Our First Christmas with Mickey a magical trip on a budget!

[Monny2AE]

Funny you should mention packing Sheree!

Last night I got out all the bags we are going to pack and did a test run to see what will fit in the car. So far I have a duffel bag for each of us for clothes. We've decided against the suitcases since they are so bulky and take up so much room. I also have a carry on size bag for out toiletries and a small bag to go between the kid's car seats for small toys and DVD's. DH thought I was crazy when I started lugging everything outside. I even put a pillow in my bag and DH's bag to make it closer to the size it will be when it's filled with clothes. I managed to fit the double stroller, all 4 duffel bags and the toiletry bag in the back no problem!

I need therapy. There's something not right with me.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Funny you should mention packing Sheree!

Last night I got out all the bags we are going to pack and did a test run to see what will fit in the car. So far I have a duffel bag for each of us for clothes. We've decided against the suitcases since they are so bulky and take up so much room. I also have a carry on size bag for out toiletries and a small bag to go between the kid's car seats for small toys and DVD's. DH thought I was crazy when I started lugging everything outside. I even put a pillow in my bag and DH's bag to make it closer to the size it will be when it's filled with clothes. I managed to fit the double stroller, all 4 duffel bags and the toiletry bag in the back no problem!

I need therapy. There's something not right with me.

No that's actually totally SMART!!! (enabling at work here!) You're taking a smaller car, right? You are right to use duffels- you can kind of move them to make them fit in different ways. Suitcases are too rigid. Need a big square trunk for those!
I can't remember if it was discussed here or elsewhere - but if you go to a dollar store, you can find some little light up Christmas necklaces. We got some from my SIL when we went in December 09. Some were snowflakes and some were xmas lights. Super cute and fun to wear to the parks - especially for MVMCP.
Of course, my DH had to buy us all the Santa hats with ears too. We used one of those pictures on our Christmas card that year.

 

[Monny2AE]

No that's actually totally SMART!!! (enabling at work here!) You're taking a smaller car, right? You are right to use duffels- you can kind of move them to make them fit in different ways. Suitcases are too rigid. Need a big square trunk for those!
I can't remember if it was discussed here or elsewhere - but if you go to a dollar store, you can find some little light up Christmas necklaces. We got some from my SIL when we went in December 09. Some were snowflakes and some were xmas lights. Super cute and fun to wear to the parks - especially for MVMCP.
Of course, my DH had to buy us all the Santa hats with ears too. We used one of those pictures on our Christmas card that year.

There's a dollar store right next door to the grocery store so I will stop in there tomorrow when I go grocery shopping! Thanks for the tip!

 

[Monny2AE]

I can't believe it's October and it's snowing outside!!!! This is crazy! The news is already reporting power outages in the area. I'm crossing fingers ours stays on and we don't have to start up the generator. Looking out my window and seeing snow falling is getting me into the winter/Christmas mood though!

I ran out to Target this morning and didn't stick to my budget whatsoever. I found a Mickey Tshirt for me on clearance for $6 and got the kids both a new pair for tennis shoes. I also went down the travel aisle and got all of our toiletries for the trip. I love that aisle. There's just something special about buying travel size stuff! Maybe because it's little and cute but I think it also has to do with knowing that you are buying them for a vacation to Disney!

 

[Monny2AE]

It's November! I can finally say I'm going to Disney NEXT month!!!!!


I haven't had too much time for Disney planning lately. I've been distracted with snow in October

I really think we lucked out though. It was just a little dusting and thankfully we didn't have any power outages.

and then came Halloween!

Emily was a ballerina and Andrew was the Transformer Bumblebee. All the old bitties in my MIL's neighborhood were so confused when he would tell them he was Bumblebee. They were looking for wings and a stinger.

 

[Monny2AE]

I'm kind of starting to panic now. I have so much to do before we leave for our trip!!! I just made myself a list thinking that would help but it just panics me more looking at it! I have a lot of time consuming projects on that list. I need to finish 34 clock hours of training by Dec. 1st, fill out and submit tons of paperwork for my credential renewal due Dec. 1st, plan and prep for the daycare Christmas party that we are having on Dec. 2nd, finish and leave enough time to order the scrapbook yearbooks that I make each year for my daycare families, shop and plan for Christmas for my own family, and prep for our trip. I'm going to be exhausted by the time November is finished!!!!!

As far as Disney planning goes....I need to get down to business and focus on deciding which day we want to go to MVMCP. I've narrowed it down to Tuesday or Wednesday while we are there. I definitely don't want to go on a weekend though. Time to start researching park hours and crowd calendars!

 

[crzyred]

I'll be down there the week before you! I'll let you know how crowds and stuff are and MVMCP!!

 

[Monny2AE]

I'll be down there the week before you! I'll let you know how crowds and stuff are and MVMCP!!

Hope the crowds aren't too bad for you! Are you going during Pop Warner?

 

[Monny2AE]

I ordered 2 copies of Guide to the Magic journals for the kids today!!!! They are going to be so excited!!!!

I also talked with Andrew's teacher at his first quarter conference today and let her know about our plans not to let him know that we are really leaving Friday instead of Saturday. She's so sweet! She is so excited for him and promised to help keep it a secret for us!

 

[Monny2AE]

Happy 5 weeks to me!!!!!

It's been one of those weeks. TGIF!!!! I have just enough time this morning to login for the sole purpose of looking at my little Jiminy Cricket ticker to motivate me for the rest of the day! Happy Friday everyone!

 

[seacrestpromo]

Woo Hoo! Happy 5 weeks!!!

Cute Halloween costumes

Glad to hear everything is coming together. You sure have a lot on your plate before you go, but you will get it down. I agree on going to the Christmas party on a weekday night. The weekend parties are insane. You are going to have a blast!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Happy 5 WEEKS!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Monny2AE]

Woo Hoo! Happy 5 weeks!!!

Cute Halloween costumes

Glad to hear everything is coming together. You sure have a lot on your plate before you go, but you will get it down. I agree on going to the Christmas party on a weekday night. The weekend parties are insane. You are going to have a blast!

I'm slowly making progress on my to do list. I finished part two and half of part three for my course. I also am about half way through the daycare scrapbooks. Slowly but surely I will get it done!

I think we decided to go to MVMCP on Wednesday so it's midweek of our trip. I wish I could wait until it's closer to see the weather forecast then choose a night. Hopefully it won't rain.

Happy 5 WEEKS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Shelly! I like counting by weeks...it makes it seem so much closer!

 

[mousetravel]

Subbing! I spotted the "budget" in your PTR title and I knew it was one I had to read. I always try to do WDW on a budget. We are also going at Christmas time. I noticed you mentioned you are driving. Not sure if you have ever checked into it, but I found that taking the Amtrak is reasonably priced. (Not sure how much it would be from you to Orlando) We did that in June, and also will be taking the Amtrak in December. For our trips, the cost of Amtrak comes out to be about the same as gas money!

 

[debrapagliasotti]

Hello! Love reading PTR, but especially excited to read one about Christmas trips! We are going next Christmas, so I am living vicariously through everyone else for right now.

 

[Monny2AE]

Subbing! I spotted the "budget" in your PTR title and I knew it was one I had to read. I always try to do WDW on a budget. We are also going at Christmas time. I noticed you mentioned you are driving. Not sure if you have ever checked into it, but I found that taking the Amtrak is reasonably priced. (Not sure how much it would be from you to Orlando) We did that in June, and also will be taking the Amtrak in December. For our trips, the cost of Amtrak comes out to be about the same as gas money!

I'm trying to keep it budget friendly! Disney the word cheap don't exactly go hand in had sometimes but I am trying! I priced the autotrain from lorton VA to Sanford FL and it was over $1100 for 2 adults, 2 kids, and one small vehicle! We have a little Nissan Versa and it will cost us about $300 for gas roundtrip plus a one night hotel stay on the way down. We drive straight through coming home. I was floored by the autotrain price, I thought it would be much cheaper than that.
Is this your first time visiting Disney at Christmas?

Hello! Love reading PTR, but especially excited to read one about Christmas trips! We are going next Christmas, so I am living vicariously through everyone else for right now.

I've been wanting to go at Christmas for many years now so I'm beyond excited! Have you seen this thread...it has lots of great info for visiting at Christmas- just a little light reading to help you plan for next year!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2233038

 

[TinkerbellinNY6]

I am going to Disney for a christmas trip as well! Christmas at Disney is AMAZING!!! It is one of my favorite times to go!

 

[mousetravel]

I'm trying to keep it budget friendly! Disney the word cheap don't exactly go hand in had sometimes but I am trying! I priced the autotrain from lorton VA to Sanford FL and it was over $1100 for 2 adults, 2 kids, and one small vehicle! We have a little Nissan Versa and it will cost us about $300 for gas roundtrip plus a one night hotel stay on the way down. We drive straight through coming home. I was floored by the autotrain price, I thought it would be much cheaper than that.
Is this your first time visiting Disney at Christmas?

Yes, this is our first time at Christmas and onsite. Since I'm always budgeting, we've always stayed offsite, which has been fine, but we're really excited about staying onsite at 2 different resorts! at Christmas!

That is really high for the Autotrain price. I'm wondering if the Amtrak would be cheaper without taking your car on the Autotrain. For me & DD, from Columbia, SC to Orlando, FL is $214. Even with having to drive 2 hours to Columbia, it's really a great price, and I don't have to drive for 9 hours...being the only driver!!!

 

[debrapagliasotti]

I know what you mean about wanting to go to WDW for Christmas for many years!

I have read some of that thread off and on. Its hard to know whats accurate and whats not since some of those posts go back over 2 years, so I tend to skip to the posts later in the thread.

 

[Monny2AE]

I am going to Disney for a christmas trip as well! Christmas at Disney is AMAZING!!! It is one of my favorite times to go!

Hooray for another Disser going at Christmas! I take it you've been during the holidays before? Any tips?

Yes, this is our first time at Christmas and onsite. Since I'm always budgeting, we've always stayed offsite, which has been fine, but we're really excited about staying onsite at 2 different resorts! at Christmas!

That is really high for the Autotrain price. I'm wondering if the Amtrak would be cheaper without taking your car on the Autotrain. For me & DD, from Columbia, SC to Orlando, FL is $214. Even with having to drive 2 hours to Columbia, it's really a great price, and I don't have to drive for 9 hours...being the only driver!!!

Wow that is cheap! I priced just the train for our family of 4 and it was almost $600 plus we'd need to rent a car. It's still saves us more if we drive although my kids would love to ride the train! Maybe for our next not so low budget trip.

I know what you mean about wanting to go to WDW for Christmas for many years!

I have read some of that thread off and on. Its hard to know whats accurate and whats not since some of those posts go back over 2 years, so I tend to skip to the posts later in the thread.

I have been going backwards on it. I figure if I go backwards and read I'll get the most recent stuff first.