Oh, Snap!A Recession!Going anyway...May 09! **5/19-TR LINK!!!

[scooby9932]

Welcome to our Pre Trippie! To get in the Disney mood I decided to write a PTR a bit earlier than I did the last time. (This is my 2nd attempt at a PTR - this time with some advance planning!) In case you're wondering about the title, when DD & watched Chicken Little for the first time & heard the "dad" chicken say "Oh, snap!" we just bursted out laughing. Don't really know why, but it just seemed so funny in that movie. I don't normally say things like that - I'm just not that 'cool'!

I've made changes to our trip, so have included them in this lovely, LIME green color.

The Backstory:

I am a single, divorced mom (39) to a beautiful DD (19). It's been just the 2 of us since the beginning & we are great friends & travel buddies.

I have been battling lupus for years & recently cancer. I just finished a 6 month series of chemo & radiation for metastasis to my lungs & ribcage. I am really ready for a break. Though I can't get away until May, planning keeps my mind off other things & keeps me looking forward to more time on this beautiful earth! And what better place than Disney World, no?

DD & I have always gone on yearly vacations -just the 2 of us- on our "Mom & Daughter" vacation. For years, we went to the beach for a week since DD is a HUGE beach person. Me...not so much. But her enjoyment made me happy. You know how it is. We'd gone to WDW a few times with my folks & with my sister's family a couple of times. But my family's traveling style is WAY different than mine & let's just say DD just didn't get my enthusiasm for the mouse. I know...

However, for the past 2 years, we have taken a trip to WDW just the 2 of us in the first week of May. After last year's trip, she finally got it. We had so much fun! She is now a 100% certified Disney fanatic just like mom! Ha Ha!

The Cast:

Me -
I love all things Disney - the magic, the characters, the unexplainable feeling you get when you first walk onto Main Street USA, the Disney smells...I could go on & on. I grew up going to Disneyland with a few trips to Disney World. I work full time and also have a side business (I make jewelry). I love to drum on my djembe drum. I love to paint. I love to spend countless hours on the Disboards! I love to plan. Lists are my best friends. Winnie the Pooh is my favorite character.

Due to the many issues related to the lupus & cancer, I have to use an ECV while at the world. That's just the way I roll! I'm often Dizzy due to side effects of the treatments, so DD calls me Dizzy Disney Fanatic or DDF for short.

DD-
She's my Sparkly Princess (SP for short) and she loves all things sparkly, of course, pink...naturally...and fairy tale endings. She is often referred to as a princess...I don't know why. She's funny, kind, sweet, quirky, and my best friend. She's working on her photography degree & freelances on the side. Cinderella is her favorite character.

SP is a great help to me during these trips. It's not impossible to go solo when disabled, but it sure helps to have someone watching your back (and picking up things you drop!)

Now that you know a little about us, let's take a look at our plans so far.

The Where:
Caribbean Beach Resort: which will be a 1st for us. It looks really nice & it'll be nice to stay somewhere that doesn't reflect my home state! (We've stayed at POR for the last 2 years.)
Changed to the Poly! Woo Hoo!

The When:
Leaving Home: April 29
Arriving Disney World: April 30
Departing Disney World : May 7
Arriving Destin, FL: May 7
Departing Destin & Arriving Home: May 9
Changed slightly so we could get the Poly with the b4/g3 deal - Will arrive Wed., April 28 & Depart WDW May 6

The How:
We'll be driving again. We enjoy the slow build up of anticipation when going & the slow decompression when coming back home.

The Why:
Well, Duh!

No, really. We now HAVE to go to Disney at least once a year. SP is completely hooked and Lord knows I would live there if I could!

The Side-Trip:
Our used-to-be yearly Mom-Daughter vacation was one week in May in Biloxi at a hotel on the beach. SP is a HUGE beach lover. I started taking her there for weekend daytrips when she was still in diapers. Once I was making enough money, we worked our way up to long weekends and finally once she was about 8 years old, we'd spend 1 solid week on the beach. We had MAJOR traditions in place. Well, little Miss Nasty Hurricane Katrina ruined that for us back in 2005. We were so bummed! So, May 2005 was the last year for our "usual" trip.

While it's true that the Mississippi coast has made tremendous headway (unlike New Orleans, etc. in Louisiana), it's still not all that vacation worthy yet. It's all construction, construction, re-building...not much beach or really anything else around.

We drove along the beach front road the last 2 years on the way home from Disney to see how things were. SP always has to stop & get her feet wet and we collect a few shells & get the usual bottle of water/sand memento. We reminisce about her "growing up" years. We cry a little. Then we have to keep moving to get home.

Ahem...sorry for the flashback...now back to our trip report.

So...I decided to surprise SP with a stop in Destin on the way home. We'll spend 2 nights & 1 full day at the beach. I'm so excited! She's going to be ELATED!

The What Now?

I've booked the Disney portion of the trip, paid my deposit, and reserved a room at the beach. I changed my ressie to the b4g3 free offer & saved about $600! I really struggle with whether to pocket the savings or change to my all time WISH I COULD resort - Wilderness Lodge. Stay tuned...depending on the economy, etc. I may change our resort.
Yep, I did it...upgraded resort to the Poly!

We decided the Quick Service Dining option would work really well for us. We looked back over my meticulous records (ha ha - now she sees why I keep them) and saw that we did indeed eat 2 quick service meals a day and she had 2 snacks per day, while I averaged 1 snack. Eating Quick Service means we won't have to be too regimented in our park day planning & can change our minds if we want. Nope, dropped the QS plan from our package. After reviewing our choices, the only $$ savings would be if we made sure to buy the most expensive thing each time. Just not that into food for all that effort. Oh, well. Maybe some day I'll go during free dining & try out some of the places I keep hearing about on the Dis!

SP still wants to have one nice sit down dinner, so we're pouring over menus to decide where that should be. I let it be her pick since she's the picky eater in our duo. I have only veto power. We've never made ADRs before so any help is greatly appreciated!

Her choices:
A character meal at (1st choice) Cinderella's Royal Table, (2nd Choice) Chef Mickey's, (3rd Choice) 1900 Park Fare
OR
The Coral Reef Restaurant in EPCOT
Ok - now we're shooting for 1900 Park Fare & Fulton's Crab House at DTD. We just have to wait for our ADR window to open up!

She really wants to see Cinderella, so I'm thinking Park Fare for dinner. Since we still can't make ADR's, we have some time to think it over. CRT is so expensive & difficult to secure an ADR. I know I could make one now, but I'm hesitating for some reason.

Any suggestions? Recommendations? We've only eaten at Downtown Disney table-service restaurants & the Sci-Fi Dine-In at DHS. Neither of us eats red meat and she doesn't like strange sauces on her food. Not too limiting, is it?

We've started making lists already. Yes, WE, as in not just I have. Mwau Ha Ha! Vindication! A fellow Disney fanatic! It feels Goood!

SP's picked up a few LGMH at Home Depot & I've scanned one in so we can decorate our binder & maybe make some cool lanyard/luggage tags. I'll have to start the creative engines.

I bought us each a raincoat from DisneyShopping.com - they were on sale for $9.99. I got a blue Mickey coat, and SP got a pink Tink coat. They fold up inside their own little pocket so are compact, but are really snug & waterproof. We've not needed to use our ponchos (except on SM!), but you never know. Best to be prepared, right?

I bought SP a Croc sling bag for the parks. She really hated using a fanny pack, but wanted quick access to the must haves. She didn't like a regular backpack either since it was bulky & difficult to manuever on/off the rides. The Croc bag looks like a nice compromise. Plus...it's PINK and had several places for jibbitz...maybe some SPARKLY ones!

Anyhoo, that's about it for now. Without park hours, it's hard to get started on the real planning.

Only 4 months, 4 weeks to go!

Table of Contents
Financial Concerns
Finances, Schminances - We Upgraded!
A Croc Story
Camcorders, Countdown Plans
Touring/Eating Plans
Sad, sad News...
100 Day Countdown Partay!
Spreadsheet Bliss, Wisdom Tooth Removal
Update on Wisdom Teeth and More Plans
1st Shot at ADRs
Surprise, Surprise ADR Changes!
New Schedule
Go Shopping, Shopping, Shopping From A to Z
Beach Portion Changes
Some T-Shirt Designs
Pictures!
Nostalgia - Pics from 1989 and forward!
Crocs
Zoo Trip
Disney Pillowcases
43 Days Away!!
Checklists
Totally Off Topic Picture Post

35 Days & Some Crafts
Minnie Toes!
Birthday Orchid
Epi Pens & Other News
Magic Kingdom Days
Sing It! A Shopping We Will Go, A Shopping We Will Go, Oh How the Money Goes, A Shopping We Will Go!
The Package Arrives!
Some New Clothes for Mama!
Hectic Life!
Sorrow & Hope
Single Digit Dance!
5 More Days!!

 

[scooby9932]

I've been going back & forth on our plans. Do we still go? Do we scale back? Skip the beach portion? I'm just not sure. Anyone else having these thoughts?

Since we're driving, it's not like I'm locked into a non-refundable plane ticket or anything. OTOH, if I postpone it would be til the fall, which means I'd lose out on the b4g3 free deal & that would be losing $$.

I'm so confused.

I think I'll try to make a list (what a shock, me making a list!) of all the reasons to go ahead as planned & one for saving money. We'll see which one wins out.

#1 Reason to Go Ahead as Planned:
I have had the most miserable of miserable last 6 months & with this cancer being incurable, I don't know how many more trips I'll get to take. I don't want to sound like I'm being negative - just ask those around me - I'm super positive & am doing everything to keep on like a Timex. I'm just being pragmatic. Death happens. And I want to LIVE every chance I get. And living includes doing those things that make you happiest. Ya know?

Another really good reason to go is the great time I get to spend with DD - these are precious & I don't want to miss a single thing. She's growing up & moving on & soon she'll have better things to do than hang with mom.

However, medical bills are harsh & demanding. I have to make payments toward the total as there's just no way I could ever pay all the $$ I owe. Insurance only pays so much. So, my budget is crunched to begin with.

But...I feel like treating myself to something I really love. I do!


See? Confuzzled I am. Luckily, I have time to figure this stuff out.

Any ideas/advice/suggestions welcome. I'm

 

[TxRabbit]

I totally understand where you are coming from on the finances!

We have booked our vacation (we picked CBR too!) totally trying to take advantage of the 4/3 deal. We are going in June though. We also plan on driving. It gives us the freedom to cancel.

Meanwhile, just the planning is fun.

I say don't worry about the decision right now. Wait until that 45 day out mark. Proceed onward as if you were going.

We also picked to do the quick service plan. But we will be adding a couple ADRs here and there. We have to do some character meals!

It'll be interesting to see which meal y'all pick!

 

[scooby9932]

I totally understand where you are coming from on the finances!

We have booked our vacation (we picked CBR too!) totally trying to take advantage of the 4/3 deal. We are going in June though. We also plan on driving. It gives us the freedom to cancel.

Meanwhile, just the planning is fun.

I say don't worry about the decision right now. Wait until that 45 day out mark. Proceed onward as if you were going.

We also picked to do the quick service plan. But we will be adding a couple ADRs here and there. We have to do some character meals!

It'll be interesting to see which meal y'all pick!

I think I will wait until the 45 day mark. That's good advice. Thanks! Too much worrying about finances just spoils the fun of planning!

Have you stayed at CBR before? This will be a 1st for me. I like to get all the opinions I can on resorts.

We've just about decided to try for 1900 Park Fare for a character meal one evening & maybe add on Coral Reef or one of the other Epcot TS meals for a treat. We've still got plenty of time to decide since ADRs can't be made until 12/22!

 

[TxRabbit]

I haven't stayed at CBR before. And we just switched our resorts! I'm still excited to hear about your stay, because I would like to stay there on a different trip.

We were originally going to try out the new pirate rooms, but DS actually wasn't as keen on that as we thought he would be. With that said, DH said he wanted to go to CSR. I think that staying at CSR will work out better for us with the QS DDP. DS8 doens't love the kids menus, but we can definitely share the offerings of the food court at CSR. I don't think we will ever eat quite as often at the hotel as we will on this trip!

Options will open for us when DS is considered an adult in one more year.

Did they change the time frame for making ADRs? I thought you could make them at 180 days out? Or is it because of the new system?

 

[scooby9932]

I haven't stayed at CBR before. And we just switched our resorts! I'm still excited to hear about your stay, because I would like to stay there on a different trip.?

Oh, well! I'll be sure to write up our review when we get back. That's if we don't end up changing resorts as well!

We were originally going to try out the new pirate rooms, but DS actually wasn't as keen on that as we thought he would be. With that said, DH said he wanted to go to CSR. I think that staying at CSR will work out better for us with the QS DDP. DS8 doens't love the kids menus, but we can definitely share the offerings of the food court at CSR. I don't think we will ever eat quite as often at the hotel as we will on this trip!

Options will open for us when DS is considered an adult in one more year.?

I love CSR! We stayed there back in 2002 & loved it. Pepper Market did have a lot of great CS choices & I've heard that since the renovation it's even better. You guys will really enjoy it! Plus the slide at the theme pool is just too cool! I remember when DD turned to a "Disney adult". While it might help with DDP, they didn't have the plan back then. I know it sure was a shock for ticket prices!

Did they change the time frame for making ADRs? I thought you could make them at 180 days out? Or is it because of the new system?

The change is due to the new system. The latest date I've heard & confirmed with Disney was 12/22 EXCEPT for Cinderella's Royal Table, Victoria & Alberts & one other TS. You can see details at www.allears.net - plus they have the menus.

 

[scooby9932]

After looking over my finances & talking about it non-stop (family is just a little nuts with all my talk), I finally decided to take the plunge & upgrade my resort to the Poly!

The cost is the same as what I had intended to spend before the b4g3 deal without the QS dining, which I dropped from my package. After looking at the plan & menus, it seems like it doesn't save money at all unless you make sure to buy the most expensive item available. That's just too much effort, really. We're not all about the food anyway. And I know I didn't get many snacks last year at all. We bought Garden Grocer supplies & that worked really great for us. I think I'll go with them again this year.

I've never stayed deluxe before & might not get the chance like this again. We're so excited!

We decided on the Poly since it's a monorail resort - with the TTC monorail just next door. I'm just betting that traveling via monorail using an ECV is much easier than the headache that is transfering onto/off of buses. We always go to MK & Epcot more than the other parks, so here's the plan:

Epcot Days:
Take TTC monorail directly to Epcot

MK Days:
Take Poly monorail to MK

DHS Day:
Take TTC monorail to Epcot, take boat to DHS & back to Epcot, monorail back to resort. Since we only spend 1-3 hours at DHS, this will work great for us.

AK Day:
This will be the one day I have to transfer onto & off of a bus. Not too bad for 7 days. And with luck, the bus will be the newer ramp style instead of the lift.

Oh, and the rooms are larger, so my scooter will fit better without us having to manuever around it & lose a chair for it to fit.

Also, it'll be almost like a vacation within a vacation - a trip to the tropical Pacific Isles & Disney World! Not to mention being able to watch Wishes from the beach (or *cross my fingers* our room balcony)! And the pool looks amazing. The theming is beautiful!

I'm just betting both DD & I will enjoy getting spoiled!

Well, I'm off to the Poly thread to do research! I've got lots of stuff to read up on now...oh, no - more research!

 

[Leleluvsdis]

I am SOOOO enjoying reading your PTR!!! We are planning a trip for May also, but not sure of dates yet.
I think it's awesome you are taking this trip! My family has been affected by cancer so many times, and I have seen so many people go from fun loving live in the moment, to not wanting to leave the house, sit in the dark and stare into nothingness attitudes! Your's is awesome!!! We had a "family" (she wasn't by blood but my heart family) member who had an inoperable non-curable brain tumor, and she lived longer than any patient that had been treated or seen in the hospitable she was at, and many dr's and pshcologist that met her said it was b/c her attitude. She lived 22 months from when she was dianosed, and the longest before that was 13 months. I firmly believe attitude makes a BIG difference in your treatments.
Anywhoo... Can't wait to here more about you big trip!!!

BTW... I am soooo envious you are the poly!!! Just a monorail in general!!! We are staying off site this time but hoping for Bonnet Creek!

 

[scooby9932]

I think it's awesome you are taking this trip! My family has been affected by cancer so many times, and I have seen so many people go from fun loving live in the moment, to not wanting to leave the house, sit in the dark and stare into nothingness attitudes! Your's is awesome!!! We had a "family" (she wasn't by blood but my heart family) member who had an inoperable non-curable brain tumor, and she lived longer than any patient that had been treated or seen in the hospitable she was at, and many dr's and pshcologist that met her said it was b/c her attitude. She lived 22 months from when she was dianosed, and the longest before that was 13 months. I firmly believe attitude makes a BIG difference in your treatments.
Anywhoo... Can't wait to here more about you big trip!!!

Thanks so much for your encouraging words! Cancer is hard on everybody, not just the patient. I'm so sorry to hear you've been affected so often. Your heart-family member story is so encouraging & beautiful.

I do try to keep a good attitude. In fact, my doctors tell me that I'm the most positive patient they have. Plus the scrappiest! I was told 7 years ago that I wouldn't live to see 40 and that just chapped my hiney! I thought, "Huh! I'll show them!" And guess what...I turn 40 in May! Take that, you silly doctors! I've never had a birthday party before, but I'm expecting a BIG one then! I had wanted to schedule my Disney trip to be there for my birthday, but my parents couldn't come with us and I want to share that day with them. Oh, well...I'll just celebrate early!

I am SOOOO enjoying reading your PTR!!! We are planning a trip for May also, but not sure of dates yet.

Thanks! I'm glad to see I have some readers. I always get a little paranoid that noone is reading, and then I think, geez, silly it's not the end of the world! May is absolutely the best time to go, don't you think? We love the low crowd levels, the warm but not strangling hot weather, the Flower & Garden Festival. We've been all other times of the year, and May is my absolute favorite! You'll have so much fun!

BTW... I am soooo envious you are the poly!!! Just a monorail in general!!! We are staying off site this time but hoping for Bonnet Creek!

Oh, I know what you mean. All these years I've read people's reports about staying there & have been so envious. I have to pinch myself sometimes when I think about it. We're just so excited. And blessed. The Poly looks so fantastic - we're Super Excited!

I've heard of Bonnet Creek - are they all rental homes? I'll bet that's nice for space/privacy/quiet. I hope you get the kind of unit you're looking for.

 

[scooby9932]

No big planning news. But...I did get in our Disney crocs yesterday. I bought SP a pair of pale pink/lavendar strap Disney crocs & myself a pair of the Navy/Lime Green (Ha!) crocs. They were a steal at 17.99 each and free shipping!

Thanks to the budget board. You guys rock! If you haven't checked out the budget board here, you really should. While alot of the stuff pertains to families with young children, I still find bargains that fit our adult life. I've saved with free shipping codes & 10+% off at least 8 different times for stuff I was purchasing anyway. If you're shopping online, go there first. You just might find some great savings!

Well, I'd better get back to the planning. I've narrowed down our TS choices to 1900 Park Fare (character dinner) and Kona Cafe (tonga toast) and maybe one other (it's a toss up between Coral Reef & Fulton's Crab House).

 

[scooby9932]

Wow! It's been awhile since I posted any updates!

With no May hours yet, planning has been stymied a bit. My 90 day ADR date is coming up January 29, so I really hope the hours are up by then!

We reach 100 days out this Sunday! We are planning a 100 Day party. We're going to buy some Disney decorations & tableware, cook up some favorite snacks, buy a Disney cake, watch our favorite Disney movies, and work on our Disney countdown chain.

I've made a chain with 100 strips. Each strip has a bit of Disney trivia on it. We're going to have so much fun pulling off the strips each day & watching our countdown dwindle!

I've received some samples in the mail for Tide detergent, Pantene shampoo & conditioner, moisturizer, bug repellent wipes, and pantyhose. I can use all but they pantyhose on our trip. I've been putting things in the "Disney box" for awhile now & added the samples last night. After looking over the box, I realized our shopping list should be shorter this year. Yahoo!

I've added all our favorites to my GardenGrocer account so getting the order together will be a snap.

Let's see, what else? Oh, yeah! For Christmas, I gave SP a digital camcorder so we can now get some better quality video this trip! We'd previously used the video clip function on our digital cameras, but the quality & convenience of that feature just wasn't that great. Plus the clips really ate up space on our memory cards.

So far, the quality of this camcorder is great. Also, it's smaller than a soda can. Really lightweight, too, since I went with the flash memory. Anyone else use the Canon Vixia camcorders at Disney? Any helpful hints? We'll probably use it mostly for taping Wishes & parades.

That's it for now. I'll try to do a better job of posting updates.

 

[scooby9932]

Trying to plan a rough itinerary for our days, even without May hours. Boy, what a headache! Here's what I have so far:

Touring / Eating Plan

Wednesday, April 29:
Arrival / Epcot
Breakfast- At Holiday Inn Before Leaving
Lunch - On the Road
Arrive Hotel - Approx. 1 p.m.
Check In
If Room Ready:

• Unpack Car/Luggage
• Receive Groceries from GardenGrocer.com
• Clean Up & Change

If Room Not Ready:

• Leave Luggage with Bell Services

Pick up ECV from Luggage Services (Walker Mobility - reservations made 1/19/09)

Monorail to EPCOT
Dinner - Mexican Cantina

Thursday, April 30:
Epcot
Breakfast - Pastries in Norway
Lunch - Sunshine Seasons / Electric Umbrella
Dinner - ??

Friday, May 1:
AK
Breakfast - Eat in Room
Lunch - Pizzafari
Snack - Frozen Cokes/Cookies
Leave Park around 2 p.m.
Travel by bus (transfer @ Poly) to DTD
Dinner - Eat @ DTD (Fulton's Crab House)
Leave around 8 p.m.
Watch Wishes from Poly Beach / Dole Whip From Capt Cooks


Saturday, May 2:
DHS / Epcot p.m.
Breakfast -In Room
Be there at Rope Drop for TSM F/P
Lunch - Backlot Express(Several non-beef, yummy choices)
Midday Rest @ Resort – Swimming/Nap
Monorail to Epcot
Dinner- ?? @ Epcot


Sunday, May 3:
Epcot a.m./ Magic Kingdom (p.m. EMH)
Breakfast - Kona - Tonga Toast!
Lunch - Morrocco's Tangierine Café
Midday Break @ Resort - Swim, Nap, Refresh
Monorail to GF for early dinner
Dinner - Early Character Dinner @ 1900 Park Fare
Monorail to MK – Evening EMH
MK


Monday, May 4:
Epcot WS
Sleep In After late EMH
Breakfast- Pastries (Boulangerie or Norway)
Late Lunch/Early Dinner - Liberty Inn / England for Fish & Chips


Tuesday, May 5:
Magic Kingdom
Breakfast -Main Street Bakery
Lunch -Peco's Bills
Snack - Citrus Swirls
Dinner - Cosmic Rays / Terrace Noodle

Wednesday, May 6:
Check Out Day
Breakfast -In Room / Capt. Cooks
Leave Around 10 a.m.-Drive to Destin Resort
Lunch - On the Road
Snack -On the Road
Dinner –Resort or Nearby Restaurant on the Beach – Seafood?

I know this will change. Just as soon as the hours for May come out & I try for my ADR's, something will have to change. But this is my 1st pass at an itinerary. Can you tell Epcot is our favorite park? Any thoughts?

 

[scooby9932]

Sad, sad news.

We went to our local Disney store on Friday to get our annual "stuffies" - we always get a different small stuffed character each & take them on our trip with us. Well, wouldn't you know, our Disney store is one that they're closing down. I was so SAD! I love to go there just to get that "Disney feeling." Ya know?

Oh, well. It could be worse. I could have been a CM there & now be without a job! I feel bad for the CMs there. They are always so nice & friendly.

Oh, and the little stuffies were almost gone - with everything in the store being 50% off, it's no surprise really. I picked out a Goofy & SP got Daisy Duck. I didn't like the Donalds they had - the bill was so smushed, making Donald look even more contrary than usual. We also snagged a few Tees for under $2 each.

To make up for our sadness, SP & I stopped by the Great American Cookie Co. & bought some cookies to soothe our pain.

 

[autumnpalm]

Hi Scooby!!

I've been searching out all the May PTR since that is when we will be there, and I'm so happy to have found yours. I LOVE your positive attitude!! My family has also been affected by cancer many times and I am so excited for your upcoming trip!!

We will be at Disney from the 1-9, so some of our time will overlap!! We will be staying at the Yacht Club but we stayed at the Poly in December and had a great time... let me know if there's anything I can help you out with!! I've got tons of pictures, so just yell if you want a little preview.

Subscribing! So glad I found this PTR!

 

[scooby9932]

Hi Scooby!!

I've been searching out all the May PTR since that is when we will be there, and I'm so happy to have found yours. I LOVE your positive attitude!! My family has also been affected by cancer many times and I am so excited for your upcoming trip!!

We will be at Disney from the 1-9, so some of our time will overlap!! We will be staying at the Yacht Club but we stayed at the Poly in December and had a great time... let me know if there's anything I can help you out with!! I've got tons of pictures, so just yell if you want a little preview.

Subscribing! So glad I found this PTR!

to my trip report and thanks for stopping in! May is just a few short months away! We don't have long to wait, now!! Have you been in early May before? We have gone 3 times now that same week & just love the weather, the light crowds, the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival!

We almost picked the Yacht Club this trip when I decided to upgrade, but the Poly won out as it has the monorail & TTC next door. One of these days we'll go with an Epcot resort, since that's where we spend the majority of our time.

I'd love some previews of the Poly! I keep looking at pictures & just can't get enough of this beautiful resort!! We're both so excited about staying there. One question - do you know if there is an elevator in the Grand Ceremonial House? If so, is it big enough to hold an ECV? Thanks for your help!

 

[scooby9932]

On Sunday, we hit our 100 day out mark & had a countdown party!

We watched Disney movies, ate snacks off Disney princess plates, drank soda out of Disney princess cups.

BTW-if you have a Wal Mart close by, check out their party supplies: They have the cutest 8 oz. platic cups with Disney characters that can be used over & over. The ones I saw were Tink & her fairies, the Disney Princesses, Mickey Mouse Club. They were $0.57 each. We're going to take ours with us for our hotel room. I don't like using the glasses provided in the rooms:yes:: Yep, I'm a germaphobe! ).

We made our 100 day countdown chain. It was exciting watching the chain grow. I've got it draped over our entertainment center. It will be such fun watching it get shorter & shorter!

We also worked on some scrapbooking pages. We bought a coloring book with over 700 stickers that we'll use. Plus, don't tell anyone , but SP & I both still adore coloring!

Here's the list of what we watched:
Bambi 2 - we both thought this was actually cuter than the original & less sad
Fun & Fancy Free - I hadn't seen this one in ages. Still cute.
Timeless Tales - ditto
The Aristocats - SP's favoirte Disney movie of all time. She just LOVES Marie.
The Little Mermaid - another fave
...which prompted SP to want to watch The LIttle Mermaid 2 (I'm not much a fan of this one - I think it's cheezy.)
Of course, all throughout the day, we about our upcoming trip!

All in all, a good day. And now we're really pumped!

 

[Leleluvsdis]

On Sunday, we hit our 100 day out mark & had a countdown party!

We watched Disney movies, ate snacks off Disney princess plates, drank soda out of Disney princess cups.

BTW-if you have a Wal Mart close by, check out their party supplies: They have the cutest 8 oz. platic cups with Disney characters that can be used over & over. The ones I saw were Tink & her fairies, the Disney Princesses, Mickey Mouse Club. They were $0.57 each. We're going to take ours with us for our hotel room. I don't like using the glasses provided in the rooms:yes:: Yep, I'm a germaphobe! ).

We made our 100 day countdown chain. It was exciting watching the chain grow. I've got it draped over our entertainment center. It will be such fun watching it get shorter & shorter!

We also worked on some scrapbooking pages. We bought a coloring book with over 700 stickers that we'll use. Plus, don't tell anyone , but SP & I both still adore coloring!

Here's the list of what we watched:
Bambi 2 - we both thought this was actually cuter than the original & less sad
Fun & Fancy Free - I hadn't seen this one in ages. Still cute.
Timeless Tales - ditto
The Aristocats - SP's favoirte Disney movie of all time. She just LOVES Marie.
The Little Mermaid - another fave
...which prompted SP to want to watch The LIttle Mermaid 2 (I'm not much a fan of this one - I think it's cheezy.)
Of course, all throughout the day, we about our upcoming trip!

All in all, a good day. And now we're really pumped!

YEA!!!! for whatever reason the countdown parties always make it seem so much more real!!!

 

[autumnpalm]

to my trip report and thanks for stopping in! May is just a few short months away! We don't have long to wait, now!! Have you been in early May before? We have gone 3 times now that same week & just love the weather, the light crowds, the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival!

We almost picked the Yacht Club this trip when I decided to upgrade, but the Poly won out as it has the monorail & TTC next door. One of these days we'll go with an Epcot resort, since that's where we spend the majority of our time.

I'd love some previews of the Poly! I keep looking at pictures & just can't get enough of this beautiful resort!! We're both so excited about staying there. One question - do you know if there is an elevator in the Grand Ceremonial House? If so, is it big enough to hold an ECV? Thanks for your help!

Nope, we've never been in May before, but we sure are excited!!

I do know there are elevators in the GCH however I cannot recall exactly if they fit ECVs because I have never traveled with one. I would hope they they made the elevators as accessible as possible!

And here are some Poly pics for you! I'm sorry, I still can't get some of them to rotate! BTW your movie day sounds so cute!! I think my mother and I might do something similar before OUR May trip.

 

[scooby9932]

YEA!!!! for whatever reason the countdown parties always make it seem so much more real!!!

It's great, isn't it? We're so excited now, I can't even imagine how excited we'll be as our trip gets closer!

 

[scooby9932]

Nope, we've never been in May before, but we sure are excited!!

I do know there are elevators in the GCH however I cannot recall exactly if they fit ECVs because I have never traveled with one. I would hope they they made the elevators as accessible as possible!

And here are some Poly pics for you! I'm sorry, I still can't get some of them to rotate! BTW your movie day sounds so cute!! I think my mother and I might do something similar before OUR May trip.

Thanks so much! The pictures are great!

I've started to read your PTR & am so jealous! You get 2 trips in 2 months! And to WDW & DL! And a west coast drive! Lucky you! I am originally from L.A., so I know that you'll have a fantastic time out there. Even on crowded park days, DL is just so much fun!