Please Take Small Children by the Hand. PTR - June 11- Countdown Trivia

[bam1004]

Well, here it it… my first trip report!!! I am starting it off properly with a pre-trip report.

So let’s start of with some introductions….
Here we are on our first adventure to the world in 2008.

ME – (Thirty-something) I am an early childhood teacher and Disney fanatic, well WDW planning fanatic!!! I just recently graduated college and became certified as an early childhood teacher. I love teaching and I am so happy that I took a leap of faith and changed careers. I was previously a marketing database analyst and then I finally decided what I really wanted to do when I grew up, so I went back to school (not an easy task with two children, a husband, mortgage, etc). I graduated this past May with honors!!! Whoohoo! It was a great feeling to have my children and husband cheering me on at graduation!! I think this upcoming trip is really a big thank you to them for all of the sacrifices we made for me to complete school.
This will be my forth trip to WDW and I just can’t wait!!!!
Here is a pic of me and DS on our last trip to WDW.

DH – (Thirty-something) My dear hubby! He loves Disney almost as much as me and likes to help plan our trips. He does think the time I spend on disboards is extreme, but hey, I want to make sure we have fun right!?!?! This will be his sixth trip to the world.
And here is the kiddos...

DD10 – My sweet girl. She is super sweet and so kind-hearted. She LOVES animals of all kinds. She is not a girlie-girl. In fact, when we were coming to WDW in 2008 and we watched the Disney planning video, she made me promise to not make her go to BBB!!! That would have been a nightmare for her. She doesn’t like any of the princesses and has never really played with Barbies. She loves Batman, Teen Titans, Harry Potter, and Spongebob. She has recently begun to really like jewelry and even got her ears pierced for her 10th birthday. This will be her 2nd trip to the world. She is a foodie and is excited that she will be able to order off the adult menu!! She loves sushi, steak, fish, shrimp, and crabs!!! She loves her seafood! A real Louisiana girl!!!

DS8 – My sweet baby boy. He is also super sweet and very kind-hearted. He is a momma’s boy through and through! He LOVES Legos!!! I know he will love the Lego store in DTD. He has already saved up $50 to spend there. He also likes Toy Story, Iron Man, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Cars, and he still watches Disney channel which his sister says she is too old for! He is not a picky eater at all, but he loves hamburgers. I swear that boy could eat a hamburger everyday and never get tired of them. This will also be his 2nd trip to WDW. He and I discuss a lot about our upcoming trip and he is really ready to go!

I love how he is really hugging Eeyore!!! Such a sweetie!

Well, that’s us – four souls on a mission to have a BLAST at WDW in June 2011.

Table of Contents:
Where, When, How, Why???
Intenaries, ADR's, and SWW...Oh My!
To Buy or Not to Buy..New Camera???
New Shirts and Possible December Trip!
December Reservations Made!!!
Checking off the To Buy List
Paid in Full
Countdown Trivia

Coming up…Where, When, How, Why????

 

[bam1004]

Where, When, How, Why????

First let me explain my title.
On our first trip together as a family was June 2008. We were joking with each other repeating different common sayings that we heard while waiting in lines to make the time go by faster. DH proceeds to say “Take small children,” and then he paused and then out of no where DS finishes it by saying, “by the hand.” It was just hilarious since DS is not very outspoken in public and is very shy. Well, that was it!!! Between that and repeating lines from Madame Leota, we still crack up over that! I know…we should get out more!

When – June 7th – June 15th
Our last trip we went about this same time and loved it. Yes it is hot, but hey, we’re from South Louisiana and it would have been just as hot at home. Also, that is during the first part of hurricane season and we have to be conscious of one is heading our way or towards Florida. Also, I really liked our last trip. There was some afternoon showers, but they only lasted a little bit and really cooled it off for the rest of the night.

Where – CBR
I am so pumped to stay at CBR. We were originally going to stay at ASMo. That is where we stayed last time and we loved it. We were in the Toy Story building and it was so quiet and peaceful. But, we took advantage of the 25% moderate offer and I was able to book CBR for a little less than the total for ASMo! Score 1 for me!!!
I requested either Jamaica or Aruba buildings. DS and DD are excited to swim in the pool. I am excited to have a frig and a little more space.

Dining – DDP – Yes, please!
Last trip we did the DxDDP and really enjoyed it. We liked the variety and not being stuck with just burgers and chicken tenders all week. It was less expensive last time since DD was still considered a child, but now that she is at the adult age of 10, the price is much steeper. Also, we did feel a little over planned with so many TS’s. So, decided on the reg dining plan. We are still able to have the TS’s we wanted and not feel like we not getting our money’s worth. I have already made our ADR’s and I have to say, I think we did well!

 

[bam1004]

Itenerary, ADR’s, and SWW…Oh my!!!

We will be driving the long 12 hour drive from good ol’LA. We are planning on leaving Monday at 8pm so the kiddos can sleep while we take turn driving. This is how we did it last time and it seemed to work out great for everyone except me since I have a hard time sleeping in a car. I like to stay up with my hubby while he drives to make sure he stays up and keeps us on the road. I know, I’m a worry-wart! But we don’t have anything planned for our arrival day so hopefully I can catch a nap once we get checked-in.
Here is what we are planning as of now:
Tuesday – Check-in, swim, DTD, maybe EoS or RR for dinner.
Wednesday – MK day Crystal Palace for breakfast (our family tradition) and The Wave for dinner
Thursday – DHS – no planned dining for that day. Maybe Starring Rolls for lunch.
Friday – Epcot – Coral Reef for lunch
Saturday – AK – Tusker House for breakfast. We had it last time and loved it.
Sunday – Epcot – Rose & Crown for a late dinner. We are hoping to catch Illuminations since we missed it last time.
Monday – DHS – O’hana for late dinner. First time there.
Tuesday – MK – our last day. Dinner at Crystal Palace.
Wednesday – Check-out and head home.

 

[OhMari]

Hi,
I have you moved.

Congradulations with your new degree.

I am the same way, I can't sleep in a car. I nod off and wake back up.

Good planning so far.

 

[bam1004]

Hi,
I have you moved.

Congradulations with your new degree.

I am the same way, I can't sleep in a car. I nod off and wake back up.

Good planning so far.

Thanks!!!

 

[MisplacedTexan]

Lucky you that you get to go so soon!!! And congrats on graduation.!

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[bam1004]

Lucky you that you get to go so soon!!! And congrats on graduation.!

Can't wait to hear more!

Welcome!!!
And thanks!

 

[bam1004]

On our previous trip we used our Kodak Z812 which is an awesome camera and takes great pictures, but it a little bulky. The thing I liked most about it was that it doesn't have a delay time when you snap a picture. I am wanting a new streamline camera that also has a short delay time (I don't know the proper photo term for it). Any suggestions????

 

[bam1004]

So excited!!! ordered 6 shirts today for our vacation!! 2 for each of the kiddos and 1 for each me and hubby! Whoohoo! Thank you for free shipping!
We are also discussing a possible December trip!!! I got a pin in the mail for 35% off values and moderates! We would probably only get to go for a few days, but to get to see Disney during the holidays would be great!!! Keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[tinkerbellandeyor]

just checking in

 

[creativeamanda]

Subscribing! We are going to Disney at the same time! Last year, we went around this time and dh agreed it was the best time to go!

I love your adrs--my kids also love Crystal Palace--we have never been as a family when we did not go!

 

[bam1004]

Subscribing! We are going to Disney at the same time! Last year, we went around this time and dh agreed it was the best time to go!

I love your adrs--my kids also love Crystal Palace--we have never been as a family when we did not go!

I love early June. Hope you have a great trip!!

 

[bam1004]

just checking in

 

[DisneyAsh32]

So excited!!! ordered 6 shirts today for our vacation!! 2 for each of the kiddos and 1 for each me and hubby! Whoohoo! Thank you for free shipping!
We are also discussing a possible December trip!!! I got a pin in the mail for 35% off values and moderates! We would probably only get to go for a few days, but to get to see Disney during the holidays would be great!!! Keeping my fingers crossed!

Following Along! A December trip sounds AMAZING! I hope you get to go.

 

[kittylady1972]

On our previous trip we used our Kodak Z812 which is an awesome camera and takes great pictures, but it a little bulky. The thing I liked most about it was that it doesn't have a delay time when you snap a picture. I am wanting a new streamline camera that also has a short delay time (I don't know the proper photo term for it). Any suggestions????

Sorry just stumbled across your PTR and subbing....since we are also heading down in June. I'm jealous as it sounds like you'll be there earlier. I would LOVE to be able to attend SWW but with the kids' school schedule it just isn't happening.

As for camera advice....I LOVE my Canon cameras. I have a small Canon Elph that's a few years old but still works great..and no delay at all. I have a little bit larger Canon SX110 which does well...but has delays when it comes to shooting several shots with flash and I have no patience waiting for the flash. This may be better in most recent Canon cameras though. I had my dad get my mom a Canon for Christmas and it's even more compact than what I consider my "bigger" Canon camera with the superzoom and slow flash. I have owned several Canons over the years and continue to go back to them.

 

[bam1004]

Following Along! A December trip sounds AMAZING! I hope you get to go.

 

[bam1004]

Sorry just stumbled across your PTR and subbing....since we are also heading down in June. I'm jealous as it sounds like you'll be there earlier. I would LOVE to be able to attend SWW but with the kids' school schedule it just isn't happening.

As for camera advice....I LOVE my Canon cameras. I have a small Canon Elph that's a few years old but still works great..and no delay at all. I have a little bit larger Canon SX110 which does well...but has delays when it comes to shooting several shots with flash and I have no patience waiting for the flash. This may be better in most recent Canon cameras though. I had my dad get my mom a Canon for Christmas and it's even more compact than what I consider my "bigger" Canon camera with the superzoom and slow flash. I have owned several Canons over the years and continue to go back to them.

Thanks for the camera suggestion. I need to just get out and check some out. I am hoping that is what my hubby gets me for Mother's Day so I will have time to play around with it before we go!
We are lucky to be able to get out of school on May 27th. I have to work until the 31st, so that will give me a full week of no school to get everything finalized before we go. When we went in 2008, we tried to go to DHS on one of the SWW, but it was just so packed. We did get to see a few things, but the crowds were insane. The bonus of SWW was that the other parks seemed empty. Maybe one year you will be able to make it.

 

[bam1004]

Just made our reservations for December!!! We are going to stay 5 nights at ASMo. I am so pumped! We are still on the fence if we are going to upgrade our tickets in June to an AP. I guess I really need to put pen to paper and figure out what would be the best. Right now we are looking at a 7 day base ticket for June and 4 days in December. We have not added the park hopper since we really didn't hop in 2008, but I like the idea of having it just in case a park is really packed and we could hop to another one. The other thing is I don't understand if you can have the DDP with the AP??? We used a pin to make our Dec reservation I told the cm that I didn't want to add tickets now since we might get AP's when we go in June and when I asked the cm if we could later add the DDP she said no, that I would have to wait until October when they release the AP rates???? Can someone help explain this to me???? We have the DDP in June and I don't want to change that.

 

[bam1004]

So excited to finally get a few things off of my To Buy List!!! We just ordered a new camera and camcorder. We are getting the Kodak M590 and a Kodak ZI8. I can't wait to get them in and use them!!!
I have also purchased the kiddos some more shirts. I am hoping to get some pictures posted soon. I got some of our toiletries like toothbrushes, toothpaste, and medicines like ibprofen, etc. It feels so good to slowly get things bought for the trip and not have to stress out right before trying to get everything we need.
I can't wait until tomorrow when I give the kiddos their Valentine's Day gifts. I found the cutest Mickey and Minnie's at Walmart for $10!!!! I will post pics soon.
Hope everyone has a great Valentine's Day !!!:

 

[bam1004]

Wishing everyone a happy Mardi Gras!!!!