Our surprise May 2011 Trip to AKL - my first PTR! Final Update 5/18!

[dtr_angel]

Your plans look great! And your ticker makes me super jealous.

if it makes you feel better, when I get back your ticker will make me jealous

 

[dtr_angel]

3 weeks from today I'll probably be napping in Disney World! I cannot believe how fast this trip is approaching, I feel like there is so much to do! Unfortunately today I am down with a terrible cold and I feel miserable, but since I have no school or work today, it's the perfect time to think about the trip! I hope everyone is staying safe and hasn't been affecting by the tornadoes & thunderstorms. I can't believe how crazy the weather has been this spring!

Today is a big day - our Disney trip is paid for 100% including spending money, tips, money for extra food, etc. I can't believe that either! When we booked the trip in February and insisted on staying Deluxe I really didn't think we'd be able to save the money for the trip before we left - but wasn't worried since we have a Disney Visa card that gives us 6 months interest free. I'm not sure how we did it, but we did it! Disney vacations are amazing for motivations of all sort.

Naturally I'm a worrier & over planner (and my DH is so laid back, we balance each other out perfectly) so now my energy will be devoted to worrying about the brand new car loan we just took out, and how now we both drive gas guzzling SUVs and are destroying the planet. Seriously I feel so guilty that it is ruining the "YAY I have a new (to me) car" experience. We loved the new (to us) Jeep Grand Cherokee we bought 2 years ago for my DH to drive that we got another one. Neither one of us would be driving a 4x4 if the weather wasn't so terrible & unpredictable here - our winter can start as early as Sept/Oct and we had a terrible snow & ice storm the first weekend of April this year. I'm guessing I probably didn't need a V8/Hemi but it was pretty and has every feature I could possibly ever want, so we brought it home LOL.

School is going really well, I got an A on my test this week! I take my final in 2 weeks. Tomorrow is my last clinical experience for the semester, which makes me kinda sad. I've really enjoyed my clinicals this time around, so hopefully my last 12 hours in Labor & Delivery will be good.

DH & I entered ourselves in the Disney Happily Ever After Contest so if you could vote for us, that would be great! ​

http://family.go.com/happily-ever-a...ain-free--rain-free-happily-ever-after-72441/

 

[pinkxray]

Glad to hear you are doing well in school

Sorry to hear you have a cold but at least you get being sick out of the way before you go.

I traded in my Honda Civic for a used Pathfinder last year and I love it. I am not in love with the cost of filling the tank but it was awesome for the awful snowy winter we had and getting me to and from the hospital.

 

[dtr_angel]

Glad to hear you are doing well in school

Sorry to hear you have a cold but at least you get being sick out of the way before you go.

I traded in my Honda Civic for a used Pathfinder last year and I love it. I am not in love with the cost of filling the tank but it was awesome for the awful snowy winter we had and getting me to and from the hospital.

Thanks! I had a cold last month too and before this I haven't had one in years so I don't know what's going on. Let's hope it is out of my system before we get to Disney, I want to enjoy it!

That is why my DH & I both need 4 wheel drive - I work at a hospital, and always will, and he also has a job that requires him to be there regardless of the weather. Plus my car is not kid friendly so we were going to have to get rid of it soon-ish anyway.

Are you ready for your vacation?!

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

WOW! You guys are sooooo close! And congrats on paying your trip off! You're right, it's so easy to save for Disney vs. something else

I hope the last few weeks of school go well! Ahhh, so much exciting stuff for you coming up! YAY!!

 

[PixieMama]

Today is a big day - our Disney trip is paid for 100% including spending money, tips, money for extra food, etc. I can't believe that either! When we booked the trip in February and insisted on staying Deluxe I really didn't think we'd be able to save the money for the trip before we left - but wasn't worried since we have a Disney Visa card that gives us 6 months interest free. I'm not sure how we did it, but we did it! Disney vacations are amazing for motivations of all sort.

Naturally I'm a worrier & over planner (and my DH is so laid back, we balance each other out perfectly)

DH & I entered ourselves in the Disney Happily Ever After Contest so if you could vote for us, that would be great! ​

http://family.go.com/happily-ever-a...ain-free--rain-free-happily-ever-after-72441/

Yay for having your trip paid off!

DH and I are the same... he's the easy-going, laid-back one while I'm the worrywart obsessing over every little detail. Opposites really do attract, huh?

Definitely going over to vote for you... good luck!

 

[dtr_angel]

WOW! You guys are sooooo close! And congrats on paying your trip off! You're right, it's so easy to save for Disney vs. something else

I hope the last few weeks of school go well! Ahhh, so much exciting stuff for you coming up! YAY!!

Yeah I know, isn't it funny how easy it is to save for Disney but fail on saving for anything else? I think when we get back, I'm going to save for a pretend trip in August and see if I can come up with that money as fast as I came up with our vacation money

I can't wait for summer break!! I hope your Emma is feeling better!

Yay for having your trip paid off!

DH and I are the same... he's the easy-going, laid-back one while I'm the worrywart obsessing over every little detail. Opposites really do attract, huh?

Definitely going over to vote for you... good luck!

My DH are really opposites so I guess it is true that we attract, but it's definitely a good thing since we balance each other out so well!

 

[Disney9.9.10]

Hi Your PTR caught my eye because you are staying at AKL, and I am staying there for the first time this coming August! So exciting!! Everything sounds great so far, I can't wait to read about your trip and see how you liked AKL!

p.s. - I danced at Magic Music Days when I was younger too! I still have the t-shirts that they gave us, and about a million pictures from the trip. It was so hot when we were there too, but like you said, it was definitely worth it!

 

[dtr_angel]

Hi Your PTR caught my eye because you are staying at AKL, and I am staying there for the first time this coming August! So exciting!! Everything sounds great so far, I can't wait to read about your trip and see how you liked AKL!

p.s. - I danced at Magic Music Days when I was younger too! I still have the t-shirts that they gave us, and about a million pictures from the trip. It was so hot when we were there too, but like you said, it was definitely worth it!

Thanks for reading my PTR! I am very excited about staying at AKL now, but to be honest I wasn't at first and I'm the one that picked the resort, LOL. We're just staying standard view, so we won't have the view of the animals. I will definitely report back on how I felt about the AKL!

That is so cool that you were a part of Magic Music Days! I have two younger brothers (who were 6 & 10 when we went) and I felt so bad for them - our vacation was revolved around me pretty much - one day I my parents had to get to me one of the All Star Resorts so we could practice, one day we had a workshop with the Disney dancers (do you remember where that was? I'm thinking Epcot?) and then the performance day. I still have that t-shirt too, and I never grew into mine, it's an adult XL It was worth it, but it was hot, crowded, and we didn't get to ride many rides!

 

[dtr_angel]

Oh my goodness, this vacation is almost here! I've started packing and trying to get caught up on laundry so I can stay caught up. I've packed all our tshirts since we're wearing mostly the same Disney tees we wore on our last trips, LOL. I made a pretty good list of everything that needs packed because I am SO paranoid I am going to forget something like the camera battery charger or underwear (seriously I had a dream that I forgot underwear). I also made a list of the last few things I need to buy - I'm going to pick up some snacks like granola bars to pack for in our room while we get ready in the morning. I am one of those people that if my stomach gets empty, I get really nauseated so I HAVE to eat! I always told my mom that and she thought I was being dramatic about it until we went on a bus trip a few years ago... I tried to tell her I was going to get sick because I didn't have breakfast yet and before the bus left, I had to get off and ralph. Of course I wanted sympathy and she told me that it was my fault I didn't eat anything Moms! So now when we go out of town she makes sure we have time for a breakfast stop at Chick-fil-a I've also started a list of things that need done before we leave and I really feel like I am forgetting things on there. Luckily my parents & brothers will be watching the house & the cat, but there is so much that needs done before we go! School is getting in the way of my Disney trip, that's for sure LOL. I hope I can get everything done in time!

I'm looking for suggestions on how to organize the information that I need to take with me. In the past, I've never taken a list or anything with me to the parks. I have a folder with all the standard things, like reservation numbers, park hours, ect. I would like to take something, not too large, to put in our park bag with maybe a list of must do attractions and things like that. I've seen some people make a little binder but I wouldn't know how where to start on that and what needs in it, so suggestions on what to buy or how to make one would be awesome.

I'm also looking for suggestions of something I can possibly get my mom in Disney World for her birthday. We're coming home on her birthday (we land around 1:30pm, so after lunch at Sonic we should be home (and super tired!) by 3pm I hope) I was thinking about maybe doing the pick a pearl in Japan and having it set in a necklace for her, but she's been my mom for over 26 years, we've bought her a lot of jewelry over the years! I really have no idea what to get her, and I just got her mother's day gift so this is hard to have to come up with something so soon. Her name is Alice and she is partial to Alice in Wonderland if that helps

So this wasn't as much of an update as an "ahh help me!" post, but I'll leave you with a few pictures

These are two tanks that I made myself, I think they are really cute.

We have a stow away! It's going to be so hard leaving him! The poor guy hates to be alone and he doesn't like my parents, LOL. We thought about letting him stay at my parents house since he'll get more human interaction there, but my parents have an evil cat (that I stuck them with since Nemo didn't like her) named Dory (I call her Jynxi BadCat though)

My & the tyrant Dory on Christmas

I hope everyone is doing well! Sorry the pictures are so big, I need to figure out how to post them smaller before I come back from my trip!​

 

[mtgirl29]

I am really enjoying all of your planning. I was a little behind, but now all caught up!
I am in the same boat as you with your mom's birthday coming so soon after Mother's Day. I never know what to get my mom and it makes it doubly as hard, since it is so close to MD. My mom's bday is June 2nd. So, I will be on vacation on her bday. Does that make me a bad daughter?.... Actual, since my DD started school, we have been gone for her bday for the past 4 yrs. We usually do a celebration before we leave and I have flowers sent on her bday. We have to make our vacation as early as possible, because we have noticed that summer crowds around the second week of June is unbelievable. Beach condos and the like raise their rates the second week of June. So poor Mom hasn't had us around for her past 4 bdays. So, when you go shopping for your mom, pick up two of whatever and send one to me....

Your kitty is soooo CUTE!
Are you getting super excited about your trip? You are going the week before us. Cannot wait to read more plans!!!

 

[Lidian]

You did an amazing job on those tanks! I'm actually jealous! I was sitting here looking at them wondering where you got them so I could get me some.

Absolutely love your stowaway! I'm a huge cat lover, so both cats (yours and your moms) are just adorable! I have an evil cat, too - but he's our only cat, so we put up with him. I've been stressing over leaving Stormy (our bad kitty) myself.

TWO WEEKS!!!!! How awesome is that?!?! I'm a bit jealous, but I'm not far behind you, so not overly.

I have no clue as to what to do for MD for my own mom. So I'm in TK's boat. Just make it three and send one to her and one to me.

 

[pinkxray]

Your tanks are so cute! I can't believe you made those yourself.

I don't have any cats, but when I lived with my parents we always had cats. Whenever I left a suitcase out I had to make sure to close it b/c my cats always thought an open suitcase was a giant litterbox I don't miss that part of having cats.

I am having a hard time getting everything organized, but it is tough without being able to pack everything now. I have our clothes all set, but can't pack all the camera and phone chargers until the night before so we can make sure all the phones and cameras are fully charged before we go. I keep trying to pack our bathing suits and beach towels but DH and DD keep taking them out to go swimming at the Y. I just have a feeling I am going to forget something too. I try not to stress though, you can buy pretty much anything you forget, even underwear.

 

[dtr_angel]

I am really enjoying all of your planning. I was a little behind, but now all caught up!
I am in the same boat as you with your mom's birthday coming so soon after Mother's Day. I never know what to get my mom and it makes it doubly as hard, since it is so close to MD. My mom's bday is June 2nd. So, I will be on vacation on her bday. Does that make me a bad daughter?.... Actual, since my DD started school, we have been gone for her bday for the past 4 yrs. We usually do a celebration before we leave and I have flowers sent on her bday. We have to make our vacation as early as possible, because we have noticed that summer crowds around the second week of June is unbelievable. Beach condos and the like raise their rates the second week of June. So poor Mom hasn't had us around for her past 4 bdays. So, when you go shopping for your mom, pick up two of whatever and send one to me....

Your kitty is soooo CUTE!
Are you getting super excited about your trip? You are going the week before us. Cannot wait to read more plans!!!

I know what you mean, since I've been an adult, I'm usually not around for my mom's birthday. We originally were going to come home on the 27th, but since the 26th is her birthday and it was cheaper to fly home on that day since it is a Thursday so it worked out. We still have 7 full days in Disney so I think we'll have plenty of time! And getting your trip in before the Isummer crowds are a good idea. June is a rough time since it's hot AND crowded. This will probably be our first trip with smaller crowds, our first trip was in mid June, our second in March during spring break, and the last in August at the beginning of free dining (that was a nightmare...) I hope you luck out and don't have a lot of crowds since you are going in early June.

LOL If I come up with any good ideas for my mom's birthday I'll definitely let you know. I am super excited about this trip, I really can't wait!!! I'm also really excited about doing a trip report this time too! My cat is the giant orange one in the suitcase, Dory belongs to my parents - she's so adorable you would never know she was pure evil!

You did an amazing job on those tanks! I'm actually jealous! I was sitting here looking at them wondering where you got them so I could get me some.

Absolutely love your stowaway! I'm a huge cat lover, so both cats (yours and your moms) are just adorable! I have an evil cat, too - but he's our only cat, so we put up with him. I've been stressing over leaving Stormy (our bad kitty) myself.

TWO WEEKS!!!!! How awesome is that?!?! I'm a bit jealous, but I'm not far behind you, so not overly.

I have no clue as to what to do for MD for my own mom. So I'm in TK's boat. Just make it three and send one to her and one to me.

LOL that is a lot of pressure to find the perfect gift! Okay so I cheated on the tanks, I am NOT crafty at all... in fact, I can't believe I didn't screw those up. I bought plain tanks at Walmart for $4.50, and the design is an iron on transfer I bought on ebay. They are hand made and turned out really cute - I just wish I would've bought non-stretchy tanks because the image stretches when it's on, but they are still so cute. She makes lot of cute Disney designs, I wanted them all! Here's the link, the seller is comfy*corner
http://stores.ebay.com/Kathys-Comfy-Corner?_trksid=p4340.l2563

I am going to miss our stowaway so much! I know my parents & brothers will keep a good eye on him but I will still worry. He's never been left alone for more than a day before and he hates to be alone, and he really only likes my husband & I. He used to have a habit of not eating anything when he was alone (like if we were both at work) but he's doing better about eating when we're not here. My husband says he can't imagine what I'm going to be like when we have kids if I can't even leave the cat while we're on vacation He's an only cat though so we do put up with a lot LOL. I think that is why my parents keep putting up with Dory - she's super bad (but oh so cute, you'd never know!) she's at least good entertainment LOL.

I still can't believe how soon it is!!! But I guess time flies when you book your trip so late haha. I think the anticipation leading up to the trip is awesome, so the farther away the better. I can't wait to hear about your trip when you're back. I've found that following trip reports help keep my Disney cravings under control.

Your tanks are so cute! I can't believe you made those yourself.

I don't have any cats, but when I lived with my parents we always had cats. Whenever I left a suitcase out I had to make sure to close it b/c my cats always thought an open suitcase was a giant litterbox I don't miss that part of having cats.

I am having a hard time getting everything organized, but it is tough without being able to pack everything now. I have our clothes all set, but can't pack all the camera and phone chargers until the night before so we can make sure all the phones and cameras are fully charged before we go. I keep trying to pack our bathing suits and beach towels but DH and DD keep taking them out to go swimming at the Y. I just have a feeling I am going to forget something too. I try not to stress though, you can buy pretty much anything you forget, even underwear.

Oh my goodness, I'm so glad I have a good cat! He loves boxes, bags, laundry baskets - anything he can jump into. I have to be careful that I'm not taking him to school with me because he is always in my book bag (and he has even drug my purse to another room LOL)

Yes I'm totally with you on packing. There isn't much else I can pack until right before we leave. I made a really good list and I just plan on going down the list and making sure we have everything before we leave. Haha can you imagine me having to wear Minnie mouse underwear every day? that would be hilarious LOL! Your trip is so close! I can't wait to hear about your Epcot Pixar weekend - if I would've known that my final was being moved to the 12th, we would be there at the same time! (our trips still over lap though)

 

[mtgirl29]

I had read that one was your cat and one was Dory "The Meanie", but I mistyped "your cat". I am mush brained lately. I remember you telling me that in one of your posts, too, how you couldn't leave Nemo w/your parents because of Dory. They both are very cute. I wish I could see a close up of Nemo (hint hint ) Our two cats always climbed into our suitcases, too.
As soon as we pull out the luggage the dogs look very concerned. especially, our hyper one, Daisy. She has always went to the kennel before, but this year will be a welcomed surprise for her vacationing at my sister's house.

I love your tanks! You did a wonderful job designing them. What kind of glue did you use for the sequin designs? I have a fear of doing that then all of the sequins falling off in the wash. I would love to do something like that someday. I am not very crafty, though.

I cannot wait to read your TR!!!!

 

[dtr_angel]

I had read that one was your cat and one was Dory "The Meanie", but I mistyped "your cat". I am mush brained lately. I remember you telling me that in one of your posts, too, how you couldn't leave Nemo w/your parents because of Dory. They both are very cute. I wish I could see a close up of Nemo (hint hint ) Our two cats always climbed into our suitcases, too.
As soon as we pull out the luggage the dogs look very concerned. especially, our hyper one, Daisy. She has always went to the kennel before, but this year will be a welcomed surprise for her vacationing at my sister's house.

I love your tanks! You did a wonderful job designing them. What kind of glue did you use for the sequin designs? I have a fear of doing that then all of the sequins falling off in the wash. I would love to do something like that someday. I am not very crafty, though.

I cannot wait to read your TR!!!!

Wow I've never posted pictures of my Nemo? I'm shocked! I will definitely do that! The designs on the tanks were iron on transfers that I got off of ebay. That is about as crafty as I get LOL.

I have 4 tests, then I work on Friday night so Saturday becomes all about Disney - today marks 10 days until we leave!

 

[dtr_angel]

Here is some pictures of my buddy bear, Nemo

this one is my favorite

 

[Lidian]

He's adorable!! WOO FOR 10 DAYS!!

Are you doing online check-in?

 

[dtr_angel]

He's adorable!! WOO FOR 10 DAYS!!

Are you doing online check-in?

Thanks, he's such a good cat. Single digits! 9 days to go! No, I'm not doing online check in. I requested a king bed, and I read on the Dis that when you have requests, not to do online check in because you have a better chance of getting what you want if you don't. We'll see!

Tomorrow I take the HESI (a standardized test similar to the boards I will take to get my RN license) and Thursday night I take my comprehensive final and then I'm free!!

 

[PixieMama]

Single Digits Dance!