Oh Readers!!! POR Pre-Trip Report ~ We're back...trip report link on page 8!

[michael's mom]

Okay, first off, I feel like I am writing to myself...which is okay because I can just print this out and save it for a journal...but, I hope there are some others out there.

My plans for this trip included booking quite a few things: hotel, hotel, airfare, car rental, stroller swap, ADR'S, etc. As I said in the previous post, I booked the car rental, hotel, stroller swap, ADR's, then airfare...in that order. But, I still needed an offsite room for the night we land because we are getting in so late.

I have spent days reading reviews online of the area hotels outside of Disney and close to the airport. It's scary what some people write about hotels. This one has cockroaches, this one smells like mold, that one has noisy elevators. Then, I finally found a hotel with all positive reviews, 100% recommendation rate, under $90, and 2 miles from Disney. So I go to book it and discover that they charge an additional $10 for a second adult in the room. Now, I know that most hotels charge for the 3rd/4th adult in a room, but the second? When I inquired about it, they said it was because they offerend a free breakfast.

That's right, they charge $10 for us to have the free breakfast! Does that sound strange to anyone else?

Anyway, my sis had to find an offsite place to for 2 nights and my dad, who researches this stuff all the time, found a decent place on the same street. So, I checked the reviews and they were pretty good. Most people that didn't like it, didn't think that it was a great place to stay longterm, but it's clean and close to Disney, so I booked it.

Now, I am finished with the planning that involves a phone call to Florida or typing away on the keys!

Anyway, I hope you are happy and excited about your upcoming trips! Be them in a few weeks or a few years, Disney is always something fun to look forward to!

 

[michael's mom]

Okay, so I just posted my final itinerary the other day...I know. Then, I realized that I made a major mistake when booking and had to make some changes.

The mistake that I made was booking the Hoop De Doo for the only day I am not on a dining plan. I love the Hoop De Doo, but I do not want to pay $55 for fried chicken. I'd much rather use 2 TS instead. And I knew that the rest of my family would agree, so I had to cancel it.

So, I cancelled that reservation and booked 1900 Park Fare there instead (which if you recall was the original plan). That left me with the night I had 1900 PF booked (4/22) and because we weren't using 2TS on one dinner, I also needed ressies for 4/24.

Not only did I make this error, but one family that was coming with us decided not to go so I had to change EVERY SINGLE ADR to take them off the reservation. Some stayed the same and they just took one table of 4 off, but I actually had to change some as well. I was really worried that we'd lose our Chef Mickey's reservation. But, all was okay. Even the ones that I had to change stayed within 10 minutes of the original time.

We will be in AK all day on 4/22 and we have park hopper passes. I have been dying to try Teppan Edo in Japan and didn't originally book there because we weren't planning on being in Epcot at night. But because of the changes and the park hoppers I thought I'd give it a shot. He had ressies!!!!! So now we will leave AK and head to Epcot, have a nice dinner and then watch Illuminations. I booked Kona Cafe for dinner on 4/24 because my friend told me that their sticky wings were out of this world!!!!

So, my new schedule looks like this:

Friday, April 17, 2009: Land at MCO at approx. 11:30 p.m., get luggage, get rental car at Budget, and head to the Comfort Inn in Lake Buena Vista.


Saturday, April 18, 2009: Check out of Comfort Inn, head to Walmart to buy some necessities for our room at POR, and then head to POR to check in and finally relax by a pool!

Dinner reservations at 1900 Park Fare



Sunday, April 19, 2009: Get up early and head to Epcot at opening to ride Nemo and Friends and see Turtle Talk with Crush. We'll get breakfast at the foodcourt by The Land.

Head over to DHS (hopefully by 11:30 ish) to spend the rest of the day there.

Dinner reservations at Mama Melrose's

End the night with Fantasmic!



Monday, April 20, 2009: Get up very early to head to MK.
8:05 reservations at Crystal Palace for breakfast with Winnie
Then spend all day at MK. Hopefully have a late lunch at Cosmic Rays!



Tuesday, April 21, 2009: Day to rest! We are planning on recovering from 2 long park days and hang out at our pool for the day.

Dinner reservations at Chef Mickey's


Wednesday, April 22, 2009: Get to Animal Kingdom for rope drop and spend as much of the day as we can handle here! Then, we will head over to Epcot after AK closes.

Dinner reservations at Teppan Edo Totally psyched that we get to do this.

Watch Illuminations and then head back to POR for a good night sleep!



Thursday, April 23, 2009: Part of our party is leaving today and the rest of us will probably sleep in and head to the pool for the day. In fact, for the rest of our trip we aren't planning on any parks so we will plan on sleeping in and hanging out at the pool or shopping at DTD before/after our dinner reservations.

Dinner at Maya Grill



Friday, April 24, 2009:

As stated above we will relax at a pool or shop in DTD.

Dinner at Kona Cafe I am really excited about this one too!




Saturday, April 25, 2009: The day I've been dreading...my 30th birthday! That's okay, at least I am in Disney right? Again, we plan on just hanging out, maybe resort hop.

Now, I have said before how much I have tried to get into Whispering Canyon Cafe right? Well, we now get to go!

Birthday dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe.

Back to POR to pack our things and get to bed early because....



Sunday, April 26, 2008: at 4:30 a.m. we have to leave for the airport for a 6:15 flight out of MCO


The only good thing about this flight time is that we will be home with plenty of time to get unpacked, rest, and for me to get ready to teach 20 first graders on April 27th!


Okay, so that is it...I am not changing any more. If anyone else decides to meet us down there, they will not be eating with us! Is that cruel? I just stressed out over this way too much!

I am looking for suggestions for Counter Service restaurants. I am pretty sure we will eat at Cosmic Ray's in MK, but the rest is up in the air.


Thanks for reading!!!!!

 

[parkers*momma]

All I can say is OMH you are makig me hungry for WDW food!

You're ADR's sound wonderful!

A small hint...you might want to call WCC and request to be seated in the main diningroom. The last time we were there (I forgot to request the main room) we were seated out back and missed all the fun! There was, if I remember correctly, only 4 tables and to be honest, it stunk being way way WAY in the back.

 

[michael's mom]

All I can say is OMH you are makig me hungry for WDW food!

You're ADR's sound wonderful!

A small hint...you might want to call WCC and request to be seated in the main diningroom. The last time we were there (I forgot to request the main room) we were seated out back and missed all the fun! There was, if I remember correctly, only 4 tables and to be honest, it stunk being way way WAY in the back.

Thanks, I will definitely do that. I am hoping that since we have one of the first ADR's we'll be lucky but I am going to do that tonight!

 

[michael's mom]

Well, it's been a crazy week for me. This past week I developed a slight kidney infection and while I caught it very early and was not uncomfortable for too long, I have been dragging. We had a snow day on Wednesday so I was able to rest up a bit then, but things have been super busy at work, I have report cards due next week and still have much to do to be ready for those!

But, last night DS, DM and I went to my aunts house for my lil' cousins birthday party. He'll be 3 tomorrow (this is one of the other two kids that will be with us in WDW). As soon as we got there my uncle started asking all sorts of questions about the trip and I realized, there might just be someone just as excited as I am about going!!!!! And, according to my aunt, he likes to have things organized, so, while the rest of my DFamily will be rollign their eyes at me , he'll be psyched!

We had a really great time at the party. My DS picked out a pair of Lightening McQueen pajamas for his cousin (and of course I got a pair for him so they could match) and DM got him some clothes to get him ready for the trip with a cool pair of sunglasses. She is planning on getting them some cool things to keep them busy in the airport/on the plane.

Any suggestions?

We are flying out at 8:30 p.m. and returning on a 6:55 a.m. flight so I am hoping we don't need too much for our DS. We will be bringing portable DVD player or laptop to play a movie for him or some episodes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse to get him excited.

I am really starting to get excited now that we are edging closer and closer. Only 2 more weeks until my February break...and then the countdown is ON!

I am starting to think about putting together a journal for the 5yo princess that will be coming and found some cool journal pages for adults too! I'll just have to partake in that! I figure, I ask all of my students to keep a journal of their vacations while they are away...I could do the same and share with them right? Plus, what a great keepsake to share with DS when he's older.

I also want to have t'shirts made for the trip. I'd love it if at least one day we all wore matching t'shirts...but talk about the eyes rolling...if we were in a bowling alley pins would be everywhere!!!! I am hoping to make some for the kids, DH and I that say "We're going to Disneyworld today!"

Has anyone ever made these t's? Do I need special ink for my printer or does regular ink work to make the transfers?

Anyway, those are my thoughts and plans...I just hope that I start early enough to get it all done.

 

[michael's mom]

Has anyone ever done a photopass share? It sounds like something that would be pretty cool...but does it work?

 

[michael's mom]

Well, I'm freezing cold, more snow today and of course, the one day I don't wear my boots to work...I can't get my poor feet to warm up.

On a more Disney note, today I did something I never thought possible...I didn't put new Disney checks into my purse. Nope. For as long as I can remember my checks have had some type of Disney design on them. While getting ready to re-order I discovered that they had a new breast cancer design where some of the money that I paid for the checks goes to cancer research. Well, with my sister living with breast cancer I decided that was the way to go. Plus, they are adorable...they are light pink with darker pink and daisies...have I ever mentioned that I love daisies? So, I did it. I did what I once considered the unthinkable. But, it's for a great and personally meaningful cause.

Well, that's it. I have sooooooooo much work to do to get my report cards finished and I can't get motivated!!! Aaah.

 

[michael's mom]

Well, as the new title of the thread suggests, we let the secret out. We have been keeping this trip under our hats from DH's parents because they don't always approve of our taking vacations. I may or may not have mentioned this, but DH was unemployed for several months last year, and while this trip was planned long in advance, we weren't sure we'd be able to go because of his non-working status. Thankfully, he got a job and the trip was on.

Now, his final month of unemployment things got tight. His previous employer tried saying that he quit and contested his unemployment so we were using only savings as I was out of work as well. When he had called his parents to get his savings bonds from childhood, they wouldn't give them to him and gave us money for our bills instead. Very generous of them, but we didn't want the money...we really wanted to get through this on our own. So, we owe them quite a bit of money. The reason we didn't want their help was because of Disney, but they are pretty persistent and really just want to help.

Now, along with being kind, generous, and persistent, his parents aren't the type to vacation. His dad worked for a company as Vice-president of something in offices in Costa Rica and Hong Kong and was out of the country a lot (also making a lot of $$). The only vacations DH has told me about were occasional trips to visit dad (1 or 2 to each place) and one family boat trip. Yes, these are vacations, but to me, going to HK because Dad is working isn't a vacation and I only mentioned 5 trips in 30 years!!! His parents own a house in NH and MA so they use the NH house as their "vacation home" but there's nothing to do there. They live on a mountain and don't ski. I've known them for over 10 years and in that time, they have taken 1 vacation.

Needless to say, they still have $$ because they save their $$. But, I thouroughly enjoy my trips to Disney with my family, as does my husband. Each and every time we've gone his parents have commented on the $$ it costs to go on vacation. Our priorities are just different.

That being said, we knew we couldn't just go away for over a week and not tell them. Today, we learned that DBil's future SIL was planning a shower for his Fiance while we were gone and DH's mom wanted to have a small birthday party for me (I'll be 30 as you all know) so we had to tell her.

We were at a family member's birthday party today and DH broke the news but only told a half truth. We have more than enough $$ from our tax return to pay for Disney and give his parents the money we owe them but decided that to prevent any comments we'd tell them that my parents were paying for the trip as part of a birthday present but also to have a family vacation again and that we were paying for airfare. What did DMIL ask first you ask? How are you paying for it?

DH insists that they dont' care that we are going away, but I know that they do. I just don't think I should feel bad going away after the year we had last year...for two reasons, 1.) we're paying them back in full before we go, and 2.) we didn't ask for the $$ in the first place.

Anyway, I can finally breath easily because we can talk about it without worrying that someone will overhear.


So, if I still have any readers...thanks for sticking with me!

 

[accountingbabe08]

Your trip sounds so exciting with that many people. I think it would be fun to plan a GG one day. You must be getting excited it will be here before you know it.

 

[michael's mom]

I can't wait. I remember being a little girl and my WHOLE FAMILY would be there...aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, EVERYBODY. Now, all being adults with different schedules and desires, it's hard to get everyone together. This will be the first time in 10 years that I've been with a large group, and while it's smaller than we had originally hoped, it will still be a lot of fun with great family memories and pictures! I just hope they don't all hate me and my "way too organized" plans because I am far from organized normally, I am just so excited I can't help it.

Although, my obsession is saving them all money left and right so I think they'll be okay!

Welcome and thanks for reading!

 

[michael's mom]

Okay, I had no idea I'd be posting again or I would have saved it for my post earlier tonight.

I just bought Crocs for the family from their outlet and got a great deal. I wanted to buy DS a new pair because he's grown into the next size and got him the blue Mickey crocs with the green strap. His pair last year were the red with black strap. Then, I looked in the Women's outlet and they had the cutest pair of flip flops. A black and white croc material sole, but canvas straps. Really cute. Then, in the men's outlet I found a decent pair of slip-on black sandals for DH to wear to the pool (they sort of look like the adidas sandals that were sooo cool about 15 years ago).

DS's new Crocs:

My new Crocs:

DH's new Crocs:

Anyway, I also searched google and got a free shipping coupon without spending $100 so that was double great!

And to make it all even better, I now know how to post images!!! Yay!

 

[michael's mom]

Okay, so now that DH broke the news to the inlaws, the question is, How do we get to the airport? Do we ask Dh's DD to drive us? Providence is a longer drive than Logan in Boston. or, Do we drive ourself and just leave our park in the long-term parking lot? But, what if the lot fills up? On the website it has a disclaimer that while they have many parking spaces, occasionally the lots fill during holidays and school vacation. If you are keeping up with the PTR you'll know that I am traveling a school vacation so what are we to do?

We decided that we didn't want to as DFiL because he always helps us out with stuff like this and it's a much further drive during rush hour and then early a.m. So, I started looking into transportation services like a towncar. Well, I knew it would be a bit of $$ but I never expected $125-$175 one way, no gratuity or toll fees. AAAAAHHHHHHH, what are we to do?

Then, I email the parking lot people at T.F. Green to ask what the chances are that the lot will fill up.

WHY DID I PANIC????? His response was kind of funny....none of the lots have filled up since 9/11! I certainly doubt in times of economic crisis that they'll start filling up now! So, it's settled, we are driving down on our own, it'll cost $88, but worth not sticking his dad with the hassle.

Then, second panic sets in. My mom asked me if we booked our dog Louie at the kennel for the week. I brushed it off as just a simple, no, not yet! Then, as I began to think about it...school vacation week...popular travel time....surrounded by tons of wealthy communities that economy not effecting...WILL THERE BE ROOM FOR HIM???????


As a background on our dog...he'll be 4 1/2 when we go and he's an eternal puppy. He is a black and tan/bluetick coonhound mix...yes, I said hound. He barks ALL THE TIME and is LOUDER THAN ANY DOG I'VE EVER KNOWN!!! We have used up all of our family sitters because each one had a "not so nice visit with him for one reason or another." DSiL had to bring her dog to DBiL's because my dog bullied hers (which is a pitbull). Then my cousin watched him while we were on a long weekend and he barked all night to the point that the police showed up to see if everything was okay! Needless to say, she wasn't too excited about coming back. So, when we went away for Columbus Day weekend we tested out this kennel in the town over and it went great! They offer playgroups and walks daily (for fees of course), and they didn't mind the barking!

So, back to the WILL THEY HAVE ROOM FOR HIM? I emailed them last night at 11:30 (I told you I was panicking) and she got back to me today with "We'd be happy to have Louie back with us!"



Now, the next challenge was to find someone to feed my cat. She really enjoys not having the dog around so we make sure someone comes in to feed her and play with her a bit. Now, normally I'd ask my younger cousin to stay here with her...but...she'll be in Disney with her lacrosse team the same time so I was stuck. Thankfully, my mom remembered that my other cousin and his girlfriend would probably be around and she offered to feed Chloe for us.

Everything is all starting to feel real...my ticker is counting down...we're starting to make purchases and I think most plans are in place...now it just have to get here!


Thanks for reading!

 

[miprender]

Hello Michaels Mom... we must be related indirectly because we have alot in common. My DS3 picked out those exact crocs, DD5 got the red ones and I got the black for me and DS1. DH didn't want any.

So you will be leaving out of PVD. We live about 5 min from the airport and probably will have my FIL drop us off. We aren't going with as many people that you are going with but my mom and brother are coming too.

We also have a late flight down 7:30pm and an early flight out 7am. I hate lingering around on our last day, I rather just leave quickly I am hoping DH can get Wed off from school so we can take the 3pm flight but the schools get funny about taking time off before vacation and he is already using a personal day for Thurs.

PS another thing in common was we honeymooned in Disney 1996 at the WL. That was DH's first time and since then we have been back several times.

 

[miprender]

I also want to have t'shirts made for the trip. I'd love it if at least one day we all wore matching t'shirts...but talk about the eyes rolling...if we were in a bowling alley pins would be everywhere!!!! I am hoping to make some for the kids, DH and I that say "We're going to Disneyworld today!"

Has anyone ever made these t's? Do I need special ink for my printer or does regular ink work to make the transfers?

Anyway, those are my thoughts and plans...I just hope that I start early enough to get it all done.

You should check on the DISigns thread and they can make you what ever you want. I have been practicing and I bought some Iron transfer paper at Walmart and it seems ok. I am not sure how long it will hold up after many washings but you just put it into your inkjet printer and I had to wait 30 min for it to dry before I could iron it on.

 

[michael's mom]

Hello Michaels Mom... we must be related indirectly because we have alot in common. My DS3 picked out those exact crocs, DD5 got the red ones and I got the black for me and DS1. DH didn't want any.

So you will be leaving out of PVD. We live about 5 min from the airport and probably will have my FIL drop us off. We aren't going with as many people that you are going with but my mom and brother are coming too.

We also have a late flight down 7:30pm and an early flight out 7am. I hate lingering around on our last day, I rather just leave quickly I am hoping DH can get Wed off from school so we can take the 3pm flight but the schools get funny about taking time off before vacation and he is already using a personal day for Thurs.

PS another thing in common was we honeymooned in Disney 1996 at the WL. That was DH's first time and since then we have been back several times.

You should check on the DISigns thread and they can make you what ever you want. I have been practicing and I bought some Iron transfer paper at Walmart and it seems ok. I am not sure how long it will hold up after many washings but you just put it into your inkjet printer and I had to wait 30 min for it to dry before I could iron it on.

Your DH is a teacher? I am as well, but I cannot take any time off directly before/after a vacation so we have to fly out on Friday and home on Sunday to get the most. I'd rather not have a flight SO early on Sunday, but I figure it will give me plenty of time to get unpacked and ready for work the next day.

We are flying out of Providence...it was the best flight deal we could get. I am super excited about flying Southwest...and nonstop flights.


I have been on the Disigns page and will be asking soon for some designs...how do I do it? Do I post a request or pick a specific Disigner and ask them? I know that my fam won't wear the tshirts, but I at least want one that says "We're going to Disneyworld" for DS, and the other two kids coming (along with DH and myself of course!)
Thanks for reading my PTR

 

[miprender]

DH is a 7th grade math teacher.

As for the DISign page I found a design I liked and I had that person put the names on it for me. My brother wasnt too keen on wearing a shirt but I am only doing one. I bought matching shirts on Disney Shopping for the kids. My DD gets upset if my two sons match and she doesnt.

 

[michael's mom]

DH is a 7th grade math teacher.

As for the DISign page I found a design I liked and I had that person put the names on it for me. My brother wasnt too keen on wearing a shirt but I am only doing one. I bought matching shirts on Disney Shopping for the kids. My DD gets upset if my two sons match and she doesnt.

That's what I figured I'd do. How much does the printer paper cost? I would really love to do matching shirts for our first day there but I'd hate to spend the money on the t's and then have my family (parents and sisters) not wear them. I think my aunt and uncle would because they are super excited like I am to be going back.

 

[michael's mom]

Okay, so, in one of my previous posts, I wrote about how I had ADR's for too many people and then, when everyone confirmed they weren't going, I called and changed ALL OF MY ADR's down to the 12 that will be with us right? Well, yesterday, I bring DS to my parent's house and my aunt is visiting with my two little cousins. Everything is great, we're talking about Disney and getting very excited when...
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my aunt tells me that her DS (my cousin) is waiting to hear whether or not his leave has been approved and he's going to join us with his girlfriend


I honestly hope that my cousin can join us, but, I also hope I can just add them to my ADR's and I'm not sure they will. I do plan on playing the "the army took a while to approve his leave...can't we just put chairs at the ends of the tables?" speech!

We'll see. The Army may not approve his leave (which would stink) and this won't be a problem. But, I am torn because I REALLY want my cousin to join us and hope I don't lose the ADR's.

What to do, what to do, what to do?

 

[miprender]

The transfer paper at Walmart is $10 for a package of 10. It was transfer paper for light colored TShirts. Also I found this place on line that you can order Tshirts for cheap at www.jiffyshirts.com and if you have little ones under 2 they carry those sizes too. I ordered them and got them delivered the next day and with shipping they were still cheaper than Michaels or ACMoore.

In regards to your cousin, that would be nice if he could come. My SIL keeps saying they want to come but cant really afford it right now. I told DH that they shouldnt come anyway since I already made our ADRs and I dont want to change them , however I told SIL we can all go to StoryLand this summer with them instead.

 

[michael's mom]

The transfer paper at Walmart is $10 for a package of 10. It was transfer paper for light colored TShirts. Also I found this place on line that you can order Tshirts for cheap at www.jiffyshirts.com and if you have little ones under 2 they carry those sizes too. I ordered them and got them delivered the next day and with shipping they were still cheaper than Michaels or ACMoore.

In regards to your cousin, that would be nice if he could come. My SIL keeps saying they want to come but cant really afford it right now. I told DH that they shouldnt come anyway since I already made our ADRs and I dont want to change them , however I told SIL we can all go to StoryLand this summer with them instead.

Thanks for that info...I will definitely be getting some. My sis informed me again today that in no way, shape or form would she wear a matching t-shirt...besides "I don't wear t-shirts because I don't like the tanline!" When I offered to make her a matching tank she laughed at me!

As for my cousin, I do mean whole-heartedly that I'd love to have him there. But, my aunt told me 2 weeks ago that he was being wishy washy and to just go ahead with plans because she didn't know if he was joining us. I am just frustrated because I had extra people on our ADR's and then removed them. Ugh! If worse comes to worse, I'll change what I can and then offer to make him some without us...heck, he may want a nice quiet meal with his girlfriend once or twice )

I failed to mention though that when my cousin got info about Shades of Green that someone told him to have me call Disney because as family members of military personnel, there are all sorts of great perks....I wonder what they are? I'll be sure to give him a call this week.