*~*~OFFFFFFFFFFF with their heads!!!!!! Oct. 19-27th 2009 TR~*~*

[NancyLuvsMickey]

Thanks for link for the t-shirts!!! I'm gonna have them design some for me!!

And the trip report was WONDERFUL!!! :

Some random thoughts as I was reading your trip report:

- Happy Anniversary!!! I'm glad you got to spend it alone with your hubby!!!

- 2200+ miles in 3 days!!! Your hubby is a truck driving fool!!! I grew up near exit 284 on I-80 in Iowa (home of the World's Largest Truckstop) and I have great respect for truck drivers... If it wasn't for them, this country would come to a complete halt!!! Tell him thank you for a job well done!!!

- I don't know how you did it with 8 people, trying to keep everyone happy and always having to do things together... I've only done Disney with 4 people (it'll be 5 this year, ds is 19 months), and at times we split up just so we can do EVERYTHING...

- I understand why your MIL was upset with the guys not wanting to go to Mickey's Halloween party... It's a hard ticket event and that's money she could have spent on something else... But when you're sick, you're sick... Bummer they didn't feel good enough to go... We went to it two years ago and had a blast!!!

- Next time, before you go, buy pins on eBay, it's way cheaper, and then hubby can trade them with cast members for pins he wants... I did this for DD14 and she has a blast trading pins and it doesn't break the bank...

- Just so you have an idea of the cost of our trip in 25 days, we're staying at Pop Century for 7 nights, park tickets for 6 days, plus FREE dining and it was $1600... And we're flying for another $800... There are five of us, but the youngest is free this trip because he's under two... I also have a Disney Visa that earns Disney dollars so I have $700 on a Disney gift card to use on stuff while we're there... So a week at Disney for four (five if you count the youngest) is less than $2500... Not bad for all the Magic we'll be getting!!!

Take care, Nancy...

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

WOW Nancy! That rate is AMAZING! It's too bad that everything changes when there are 5 people. I'm looking at ASMU family suites to fit us (so we don't have to get 2 rooms) and it looks like I can do it for under 3000 in Sept. with free dining, but that doesn't count airfare!

AND, I'm wanting to take my stepdaughter as well, so that will make us 6! Still not sure if 2 rooms or 1 family suite would work better.

Oooooh, I'm getting ready to make a ticker for September 2010! It's a longshot, but if I don't plan it, it will never happen, right?

 

[karenwwu]

I am a great lurker on these boards but am coming out to say "thank you" for a most enjoyable and beautiful report. I cannot believe that you wrote that report in such a short amount a time. It was JAM packed with great musings and great pictures. Loved it.

Karen

 

[NancyLuvsMickey]

WOW Nancy! That rate is AMAZING! It's too bad that everything changes when there are 5 people. I'm looking at ASMU family suites to fit us (so we don't have to get 2 rooms) and it looks like I can do it for under 3000 in Sept. with free dining, but that doesn't count airfare!

AND, I'm wanting to take my stepdaughter as well, so that will make us 6! Still not sure if 2 rooms or 1 family suite would work better.

Oooooh, I'm getting ready to make a ticker for September 2010! It's a longshot, but if I don't plan it, it will never happen, right?

What about two joining rooms at a value resort... It'll run you about $200 a night, you'll have two bathrooms and four full size beds...

And having free dining is worth it!!! That saved us a bunch of money this trip... We've never done the dining plan before so it's gonna be a new experience for us...

Have fun planning your September trip... It'll be here before you know it!!!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

3prettyprincesses! Thank you for your post! It was so magical, sounds like your trip was as well! I have an entry level DSLR, it's a Nikon D40. I just bought it in the early summer (FOR this trip, but it peaked my interest in photography in general!).

I rented a 18-200mm lens b/c the 2 lenses I own would have had to be switched back and forth the whole time to get closer and farther shots. It worked well for my first trip with a nice camera. There are things I would like to improve on next trip, but since this was my first time and I'm still learning, I'm trying not to be so hard on myself!

Thanks for the camera info. I've been itching to get a DSLR because my Nikon Coolpix is making me crazy! Maybe Santa will bring me one....

We also did the MNSSHP and it was awesome! However, we only stayed an hour and a half. My father-in-law decided he was done so we all had to leave. It was annoying because I'd paid for everyone's tix ahead of time and the party was so much fun. He was tired I guess and thought that an hour and a half was enough time to see it all. I respectfully disagree but of course I couldn't say that to him, I also hate confrontations. Soooo, I dragged my poor little girls around to quickly hit the candy stops before we left while my DH is giving me the eye (his Dad was rapidly losing patience with us for not hurrying up more to leave). My daughters and I had looked forward to this for months and I wanted to get some cool pictures too. It was hilarious though....we were leaving and I was purposely at the end of our group so I could snap pics while my father-in-law was stomping his foot and throwing me dirty looks! DH was getting nervous but I was trying to hurry. It was disappointing and if I was thinking clearly, I would've just sent back my in-laws back to their room at the Poly and enjoyed the rest of the party. When we got back to our rooms, my daughter's candy bags (the little Snow White ones they hand out) were only 1/3 full.

 

[Missus Toad]

What a great TR. Awesome pics and a fun narrative. I'll miss reading it. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

What a great TR. Awesome pics and a fun narrative. I'll miss reading it. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks Missus Toad! I'll miss writing it and reliving it over and over!

Maybe people will just keep talking to me about the trip for the next 10 months? Then hopefully I'll write another!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I am a great lurker on these boards but am coming out to say "thank you" for a most enjoyable and beautiful report. I cannot believe that you wrote that report in such a short amount a time. It was JAM packed with great musings and great pictures. Loved it.

Karen

Hi Karen! Nice name!
Thank you so much! I wrote the whole report FIRST and then posted it, I think that is why I posted it so quickly. It was easier than writing it as I went along, that would have stressed me out too much worrying about getting the next part written. Gotta love that OCD.

 

[njtinkmom]

WOOT! A night out! AT WDW?!!!! Because of his job and not having anyone to really watch the kids where we live, we just never get to go out. I was SO excited!!!

After Rey took Savannah to get something to eat (they hadn't gotten her much veggie stuff for the house when they went to Sams), we drove to The Boardwalk. I LOVED this place. Too bad the Boardwalk Hotel is a Deluxe ($$$) b/c I would love to stay there.

I took some pictures and we walked around a bit to see where we wanted to eat. One of my favorite pics of the trip, definitely my favorite of Rey & I!

We settled on the Big River Grille mainly b/c they had tables outside and I wanted to just sit outside and enjoy the beautiful weather! Here's a shot from our table:

It was gorgeous out! Dinner was ok, drinks were ok, but I didn't care b/c it was gorgeous outside and we were enjoying each other! When we were finished from our LEISURELY dinner we walked around the boardwalk and decided to walk to Epcot! It only took about 10 minutes and it's a beautiful, relaxing walk.

I took pictures, of course! Rey understands that I just have to, I'm compelled.

I love your trip report! The picture of the two of you for your anniversary dinner is perfect! How lucky you are to have such a special family. I was at the world in July with hubby and our 6 kids and since they range from 26 - 7 it was a challange doing what makes everyone happy. And our group will not split up either! I can definately relate to planning and not having the cooperation you need - they just don't understand that you are trying to maximize their experience! By far this is the most entertaining report I have read! Great Job!!!!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

By far this is the most entertaining report I have read! Great Job

WOW! THANK YOU njtinkmom! That's a HUGE compliment, I've read many many trip reports here and that means a lot.

 

[JLR]

Great trip report - I'm sad it's done. You'll have to go back soon so you can write another!

 

[njtinkmom]

WOW! THANK YOU njtinkmom! That's a HUGE compliment, I've read many many trip reports here and that means a lot.

Hey I have an idea for you! Instead of talking about this trip for the next 10 months, why don't you start a Pre Trip Report (PTR) on the boards and we can all follow along with your planning! I know for one I would surely love to read about you OCD antics, as I am OCD about planning myself! I am leaving for a few days of hubby alone time in 11days and I have not really done much for this trip (ok a few adrs, keys to the kingdom tour, etc. etc.) becuase I am too focused on my July family trip! But I would think for you to journal all your planning here would be excellent and a good way to keep the hype going! Hope to see one - I promise to be the first to subscribe if you do!! Best wishes for all your future plans!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

That's an idea! You don't think it would get too boring over 10 months????

and how terrible will it be if we end up not being able to save enough money for the trip by then, will everyone feel just as let down as me?!?!? Ooooh, you could SHARE in my pain!

I'll think of a pretrip title tonight and get one started soon...and you know that means in about 10 minutes, right?

 

[njtinkmom]

That's an idea! You don't think it would get too boring over 10 months????

and how terrible will it be if we end up not being able to save enough money for the trip by then, will everyone feel just as let down as me?!?!? Ooooh, you could SHARE in my pain!

I'll think of a pretrip title tonight and get one started soon...and you know that means in about 10 minutes, right?

With your writing skills - I doubt boring will every come to mind! Just think we can always come up with new money saving ideas - check out the budget boards - they have great ideas too! It's a great forum to bounce off ideas and get great suggestions! Or better yet - you can make a blog site! I know in the PTR reports people write about lots of everyday goings on as well! You story was so detailed, I feel like I know your family and don't want to miss out on anything! Good Luck! Let me know!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

DONE! I know, that was REALLY hard to convince me, wasn't it?!?! Took me a long time to come around!

Here is my PRETRIP REPORT!!!:
September 2010~All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them...

 

[njtinkmom]

Excellent!! Going to check it out now! See ya over on your PTR!!! Gina

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I guess I have to request that my trip report be moved to completed trip reports (how sad!) but I don't know how?

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Moderators? Can you move my TR to the completed section???

 

[Daisy14]

Wow thank you for the great read! Took me 3 nights but I got it in. I am now going to buy a DSLR myself for our next trip. I especially love your night pic of illuminations (in your last day) with the tree on the island and green and blue fireworks, it looks a lot like an electric Palm tree!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Thank you Daisy! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! When you are looking for a DSLR, the people over on the DIS photography board can help. There's also some online classes you can take to learn the settings and help you learn about how to use a DSLR. I'm still learning and I've the my Nikon for 6 months!

I'm editing (b/c I can't actually POST anymore b/c they closed my TR) to add some of the photopass pics I FINALLY got! I thought I was going to get scammed, I joined a photopass share and it took 3 months to get my shots! So, here they are!

Since they have closed my TR, no one can respond here, but in my signature there is a link to my new PTR for Sept. 2010 and you can post to me there if you have any questions or just want to talk Disney!!!