Planning Our BIG Family Trip

[PeaceLuvTheMouse]

Hi and welcome to my first pre-trip report. My family & I have been planning this trip for almost an entire year. There are 13 people going on this summer vacation, and everyone is staying in one house. My mom & I have been talking about this trip for...well...let's just say a REALLY long time. I'm a big souvenier person, so I choose to save for, once again, a REALLY long time before we go. As of today we have about 115 days until we head for the Mouse House. But, before we head to MK, BB, or Epcot, we're headed to the WWHP!! Personally, I am HP FANATIC, so this part of our trip excites me to no end. I am a little worried about going in June, something we've never done before, but I know we'll have a fantastic time. I'll be back later!!

 

[2Monkeys]

The planning is part of the fun....details please!!

 

[PeaceLuvTheMouse]

Let's get introductions out of the way.

Me: Lindsey...I'm 13 & am obsessed with Disney. I've been 5 times, so our next trip will make 6.
My mom: Amy...Just like me, just been more times (2Monkeys on this DisBoards)
My dad: Allan....Not quite as Disney-crazed as Mom & I but he enjoys it
My brother: Matt... 10 years old & has been to Disney 4 times
My cousin: Kelsey...12 years old & has been to Disney 1 time
My cousin: Emyle... 15 years old; Kelsey's sister; has been to Disney 1 time
My aunt: Andrea...my mom's sister; Emyle & Kelsey's DM; Loves Disney
My uncle: Robbie...Emyle & Kelsey's DF; Andrea's DH
My aunt: Lisa...Noelle's DM; Brad's DW; loves Disney
My uncle: Brad...Lisa's DH; Noelle's DF
My cousin: Noelle...2 years old..loves Disney princesses!!
My grandma: Janie...Amy, Lisa, & Andrea's DM
My grandpa: Bill....Amy, Lisa & Andrea's DF

Like I said...There's a lot of us going!!

Mom, Dad, Matt & I are going to Universal & Wet 'n' Wild before everyone else arrives.

 

[PeaceLuvTheMouse]

As part of our planning, our family does 'The Mouse Down'.

We put sticky notes on a big poster board decorated with Disney stuff counting down the days we have left until our trip...
We haven't actually taken it out yet, but I can't wait until we do!!

 

[PeaceLuvTheMouse]

I actually pretty much know things that I absolutely have to do/buy when we go... My mom is a HUGE planner so it's kinda in my blood..

It's kinda ammusing because Andrea can't really answer questions about the trip. To her, it's 'too far off' but to Mom & I, it's getting REALLY CLOSE!!! Sometimes you can't even tell they're related...but not very often.

My Must Dos:

1) BTMRR!!! This is my absolute FAV ride in the non-water parks...absolutely AMAZING
2) Space Mtn. I've never ridden before & promised myself I would this time
3) Tobbogan Racers (BB) My FAV water park ride

And MANY MORE!!

 

[PeaceLuvTheMouse]

The hardest person to convince to do something extra, or even go at all, is my dad. I think he's finally catching on to the face that Mom & I won't take no for an answer, so he just says yes immediately. I was pretty surprised though when Mom convinced him to let us leave a day earlier. So instead of June 7, now we're leaving June 6 & arriving at Universal at 12:00ish on June 7!!! Man I love planning vacations!!!

 

[saintstickets]

There's only 6 of us going in May so we'll be a small group compared to y'all. We're also going to Universal to see Harry Potter. Looking forward to your TR.

 

[PeaceLuvTheMouse]

There's only 6 of us going in May so we'll be a small group compared to y'all. We're also going to Universal to see Harry Potter. Looking forward to your TR.

Yeah this is the first time we're going with that many people so we'll see...

Thanks for reading!!

 

[PeaceLuvTheMouse]

Another part of our planning is the "training". Since Disney requires a lot of walking, we walk around our neighborhood, at the park, etc. a bunch so we will be prepared. So Mom & I went on a walk and, as always, we start talking about Disney & our trip. But this time, we pretty much planned out our ENTIRE trip!!

 

[PeaceLuvTheMouse]

On our last Disney Trip, Matt & I were introduced to pin trading. For those of you who don't know, pin trading is very simple. You buy pins before/during your trip (we order grab bags online) and then trade with the castmembers. But, you get to choose which one you give them & which one they give you....everything is up to you!

 

[PeaceLuvTheMouse]

Yesterday, we put up The Great Mouse Down!!
And I've started my packing list...
Out trip has become a frequent topic of conversation...
We have a "Disney Box" in our basement, and as Mom & I talk about our trip we add things to our box. Our box is full of supplies we'll use in the parks.. ponchos, water bottles, sunscreen, snacks, etc. It all goes into a backpack when we go into the parks, and we are never unprepared!