this opportunity. I don't want to go earlier because I want her to be a least 6 months. I saw that your tentative dates are before Christmas, but if it changes it'd be so much fun to meet!

Yes Melanie! I did miss that announcement! Congrats on your little girl!!!

It's taken me quite a while to catch up since my little one was born! I'm actually STILL trying to catch up!

I know what you mean! It's nice to get a little break when the baby is sleeping -- but it's also such a joy whenever they're moving around like crazy! Tyler was definitely waaaaay more active than Luke throughout my entire pregnancy! But it was fun & I really enjoyed every single minute!

That's awesome about the 5K!!! I really want to try one too! I actually had planned for this year or next year before I found out I was pregnant with Tyler. I was even doing the Couch to 5K program and Weight Watchers (both of which I found were amazing programs & really were working!!) I need to do more research on the family runs and also the stroller division. I think it would be amazing to participate in a Disney race!!!

I have so many DIS friends who are either in school or teachers! You'd think our trips would overlap eventually! Maybe once Luke starts school & we don't want him missing a lot, then I'll be traveling during school breaks like all my friends! Next year we don't really mind that much about taking him out since he'll only be in preschool -- I hope I'm not making a mistake! I think next year 4 or 5 of my friends will be at Disney in January!!! I'll definitely let you know if our plans change.

 

[basketkat]

Thanks for following along!!!

Are you writing PTR's for any of your trips? I'd love to hear all about your cruise and Disneyland! I really hope to do both someday!

I hadn't planned on it...but maybe I should! It could help pass the time!

 

[Megablocks]

Meghan, glad you got the pictures! I was so happy to hear you put them above your desk!

I loved the pictures!

I started writing you an email like two or more weeks ago...but it's still saved in my drafts because it was forcing me to think about all I had (well...still have) to do and it was freaking me out! There's really not a lot going on on my end, but I wanted to email you because I have so missed talking to you!

I can't wait for you to figure out dates...you are one of the DIS friends I would absolutely love to meet in person! If not, I'll have to let you know when we have dates for Ohio, and if we're going to drive across PA. There's also more tentative travel plans over the summer, so I will keep you updated, because I'd love to meet you and your little guys!

 

[ronnmel]

Yes Melanie! I did miss that announcement! Congrats on your little girl!!!

It's taken me quite a while to catch up since my little one was born! I'm actually STILL trying to catch up!

I know what you mean! It's nice to get a little break when the baby is sleeping -- but it's also such a joy whenever they're moving around like crazy! Tyler was definitely waaaaay more active than Luke throughout my entire pregnancy! But it was fun & I really enjoyed every single minute!

That's awesome about the 5K!!! I really want to try one too! I actually had planned for this year or next year before I found out I was pregnant with Tyler. I was even doing the Couch to 5K program and Weight Watchers (both of which I found were amazing programs & really were working!!) I need to do more research on the family runs and also the stroller division. I think it would be amazing to participate in a Disney race!!!

I have so many DIS friends who are either in school or teachers! You'd think our trips would overlap eventually! Maybe once Luke starts school & we don't want him missing a lot, then I'll be traveling during school breaks like all my friends! Next year we don't really mind that much about taking him out since he'll only be in preschool -- I hope I'm not making a mistake! I think next year 4 or 5 of my friends will be at Disney in January!!! I'll definitely let you know if our plans change.

I have a hard time catching up on TRs when I miss a few days on the DIS, I can't imagine trying to catch up after having a baby!

I love feeling Claudia (Peanut) move, though I do kinda wish she had chosen a different time than my massage to do her gymnastics today.

You should totally try to do the 5K in 2013 (and change your travel dates )! If you do it with a stroller you are not allowed to run, you can only walk. So that makes it a more attainable goal.

I don't think it's too much of a big deal to take a young child out of school (provided he does well in school). It's all about the timing though, and choosing a time that does not have too many important things going on. I'd say as a general rule, try to avoid the month before report cards.

 

[PopArtGal]

I'm here.

 

[photographymom517]

I hadn't planned on it...but maybe I should! It could help pass the time!

If you do write a PTR, let me know & I will definitely follow!!! You can also post the link here!

I loved the pictures!

I started writing you an email like two or more weeks ago...but it's still saved in my drafts because it was forcing me to think about all I had (well...still have) to do and it was freaking me out! There's really not a lot going on on my end, but I wanted to email you because I have so missed talking to you!

I can't wait for you to figure out dates...you are one of the DIS friends I would absolutely love to meet in person! If not, I'll have to let you know when we have dates for Ohio, and if we're going to drive across PA. There's also more tentative travel plans over the summer, so I will keep you updated, because I'd love to meet you and your little guys!

Yeah -- so after I read your reply, I went into MY draft folder in my email. There's an email there written January 14th to you!!! I seriously cannot believe I'm THAT far behind!!!

I definitely would love to meet you too!!!

We are possibly going to Ohio at some point as well, so we may be able to meet up even if you don't go through PA! I'll write to you more about it in the email!

I have a hard time catching up on TRs when I miss a few days on the DIS, I can't imagine trying to catch up after having a baby!

I love feeling Claudia (Peanut) move, though I do kinda wish she had chosen a different time than my massage to do her gymnastics today.

You should totally try to do the 5K in 2013 (and change your travel dates )! If you do it with a stroller you are not allowed to run, you can only walk. So that makes it a more attainable goal.

I don't think it's too much of a big deal to take a young child out of school (provided he does well in school). It's all about the timing though, and choosing a time that does not have too many important things going on. I'd say as a general rule, try to avoid the month before report cards.

It's definitely interesting trying to catch up on everything!

I love, love, love the name Claudia!!! I cannot wait for your little peanut to be born!!!

There are soooo many people I know running either the Princess or the 5K next Winter/Spring! I definitely want to do it at some point. I doubt it will be this year, but hopefully soon! I'd love to enter the stroller portion so the kids can just come with me & I don't have to worry about someone else watching them. I know my husband would want to do the race with me, so if the kids could be there, it would be perfect! I knew you were allowed to bring a stroller & just walk, but I haven't looked into the details yet. On the to-do list for sure though!!!

Thank you for the info on taking kids out of school! I love to get a teacher's perspective on it & have asked a lot of my friends about it. I'm still unsure what we'll do once Luke begins Kindergarten but we'll cross that bridge when we get there, I guess!

I'm here.

I knew you would be here!

 

[photographymom517]

I seriously had every intention of posting a "real update" this afternoon! But I seem to have forgotten about a lot of events in November and December at the parks! So now my entire plan is thrown off course & I don't have anything concrete to tell you about! (Although I do have a pretty good idea of where we're eating, so ADR's will most likely be my next update!!! )

I have been so busy helping others plan their trips and just taking care of the kids (and also some family issues that I will eventually tell you about!) that I apparently overlooked some things that will affect our trip!

I decided to pick out some tentative dates:

November 4-November 17
November 18-December 1
November 25-December 8
December 5-December 19

Now here are the advantages and disadvantages of each set of dates. Please feel free to give me your own opinions!!! I'd love to hear them!


November 4 - November 17

Advantages
* Low crowds -- mostly 2's and 3's but a few higher numbers. The only 9 is during Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend
* Could attend Food & Wine Festival at Epcot AND Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on the same trip! (this is a HUGE advantage!)

Disadvantages
* End of Food & Wine so most likely higher crowds at Epcot (and Epcot is where we spend the most time)
* Jersey Week (big disadvantage if this causes huge crowds)


November 18-December 1

Advantages
* Low crowds AFTER Thanksgiving weekend
* Not during Jersey Week
* Pop Warner begins right when we're leaving

Disadvantages
* HUGE crowd numbers the first entire week/weekend
* Thanksgiving (family will have issues with us missing dinners at home)


November 25-December 8

Advantages
* Low crowd numbers
* Pop Warner won't affect daytime (since they're at competitions)

Disadvantages
* Not during F&WF
* Pop Warner overlaps entire second week of trip


December 5-December 19

Advantages
* Low crowd numbers
* Pop Warner ending near beginning of our trip

Disadvantages
* Still overlapping with Pop Warner
* All of December books quickly & with tentative dates, I may not be able to switch after booking


I can probably eliminate going over Thanksgiving weekend all together because I know both of our families would be super upset if we miss dinner! Especially considering it will be Tyler's very first Thanksgiving & first family dinner where he can eat real food!

Also, while the very first week is almost MY favorite option, I will probably eliminate it because of the Food & Wine Half Marathon. I do want to run it someday, but I know this isn't the year. I'm not sure I could be AT Disney knowing its going on & I'm not there. (I have also considered moving this option up a few days & attending the last MNSSHP on November 1st!!)

I'm also seriously considering the option right after Thanksgiving. If we leave that weekend and stay on property for about 7-9 days, we can spend the last portion of our trip off property. We've talked a lot about doing other things while we're down there and since we're going for 2 weeks, we could find time for both. This would allow us to be at Disney during lower crowds, attend MVMCP, go to all four parks and possibly a waterpark, take Luke to Disney Quest/shop at DTD, and then head off-property for a few days. The only thing I would really miss would be the ME coming to pick us up and taking us to the airport! I'm not sure what to pick right now! I need to run some quotes, hope Free Dining is extended for Fall, and then discuss with the family! Any advice is definitely appreciated!

I'll be back soon with a dining update!!!

 

[Megablocks]

Yeah, if your family wouldn't appreciate your not being there for Thanksgiving, I'd definitely eliminate it. I think the second option sounds good.

As for driving through PA and going to Ohio - we unfortunately never have dates until, like, a month before. If it works out, I will totally ask to drive through PA to meet you! I am also very tentatively roadtripping with my BFF in May, so that might be an option, too. I would loveeee to meet you!

 

[ronnmel]

It's definitely interesting trying to catch up on everything!

I love, love, love the name Claudia!!! I cannot wait for your little peanut to be born!!!

There are soooo many people I know running either the Princess or the 5K next Winter/Spring! I definitely want to do it at some point. I doubt it will be this year, but hopefully soon! I'd love to enter the stroller portion so the kids can just come with me & I don't have to worry about someone else watching them. I know my husband would want to do the race with me, so if the kids could be there, it would be perfect! I knew you were allowed to bring a stroller & just walk, but I haven't looked into the details yet. On the to-do list for sure though!!!

Thank you for the info on taking kids out of school! I love to get a teacher's perspective on it & have asked a lot of my friends about it. I'm still unsure what we'll do once Luke begins Kindergarten but we'll cross that bridge when we get there, I guess!

Thanks for your kind words on the name Claudia.