Oh my goodness I'm attempting a PTR!?!?!

[ryanshana]

Welcome one and all to my first trip report! So wish me luck!

First

and grab some or my favorite

cause it's going to be a long and bumpy ride!



Chapter 1:Cast of Characters

Chapter 2: More Pictures?!?! Blast from the past Disney Circa 1992

Chapter 3: Airfare worries and a WONDERFUL CM

 

[ryanshana]

That almost got deleted last night Last night I went to hit post and by the time I did DisBoards was performing maintenance. I hit the back button GONE....Me "NOOOOOO" (almost woke the kids.) Luckily though I copied and paste it to email to DH (he is impatient and didn't want me to wait till I posted it). Thank goodness....

So w/o further ado I bring you my CAST OF CHARACTERS!

First me

Sorry the picture is of bad quality but I realize I barely had any pictures of me and DS Colin took this of me w/ his camera. So that's what I got!

My name is Shana I’m 28…oops 29 (My Bday was Friday) I am the lover of Disney in this house! It’s not like when I was younger we went all the time, in fact we only went twice but I guess it only takes one time. My favorite stay as a child was at the Polynesian in 1992! It was an awesome time. I am a SAHM to my two boys but I am also currently going to school to get my BA for teaching!

My DH, Ryan

He turned the BIG 3-0 this last November! He hates when I remind him of that. He works as an IT analyst for a health care facility. He LOVES computers, sometimes I think more than us j.k. of course or at least I hope!

DH and I met when we were 14 and 15. We had a summer romance when we met in Ocean City, MD. To our surprise, we only lived an hr away from each other. Cool, right? No, neither of us drove so this was a cause for problems. Over the years we re-united a few times but either he was in a relationship or I was. Then in 1999 he joined the Army and moved to Germany. He served in Kosovo and Iraq. And returned to the States in Dec ’03. One time in Feb 04 I called his parents to see if I could get in touch w/ him. HE ANSWERED! I hung up! I eventually called back and we have been together ever since!

OUR FIRST OBSESSION W/ DISNEY....GETTING DH HOOKED!
We stayed at YC CL for our Disneymoon.

We spoiled ourselves and did the Platinum package it was amazing and I am glad that we did that because now we probably would never be able to afford that for a LOONG time! Mainly, because of our two rugrats, Colin and Brayden. My loves of my life!


Colin

On his favorite ride. We told him we were going to let him drive…it looks like he doesn’t believe us!

Here he is w/ his GF, Minnie!

Colin was born on 7/18/06 of course w/ a Winnie the Pooh themed nursery! The day after Colin was born my world fell apart. My mom passed away from breast cancer. She was the one that loved Disney and maybe my recent obsession with the world is due to her. But she is now Colin’s (and of course the rest of the family’s, but I always connect Colin with her because she passed away the day after he was born. Kind of like ok he’s here and healthy, it’s time for me to go) guardian angel!

My mom and I

Shirts I made for the Susan Korman Breast Cancer walk

Colin is almost 3 years old. I can’t believe how time has flown by. He is the light of my life! He makes me laugh and of course makes me mad as any 2 yo can do. It’s been kind of a stressful year. Colin has a severe speech delay. He doesn’t speak except for when he mimics words. So he gets frustrated just as much as I do. It is a learning process he has been in Early Intervention since he was 18 mos old. He’s therapist seem to think he has Childhood Apraxia of Speech. He is very smart. And I know with time he will improve or at least that’s what I pray for! He is in awe and in love with the World. Huh, maybe that’s why we want to come back. Colin has lots of words when we are in the world! He loves it! Love the rides (he’s a thrill seeker), the characters, the food, and the shows! I cannot wait to bring him back not only to hear his sweet voice but to see he’s face light up again!

Now we are on to Brayden, who we affectionately call Bhudders.

Bhudders on the monorail!!!

First we called him Buddha because he had a round little belly (still does) then one time my DH called him Butters, don’t know and sometimes w/ DH I don’t ask, but we combined the two and got Bhudders. Yes we realized we spelled the combo wrong! Bhudders was born on 11/2/07 and I must say he is MY twin! He’s also our little chubster! He loves to laugh and complain! He loves all Disney movies! He is just starting to talk A LOT. Which I am sure will be helpful for Colin! He “enjoyed” Disney, I say this cause he enjoys sleep and that’s pretty much what he did, being that he was only 10 mos old at the time!


Well that’s us.

I hope you guys will enjoy my WONDERFUL, CRAZY, and probably DISORGANIZED pre-trip report!!!!!!!!

Wanna just skip to the next "chapter"? Click here *More Pictures?!?! Blast from the past Disney Circa 1992*

 

[disneydusted]

Hi Shana! Count me in! I love your story of you and your DH meeting in Ocean City when you were 14 and 15... very fun. I can't believe you hung up when he answered the phone, I probably would have done the same.
Your boys are so cute.
I am interested in hearing your thoughts about the Polynesian. I'm the only one in my family that wants to stay there sometime.
Did you get the free dining? It is so tempting to go for that.

 

[ryanshana]

Hi Shana! Count me in! I love your story of you and your DH meeting in Ocean City when you were 14 and 15... very fun. I can't believe you hung up when he answered the phone, I probably would have done the same.
Your boys are so cute.
I am interested in hearing your thoughts about the Polynesian. I'm the only one in my family that wants to stay there sometime.
Did you get the free dining? It is so tempting to go for that.

Welcome aboard my first traveler!


Yeah DH and I have a lot of history. I probably should have said this in our "bio" but we had a picture taken of us on OC,MD's Beach our last day there on 7/20/94 My DS Colin was due 7/20/06 I was thinking it would be so neat if DS was born on that day. So we could show him that picture and be like see mommy and daddy had a picture taken of us on the same day you were born 12 YEARS earlier! It's still a cute story cause we met the day before he was born 12 years prior!


I love love LOVE Poly! I would LIVE there if I could! I am pretty much a walking Disney book, anything you need to know about Poly I probably could tell you! Maybe I have a bit of OCD?

We didn't get free dining but we got the coveted 40% OFF CODE! Pretty much the only reason right now why are Poly Dreams are coming true!

 

[disneydusted]

This is what I love about the DISboards! Everyone is so enthusiastic to talk about their Disney plans and ideas. So you are the Poly info person... I will have to remember that!
Have you guys been down in September before? We've only gone two times in May staying at the BWV. That was so nice to be there then, not too hot and the Epcot Flower and Garden show was going on.

 

[anjuli1580]

Man - this ShanaRyan character is nuts!! - LOL! Just kidding! (I know her, before everyone gets upset at me for saying that!)

I didn't, however, know the story of her and her DH and think it's so sweet! I especially laughed when I read that you hung up on him when you called...

For anyone that needs any info - she is the one to go to! My family is going for the very first time in May and EVERYTHING I've planned has been through her help

Great PTR!

 

[ryanshana]

Man - this ShanaRyan character is nuts!! - LOL! Just kidding! (I know her, before everyone gets upset at me for saying that!)

I didn't, however, know the story of her and her DH and think it's so sweet! I especially laughed when I read that you hung up on him when you called...

For anyone that needs any info - she is the one to go to! My family is going for the very first time in May and EVERYTHING I've planned has been through her help

Great PTR!

Hey Chickie it's RyanShana....but you are right it should be ShanaRyan LOL! Come on you totally could have seen me hanging up on him! We need to talk Disney soon; but your school schedule seems really hectic We'll have to soon. I can't believe you have 1 month 3 wk! I remember when it was WELL over 90 days. I am SOOO excited for you!

 

[ryanshana]

Hi all! Me again! Well I was reminicing with all this Disney talk so I broke out the photo albums my dad gave me and decided to scan some pictures in.

Me on the balcony in Poly!

Rm 3501 Poly in Tonga building, which is now Hawaii building, which is where we are actually staying! I am sooo going to request this room. Wish me luck with that!

Let the OBSESSION w/ Tonga Toast BEGIN! Me and the Popsicle, A.K.A my dad.This is the first time I had Tonga Toast. In 1992 it was actually called the Coral Isle Cafe not Kona Cafe, but it's the same place. I have to have it every time we go now!! Love that stuff!

Watch out Ma we're gonna CRASSSSSH! Funny thing was that she really wasn't the best of drivers anyways

Me and Popsicle out front of the Grand Floridian (I think)

Me and Popsicle at 4 AM We actually went to go see the Space Shuttle Endeavor lift off. One of the coolest moments of my life

Me and my pal, Goofy. I think this was also Grand Floridian. Loving the shirt by the way!

Our transporation ticket..I do not know what that is...did you need this to get on the Monorail? Or a bus? Anyone and a magic pass.

Back of the magic pass and the transportation pass...just in case you were curious!

Well that's all for now. Today was a beautiful day! We went to the playground and then went to eat some Friendly's and the kids ACTUALLY behaved!

Wanna just skip to the next "chapter"? Click here for *Airfare worries and a WONDERFUL CM!*

 

[wdwgirl03]

Ohhh, the Polynesian! That is enough to get me in! I've said this many times on this board but the Poly is one of my favorite resorts after staying there so many times when my sisters and I were younger.

Can't wait for more!

 

[sneadae]

I love the start of your PTR! I'll be following along!

Your little guys are very sweet...I love that pic of them laughing together. We have a 4 year old and a 1 year old and it's amazing the connection between siblings. I never had that opportunity because I am special...I'm an only child

 

[disneydusted]

Your old photos are great! Not sure what the magic pass was for, it will be interesting to find out if anyone remembers it.

 

[ryanshana]

This is what I love about the DISboards! Everyone is so enthusiastic to talk about their Disney plans and ideas. So you are the Poly info person... I will have to remember that!
Have you guys been down in September before? We've only gone two times in May staying at the BWV. That was so nice to be there then, not too hot and the Epcot Flower and Garden show was going on.

Ask away if you like, trust me I know alot. My friends are always joking that I should be a travel agent! Yes we have been there in Feb, Sept, and Dec. I think my fav is a toss up between Sept and Dec. We LOVE the MNSSHP! And cannot wait to get back again

Ohhh, the Polynesian! That is enough to get me in! I've said this many times on this board but the Poly is one of my favorite resorts after staying there so many times when my sisters and I were younger.

Can't wait for more!

I know that is the first place I have ever stayed I think that's why it has a special place in my heart!

I love the start of your PTR! I'll be following along!

Your little guys are very sweet...I love that pic of them laughing together. We have a 4 year old and a 1 year old and it's amazing the connection between siblings. I never had that opportunity because I am special...I'm an only child

DH and I are special too! We are both only children too I know exactly what you mean!

Your old photos are great! Not sure what the magic pass was for, it will be interesting to find out if anyone remembers it.

I don't know what the trasportation pass is. I think the magic pass is like a park hopper ticket. But I could be wrong. I was twelve and don't really remember

 

[ryanshana]

Sneadae I was a world for a $1 loser too!!! Gosh that was a waste of my life

 

[ryanshana]

Hi sorry I haven't written in a while been crazy busy around here! I am patiently, yeah right waiting for Southwest to open their fares for Sept. I am freaking out cause Airtran has $59 flights for my days but when you add $15 per bag for a family of four (w/ two little ones, meaning lack of hands for carry ons) it adds up

So I have been fretting over SW fares coming out I am currently booked for Disney on Sat-Fri. And have noticed that Wed-tues seems to be better fares. While I was thinking I should just switch to Wed-Tues, Sat-Fri just seems to work better for us w/ DH's job. Plus for Christmas I made him a Snapfish calendar and put Disney on the days of 9/19-9/25 w/ pictures I don't want the calendar to be messed up

So I called to see if my package is avail for Wed-Tues and it was (it wasn't before)

So I was asking Jhanna (CM) what I should do on the 14th when SWA announces fares and low and behold Wed-Tues is cheaper ie should I call first to make sure it's still avail even though the code is expired?

Low and behold the super smart CM said

Book our trip right now for GVCL for 9/16-9/25 If travel is cheaper
9/16-9/22 cancel the 23, 24, 25 days if 9/19-9/25 is cheaper cancel 16,17,18 SUPER SMART CM!

She made me day...... YEAS for awesome CMs

 

[disneydusted]

Good thinking for the CM! I would not have thought of doing the dates and canceling like that. Very creative. Gotta love those CMs!