Our Family's 1st Trip to the "World"!

[rosedolph]

It seems like everyone else is doing it, and it looks like fun, and I want a way to really remember my family’s first trip to Disney so - why not – let’s write a trip report (and a Pre-Trip report)! I will have to think of a really catchy TR name, and I will try and be witty so that everyone will be entertained. (but there are no promises!)

So let’s begin! Here we are –
Melissa, the mom (that’s me - and yes that is a big, plastic, orange dog I am sitting on.),

Randy, the dad ( and my best friend),

Hannah, the 4 yr old (not Hannah Montana but Hannah Banana), and Emma, the 2 yr old (don’t let her cuteness fool you).

Yep that is us – my wonderful family! We also have a beagle named Snickers, a parakeet named Kitty-Bob, and some fish – just in case you were wondering.

This is our first “family” trip to Disney – and did I mention that we also have 10 other family members going? Yes, I know – CRAZY!

You see it all started 6 years ago…

Having grown up in north Florida I went to DW a lot when I was younger – you know school trips, church youth groups, family outings. Randy had also gone a few times when he was younger, but neither of us had stayed in a Disney Resort. So we went for 8 days/ 7 nights and we stayed at All-Star Movies. It was a very special trip (We celebrated our 4th anniversary) and we had a great time. We knew that we wanted to share Disney with our children and decided that when our kid was 5 we would go back to Disney. At this point in our life we had no children and we had no idea who that “kid” would be – but we knew we wanted to come back for their 5th birthday! And guess what? 1 year after our Disney trip we had our first daughter – Hannah, and she will be celebrating her 5th birthday at Disney!

We started planning and saving for our trip 3 years ago. I guess really the only planning we did was pick which week to go, there is not really a lot of planning you can do 3 years out. We also told all of our extended family that we were going and invited them along. Well, 2 years and 11 months later we have our trip totally planned and paid for, as well as 10 other family members joining is. The extended crew is – Grace (my mother), Melody (my sister), Michelle (my sister) – they will be at Disney for 3 days. And then Randy’s entire family is coming for the whole trip. There will be – Janice (his mom), David (his dad), Kisha (his sister), Brent (his brother in law), Ashlee (niece), Brittney (niece), and Bridget (his sister).

So here is our trip info:
Trip Dates: May 9 – 16 2009
Resort- Coronado Springs
Celebrating – Hannah’s 5th birthday and our 10th anniversary

Up Next – How many ways can you celebrate a Disney trip?

PTR 2 - Count Down Links, Jelly Fish, and Dog Food? http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=31419483#post31419483

PTR 3 - My Husband is my HERO!http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=31442690#post31442690

PTR 4 - To Infinity and Beyond!http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=31460978#post31460978

PTR 5 - Where is my Hot Glue Gun?http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=31466103#post31466103

PTR 6 - Bring on the Disney Plans Already! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=31524573#post31524573

PTR 7 - 10 Days to go - lets have a tea party![url]http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=31603421#post31603421[/URL]

PTR 8 - On a Side Note... http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=31650698#post31650698

Trip Report - Day 0 - Arrival and a little bit of MK http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=31871153#post31871153

Trip Report - Day 1 - Mother's Day at Epcothttp://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=31920715&posted=1#post31920715

Trip Report - Day 1 Part 2http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=31939589#post31939589

Trip Report - Day 2 - Sick Day and Magic Kingdomhttp://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2153658&page=4

 

[rosedolph]

Hey! Thanks for coming back!
So are you ready for our next installment of our PTR? Here it goes -

At 60 days out we decided to start our count down links, and we would have a special night every 10 days.

So here is a quick review of our fun Disney nights so far:

60 Days – Disney Breakfast
We had yummy Mickey Pancakes.

We also made our Trip Links Count and watched a Disney Classic - Cinderella

50 Days – Nemo
We ate fish sticks, mac & cheese seashells, and veggies.

We played with the jellyfish balloons and watched Nemo

40 Days – UnBirthday (it was the day after my birthday so it was fitting)
We had a crazy tea party with funky colored tea (white grape juice and food coloring), and unbirthday cake.
*Oh No! I some how deleted the pictures of the food! I hope you aren't too disappointed. Sorry - I know everyone wanted to see our Funky Tea!

We played un-birthday party games (un-pin the tale on the donkey and goose, goose, duck) and watched Alice in Wonder Land.
Here is Hannah taking the tail OFF the donkey (Eeyore was drawn by Randy)

When it was my turn to play I couldn't find the tail - it wasn't on Eeyore. Where is that tail? (my sister Michelle/Aunt Mimi is in the background. She will be joining us for 3 days in Disney)

30 Days – Lady and the Tramp
We ate Spaghetti and Meatballs (of course!) and watched Lady and the tramp.

Then we gathered all our doggie friends and watched Lady and the Tramp – while eating “Dog Food”.

Day 20 – What Disney magic will we come up with next?

 

[rosedolph]

We have been looking and looking for Mini M&M in the tubes. Well we couldn't find them anywhere! And every store person we asked told us that they were no longer selling them. The only place we could find them was on ebay!

Well this evening Randy stopped by a small drug store on his way home and he found them! I am so happy that we have our pressed pennies containers! I am sure our trip would not have been the same with out them.

I have been busy today making bows and finishing up shirts. Now I can start on the pressed pennies containers. I will post pictures tomorrow! Woo-Hoo only 19 days to go!

 

[my2disneyboys]

Your girls are adorable! We do Disney Nights too!!! I cant wait to hear about your plans!!

 

[chicagoshannon]

I love your TR! I have a 2 year old too and will be at Disney while you're there!

I've seen those mini M&M tubes at Factory Card Outlet in case you need more and have one of those stores near you.

I love your countdown rings. Where did you find those? I have some but they aren't as cute as yours!

 

[wlwilliams9]

Great PTR! I love the Disney Nights! Your girls are adorable! We have a 2yo too and will be at Disney 5/7-5/17 so we'll see you there!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

I love that you are able to do Disney nights... I also love your count down rings, I will have to remember that for our next trip...when DS turns 5 I dream to stay at AKL.
We do Disney movies everyday for nap time, but no theme dinners. I don't know if DS2 gets it or not. He was just introduced to Woody & Buzz and yesterday we did Bolt.

Your family is adorable
Can't wait to hear more... ya'll sound like you will have a great time with all the family...

 

[rosedolph]

Your girls are adorable! We do Disney Nights too!!! I cant wait to hear about your plans!!

Thanks! Disney nights are so fun I think we will have to continue after our trip! You know - so the magic never stops!

I love your TR! I have a 2 year old too and will be at Disney while you're there!

I've seen those mini M&M tubes at Factory Card Outlet in case you need more and have one of those stores near you.

I love your countdown rings. Where did you find those? I have some but they aren't as cute as yours!

We should have a 2 yr old get together! wlwilliams also has a 2 yr old, maybe we can all do Dumbo!

We don't have a Factory Card Outlet, but with as big as Nashville TN is I thought they would be easier to find.

I found the countdown rings right here on Disboards! Let me find the DISigner who made them and I will give you the link.

Great PTR! I love the Disney Nights! Your girls are adorable! We have a 2yo too and will be at Disney 5/7-5/17 so we'll see you there!

Thanks! Disney nights are the bomb!
We should have a 2 yr old get together! Chicagoshannon also has a 2 yr old, maybe we can all do Dumbo!

 

[my2disneyboys]

Thanks! Disney nights are so fun I think we will have to continue after our trip! You know - so the magic never stops!


We should have a 2 yr old get together! wlwilliams also has a 2 yr old, maybe we can all do Dumbo!

We don't have a Factory Card Outlet, but with as big as Nashville TN is I thought they would be easier to find.

I found the countdown rings right here on Disboards! Let me find the DISigner who made them and I will give you the link.



Thanks! Disney nights are the bomb!
We should have a 2 yr old get together! Chicagoshannon also has a 2 yr old, maybe we can all do Dumbo!

I like the 2 year old get together! Can Owen come! ? He is almost 2!!

 

[chicagoshannon]

The 2 year old get together would be fun. Unfortunately I'll be with family that don't really get the whole dis thing so meets aren't going to happen this time.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

We have a Party City here...they always have a stand of the M&M tubes by the registers. What about other hobby stores I have also seen them at Michael's. Probably Hobby Lobby, too!

Too, bad I go a few weeks behind, DS2 would have loved that (the Dumbo ride).

 

[shordiebecka]

So exciting, your first trip!!!! Can't wait to hear more. It's so close! Any exciting Disney nights before you leave?

 

[rosedolph]

I love that you are able to do Disney nights... I also love your count down rings, I will have to remember that for our next trip...when DS turns 5 I dream to stay at AKL.
We do Disney movies everyday for nap time, but no theme dinners. I don't know if DS2 gets it or not. He was just introduced to Woody & Buzz and yesterday we did Bolt.
The AKL looks really neat, and I hear there are some rooms with views of the animals! Don't worry - pretty soon you DS will be all about things like Disney shows. My 4 yr old is the reason why my 2 yr old is so up to date on Disney.
Your family is adorable
Can't wait to hear more... ya'll sound like you will have a great time with all the family...

More is on the way! We do have a great time - it is not hard for me to think like a kid!

The 2 year old get together would be fun. Unfortunately I'll be with family that don't really get the whole dis thing so meets aren't going to happen this time.

I know how that is to travel with non-believers.
But I am sure you will have a great time anyway!

We have a Party City here...they always have a stand of the M&M tubes by the registers. What about other hobby stores I have also seen them at Michael's. Probably Hobby Lobby, too!
I did not think about Party City, but we tried the others. I couldn't believe that when ever I didn't want to buy them my kids would find them EVERYWHERE, but the moment I needed (yes - NEEDED) them, they disappeared. Thankfully I don't have to worry about it anymore - we have 12! (well 11 I gave one away to Hannah's friend)

Too, bad I go a few weeks behind, DS2 would have loved that (the Dumbo ride).

The Dumbo ride is all Emma (my 2 yr old) talks about. It must be a 2 yr old thing?

So exciting, your first trip!!!! Can't wait to hear more. It's so close! Any exciting Disney nights before you leave?

It's a surprise, so you will have to wait and see! (we have 1 more and then something special the night we leave. The funny thing is that it does still surprise the girls every time! It is great to be 2 and 4 yrs old!)

 

[chicagoshannon]

We watch Dumbo here at least twice a week. It will be the first ride we go on. I can't wait to see Madeline's face!

 

[rosedolph]

Sunday was our day 20 on our countdown to Disney Bliss. We celebrated Toy Story style with pizza -

And we had yummy Mickey Mouse rice crispy treats! (I know this is not from Toy Story - but I couldn't think of anything else. )

Of course we enjoyed our feast picnic style while watching Toy Story.

A lot of people have commented on the Disney Nights so I thought I would share the link that got us started. Randy was actually the one who found it and started us with Disney Nights way back at our 60 days mark.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1707141

Our Count Down Rings/Links also came from the Disboards. We have always had count down rings to help the kids see how many days are left. But when it came to our Disney trip I wanted something different than our average construction paper links. I hadn't decided on what I wanted to make when I came across this post -
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2018621&highlight=countdown+links

If your not looking for Christmas designs than just skip a few pages.

My girls love the links and they hate to throw them away when we pull them off. In fact there have been a couple of times that I have had to sneak the links into the trash after bed time.

So today I have been very busy with my magic Disney glue gun, creating things for our trip. I have lots of pictures but it will have to wait until tomorrow. Until then I will leave you with these pictures. They don't have anything to do with our trip but I thought they were cute.

My dad just sent us pictures of a huge fish he caught on a fishing trip, so Hannah and Emma wanted to show him the fish they caught while visiting Randy's parents.

PTR - 5 Where is my hot glue gun?

 

[rosedolph]

So I would like to think of myself as being creative. At least I like to think that – weather I am or not is totally subjective. At least at their age my DDs don’t mind my “creativeness.” For this trip my creativeness was on over-drive. And I blame it all on the Disboard! They have pages and pages of ideas for shirts, journals, activity pages, and even hair bows! So I could not help myself. ( DH -)
It all started with shirts – just 1 family shirt for our group (remember we have 14 people), and how about 1 for just my family, and 1 special one for each girl, but wait – the girls would really love that one too, and I found a Mother’s day design for me, and oh my goodness is that a Green Bay Packer Mickey for Randy… You see where this is going. (again DH - )
After it was all done I have over 30 shirts I wanted to make – I am not joking! My wonderful husband, lovingly and kindly sat me down and explained to me how much money it would cost to make all those shirts (ink, transfer paper, shirts). I realized then that I would rather GO to Disney than just wear a shirt about Disney – so I cut back. I picked 2 shirts for DH and me, 4 shirts for the girls, and 1 family shirt for us. So I was able to go from 30 shirts to 7 shirts (ok I cheated a little, I also made my Mom a shirt for mother’s day, and my sister a shirt for her birthday – but they don’t count because their presents.) Once again DH - He said that denial is the first sign of a problem - I have no idea what he is talking about.
I also found that the awesome DISignsers will customize a design for you so those 7 shirts look so much better than the shirts I came up with.

I started making the shirts this week – and I was really nervous!!! The first shirts I made were actually b-day presents (I cheated again ) for my nephews and niece – they are going to DW in July, and one shirt for Emma. I read everything I could about the transfers and followed all the advice and well…

I think they came out GREAT! They only thing I would do differently would be to make design a little larger on the white shirt, but beside that no problems.(I did turn my kitchen table a little brown in one spot. Oops!) Hopefully I can finish the rest of the shirts this weekend.

So the next thing I wanted to make was hair bows for the girls. I NEVER thought I could do this but I found some free instructions on hair bows and it looked easy enough. (HaHa!) I made 2 for Easter and 1 for my niece and I think I am getting it down. You can definitely tell they are improving the more I make. The little Minnie Clips are truly the easiest ones to make – and they look soooo cute!

Here is the shirt and bow I made for my niece. I am actually thinking about taking the bow apart and remaking it - I am afraid it is too long for her little head.

I also have some “Travel Journals” and Disney Activity booklets (for the plane trip) to print off and get into folders. Again – all thanks to Disboards. What would I have done with out this website?

Up Next – Bring on the Disney Plans already!

 

[chicagoshannon]

Very cute stuff! I love the star wars shirts and the bows!

Are you from WI? I was born and raised there! Now I'm stuck in yucky IL!

 

[my2disneyboys]

Those Minnie clips are so cute. You are so talented!!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

I love the minnie clips, soooo cute, and I love all three t-shirts types. I have not lurked enough on this blog, heard people mention the t-shirt's did not put in my mind what they were talking about. I had hit the Disney outlet on line and bought t-shirts galore. DS2's closet is full of disney t-shirts. I bought DH (2), DD (1), & DDbf (1). giving dd one of mine that I ordered too tight. I do not really wear t-shirts out, so that is our for me, and DS16 only wears t-shirts from abercrombie, hollister, and some times american eagle --uugghh--did not go through that with DD.

But, I do love what you did! great ideas and I love the pink henley style shirts

 

[Myhappythought5]

Awesome ideas. What a great start to Vacation.