Our Wish Came True - Planning Our Daughter's First Trip to WDW!

[Karenj2]

Ok, I’ve never done a trip report, let alone a pre-trip report, in the many years that we’ve gone to Disney World, but THIS trip is special for us, so I figured I should get writing…

First of all, I guess I should give you the “cast of characters”:

Karen (me!) – I’m 37, I love all things Disney, and I'm a new mom.
Chris (aka DH) – Chris (38) is the love of my life, and he tolerates my Disney obsession. Don’t get me wrong, he also loves Disney too, but nowhere near my levels.
Mary (aka my MIL) – (Not saying) Believe it or not, we REALLY get along. Sometimes I think she loves me more than her own son. She could care less about Disney World, but she agreed to come with us because of …
Annika (aka Nemo, Munchkin, sweetie pie, etc.) – She’s our wish come true! (More on that later.) She’s 7+ months old now, and will be 9 months old when we go to WDW.

Some pictures:

Chris and I on a previous WDW vacation

The "three" of us on our most recent trip in 2009

Me, Annika and my MIL (Mary)

Our cutie pie! (Annika)


Our Backstory
So, to explain my comment above, and to explain why we’re going, let me tell you a small backstory…

Chris and I have been married since 1997, and we started trying to have kids in 1998. I had some medical issues that prompted us to go to infertility doctors rather quickly, but we were plagued year after year with unsuccessful attempts to get pregnant (AI, IUI, and 2-3 tries of IVF). We had a LONG break from 2004 – 2009 while we dealt with my job loss and DH’s long term disability for depression. In 2006, DH started feeling better, and he suggested that we go to WDW as a celebration – we called it our “Reconnaissance Trip” so that we could plan a grand gathering for our 10th anniversary the following year. Well, to make a long story short (or since this is a PTR, should I be making it longer?), the grand gathering fizzled, but we started a tradition of going to WDW with my sister, her husband and their two kids.

It was always fun, but there was one thing missing – our own child. Whenever we’d watch Wishes, I’d cry my eyes out, wishing for a child, but we were resigning ourselves to be the best Aunt & Uncle we could be, and contemplating adoption, when we decided to try just ONE MORE TIME with a different fertility clinic, and this time it WORKED! Annika was born on March 21st, and our lives have changed in so many wonderful ways!!

Our last trip was in 2009, and I was pregnant and happy, thinking we’d be going back again when the baby was born, but DH (and my sister) threw a wrench in my plans when they both said that they didn’t want to go in 2010. DH had a good point – I would be just back after maternity leave, and I had NO vacation left. So I had to deal with it - no trip until at least 2012.

*sigh*

 

[dstevens]

Subbing. Hey this is the first time i've ever been first! I couldn't pass it up. You are from Philly and i'm from Delaware. We are both E-A-G-L-E-S fans and we are both entering the WDW marathon weekend. My wife and i are doing the full marathon. We did the 1/2 last year in record cold and then volunteered a water stop for the full again in very cold weather. My wife and i are going to WDW the 29th thru Dec. 5th. Anxiously awaiting more.

 

[TheDisneyGirl]

OMG! Your daughter's face just made me smile and laugh. What a doll and a true blessing for you guys. I have yet to go to WDW with children, and am sure the experience will be completely different. So exciting!

When in 2012 will you guys be going?

 

[Karenj2]

Yay, readers!!

Subbing. Hey this is the first time i've ever been first! I couldn't pass it up. You are from Philly and i'm from Delaware. We are both E-A-G-L-E-S fans and we are both entering the WDW marathon weekend. My wife and i are doing the full marathon. We did the 1/2 last year in record cold and then volunteered a water stop for the full again in very cold weather. My wife and i are going to WDW the 29th thru Dec. 5th. Anxiously awaiting more.

Duh! I was going to ask you how you knew we were from Philly, then I took another look at the pictures I posted... I'll say it's because of lack of sleep, not because I'm an idiot...

OMG! Your daughter's face just made me smile and laugh. What a doll and a true blessing for you guys. I have yet to go to WDW with children, and am sure the experience will be completely different. So exciting!

When in 2012 will you guys be going?

She *is* such a blessing to us! Even when she was colicy and fussy in general, we still were so happy. And she's even getting more of a personality, and cuter every day!

I'm not sure exactly when in 2012 we'll be going, but if we go with my sister it'll be in the summer because of her kids. We have gone in both June & August.

 

[Karenj2]

I’m a BAD, BAD Girl! (yay!)
In my first post, I had mentioned that "we" had decided not to go back to WDW until 2012... ("We" being DH, with me grumpily agreeing that it DID make sense.)

Well, that plan was fine until I read on the DISboards that you can get your child’s first haircut at the barbershop on Main Street. My baby was born with a full thick head of hair* – I was SO excited about the thought of doing that – I couldn’t wait until 2012!!

(Annika's first photoshoot at the hospital. *She's since lost most of it, but it's growing back quickly now...)


So I tried to think of ANY reason to get us to WDW sooner than 2012… And luckily, my hubby gave me my in!

DH is an all-or-nothing kind of guy, which is hard for him in regards to working out/eating well… He had gained quite a bit of sympathy weight when I was pregnant, and he wanted to lose weight before next spring’s softball season, but he needs a reason to work out, so he decided that he’s going to run the Broad Street Run (in Philly, in May), but when we went to register, he discovered that registration doesn’t open ‘til January. And he won’t start working out until then. So, I said, “Honey, I know of a half-marathon you can run in January.” He said, “It’ll be too cold then.”, I said, “Not in Florida…” He rolled his eyes, and let me sign him up for the half marathon! YAY! Now I have a trip!

As we were planning this trip, I brought up a tricky question – would he be ok if we brought someone else to help us with Annika? (Not that I need much help, but it’d be nice if he and I could go on some of the rides we like, plus I wanted someone to hang with for the marathon…) We decided that his mom would be the best person to ask – the tricky part is that we only wanted her to come, not FIL…. Don’t get me wrong, my FIL is a sweetheart, but he’s not the best traveling partner – he hates hot, muggy weather, needs his routine, doesn’t like amusement parks or lots of people. Not to mention that’d change where we could afford to stay, since we’d need two rooms. So, I gave Chris the task of making sure that just his mom came. Luckily, his mom was of the same mindset, and has no problem ditching her hubby. (He was ok with it too.) The reason my MIL is a good travel partner (especially this trip) is that she will do ANYTHING we need in regards to Annika – "She needs a diaper change? No problem! We want to go on Space Mountain? Go five times for all I care – I get to hold my precious granddaughter!!"

FINALLY, we had all the players in mind – now to start PLANNING!!

 

[Karenj2]

The Planning Begins…

As soon as we made our decisions and MIL was on board, we bought our flights! No turning back now! The only aggravating thing about getting the flights is that I’ve been out voted on getting Annika her own seat. The flight we’re on only has three seats per row, and Chris didn’t want to pay for a seat, and my MIL swears that she will hold Annika the whole time anyway. I’m insisting on getting a harness of some sort, but the ones for lap babies can’t be worn during takeoff or landing.

We’ve stayed in each type of lodging on property – from value to deluxe, and the last time we went we stayed at the Beach Club. AWESOME!! Since we were planning around Chris running the half-marathon, I wanted to find a place that was easy to get to the race from. It didn’t take too long to decide that we wanted to stay at the Poly… It’s perfect – the monorail is right there for both Epcot & the Magic Kingdom, and it’s where Chris’ family stayed when they went to WDW in the 80’s. We’re going to be sharing one room, which will be interesting but doable. (I breast feed, but my MIL has seen me do it before, so I’m not too worked about that.)

We decided on the regular meal plan, but we’ll have to pay OOP for a few meals, because I don’t see us doing snacks for breakfast every day – we like our food! I asked MIL what types of places she liked/didn’t like, and she said “Anything is fine”. ARGH! That’s the one problem with my in-laws, they’re noncommittal, and then passive-aggressive if they don’t like what happens… So, I tried to pick places that I thought she’d like (being a meat & potatoes type of lady). I think I did OK on my choices, what do you think?

Wednesday January 5
(Arrival day, MK from arrival day)
Dinner: Liberty Tree Tavern

Thursday January 6
(AK in morning, then we have to pick up race stuff in evening, and we’re meeting with friends for dinner)
Breakfast: Kona Café
Dinner: Whispering Canyon Café

Friday January 7
(MK in AM, DHS in PM)
Breakfast: The Crystal Palace
Dinner: Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano

Saturday January 8
(Chris race in the morning, AND HIS BIRTHDAY, so we’re staying low-key and doing whatever he’s up for this day)
Dinner: Teppan Edo

Sunday January 9
Nothing planned, but we're around 'til 3ish, so maybe DtD


Next up - going to WDW as a FTM is like being a newbie!

 

[dstevens]

Several years ago i started a thread about the restaurants at WDW and it was amazing how long it got and the various opinions on them. We feel that Liberty Tree Tavern and Crystal Palace are good for the money. We love Whispering Canyon while some people don't like the loudness of it. We will be trying Mama Melrose's on the 29th. We had a bad experience at Kona's and would not recommend it. With that being said some people love it. One place we cannot ever overlook is Le Celiuer (spelling) in Canada at the World in Epcot. It's great that your MIL is such a team player. My wife, daughter and i did the Broad Street 10 miler last May. It was HOT!!! The WDW 1/2 and Full marathons are an awesome experience. Keep the reports coming.

 

[Karenj2]

Hey Steve - thanks for continuing to read!

A funny story (at least to me) about steakhouses... My MIL admits freely that she never really learned how to cook. Years ago, my BIL "won" Omaha Steaks' fillet minons and gave them to his parents for dinner, so we were invited over. My MIL broiled the steaks for a HALF HOUR. When she asked me how I liked mine, I said medium-rare, and she would not put it on for that little of a time. I had to do it! I put mine in when they flipped theirs, then flipped it halfway through - even mine was more cooked than I liked it, but theirs was like shoe leather! To this day, DH asks me to butterfly his fillet so that it's well done. BLECH.

So, I wasn't too upset when Le Cellier was booked for this trip - I figured that it wouldn't have been appreciated like it should be.

I LOVE the banana stuffed french toast (konga toast?) at the Kona Cafe, which is why we made that reservation. I haven't been to the Liberty Tree Tavern in a while - we usually eat at Tony's Town Square, but I haven't been thrilled with their menu the last few times (plus it's italian, and we're having italian at Mama Melrose's). I also haven't been to the Crystal Palace in YEARS - I wanted to get into the park early, which is why we booked that one. Plus it's our only character meal. The big unkown is Teppan Edo - Chris and I both love Japanese, but I'm not sure about my MIL - but it's basically rice & meat, and it's her son's birthday, so she can deal!

 

[Karenj2]

Being a FTM is like being a newbie…

Beyond the lodging & dining choices, and getting TGM again to know which parks to go to and when, I’m a bit like a newbie… I mean, we’ve traveled AS kids, and with my sister’s kids, but not my own, and not this young. Ever. So, I don’t know what I don’t know!

For instance, I have no idea what types of foods Annika will be into at 9 months. Currently she’s eating some solids, but I make her pureed foods, and other than that I BF. So, do I just hope that she eats little bits off our plates, or do I buy jarred foods? (Which she’s tried and NOT liked…) I’m going to bring a bottle so my MIL can feed her occasionally, but I don’t want to mess up my schedule (whatever it may be by then). Will I still be pumping at night, and if so, where do I store that (especially on the way home?)

When it’s just me, I carry her in my Mei Tai or a sling, which I prefer over a stroller. The problem is, I know DH & MIL are going to want to “have” her sometimes, and so we’ll need a stroller (since neither carry). She’s never been in a stroller for long periods – at most an hour or so, and she does get fussy. How silly will we look carrying her in my carrier while we push around an empty stroller? How will we go in and out of rides with a carrier?

Also, we have a Chicco stroller – which is great in it’s way, but it’s huge, even when folded… I don’t feel like spending $$ on a stroller I don’t want to use, but DH would prefer paying for something else instead of bringing ours down. For now I've got a stroller rented from OSR, so that I don't miss out if we don't make our decision in time...

Well, I've got about 6 weeks to figure things out! And the good thing is, as long as there's no disaster, I'm ok with however things turn out!



Next up: Deposits are in, the W A I T I N G begins...

 

[TheDisneyGirl]

I'm still here reading!! I've been MIA from the boards a little and came back to see you are leaving for your trip in a month! WOW! That is wonderful!!!

Your daughter's hospital photo is 2d4, she was so beautiful!!

The stroller debate: Will you be using your stroller regardless outside the parks? Then I would bring it and use it. Only for the fact that it's your own (so no germs) and you are going to be using it anyway. If you aren't then def rent one!!

Looking forward to reading!

 

[Karenj2]

Deposits are in, the W A I T I N G begins...

I can't believe it's only a little over 2 weeks 'til we head down to WDW! When I first wrote the title to this post, I thought I'd be having a MUCH harder time waiting for this trip to come....

Not at all - I'm discovering that I'm completely not ready for this trip!! Oh, I'm sure I'll be able to pull everything together, with only a few items forgotten, but it's the mental thought that a week and a half after Christmas we'll be on our way! YIKES!

I guess it's helped that we had Thanksgiving, and then LOTS of work, department meetings, and now Christmas coming up (which I'm also not ready for.... Notice the theme?)

I've been pretty good with not tweaking our plans too much - I think that's because there's very little I can tweak, since we've got the 1/2 marathon in the mix... Speaking of the race - it's been tough for DH to get the training he needs for the race, and he's in a bit of a panic. I have no doubts he'll be able to finish, but he wanted to be able to run/jog the whole race, and not run/walk, so he's a bit bummed. Does anyone have any tips on how to encourage him?

I'm hoping that my family (and DH) get my hints for presents for me - all I really want for Christmas is spending money for our trip! I've got quite a bit saved up via my Disney Visa, but I can't get the DRDs until we get down to Disney because my current rewards dollars card expires at the end of this month, and I don't have time to have a new card sent to me.

Oh - to respond to previous posts - we decided to rent a stroller from OSR, since I really don't want to have to lug one around at the airport. I'm not too worried about germs, since Annika is already in a cesspool of germs (I mean daycare)... That way we'll have it if we need it. I'm not planning on buying any baby food either - she's really interested in table food, so I'm going to just feed her off our plates. And now that I thought about it, I need to place my order for diapers & wipes sometime soon!

Ok - I've got to get back to work - Friday's this close to the holiday is SO slow...

I'll leave you with a Christmas picture of my baby girl!

 

[TeaForTulips]

congrats on your wish coming true! your daughter is beautiful!

your plans sound great! I will be passing out water to the runners at the marathon.

 

[Karenj2]

It's HERE!!

At this time tomorrow we'll be well on our way to Disney World! (In fact, we'll hopefully be getting ready to descend...)

I'm completely NOT ready, and I'm sure I've forgotten a few essentials, but at this point, whatever I forget I can buy somewhere.

Thank you to my few followers! If I keep my act together, I'll try to post a trip report afterwards, with lots of pictures, of course!