November 2012 We have it all from 1yr to 74yrs one Magical Gathering

[G2MAmber]

Hello all!!!

Our trip is getting closer so I thought I would take a chance and start my first trip report. My name is Amber and I will be leading this pre-trip report! I am actually the one organizing this magical gathering... I have found it is a lot easier to organize and plan other vacations, but when it is your own family there are very different dynamics (pulling out hair).

I love picture reports so I plan on posting lots of pictures!!! Let's introduce you to everyone going on our trip!

Here is my family;
Josh - My amazing hubby of 6yrs and Disney Lover. Xoxoxo
Amber - that's me
Austin - 2 yrs loves Mickey but his newest favorite is Stitch
Brielyn - 1 yr our chilled out princess! Just happy to watch and play with. If brother!

Josh's Parents (my in-laws)
Nelson- our foundation-one of the greatest guys in the world works everyday and is 74!
Donna- a absolute Disney lover, making our trips fun and special

Amber's Parents (yep my folks)
Bob - loves the Disney dining plan and all the stage shows
Bev- the go getter, she will be the one walking 30 steps ahead of our group lol

Amber's brother and Sister in law
Trenton- his 2nd trip, he loves it!!!
Kayla - her 2nd trip, she is so excited!!!
Easton - 3 yrs loves loves loves Mickey
Abigail - 1 yr she is mrs personality, lots of dramatic faces - she keeps us all entertained

Kayla's Parents
Lew - my dads best friend since he was 4, we all grew up together and my brother ended up marring his daughter (FIRST TIME TO DISNEY)
Cynthia - cant really wrap her mind around how she could enjoy Disney, she thinks she is just going for the grand kids (FIRST TIME TO DISNEY)

What makes this trip so special... My brother and his sweet family of four will be going overseas to serve as missionaries and this will be the last trip we will get to take with them as they will be overseas for 4 years. We are really trying to make it special for them and hoping to make lots of memories. With my Disney experience and travel agent business it seemed only right for me to take the reigns, but it sure is different planning for your own family and throwing some newbies in there makes it all the more fun haha.

 

[G2MAmber]

Well super close to departure now!!! I'm starting to get my mind around everything and per packing! I finished our Disney binder today to take with me! I actually made one for earn family unit! We have some first timers so I am pretty sure they will appreciate it, hopefully!

This is the gas mileage tracker I will be using. My family will be driving and I am interested in seeing it all down on paper where and when we have to stop, how much... Etc...

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My condensed park, parade, and extra magic hour spreadsheet

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Movie at the pool schedule.... Because we will have time to catch a movie haha

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Crowd level advisor - which parks are recommended to go to each day of our trip.

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[G2MAmber]

My sweet little girl is having Ear Surgery the Monday before we leave so I am trying to get everything together this week... just in case bad weather arrives we will be ready to leave and I don't want to have to think about packing after her surgery... just cuddling and taking care of her!

So I have been doing lots and lots of Laundry and Cleaning!

We have been planing this trip for sometime so I have been making small purchases each month and setting them aside for our drive to keep the kids occupied.

First I got this little magnatic toy. You put the little cherries in the buckets ... totally cute... I played with it for a little while myself! Should be a Hit!

Next... I got one of those lace toys and then the Crocodile Dentist Game.

(sorry my photos seem huge I am still getting the hang of this)

Glow Sticks from the Dollar Store. We may use these in the evening part of our drive or save them for the parks during fireworks. We will just see what the situation calls for.

I got these at Big Lots marked Way Down!! I think they were $2 each. My son absolutly loves puzzules and the other one is a Book with Magnetic Characters.

And of course some Disney Themed Color Wonder Books

This is what will go in the car up by the kids as well. Diapers, Wipes, Pacifiers, all the essentials...

Hopefully this will help give someone some ideas! I know I love seeing what ppl do when packing up their car!

Well back to the Grind....

 

[G2MAmber]

Thanksgiving was at my folks house this year, mostly because tomorrow we would be driving to Disney!!!!! My DH folks live in Indiana and the thought of packing up all our stuff for thanksgiving and hitting the road the next day... well it just didn't make much sense.

A few photos of our Thanksgiving Fun:

Me and my mom:

Austin my 2 yr old not looking at the camera:

Had some serious work to do:

Turkey... Fun... Sleep... DISNEY!!!!

 

[G2MAmber]

So we ended up leaving around 3 p.m. and I have like no pictures of us leaving just some middle of the night photos... I'm sure I was just extremely busy keeping the kids entertained!

Worst pictures ever haha sorry everyone!

and were in FL!

Drove right through the nights! The kids did great! There were a few cries due to sleeping upright and being strapped int he car seat but overall I was a proud Mama!

I love driving into FL! It is just so beautiful!

Wish I had Palms in my back yard!!

Our GPS took us a strange way so I didn't get the DISNEY WORLD sign but did grab a shot of DTD!

 

[G2MAmber]

So for the first 3 nights (to re-coop) from the drive we would be staying at All Star Movies. Then we would be staying in a 2 bedroom at AKL with my in-laws!

Our room was nice and we don't mind the Value Resorts in the least! In fact with young kids I sort of prefer them! They LOVED all the huge figurines!

The Room:

So... this room ended up having a cockroach in it and was a tad dirty... I'm seriously not one to complain but having small kids I called the front desk and they ended up moving us like two buildings closer to the main building... so it was a shorter walk and I was OK with it!

My lil guy LOVES Donald and he was so excited to get his photos with Donald and Daisy!

The weather was AMAZING when we arrived! Just Beautiful!

I was so hungry but DH and DD were wiped so they took and nap and me and the lil guy were rip-raring to go!

So Good! Loved the Cucumber Salad!

Seriously! AMAZING! Breathing in DISNEY!

haha apparently I really liked this angle! I took a few of these photos!

Once Daddy and Sis got up we got to explore some more!!

LOVE THIS!

 

[G2MAmber]

So we re-cooped for two nights at the Value and were Movin on up!

We were waiting for our room to get ready and the animals entertained us.

Ok the kids held on in the Elevator! They thought it was a ride and those were the rules... we were OKAY with it!

View from our Room!

 

[kaylasmom07]

I really like your trip report so far. Looking forward to reading more

 

[G2MAmber]

So I am a terrible Trip Poster! I didn't take notes my photos are crazy but I'm going to throw what I have together and do better next time I promise!!

Animal Kingdom:

waiting for Nemo the Musical to start!



This was my first time seeing the show and it was AWESOME!

Magic Kingdom:

My little guy was the Pepper Shaker with Belle!



He is so shy and I couldn't believe he volunteered! Must be that peer pressure of the other kids doing it ... I don't know but I was thrilled he was up for the task!

In our Little Mermaid Shell!


This ride was done Awesome! I loved that it wasn't too scarey they really focused on the bright cheerful side of the movie which is nice with little ones!

Brie and Daddy riding on Dumbo!!



She may have been more interested in the seat belt but still Awww!

Me and my Little man killing time!



Some Firework Awesomeness!



Epcot

DS3 and Daddy doing that Piggy Bank thing at Epcot. He took it really serious!



Upon arriving home after about 2-3 weeks DD1 was put in the hospital for 3 days with Pneumonia! It was horrible and right before Christmas! We are so thankful to the Lord she is well now.

At the worst:

My little princess On the Mend:

Really makes me thankful for great medical care. Praise the Lord for a good recovery!