My 3 sentence biography: Working mom with 8yr old DD 3rd grader and hard working DH. Just went to the World for the first time last year, never thought I'd EVER make it and here we are going again! The DIS was pivotal in our successful visit, to be sure.
First time or Zillionith trip to WDW?: Will be our second time! We surprised her with an early B-day present last October. It was heavenly. Weather perfect. We are surprising her again for a Christmas gift, although unlike last time, we will tell her the day before when she gets home from school, so she can tell us what things she ESPECIALLY wants to do. Last year was a year of firsts, first plane trip for her, first trip to FL, first trip to DW. We did
MNSSHP and this year we will do
MVMCP. It worked great for us. We really enjoyed it and walked on most everything we wanted to ride. I know it won't be like the first time, but I think with the Christmas decorations and she's back and never dreamed it would be so soon, will be special.
Brief background about your upcoming trip (include dates):Just made our reservation yesterday for 12/15-22 returning to POR and it is a Royal Room. That's all they had for FD. Oddly, it is only about $75 more than last year and we didn't stay in a royal room...weird. When I checked some neglected emails and saw that they'd extended FD a week in Dec. I began looking at my DD's school calendar and posed the idea to DH. He's so good, he never says no. Also, had a dear friend who nearly died and is living life to the fullest and decided on a whim to drive 8 hours just to eat at Boma this weekend and I was inspired!
Why did you choose December? When we went last October and saw the great decorations and attended MNSSHP, I thought how great would it be to go during December. Because of my DD's school calendar, she'll only miss 3 days and we will be home in time for Christmas!
What are you most looking forward to? Everything. When I went for the first time last year, I knew I'd like it. I didn't realize how much I'd appreciate it. I was simply astounded with the whole package, the business side, the people, everything. I loved everything about it.
My most cherished upcoming ADR: Excited to go to Boma, we had to cancel it the last time because we just couldn't pull ourselves away from MK to make it in time! We lucked out because a cast member snagged a last minute 'Ohana, which my carnivore DH loved! He said that rarely happened. We walked right in and ran into somebody we new from our little town! Haven't been able to snag an 'Ohana, yet, will keep looking. Honestly, our best meal last year was Rose & Crown. We had a blast there and we even ate at Narcooses and RC was better for us.
Favorite Disney snack (or for those who haven't been, what you most look forward to snacking on): Hmmm..probably something at Starring Rolls!
My Disney touring style - Commando or Turtle? We're fairly commando. Thanks to the DIS we were masters for the FP and followed a TouringPlan for the most part and it worked like magic. We take breaks, but we're pretty early risers, too.
My upcoming trip is: planned down to the second or going with the flow?I'm a planner. I've worked in a Research section of a Univ for too long not to be! LOL I've planned out which parks we'll be on which day, and what the ADRs are and a list of our rides/attractions. We will try and hit a few things we missed last time and eliminate some of the been there done that's. I have a feeling Splash will be ridden many times, as well as Kali. We're from Ohio...December in FL will be balmy to us!
How you might be able to find me while at Disney: (i.e. Resting in a hammock at CSR, tipsy at WS in EPCOT, 'that couple' in matching outfits, inquiring about the time of the 3 o'clock parade): Running around the parks, trying to get everything in. We liked park hopping. Everyone says don't do it on your first trip, but we did. It was fun for us. I love POR, great Bloody Mary's in the bar! My DD even had a virgin one, they were impressed!
The Disney character that is most like me and why: Dori is close to my heart because she's funny and people tell me I am. She's a bit of a ditz, tho! I'm pretty level headed. I'd be a cross of Dori and Marlin!
I decided, while we should probably save the money, she is only little once. She loved it so much. Perfect age to take her. She was almost 8 last year and will be 9 this year. I figured one more time before she costs more at age 10. She struggled a bit with the kids menu. She's a great eater and will try things, so the standard kid fare was a bit boring for her. However, we shared, so it worked out. She kept up, she was AWESOME! I felt sorry for so many little ones who melted down and were tired. I know it would've been priceless to she the wonderment on her face had she been younger, but ease of travel was awesome at 7 and she remembers every detail. I did tear up when we first walked into MK and I saw her little face. I applaude any parent that can take wee ones to DW. What amazing fortitude you must have, is all I can say! Kudos.
It is amazing what she remembers about that trip. Life is too short. You can always make more money. Get to the World, I say!