NEW 1/6 D Day!!: This trip will STILL be a Perfect 10, Just a Different 10 :)

[DWGal210]

Precious babies!

Glad you got to have some special family time.

Thanks! It was nice to see all of them. My family is growing up and spreading out, so I don't get to see everyone as often as I'd like but I'll take the time when I can get it!

How cute is your niece?! Your cousin's little boy is absolutely adorable, too!

I remember those Mickey Mouse statues in front of MK. I am pretty sure we have pictures and/or video of my brother and my dad with the Red Sox one. They always have to represent.

Thanks! I love the little rugrats!

I was so glad to see that Mickey statue! I do remember wondering what they did with them all when they weren't on display anymore so I'm glad to see they didn't get discarded.

Your cousin's son and your niece are both adorable. Sounds like you have been very busy, but having tons of fun!

Thank you! I have been busy but a good busy. This weekend was nice though - I got to stay home, do some crafting, relaxing, watch movies, etc. It's been wonderful!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Just spent some time catching up because someone forgot to subscribe way back in July.....

I think you have made great choices in the dining category. My all time favorite CS is Starring Rolls because I love the turkey sandwich and the banana split desert!

Marc and I also like to do HBD for lunch and treat it like a CS by ordering the Cobb Salad and having dessert. We always pay OOP.
Gotta run. The old man is ready to come home from the hospital, he just called!
Bye~~

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Many hours later, I'm home with Marc....
Ugh.
Let's continue with comments.


Haven't eaten at Jiko or 9 Dragons so I'll be awaiting your review. That mushroom filet with the cream cheese mashed are my faves at Le Cellier.

Oh my Caroline and baby Nate are just adorable. It doesn't seem that long ago when Caroline was just a newborn... and now a little sister on the way! Her world is certainly going to change!

OK, I'm now subbed, you may continue.

 

[DWGal210]

Just spent some time catching up because someone forgot to subscribe way back in July.....

I think you have made great choices in the dining category. My all time favorite CS is Starring Rolls because I love the turkey sandwich and the banana split desert!

Marc and I also like to do HBD for lunch and treat it like a CS by ordering the Cobb Salad and having dessert. We always pay OOP.
Gotta run. The old man is ready to come home from the hospital, he just called!
Bye~~

Many hours later, I'm home with Marc....
Ugh.
Let's continue with comments.


Haven't eaten at Jiko or 9 Dragons so I'll be awaiting your review. That mushroom filet with the cream cheese mashed are my faves at Le Cellier.

Oh my Caroline and baby Nate are just adorable. It doesn't seem that long ago when Caroline was just a newborn... and now a little sister on the way! Her world is certainly going to change!

OK, I'm now subbed, you may continue.

I'll forgive you for not subscribing, but this was your last warning.

I'm very excited to try Jiko...it looks AMAZING and I can't wait!! I actually booked Teppan Edo instead of 9 Dragons; I need to do an updated post on my ADRs!! I think they both look great but Teppan Edo appealed to me more in comparison so that was the booking.

The kids are cute, aren't they?! I'm so blessed, they are just awesome!! Caroline is (at this point) excited about her little sister, but that might change when Mom and Dad's time is not all hers and there's another person playing with her toys.

See you tomorrow morning!!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

\

Oh my goodness - sooooo cute!!! And you have another niece on the way...how fun!

Great pics from Minneapolis too. I haven't seen the new field - haven't even drove past it even though I've been back to MN a few times since it's been built...and it might have even been there when I still lived there! I hear it's beautiful though. Minneapolis is a great city, I love it there! Just wish they had better weather!!!!

 

[DWGal210]

Hi everyone!!!

I will update tonight but I have BIG trip news.

It involves a longer stay.

And 3 resorts.

Including my first stay at TWO of the resorts.

it's gonna be epic!!!!

I'll be back later to tell you more; have a great day, everyone!!

 

[Pinkocto]

Can't wait to hear about the new plans!

 

[DWGal210]

So here's a teaser. A pre-update, if you will.

I just got off the phone with my aunt.

My 3 resorts in 1.5 weeks is turning into FOUR.

Wow!!

And I've never stayed at 3 of them. Sweet!!!

See ya tonight!!

 

[jenjolt]

No No...no more teasers! I want to know! You can't drop a bombshell like that and not clarify...NO FAIR LOL (goes to stomp her feet and pout)!!!

 

[Pinkocto]

My 3 resorts in 1.5 weeks is turning into FOUR.

See ya tonight!!

When did 3 and a half days turn into 1 and a half weeks? We MUST know more soon!

 

[DWGal210]

So here is the big reveal......I've been teasing today with tales of a new trip. Of new resorts. AND a much longer stay!!

So here are the details, then I'll go back and explain.

* January 6-15, 2012
* Traveling with Aunt, Uncle and Kids first leg of trip, so Aunt and Uncle can run the Disney Marathon. Staying in All Star Movies (or Saratoga) 1 night and Boardwalk the 2nd night.
* Meeting up with brother, his girlfriend and her parents for a 5 night stay at Old Key West.
* Stay the final 2 nights in comfort and relaxation at......wait for it....THE POLY.

So here is the long, sordid story. It's long - you might want to grab a snack. I'll wait.

OK, everyone back? Great. Let's get started.

I was legitimately looking forward to my solo trip, I really was. But if I'm being honest, I was starting to feel that I'd get a little lonely by myself there for 3 1/2 days.

So fast-forward to this past weekend. My brother's girlfriend Elizabeth was in town; she's the gal with the dark hair in my Minneapolis pictures. She and I have become friends and so the two of us, along with my cousin Alaina and my sister Alice, had a girl's night and sleepover. In the course of the weekend, Elizabeth asked if I would like to go to Disney with them in January. Her parents are timeshare members and although not DVC, they could rent points and stay at a DVC resort this week in January. So they picked Old Key West!! She'd asked my help with ADRs a few weeks ago and I sent her a brief (VERY VERY LONG) e-mail with about 50 suggestions. Her mom said that I should just go with them, since I like it so much.

So I talked to my brother, and he was cool with it! The last time we were in Disney together was when I was a junior in high school, and he was in 6th grade. So needless to say, we were in need of some recent Disney time together. I mulled it over for a few days, made a Pros and Cons list (I love a good list!) and decided that I did want to go with them. So I accepted her parents kind offer! They arrive in Orlando on Sunday January 8th, and I'll be staying with them at OKW in a 2 bedroom villa for 5 nights.

Still with me? OK.

So then, of course, the Disney wheels started turning. I am going to have a few extra days off next year and so I pondered - what if I left a little earlier, had a few days down there before they came, and a few days after?? That way, I could still have some "solo time" but it wouldn't be a ton and I wouldn't get as lonely. GENIUS!! (if I do say so myself )

Then, as pure luck would have it, I talked to my aunt. They now live in Fort Myers (they moved a few months ago) and she and my uncle are running the Disney Marathon; she's doing the 1/2 on Saturday the 7th, and he's doing the Full on Sunday the 8th. So I'll be with them for a few days and then meet up with Elizabeth and her family.

THEN....where to stay for my few days after? Elizabeth, my brother Stephen and E's parents are leaving on Saturday to go home. I am leaving Sunday and so I booked a room for Friday and Saturday night the 13th and 14th at the POLY!!!! SCORE!!!! There was a GREAT Annual Pass discount this week and so I took advantage of that.

PHEW! This saga is almost over....I PROMISE.

So how did we end up at 4 resorts??

* Friday, January 6th: All Star Movies Family Suite OR Saratoga Springs. We are on the wait list at Saratoga but needed a room for the night, so we're tentatively booked at ASM as well.

* Saturday, January 7th: Boardwalk Villas. I've never stayed here, so I'm excited!!! We have 2 studio rooms this night.

* Sunday, January 8th - Thursday, January 12th: 2 Bedroom Villa at Old Key West. Never stayed here either!!

* Friday, January 13th - Sunday, January 15th: Garden View Room at the Poly

Then I go home, back to the cold and snow, on January 15th.

If you got through ALL THAT, you deserve a medal. Or at least some popcorn; here you go!

So from now on, instead of hearing about solo plans, I'll be talking about staying at 4 resorts (3 where I have never stayed before!!), coordinating dining with 2 sets of travel partners, and trying to decide what to pack for Orlando in January.

Thanks, readers!!! Have a super duper Friday!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I'm so excited for you!!!!
and a little green with envy over your Poly stay....
I can't wait to hear about all of your plans!

 

[MEK]

Wow! Big changes to your trip and 4 wonderful resorts to try! That's awesome! It sounds like its going to be an awesome trip!

 

[jenjolt]

WOOT WOOT!! I love your plans!! You are going to have an amazing time!!

Green with envy over your stay at the Poly!! HOW MUCH FUN will that be!!!! Love it!! Can't wait to see your pictures!!!

 

[Megablocks]

Your plans sound amazing! I am there around the same time, January 4-11. We've only ever been during peak times because of schedules (spring break in April, Presidents' week...) so I am SO excited to go during more of an "off" time! I also love that you are staying at a few different resorts during your stay. That is going to be so much fun!

 

[Pinkocto]

Now your trip is closer! But now you won't be going over your birthday Were you able to change all your ADRs? Excellent score on the Poly with AP discounts. I'm hoping to get something like that for our May trip.

 

[DWGal210]

I'm so excited for you!!!!
and a little green with envy over your Poly stay....
I can't wait to hear about all of your plans!

Thanks Anita!!! I am so excited about the Poly. I think I'm going to take an afternoon & lay in a hammock on the beach!

 

[DWGal210]

Wow! Big changes to your trip and 4 wonderful resorts to try! That's awesome! It sounds like its going to be an awesome trip!

Hi Mary Ellen! Yes, BIG changes. I am glad I'll be able to cross at least 3 "never been there" resorts off my list!!

 

[DWGal210]

WOOT WOOT!! I love your plans!! You are going to have an amazing time!!

Green with envy over your stay at the Poly!! HOW MUCH FUN will that be!!!! Love it!! Can't wait to see your pictures!!!

Thanks Jen!! I will for sure be sharing pictures. I wanted to stay at Poly & GF at some point so I'm super excited to be able to!

 

[DWGal210]

Hi!! Thanks, I am over the moon excited!!

So great you get to go at a quieter time - fun!! Where are you staying? If it works out & you want to, maybe we could meet up for a quick treat or beverage.

Your plans sound amazing! I am there around the same time, January 4-11. We've only ever been during peak times because of schedules (spring break in April, Presidents' week...) so I am SO excited to go during more of an "off" time! I also love that you are staying at a few different resorts during your stay. That is going to be so much fun!