My Disney Diaries.....pt 1.

[kaoden39]

How exciting about DLH. I stayed there last trip with my best friend in February. The construction made for a much longer walk which at the end of the day I hated it. But it is much more convenient. One thing I liked was being able to pick up dinner in DTD and bring it back to the room to eat it. That is so nice at the end of the day. I hope you get one of the remodeled rooms. They are so beautiful.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Aww thanks Michelle and DizNee Lover! I have been really looking at the Ayres website- everytime I log on Trip Advisor I always see Ayres is #1 so I can't help but to read all the reviews! Someday we will stay there! Just not this year. I really don't want to do ART. Not with this stroller and the baggage hehe. But I did make a slight change to our plans! I read about a tip this morning on the main boards that if you stay on-site you can get 2 fast passes for the new rides! So I went online and checked out prices for just Sunday the 5th- Disneyland website has a calendar that shows prices for each day of the week with the new special offer if booked by May 28th. So it was supposed to say $213 plus tax for Sunday- but when I went to book it- it popped up at $250 plus $42 for tax! So I went to Orbitz and they had PPH with tax for $268. So I had DH call the Disney Hotel number- and they indeed confirmed the fastpass info and got us the $213 rate! So with tax it comes out to $249 plus $15 for parking. Not Bad!
I sent back a dress and a shirt that I didn't like today- so that gives me an extra $90. So its kinda a wash price wise once I get my credit from the clothes. I am also trying to convince DH that we should just drive to DL on Wed night after we get the car. That way we can sleep in on Thurs. I think its working...... LOL. At any rate I get to stay onsite for my last night- which means an extra MM for Sunday! I am really excited now! Like I got a pixiedust magic sent my way! And I know I bashed PPH earlier- but I think for 1 night- I will like it!
My tanning is going good! I found the anti blister cream on Amazon- so I ordered it! I also ordered my toner and foundation from Macy's and I get bonus gifts! Let's see what else did I do.... oh I have been watching Huluplus and we are now caught up with The Office and almost caught up with Desperate Housewives! I also sent out daycare notices to the 2 clients I have- telling them about our vacation and days off we need. To our surprise- the 1 client- who we thought was going to be their last week next week- due to school being over- well the mom says the need us next month too! So thats extra money we weren't counting on! I think everything is going to turn out awesome after all! I am knocking on my wooden desk just so I didn't just jinx my trip!
Goodnight! Talk more later! Thanks for reading!!

Glad you saw my post on the main thread.....it really is quite the bonus getting to use a special entrance for the Little Mermaid ride with the FP for your stay at the resort. As I understand it, this entrance/FP is only for resort guests!! BONUS!!! Being able to get on that ride without standing in line for a couple hours will be great!! Enjoy your stay at the DLH & treasure those 2 bonus FP's!!

 

[tinksdreamwishes]

I am sorry- I was so excited when I posted last night that I was really unclear- I meant to say I had DH call the Disney Resort Hotel Phone Numbers to make reservations for the Paradise Pier! Sorry for the confusion. I wish I was staying at the DLH but maybe next year- and definately for more then one night so I could really enjoy it! So Paradise Pier it is! And thank you for posting that tip DizNee Lover!

I have a major migraine that has been an all day headache. It won't go away- and tonight is Zumba! Plus another tanning session. All I want to do is sit in the spa and think about what days I am going to wear which disney shirts!

 

[DizNee Luver]

I am sorry- I was so excited when I posted last night that I was really unclear- I meant to say I had DH call the Disney Resort Hotel Phone Numbers to make reservations for the Paradise Pier! Sorry for the confusion. I wish I was staying at the DLH but maybe next year- and definately for more then one night so I could really enjoy it! So Paradise Pier it is! And thank you for posting that tip DizNee Lover!

I have a major migraine that has been an all day headache. It won't go away- and tonight is Zumba! Plus another tanning session. All I want to do is sit in the spa and think about what days I am going to wear which disney shirts!

Oh, even better in my opinion!! LOVED our stay at the pier in March!!! We got one of the newly refurbed rooms & it was so nice!! It's a very cheery hotel & the staff was awesome!! So friendly & helpful with stuff!!

 

[kaoden39]

I am sorry- I was so excited when I posted last night that I was really unclear- I meant to say I had DH call the Disney Resort Hotel Phone Numbers to make reservations for the Paradise Pier! Sorry for the confusion. I wish I was staying at the DLH but maybe next year- and definately for more then one night so I could really enjoy it! So Paradise Pier it is! And thank you for posting that tip DizNee Lover!

I have a major migraine that has been an all day headache. It won't go away- and tonight is Zumba! Plus another tanning session. All I want to do is sit in the spa and think about what days I am going to wear which disney shirts!

Exercising may help your headache I know it has been known to help me. Enjoy yourself and I hope it makes you feel better.

 

[tinksdreamwishes]

Thanks Michelle! Your so sweet! Headache is gone- but we had came down with a huge flu bug! Daycare kid came on Mon- Mom had asked if she could stay instead of going to school- she wasn't feeling well. We have had this kid for 5 years now- and so stupid me said it was ok. The poor child has frequent tummy aches- probably due to stress from home life- parents go thru hard times- I thought this was one of those times. NOT! I got sick Wed night- DS8 got sick at 3 am- he was on the top bunk and couldn't get off the bed in time- needless to say my DD11 who was on the bottom bunk got covered in Vomit! My poor DH had to take care of the whole mess as I was stuck in the bathroom. Plus he had to get up with the other daycare kid who comes at 4:30 am. DS3 woke me up at 6 am and threw up all over me. It was the most awful past 2 days ever! Now we are better- but I am stuck sanitizing the entire house! I am so tired. Wish I had a maid! I am glad we got sick now- instead of on our trip, but still! Ugh! So much laundry to do! I can not wait for my vacation! DH is so tired and overwhelmed with school- one week to go! All the kids are trying to finish up their school projects too! This is their last week of school as well- and then I have to deal with all last day of school parties and after school parties, and then DS8 birthday! Plus packing! OMG how am I going to get through this week? I think I need some anxiety meds! Plus POTC4 this weekend! I need my Johnny fix! Thanks for listening to me vent! Oh and the trip to the gyno this afternoon- I need a stiff drink! Or two! Have a great weekend everyone!

 

[kaoden39]

I'm glad to hear that you feel better but I am sorry to hear that you got sick to begin with.



Good luck with all the laundry.

 

[tinksdreamwishes]

Welp its Tuesday! One more week to go! I am feeling so many different emotions I can't even explain it. Like feeling sad, anxious, nervous, happy, excited, tired, overwhelmed, irritated all at the same time. I keep telling myself this will be a great week- and to try and enjoy it. But I don't think its working. I have all kinds of lists of things to do still. This is the major stress week for the whole family with school and finals etc.... so everyone is "feeling the pressure". I would love a few hours alone with DH this weekend- to unwind- catch a movie- like Pirates- which I was not able to see last weekend!
I also keep second guessing my dinner reservation times. Esp on Friday morning- I had planned on Minnies for breakfast- so worried about not being able to ride LM- but I don't want to stand in line at 5 am! our reservation is at 8:40. I am thinking about keeping it- then go on over to ST2 - watch the Grand opening and grab FP. Then while most of all of the folks are in line for the 2 new rides this morning- this will be the best time to catch all the other rides.... just a thought. Please tell me to stop stressing and to relax! LOL!
On another note- all of my packages have safely arrived for the trip! Except for one Disney order- but it should be here today! Now I get to start organizing how to pack it all without feeling to overly cluttered! I tend to pack the whole house. And switching hotels at the end of the trip- means packing it all up on Sat -thinking about only taking what I need for Sun and Mon- throwing the rest in the trunk. Do you think anyone will break into our car? See how I worry? I am also debating which plushies to bring to decorate our room. I was thinking about the 7 dwarfs- since they are little and cheery- and maybe Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and Goofy. In the past I always have brought my Tigger- but he is really big. And the new Eeyore I bought recently is pretty big too- but they would look so cute with Pooh Bear. Oh the decisions!!
I only have 9 more tanning sessions before the trip! I practically ruined my face! I broke out in mass freckles! !!!!!! I don't think God wanted me to be dark! My arms and legs are still not tan enough- and my tummy is almost deep dark brown! Also- thank you God for not ending the world on Sat! I really wanted to go to disneyland atleast one more time. Since Walt has passed away- I wonder if he built a Disneyland in Heaven?
Ok- well I will be busy this week- I probably won't write much- Also I have been trying to keep my mind off my Trip by reading others trips- which is always fun! I do promise that my Trip Report will not be anything like my pre-trip report! Instead it will be funny, entertaining and filled with pics! The Pre- trip was intended to be a jotting down style like in a diary.... I still haven't thought of a good name for my tR yet! Thank you for reading! Have a great week!

 

[kaoden39]

It's almost time!!

 

[tinksdreamwishes]

Hello again! It has been quite an exciting week! And I haven't even left yet! I am not sure where to begin to tell you all about the crazy week I just had! I suppose I can start from Thursday- everybody graduated and school is finally over! I think I am more happy then the kids are! For me it means no more getting the kids up- hearing alarms go off, no last minute " hey mom, tomorrow we are having a party at school and I told the teacher I would bring... " no more last minute field trips that need parent forms filled out at 6 am, no more digging in my purse for change for the lunch money, no more " Mom- you have to take us to school because our ride didn't show up" etc!
So Friday - A very weird day indeed. I had been out most of the day- getting a new tire, going to the bank, car needed a top off with oil, tanning, groceries etc. I came home just in time to raid with DH. I should explain what raiding is- we play a online game called Everquest 2. It's really cool and DH is the nerdy guild leader- like a manager of all these people- and we get together every Friday and Monday and play for 3 hours in the evening. Basically an online role-playing game. So right in the middle of it- my mom calls. UGH! My friends and family know not to call from 6- 9 pm..... they know I can not concentrate on the game and talking at the same time LOL. Well my mom forgot. She says she will call me back when I can have peace and quiet time. Um mom I have 5 kids- it's never peace or quiet here! She laughs and says I will call you at 9. Which means its midnight her time! She is in Ohio. Ok so this must be serious. I ask her if she is ok- she says Yes, I just need to talk to you.
So the raid finished early and I call my mom. The line is busy! I just figured she was online. I call back... now it just rings and rings... figured she just got off the computer and went potty before I call her at 9. I call again- finally she answers! "mom are you ok? are you sick?"
"no no everything is fine. I wanted to tell you something."
DH comes down to the kitchen where I am trying to make a late dinner and talk to my mom... he writes down on a paper "did she tell you?" I write back " Not yet" he writes back " well if you say yes, then we are cancelling our trip next week". OMG!!! You can not tell me this!!! I almost start to cry. How can he say this to me??!! So my mom starts talking to me.... DH takes all the kids around the corner to buy some soda and chips for our movie later. Finally peace and quiet! Ok Mom what is it?
"Well I really don't want to tell you because I want it to be a surprise!'
I say " well does this mean your coming to visit us soon?"
She says "Nope"
I say " oh did you book a flight for my daughter to come visit your for the whole summer?" ( we had talked about this earlier in the week when my daughter was driving me insane!)
she says " Nope that isn't it either!"
Ok mom just tell me!"
" well this is for your birthday present......( which is in a few weeks) but we wont go until Sept. I am taking you on a special trip to Disneyland in Florida!"
I am actually silent- speechless and confused.
" Mom whats going on?"
" I just want to take you to Disneyland for your birthday- a special trip for me and you, your husband already said I could.... I was talking to him earlier, thats why the phone was busy!"
"ohhhh......Disneyland is in Ca and Disneyworld is in Florida ....." I am still in shock I have no idea what to think.
" oh yes Disneyworld that is where I am taking you"
" Mom are you dying?"
" no" she laughs.
She begins to describe all these plans like swimming with the dolphins- at Dolphin Cove and all these places and stuff she wants to take me. All I could do is keep asking her if she was dying. This conversation goes on for almost 2 hours! She claims she is booking it all this week sometime and how she hasn't slept because she is just so excited about planning the trip!
Now I know my mom- the big dreamer.... this is where I get it from... all my crazy ideas. I grew up with so many plans and ideas that just never really followed through. So I am trying to not get too excited about all of this, even though I desperately want too! I want to guard myself so I am not too disappointed if it doesn't happen. I already told her that if it doesn't happen it is ok.
So after I talk to my mom- I go upstairs and talk to DH. He is smiling and all happy for me, but jealous that he isn't going. He says he is already planning on what to do with the money we would save by not going to Disneyland.... Blue Ray Dvd Player, and all this electronic crap!
"So you were serious? we aren't going?" I start to cry.
"Well we agreed that you would only go on 1 Disney trip this year! And we both no you can't pass up a trip with your MOM!"
I cry some more. He says don't cry sweetie. I say "but you don't understand! I have been planning this for months... and I have already had to cancel this trip several times already" He says " September isn't far away!" I say " but you don't know my mom- she does this all the time- well never talks about a Disney vacation... but she has crazy ideas that dont happen!" I was sad to think I would cancel my trip with DH and DS and then my mom changed her mind. Then I am out of a trip! I know it sounds selfish. I cry some more. I explain to DH that how important each trip is and how they are both different to me. I cry some more. He says we can still go to disneyland! But he does ask if we can shorten it a tad! Shorten the trip? Its already booked and planned!!! I agreed to think about it.

 

[tinksdreamwishes]

Ok on too Saturday...... DH's parents agreed to watch our kids for the day so we can have some alone time! Finally I got to see POTC4 and Hangover 2. We had dinner at Cattelman's Steakhouse. It was pretty good. We go back to get the kids- and discovered they got spoiled rotten with a shopping spree! They spent $500 on clothes and shoes and a xbox game for my son's birthday! Plus they took them too see Kung Fu Panda 2. Geez what lucky kids!!!! Grandparents said it was birthday gifts and gifts for doing great in school! Thank you !!!!
We come home- JJ, my second oldest , says " mom a package came for you while you was gone today." He continues to tell us its in the freezer because the box said "Keep Frozen". Hrm what could it be? Everyone runs into the kitchen crossing our fingers that its an Ice Cream Cake for DS8. We all try to guess what flavor it would be. Now we are hungry for cake! I get the box out... I can tell it is not an ice cream cake... the kids still think it is. You see for the past 2 weeks my mom has been ordering books for the kids to read for summer. Like 200 books!!! I don't even know where to put them all. So we open the books and its a series of books for my daughter!! LOL.... she was happy but we were all sad wanting cake! The books were so cold- DH says " well at least your books didn't melt Riana!" Hahaha.
so that was Saturday! Fun and exhausting!

 

[tinksdreamwishes]

Now its time for Sunday.... I hope this doesn't get deleted but if it does then I guess I understand.
I could hardly sleep all night- excited about my DL trip and thinking about my DW trip!!! It's too much to think about! I finally fall asleep around 5 am. Only too wake up at 10 am! Wide awake! I have 30 min to get ready for church.... I like to go to church esp right before a trip! Makes me feel safer. Ok I go downstairs and see Reggy (DS8) playing Xbox. I ask him if he wants to go to church with me since its his birthday week. He says Ok. I tell him to go get ready he has 15 min. Then I ask ' who else is down there?" He says my oldest Chris. He is almost 18. I ask him if he wants to go to church with me.... he says yes. I was shocked and told him he has 10 min to get ready. I go back upstairs... I go into my daughters room- "would you like to go to church with me?" Shes still sleeping. "Riana do you want to go to church?" "ok". You have 5 minutes to get ready! I then go into my room.... to get ready. DS3 wakes up. i ask him " Do you want to go to church with mommy?" He says "yeah!" hehe. Ok now I wake up DH... get up sweetie- you have 5 minutes to get ready for church!
so after the service was over Pastor asks if anyone wants to walk down and ask Jesus into their life. I ask DS17 " want to go?" He looks at me shyly. "next time" I say " what if there isn't a next time?" The pastor talked about 2 teens who was just killed on Friday in a horriable accident. DS agrees to walk down!!! Now this is the most proudest day ever for me as a mom. My son, about to turn 18 soon is now saved!
So we go celebrate at this chinese buffet and it was soooo good! It was a great weekend!

 

[tinksdreamwishes]

Yesturday- Monday.... what a long weekend! did I mention no daycare? I woke up with a crazy idea. Its days away from our trip. We are supposed to leave wed at 5 pm. I however am not even ready yet.
I lay in bed thinking and thinking. DH asked nicely if we could shorten the trip. I was considering it- after all I might just get to go to Disneyworld!!! so I go online and see how I could shorten my trip. This is going to save money! Hrm saving money..... well low and behold I stumble on too the disneyland website just too see if the tickets are 5 for 3 yet. Nope no deal. But wait! There is a new deal!!!! Starting June 4th- all guests of the Disneyland resort are allowed to enter DCA 30 minutes early to ride Little Mermaid ride before the park opens! OMG!!!!! No way!!! So now I want to add a day to my PPH reservations. Hrm how much will it cost? I go look. Well an upper level theme park room with tax came out to $367. Not bad I think. My brain starts spinning, getting all excited. I process the thought of leaving Friday at 1 am instead of Wed at 5 pm. This saves me $220 by not spending the night at Tropicana. Thursday was just going to be a easy day with sleeping in. The parks close early since it is a grad night. I come to the conclusion that this switch is a good deal! Considering that I still might get to go to Disneyworld in Sept. I wake up DH- I tell him the new idea. somehow it still saves us money. He likes it. I then remember that Costco had disney 4 day tickets for $199 with a $50 gift card. DH has an aunt that lives in SoCal. That would be like saving $100! And since I would be onsite for Sat and Sun- I would not loose a MM! But then I start to think that this might not work- what if they want our ID and then they wont let us in the parks? I read reviews saying that guests were not having any issues. Then I read a new thread topic on disBoards about Tickets now have names on them" I don't mind writing my name on a ticket. I just got worried that they will probably check our ID and say No you cant come in! LOL. I understand about Disney cracking down on scalpers selling tickets etc. I wouldn't sell mine. I am just trying to save a $100!
So I have DH call Tropicana, again. This time to switch our dates to a night stay! Poor Tropicana!!! First it was 4 nights, then 3 nights, then 4 nights and now 1 night! Thats what they get for charging insane parking! I still hope I get a nice room! We prolly upset them and will get a crap room!
DH then calls PPH! I tell him he has to add on to our current reservations for Sat and to beat $367 quote that I got online. He gets off the phone. Sweating. Whats wrong I ask? "Well with your new upper theme view level room- in order to do that price and had to pay extra for the room on Sun!" 'I say- But we already paid for Sunday. "Yes sweetie, we paid for a Standard room with a bump- but now with a theme view it cost more" "whats a bump?" It was a free upgrade if they had a room available!" No way!!! Crap dangit! they noted on our account we were celebrating our birthdays and anniversary. UGH!!! Now I screwed up. He had went and booked the theme level room- which costs an extra $140 for the upgrade for both nights. So the new total is a little over $600 for 2 nights! Which my original budget was supposed to be $600 for 5 nights at the Tropicana! Plus I still am paying $109 for the Tropicana for Friday night. And don't forget parking!!!
So now I have till 5 pm today to call back and request the standard room and save $140. But do I really want to do that? The whole point besides the FP and now new park opening time, was to get a theme viewed room! but I could have gotten it for free! I told DH if we call back and switch to the cheap room- they will note the account on how cheap we are and to give us a crappy room with no view just to teach us a lesson!
So I am paying more and staying less!
Today I need to re do my dinner reservations! This my friends is just a sample of how my crazy brain works!

 

[DizNee Luver]

My head's spinning just from reading that........Sometime's its just best to not over think things.......lol

Bottom line........you're still going to have an awesome time!!!

 

[tinksdreamwishes]

My head is spinning too! I am not packed yet- and I lost a shoe!!!

Just a few more hours to go! Well this has been fun and thanks for letting me vent for a month or so! Trip Report to come soon!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Have a great trip & look forward to your report on your return!!!!

 

[kaoden39]

Have a great trip!! I hope you found the missing shoe. I look forward to hearing all about it.