Our Magical Mulligan Trip!!

[Lauralee131]

Yes, that’s right…you read that correctly…I said Mulligan.



Why? Do you recall a little trip report by the name of Our Magically Dysfunctional Gathering? Yes? Well, that was our trip. No? Well you missed it. You may want to take this time right now to go and find that little trip report and read it. Learn it. Study it. Not only will it probably be referenced in this little trippie, but also because it may – it just very well may save a future trip that your family is planning to take.



The main lesson one should draw off that first trip report is this: Magical family gatherings, although well intentioned, sometimes just aren’t. So think everyone, before you invite other family members to vacation with you! The trip you save may be your own!



Now – why call our vacation a Mulligan you ask? Well, let’s just say that our last magical vacation to Happiest Place on Earth, simply…well, it wasn’t . Magical that is. Simply put, it was a traveling freak show…A very unhappy place to be. Our trip, for me at least, was ruined. So this trip is our “Do Over”, or Mulligan, as they say.



Ok, so we’ve gotten our Public Service Announcement out of the way…let’s introduce our players…



Me….Lauralee131 - Hi...How are ya? Thanks for stopping by and checking us out, by the way!

​

Wife, mother….GULP…37 years old and life long Disney kid. A self-proclaimed Dis-aholic, thanks to these boards. I’ve been going to Disney World since 1972 – well over 25 trips to see the Mouse. A huge General Hospital fan – the drama makes my brain sweat. I’m also a big fan of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum novels. Those of you who know…well, you just know. They’re fantabulous books! I’m an Office Manager for one of the largest construction companies in the country, currently “on assignment” in North Carolina. I’m also a transplanted New Yorker and a big Giants and Yankees fan. Oh - and I looooove Neil Diamond!! No...I don't know why - I just do!! I like a lot of different kinds of music, but swoon over Neil. I'll work it out in therapy years from now, I'm sure!


DH….Tony -

Husband, father….double GULP…47 years old and not a life long Disney kid. His first time to Disney World was in 1997. I wouldn’t say he fell in love with the place, but he really, really liked it. His first view of the world that year was at night and his first observation…”This is like an acid trip”. There you have it. And now, thanks to DS and I, there’s not a Disney movie he hasn’t seen. The Incredibles is one of his favorite movies now. DH is a carpenter by trade…an extremely talented one, specializing in custom cabinetry and furniture. He was willing to give up our beautiful home, and his business, in New Hampshire so that I could stay with my company and moved here to NC. That’s love! DH, by the way, is a big Red Sox fan…baseball season is very ugly in our house! DH doesn’t understand my Dis addiction and thinks I need to take a meeting. Some people you just can’t reach I guess! He's a handsome devil, I think, but don't let the good looks fool you. He can be exhaustingly pig-headed and frustratingly stubborn, and I say that because I'm sure at some point during our upcoming trip, that little trait will show it's ugly head....stay tuned for that one, I'm sure!


DS…Michael -

5 years old and going on 15 – should they ever do a remake of Jerry McGuire, he’d be a shoe-in for the part of the little boy. He’s a big fan of all things Disney, lucky for me. DS started kindergarten this year and is now, gasp, starting to talk with a little southern accent! He’s cute as a button and has a fantastic sense of humor! He loves thrill rides and had an absolute blast on his first trip to see Mickey. He loves the mouse and his only other really favorite character is Buzz Lightyear, but a big fan of pretty much all things Disney as I said. He like his dad, can also be extremely stubborn, but he's so darn cute that he usually gets his way anyway. Michael loves Power Rangers, Little Einsteins, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and just about every Disney movie ever made. The little guy loves music and his tastes are every bit as varied as mine. He got to hear a lot of different kinds of music in the womb - From Queensryche to AC/DC to the Police, the Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder and of course, Neil Diamond. He loves to dance and if you have seen 5 year olds dance, you know it's darn funny to watch...he and I love to dance our little butts off around the house like no one is watching (of course, I probably look more like Elaine Benis from Seinfeld than one of the Fly Girls from In Living Color) and his favorite music to dance to is classic Stevie Wonder (we've just about worn out our Musiquarium cd!), but his favorite song, he'll tell you, is "BUZZ BUZZ" which is his name for Sweet Caroline. Told you he liked Neil!! He has known all the words since he was 3 and loves to sing it at the top of his lungs! That's my boy - like Mama like Baby!! He is very particular about the music he likes and the volume he listens to it at. Michael was born prematurely at 34 weeks and his whole life has been sensitive to sound...it's funny what kind of tones bother him and which ones don't. But anyway, I'm getting off track here...


I should also re-introduce Cruella and Horace, as they played a major part in our “Magically Dysfunctional Gathering” earlier this year and are bound to be referenced in this trip. Those of you who read it, know that there’s no way we CAN’T refer to them at some point in this trip.



Horace, aka DBIL, is DH’s brother and his wife, Cruella’s whipping boy.



Cruella, aka DSIL, is Horace’s not-so-better half. Yells more swear words than a construction worker who suffers from Turrette’s syndrome…couldn’t wait to go to Disney World, only to get there and complain the entire time. She's a very angry, angry person who didn't deserve the vacation of a lifetime that she wasted



If you have ever wondered if it was at all possible that there were ever people who didn’t like Disney World, well, Cruella and Horace were the ones. Horace may have liked it had Cruella not been there, but alas, she was there so we may never know!



Ok, so now you know the “Who”, and the “What”, let’s talk about the “When”…



Our trip is scheduled for December 2nd through the9th. Although, just the other day, I added on a night at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, so now our journey begins on the 1st. The AKL stay will (hopefully) be a surprise for DH and DS. We’re planning on driving down – hopefully we can make it there in just under 11 hours. It’ll be cheaper than flying and I’ll be honest with you guys…not a big fan of RDU airport. It’s 2 hours from our house and so I figured that between leaving enough time to get there before our flight, check in, etc…we’d be halfway there already. AND I don’t have to potentially kiss my makeup and any other liquids goodbye at baggage check and hope they’ll make it to our destination. Me + no makeup = NOT a pretty sight. Ok, well there’s that reason, and I would like to try and pay a visit to the Mousesurplus warehouse while we’re there. You never know what you’ll find and I’ll be able to strap said findings to my roof and not have to pay for shipping!



So to recap, we’ll be staying at the AKL on the 1st and the Polynesian the 2nd thru the 9th. Sounds like a plan, right? Well, I thought so too…until the last couple of days. You see, we’re using almost 2 years worth of DVC points to stay at the Poly, which makes me nervous. I feel like those points are like gold and should be hoarded appropriately. I love the Poly, but the thought of using all of those points (310 to be exact), is just making me sick. So last night I was bouncing back and forth between the Disboards and Allearsnet and DisneyVacationClub.com and now I’m thinking of splitting up my stay. I should back up a bit as well, and inform you all that the other day I booked a stay at SSR for the 2nd week in April. Yep…high season. With DS in kindergarten and already being pulled out of school for a week for this upcoming trip, I thought it’d be wise to go while he’s on vacation…UGH…I dread the thought. I bought 182 points at the SSR, specifically because I like to go during value season…when the parks are not HOT and STICKY and MOBBED…Oh, did I mention that I’d had a momentary lapse of reason when I signed? I never even considered the fact that at some point, I’d have a school age child to consider in my vacation planning? Who thinks of those things?? Not me, that’s for sure! So when I booked my week in April, I had to borrow 2007’s points (as I’m using 2005 and 2006’s for my Poly stay) and it sunk in as to how many points I would be short…



So there I was at 1am this morning (and here it is 7am and I’m back at it – obsessing again), thinking maybe I could split our stay…use less points that way…save some for next year. Then I realized that I have to do make this kind of change at least 31 days out from our vacation…we’re at around 35 or 36 days out…Ok, I need a decision…NOW…Ok, I’m panicking now…little beads of sweat are forming…I then go on a mad dash from one website to the next checking out the major details – for me anyway…such as a kid’s club. DS loved the Cub’s Den at the WL earlier this year and let’s face it – so did I! He’s looking forward to doing that again this trip. And hey – who am I to argue! It’s his vacation too! If he wants a night out, or two or three, then he will have it! And me too!! I like to have a couple of free evenings…date nights, if you will. And this is the one way we can get them. Thank you Disney marketing geniuses – I bow at your feet…I am not worthy! I will gladly pay you to entertain my son while I go to Pleasure Island and toss a few drinks back!



So we know that the Poly has the Neverland Club…I’ve got a couple of nights selected for him to go…his request…as soon as he heard we were going back, that was the 2nd question out of his. The first was if he can go on the train roller coaster again. Of COURSE my love! The second – can I go to kids club again? Well, if you HAVE to…Ummm…SURE!! Well, in all fairness…it is his vacation too and if it makes him happy, then why not? I’m sure to a very social 5 year old, as fun as Disney World is, that he’ll miss playing with other kids in that week’s time. He misses it on weekends home with us, so a week straight…with just me and dad must be pure torture!!



Ok, so I’m getting away from myself. I think of switching a few days to the Villas at Wilderness Lodge…Loved the lodge when we stayed earlier this year, but we just stayed there…how about some place new, but one that has a kid’s club? Beach Club Villas is what I’m thinking…I surfed all over the net last night trying to find out if the Sandcastle Club is open – I thought I’d read that it was closed for refurbishment, but have yet to get a solid answer on that. Think I will contact Member Services. If the Sandcastle Club is open, that will be my sign to change my trip.



Now, I have yet to discuss these latest mind-bending developments with DH…Planning our Disney trips is just painful for him. He doesn’t understand why we need to make reservations for dinner 180 days out…he is quite angry that I wasn’t able to secure a pirate cruise for Michael just 60 days out…His thought is that we’re paying customers and they should have enough pirate cruises for everyone that wants to pay for it. Sure, in theory it sounds great…in reality however, it’s just not going to happen. He doesn’t like having to make all our ADR’s before we even get there. “I’m on vacation”, he says, “I don’t want to have to plan my trips around dinner reservations”. I was going to try that…not to make any ADR’s on this trip. If nothing else but to show him why we MUST make them. But I’ll be honest with you…it made me crazy. I finally broke down a week or so ago and made a bunch. I can’t NOT do it. Then I am faced with having to answer the inevitable question…you guys know the one…”But this is supposed to be the slowest time to go – why would we need reservations?” I gently try and explain the difference between going during value season and peak season…ok, sure – there’s less people, but we all gotta eat Babe! Wait till he sees the crowds in April…I’m not looking forward to that conversation….



Although, he swears he’s not going to the parks next time. We had this discussion not too long ago. In fact, I think it was brought on by the lack of Pirate Cruises. But anyhow, he went on and on about how next year he’s not going to the parks…we’re going to stay at SSR and he’s playing golf all week long. Now I’ll be honest with you all…at the initial time of this conversation, for me it was like being on the opposite end of a conversation with Charlie Brown’s teacher…All I heard was “MWAWH, MWAWH, MWAWH, MWAWH, next year, MWAWH, MWAWH, MWAWH, MWAWH”. I heard the “next year” part and the rest was a blur. I immediately signed on to the vacation club website and booked our next trip! I figured that was my Go Ahead signal from the first base coach, so I went ahead and stole second!



I have yet to tell him about this next trip…a mere 5 months away. I’m a little afraid…maybe I’ll wait until we’re leaving in December to spring that one on him. He has 10 years on me and can be cranky so now is not the best time. I decide to keep that little knowledge to myself. Although I wonder – how can he play golf by himself all week? I don’t get that. We are DEFINTELY NOT bringing anyone with us! That’s for sure!



Ok, so in a roundabout way, we’ve covered the “Where” part of our journey.



Let’s recap:



Who: Me, DH and DS

What: A Vacation Mulligan

When: 12/01/06 through 12/09/06

Where: This is where it gets sticky and is subject to change any day now, but so far, the AKL for the 1st and the Poly for the 2nd thru the 9th.

Why: If I have to explain WHY we’re going to Disneyworld, you just wouldn’t understand and shouldn’t be on these boards to begin with! If this is you, thank you for playing our game, we have some lovely parting gifts for you. Buh-Bye! Thanks for coming. Don't forget to tip your waitress. Buh-bye!

Here's the link to our "Magically Dysfunctional Gathering" for any of you who haven't read it or may be interested:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1231189

 

[Lauralee131]

Ok, so here’s our itinerary so far:



Day 1 – Travel to AKL, surprise DH and DS with checking in and dinner at Boma at 7:30


Day 2 – Check in to POSSIBLY the Poly and head to Epcot. Think we’ll avoid the parade taping, as much as I would like to check it out, I think it would drive my guys insane. This I think I will confirm with DH at some point this week, but we do have lunch ressie’s at Coral Reef at 1:30 and dinner at Nine Dragons at 7:15 so Epcot may win out. I'm a bit nervous about eating at Coral Reef...it gets such mixed reviews. I thought lunch would be a safer bet. DH and I ate there several years ago and although it was good, we never had a yearning to go back. I think Michael will like the aquarium though.


Day 3 – A visit to Animal Kingdom followed by dinner at Rainforest Café at 4:30. I'm DYING to ride EE!!



Day 4 – MGM or Magic Kingdom and hopefully a Date Night at MGM with dinner at Mama Melrose’s at 6:45. There's a lot we have yet to do at each park, but we want to be sure to take DS on TOT and to see Lights, Motor, Action!, Star Tours...yada yada yada and of course, I need to go on RnR. Maybe we can catch Fantasmic again. I'd like that.

I'm already thinking that we're not staying long enough...


Day 5 – Jester Cruise out of POR for DS, breakfast somewhere at POR for DH and I and then MVMCP that night! Yay – my first holiday season at Disney World…I’m so excited. I even ordered us matching holiday sweaters for this night from Disney Shopping – I’d like a nice family picture taken of us. I have yet to mention the sweaters to DH…he’ll probably hate the idea, but hopefully he’ll humor me. I think this day we’ll relax and hopefully, but I doubt it, nap so that DS can hang with the big dogs at the MK until midnight. I’m also hoping that if we, ok – I – end up splitting our stay that this will be the day we check in to the Poly.



Day 6 – We have breakfast at O’Hana’s at 10, lunch/early dinner at the House of Blues at 3:30 followed by LaNouba at 5:30. We plan to take it easy this day…hang out at the pool, etc…



Day 7 – Magic Kingdom – no dining plans at all for this day…hope we don’t starve!



Day 8 – Have a 7:20am ADR at Chef Mickey’s (GULP) how are we going to make it that early?? And a day at Epcot! DS will definitely be going to the Neverland Club this night so we can have date night for EMH at Epcot.



Day 9 – Start the long drive home…maybe. I’m already sad at the thought of this…I may, just may, extend our stay yet one more day. I was able to secure a 9:30pm WL sleigh ride for this night and booked it…rather than risk losing it. My initial thought was that maybe we’d fly and leave Sunday morning. I think I’ll run this by “the boss” this weekend…if he says we can drive home on Sunday, then I’ll keep it…otherwise, I’ll call and cancel. I put a couple of posts out on the board hoping someone would swap with me for a sleigh ride earlier in the week, but my fellow Dis’ers have let me down…no one responded…big, heavy sigh (HINT HINT)

 

[tiki23]

Hey Lauralee! I'm looking forward to reading about a much more fun and relaxed time for you and your family on your Mulligan Trip. Your last TR gave me the shudders!

 

[Lauralee131]

Thanks Tiki!! I can't wait for this one!! The days aren't ticking by fast enough!!

 

[Nurse_Mommy4]

Hey there missy!!

You're off to a great start!

Heck who am I kidding? When you planned this trip minus the f-bomber you were off to a great start! LOL

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[Lauralee131]

YAY!!! You found me! I was wondering if anyone would!!

You're right, so far so good for this trip...hopefully it'll stay that way!! Good to "see" you again!!

 

[OhMari]

I cracked up when I saw your pre-trip.

I’ll call and cancel. I put a couple of posts out on the board hoping someone would swap with me for a sleigh ride earlier in the week, but my fellow Dis’ers have let me down…no one responded…big, heavy sigh (HINT HINT)

Maybe a lot of northerns are coming down and the last thing on their minds is a sleigh ride. I can't believe though it is so booked up already.


When are you going to be their in April?
I am going to move your last TR over to the completed board.

 

[Avivasmom]

I read your first trip report (I must say you have TONS more patience then I do) and I so cannot wait to read this one.

We have something in common. Aviva was born at about 31 weeks and sensory issues as well. She is doing amazing now!!!

We will just miss you guys we leave Dec. 1!

 

[Lauralee131]

I cracked up when I saw your pre-trip.


Maybe a lot of northerns are coming down and the last thing on their minds is a sleigh ride. I can't believe though it is so booked up already.


When are you going to be their in April?
I am going to move your last TR over to the completed board.

Yes, I was really hoping that someone would trade the sleigh ride date with me. When I called (last Sunday I think it was) I got the only one that was left for the week of the 1st through the 9th. So, shopper that I am, I grabbed it. Well, if there's only one left, I must have it! And...shopper that I am, didn't stop to think that DUH - I'm leaving that day...not the best idea to book a 9:30pm sleigh ride! And, shopper that I am, because I think the $35 is a great deal for something so fun, I'll spend $300 for one more night so we can go on the sleigh ride... Boy have I got issues!

Big, heavy sigh...I need to take a meeting! Shopa-Disa-holics Anonymous or something...

I booked for the 9th thru the 14th of April - and yet again, savvy shopper that I am, spending an additional night's DVC points so as not to leave and head North on 95 on Friday the 13th....

HA...and my husband thought my Disboards addiction was my biggest problem!! Shows how little he actually knows about me!!

 

[Lauralee131]

I read your first trip report (I must say you have TONS more patience then I do) and I so cannot wait to read this one.

We have something in common. Aviva was born at about 31 weeks and sensory issues as well. She is doing amazing now!!!

We will just miss you guys we leave Dec. 1!

Thanks for coming over to my Pre-trip!! Hopefully this one will have a much happier ending! But then, only place to go from the last trip is up, right?

I'm glad to hear Aviva is doing well...she's beautiful! And I'm sorry that we'll just miss each other!! And of course, I'll be looking for YOUR trip report when I get back!! Unless of course, you just want to add an extra day.... I could be such a bad influence!!

Well, I hope your tirp is full of magical moments!! Maybe you'll get some wishes granted and dreams made to come true!!

 

[Avivasmom]

Hmmm never wrote a trip report...not very creative but write a good research paper. But love pictures...so maybe will combine one with words and pictures.

We are staying at SSR in January for Aviva's 6th bday another surprise.

Going to take good notes when we go!!

 

[Adi12982]

Glad to have found your Mulligan pre-TR. . .

This trip already seems so much more amazing than your last AND it will be Christmas-y at WDW!

As long as you don't talk about baseball anymore, I am certain I will enjoy your TR - let's just say my team one-uped yours in 2003

 

[Lauralee131]

As long as you don't talk about baseball anymore, I am certain I will enjoy your TR - let's just say my team one-uped yours in 2003

Oh sure...just when I thought we were becoming friends!!

Ok, Ok, once in what? 86 years or something? Go ahead...gloat...I'll wait...

 

[Adi12982]

Oh sure...just when I thought we were becoming friends!!

Ok, Ok, once in what? 86 years or something? Go ahead...gloat...I'll wait...

UM - I was talking about 2003 not 2004 (you sure you a Yankees fan, or are you trying to repress memories) . . . my team, actually twice in the last 13 years. . . my uncles are big on the Sox tho.

Anyhow, lets just talk Disney and we will get alone. Hey - you married a fan of the enemy!

 

[PrincessV]

I'm gone 1 teeny day and you've got a whole new trippie going!

Okay, we just wouldn't be DISers if we weren't making changes right up to the last minute, right?! I keep thinking about adding one more night to my Dec. trip and reading your TR definitely isn't helping to talk me out of it.

You've got me just a wee bit worried though......
"Day 2" corresponds to Dec. 2, right? And you say they're taping the parade at MK that day?? CARP. If this be the case, my meticulously planned itinerary is about to unravel, 'cause guess where we're supposed to be Dec. 2? Back to the drawing board

BUT, guess where we'll be on Day 3? AK!!!!! We just may be able to engineer a little DIS meet, hmmm?!

Can't wait to see where (and when!) you wind up staying!

 

[Adi12982]

"Day 2" corresponds to Dec. 2, right? And you say they're taping the parade at MK that day?? CARP. If this be the case, my meticulously planned itinerary is about to unravel, 'cause guess where we're supposed to be Dec. 2? Back to the drawing board

I have heard from many that although the taping is a little crazier, that the rest of the park is usually not crowded - so you meticulous planning is not down the toilet!

 

[Lauralee131]

UM - I was talking about 2003 not 2004 (you sure you a Yankees fan, or are you trying to repress memories) . . . my team, actually twice in the last 13 years. . . my uncles are big on the Sox tho.

Anyhow, lets just talk Disney and we will get alone. Hey - you married a fan of the enemy!

Oh yeah...Gasp...you're right! I must've blocked it out! Are you from Boston? DH is...

Ok, we'll just talk Disney and we'll get along just fine...Oh, and here's a little lesson to learn from...when we first got together, he SAID he didn't like baseball, refused to go to Yankee games with me as he thought it was the most boring game ever...HELLO...this from a guy who watches GOLF on TV... He moved me up North and then the truth came out...

Makes for an interesting summer/fall though!!

 

[Lauralee131]

I'm gone 1 teeny day and you've got a whole new trippie going!!

AH HA....THERE you are... been wondering where you've been!!! It just wouldn't be a trippie without you along!

Okay, we just wouldn't be DISers if we weren't making changes right up to the last minute, right?! I keep thinking about adding one more night to my Dec. trip and reading your TR definitely isn't helping to talk me out of it.

I've been saving my next dramatic update for when you showed up!! More changes, more decisions...ARGH...

You've got me just a wee bit worried though......
"Day 2" corresponds to Dec. 2, right? And you say they're taping the parade at MK that day?? CARP. If this be the case, my meticulously planned itinerary is about to unravel, 'cause guess where we're supposed to be Dec. 2? Back to the drawing board

BUT, guess where we'll be on Day 3? AK!!!!! We just may be able to engineer a little DIS meet, hmmm?!

Can't wait to see where (and when!) you wind up staying!

I wasn't going to post any more until tomorrow when I have had a chance to see if my next round of musical dates/hotels/ADR's will actually work out, but I'll do a quick one so you can see where my head is at.... It's a scary place, my head!!! But all the voices are pretty friendly and boy can they carry a tune!!

 

[pigletforever]

How can I pass up not being in on this trip report. you are going to LOVE the AKL. I predict you will start spending future points on this resort. Your little guy will love the animals on teh savannah.

 

[Lauralee131]

Ok, so did everyone remember to set their clocks back before you all went to bed last night?? Anyone?? Not me... DS was up at 5am this morning...correction FOUR AM...Grrrr...which I didn't find out till later...thanks to some fellow Diser's who posted such a thread!!

But let me turn back MY clock a bit...before I continue with my story...

I wasn't even aware of the time change thing...so I sure as heck didn't do it last night. In fact, last night, and Friday night and Thursday night, I have spent my evenings being an Over-The-Counter-Drug-Abuser...I have one heck of a cold, thanks to my sweet little boy! So I've spent the last few days in and out of consciousness (is that how you spell it?) on the couch, thanks to my good friend "Night Time Cold Medicine".
So I've been spending the last few days and nights drugged up on my couch. I can't recall much, but must have spent a decent amount of time on the Dis as my number of postings has increased...Anybody see me this weekend???

So anywhoooo....I yet again fell asleep on the couch last night, and my Prince Charming, my knight in shining armour...apparently doesn't LIVE HERE as I was left on the couch for the 3rd straight night!!

So this morning, I awake to the sweet sound of my little man, trying to get my attention on him, sitting on the living room floor. First I thought I was dreaming...they started as tiny whispers...."I wish I had some cartoons...and maybe some juice"...then they got louder as time went on. I tried Ozzy's move from Over The Head and just played dead but he wasn't buying it. Finally I drag myself up and get him some juice and turn on the tv with very, very little sound and attempt to go back to sleep...Nope...wasn't gonna happen...Congratulations...I'm awake. You can now have sound with your cartoons. I look at the clock...rub my eyes in DISbelief...5am...well, I guess you all know what I did next... Yep - fired up the old coffee maker and the laptop and the first post I saw was the one about the time change....OH CRAP...Grrrr...it's FOUR FIFTEEN....For the love of....awww...just forget it. I'm up...may as well make myself useful. For a moment, no - not a moment, more like a nano-second, I considered making myself useful...housework or something, but that's just silly. The little man is happily occupied and the big man is sleeping - and I'm quite sure sprawled out comfortably in the center of our bed...greedy pig...

So I continue to sweat out the silent details of our upcoming trip in my head...the absurd amount of points it's using...why do I feel like I'm giving up my life savings to stay at the Poly?? Like I'll never get any more points ever again....trading TWO vacations for one, really...crazy? I think so...

DH really wants to stay at the Poly and since I'm calling all the other shots, I should really do this for him....take one for the team I guess. But you know what, the more I think about it, the more I worry...before you know it, the right side of my head will be tingling and I won't be able to breathe...all this over vacation points...ridiculous, right? Well, that's what I'm telling myself.

Finally I get to the point that I can't take it anymore...I'd been considering switching to a split stay with a DVC resort...maybe I'll use less points...put a bit back into the piggy, so to speak. I literally examine my handy dany Disney Calendar to the point where it's blurry...I've written in and scratched out notes all over the thing. And I should point out, that this calendar was made in Word and gets re-printed at least once a week with my adds/changes incorporated into it. WHAT is my problem? WHY am I so manic about THIS trip...Mulligan aside, something is making me crazy and then I realize, I'm staring right at it...

There's 2 days smack in the middle of our trip that are really screwing me up. The 5th, which we have tickets for MVMCP and 6th for which we have LaNouba tickets. They're screwing up my park days...and let's not forget the MK Christmas Parade taping. DH and I discussed this at dinner last night and decided that it sounds like a big hassle - not if it was just us, but to ask DS to sit for what may or may not become HOURS would be problematic at best. Now, I may be totally misinterpreting what I've read on the boards, but it sounds like a whole lot more than just watching one parade...Am I wrong, Dis'ers??? Help me...I am thinking that it's a lot more waiting around and standing in one spot and a larger crowd than I am comfortable with....

Ok, so back to those 2 days....I got off the rail a bit there with the parade thing...sorry.

So I'm focusing now on 2 lost park days/nights and using a ton of points, etc....so I am thinking of splitting my stay, right? I'm still a little fuzzy from the cold medicine, so sorry if I'm all over the map here.

BUT....here's my other big concern...I want, need and DEMAND a couple of grown up nights out...ALONE. And luckily for me, Michael wants a couple of nights at the "kids club", which he can have at the Poly. SOOOO....My focus turns on that...kids clubs and EMH nights for us. Ok, the Epcot late night is a given. But I'd also like to spend a night at MGM, riding RNR is my main goal there....That's the one ride Michael can't go on so maybe we can hit PI as well or something.

But ok, there I go....

Drifting...

AGAIN...

So I decide that we either need to stay at the Poly or split with a DVC resort that has a "kids club" - VWL or BCV. Well after what seemed like, and probably was, hours, I decide on Beach Club. After my fellow Diser's let me down and didn't respond to my question about the Sandcastle Club, I called DVC Member Services...ACK they're closed on Sunday! The nerve! So after more extensive on line research that led nowhere, I finally called the front desk of the BC and low and behold...it's open. In fact, the CM I spoke with had no idea what I was talking about. YAY!!!

Ok, decision made. Monday morning - just 1 day over the 31 day cancellation/change rule, I will call and switch a few days to the Beach Club Villas.

Yay - I feel so much better now!!

But wait - OH NO...WHICH days do I switch? What do I do if they're FULL???? WILL I get this all resolved in time???

Stay tuned....