No we don't get free tires...Pre-trip report Oct 15 to Oct 25th!

[MNDisney2268]

HELLO!!!

This is my first pre-trip/trip report.

Let me introduce myself and my family. My name is Steph

I grew up in Ft. Lauderdale. Disney was a way of life. We went on weekends and as often as we could. This turned into an obsession that I can not even describe. When I joined the Army out of high school I had no idea what was in store for me. I met DH (Dan) in Georgia during training. Come to find out he grew up right outside Orlando. WOW!! Perfect. He had a love for Disney that was comparable to mine. I knew we were a match made in heaven. We did a quick trip to Disney before he flew to Germany. I then was stationed there 1 month later. We were stationed about an hour apart so we were able to spend every weekend together. As we began planning our wedding we took a trip to Disneyland Paris. We had such a blast and it really made us feel like we were “HOME”. One month later we discovered that we brought home an “extra souvenir” from that trip. My son Thomas was now on his way. We were married in Germany with a Mickey and Minnie themed wedding. Mickey ear vail and tophat, and cake topper. We celebrated with all our family. We were even published in the Disney magazine.

Thomas was then born in June of 1998. Tommy is a very calm, patient young boy. He could live on Rock N Roller Coaster if we let him. He loves to count down the days until the next trip.

Joey wasn’t far behind and was born Sept 1999. He is bright, hyper and excited about everything. When he grows up he wants to be an Imagineer and design the rides at Disney. His absolute favorite is the Tower of Terror. He is a little short for his age, so last year at 8 years old he was finally tall enough to ride. This year he gets to FINALLY go on Rock N Roller Coaster.

Garrett is the baby, he just turned 2. The only thing he will watch on TV is Mickey Mouse and Pluto. He is definitely on the right track!

We now live in Minnesota. We have been to Florida to visit family a few times over the last several years. Last year however, was the first TRUE vacation that either of us had been on. We were actual “tourists”. I don’t think I could ever top that vacation. (but we are sure going to try). We were the family chosen to open the Magic Kingdom, had baskets, balloons, and all kinds of other treats delivered to the hotel for surprises. We were able to go to MNSSHP twice!

We decided then that a true Disney Vacation every year was a MUST.

So that brings us to today. We are leaving warm and sunny Minnesota on October 15th around 2 pm. We will be driving to the middle of Illinois then we will get a hotel. We hope to be at Disney by 10 or 11 on Thursday night. We will be staying at Pop Century until we leave on 10/25. We are going to MNSSHP on Tuesday the 21st, and if I know my family there may be another party we attend while we are there. I have the reservations set. Dinner plans ready. Tickets are bought. MNSSHP tickets are ready to go. Balloons are ordered to decorate the room. Window clings and other lights to decorate the hotel window are ready. This weekend we will be packing the suitcases!!!

WE CAN’T WAIT!!!!

I hope this is a good start. I can not wait to continue this story!!!

 

[AngVT]

Hi Steph! You'll be in WDW when we're there... for a couple days! Can't wait to hear what you're gonna do! (I'll be there with DS11... I'll be the one nagging him to move his butt! LOL!)

So, you'll be escaping Minnesota for a vacation before the snow flies too! LOL!

Have fun planning!

 

[MNWDWMANIAC]

This is Dan.... Stephs husband... and "love for Disney" doesn't start to describe out families obsession.

We got done putting together pirate costumes for the entire family. Even the baby is in on the act . The count down is dragging... but the excitement is building!!!!!

I thought I would toss in a few random pictures of last years trip to share while we countdown our remaining days .


This is Joey and me taking a little spin.

 

[MNWDWMANIAC]

Here are Tommy and Joey enjoying the news treasure found by them at the Muppet Show.

 

[MNWDWMANIAC]

Here we are the first day we arrived LAST year at the MK ... so close!!!! I can't wait!!!

 

[MNWDWMANIAC]

Here's one of the older boys the first night we did MNSSHP last year.

 

[MNWDWMANIAC]

Tommy and I catching a ride on the bus to MGM one morning

 

[MNWDWMANIAC]

 

[MNWDWMANIAC]

 

[MNWDWMANIAC]

 

[MNWDWMANIAC]

 

[MNWDWMANIAC]

 

[MNWDWMANIAC]

Last one for now... more to follow later perhaps

 

[disneydreamin247]

You have a beautiful family. I'll be at Pop for a few days while you are. I'll have to keep an eye out for you! We're also going to the same MNSSHP!

 

[AngVT]

I love the pictures! You look like you had a great time! Which day are you going ot the MNSSHP??? (And HOW did you get all of the characters to pose with you all? It's a great picture!)

I'd love to hear more/see more!

 

[MNDisney2268]

The character picture was when we were the opening family for the Magic Kingdom. We went to the back of the park and goofed around with all of them for a little bit, then rode the train to the front of the park with Mickey. It was so much fun!!!!

We are going to MNSSHP on Tuesday 10/21.

I am working on getting a green mickey head to hang on my purse, so if you see us at POP say HELLO!!!!!

 

[AngVT]

DS and I are going to MNSSHP on 10/23, since we arrive on 10/21.

Love the idea of a green mickey "tag" to hang from purse/backpack... can I borrow your idea? I saw a t-shirt that someone had done on the Disigns board that had a green mickey head and "do you DIS?" in the center... I'll have to try to find that design... LOL!

Can't wait to hear more of your plans!

 

[MNDisney2268]

We are now debating again whether or not to get the dining plan....what do you guys think?

 

[MNWDWMANIAC]

Looks like we're back to using the plan . We considered it bothways... and this will be the most relaxing and stress free way to go!

 

[disneydreamin247]

I debated DDP for months. I was getting it, I wasn't, then I was, then deluxe, then I was just getting DDE. Now I have DxDDP lol.