Practically Perfect in Every Way - UPDATE-3/1 -- LINK TO TRIP REPORT!!!!

[tinacaplan]

That’s the goal for this trip: Practically Perfect in Every Way. Like Mary Poppins, perhaps one of the most perfect Disney movies in the entire Disney pantheon. (How’s that for alliteration?) The travelling party includes myself (Tina), my husband, Mark, and our son, Max. But more on us a little bit later.

A rare photo of the three of us.


Now, to give credit where credit is due.. I was seriously stumped for a PTR title. Or, at least an original PTR title. Then Tammie (Magicfortwo) suggested the perfection theme. And I thought it was right on. After all, I often feel that each Disney trip truly is the pursuit of perfection. After all, isn’t Disneyworld itself, “practically perfect in every way?”

Me with Mary Poppins herself, during our 2010 trip. She was the one character I actively sought out during that trip.

For some odd reason, I think I enjoy writing PTRs more than Trip Reports. It occasionally occurs to me that the build up and anticipation are just as much of a charge for me as actually getting there. Well...almost!

This will be our fourth trip to Disneyworld since 2010. We are crazy. But I can’t stop and we’re in a position to do it right now,. so we’re going for it. Our first trip was in February of 2010. We went to celebrate our fifth anniversary and we left Max home. Personally, I didn’t feel he’d enjoy it as he was only two and a half, but I know plenty of folks who’ve taken kids that age and have a great time. Think it depends on the kid. Plus, it was our anniversary trip. We stayed at CSR in a lovey room in Casitas. It was cold by Florida standards, but that it did not stop these two hearty New Englanders from going in the hot tub a few times.

But the bottom line: we fell in love with Disneyworld on this trip and while there are million things I would do differently on every trip, I'm alwasy striving for the same thing: a Disney trip that is practically perfect in every way.

 

[KatMark]

I'm here Tina. Glad to see you have started your PTR. And I LOVE the title.

 

[MEK]

That’s the goal for this trip: Practically Perfect in Every Way. Like Mary Poppins, perhaps one of the most perfect Disney movies in the entire Disney pantheon. (How’s that for alliteration?) The travelling party includes myself (Tina), my husband, Mark, and our son, Max. But more on us a little bit later.

A rare photo of the three of us.

Am I first???? I just looked up and saw the pm and thought, "that wasn't there a minute ago!" Great start!!!!!

 

[that's nice]

I hope to follow this a little better than I followed your TR...

 

[amandaw]

Joining in for all the planning fun!

 

[eandesmom]

I'm here!

 

[dizneeat]

Yippie! I NEED to be in here as well! Let the planning begin ..........


Now going back to read ........ just wanted to make page 1!

 

[natebenma]

Looking forward to reading up on your plans for your February trip! Dee

 

[annmarieda]

I am here and sooo love the title!!!

Can't wait to read about your plans

 

[tinacaplan]

I'm here Tina. Glad to see you have started your PTR. And I LOVE the title.

Thanks, Kathy! But it really was Tammie's idea. It worked. I love Mary Poppins.

And you're first!

Am I first???? I just looked up and saw the pm and thought, "that wasn't there a minute ago!" Great start!!!!!

Almost! Thanks! I want to put more photos in this thing so maybe I'll be better at it when the trip report comes around. Pretty sure editing in advance is key.

I hope to follow this a little better than I followed your TR...

Oh...I think you've had excellent reasons to be away from the boards for awhile.

Joining in for all the planning fun!

Happy to have you!

I'm here!

Cynthia!

Yippie! I NEED to be in here as well! Let the planning begin ..........


Now going back to read ........ just wanted to make page 1!

Does that mean there's more planning on the horizon for the post-Dream part of your trip?

Looking forward to reading up on your plans for your February trip! Dee

Thanks, Dee.

I am here and sooo love the title!!!

Can't wait to read about your plans

Glad you're here, Ann. It's going to be interesting, only planning for five days, as opposed to five.

 

[tinacaplan]

Here's a to healthy and happy New Year for everyone!

Perhaps even more importantly, I met my wonderful husband at New Year's Eve party nine years ago and we've been together ever since.

A photo of the night we met:

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[tinacaplan]

...people you probably already know quite a bit about.



We spent a fair amount during our anniversary trip talking about how much we wanted to return with Max. At the time, the trip seemed like a far off goal. Oh, how things can change!

My husband and I are teachers and we also live in New England. By February, we are more than excited to take off for warmer climes and a week of fun and relaxation. I teach in a high performing charter school in New Haven. Basically that translates in to a nine hour school day and a lot of pressure. I love almost everything about working there, but it is intense.

The reading corner in my classroom this year.

Max is our four and half year-old son who we adore and is also somewhat Disney obsessed. He talks about going all the time. He even asked why we weren’t going for Christmas this year. Um...because its super expensive and super crowded. He loves most of the DIsney movies but his true love is “Cars.”

As a family, we seem to always be listening to Disney music. Admittedly both my husband and me listen to Disney music when we’re alone. After all, by way of explanation for our frequent trips, Mark says, “Its the world set to music” Indeed.

It should be noted that my husband and I were never big fans of the Magic Kingdom. On our adults-only anniversary trip we went one night, for EMHs. There are many reasons for this, which I won’t go into here, but we never even saw the Magic Kingdom in daylight. When we returned with Max last February we spent more time there and it was good, but not great. I think Max was super overwhelmed by the whole experience.

Since that trip, Max has seen the majority of the Disney and Pixar films many, many times. The aforementioned “Cars,” is a favorite, as are “Peter Pan,” “The Lion King,” and “Toy Story.” Personally, I love “Mary Poppins” and “The Lion King” and I tend to enjoy almost everything Pixar produces. Now...my husband...his favorite is “Beauty and the Beast.” Yes, you read that right! He claims its due to the cinematography. I know its because he has a crush on Belle.

We went back in July, stayed at the Beach Club, and had an amazing trip. I finally saw the Magic Kingdom through the eyes of a very excited little boy and it was pure magic and pixie dust. Thus, these former EPCOT lovers will be spending the majority of their time at the Magic Kingdom and loving every second of it!

Look, can’t you tell how much Mark loves the carousel:

This trip is going to much shorter than our previous week long adventures. We decided we’d rather not pay an exorbitant amount for plane tickets. Another benefit is that we will miss the worst of the President’s Week hullaballo.

So our dates are 2/20 through 2/25.It will still be very busy, but I’m confident we can handle it.

 

[Moira222]

YAY for a new PTR!! You will be there for my birthday -- I am hoping you won't mind having a slushy for me

Did you see the free day announcement last night? Will that change your dates at all?

I am excited to follow your plans..I agree that the anticipation and the fun of planning is such a big part of the excitement of going.

I have a confession....yesterday I called about a DVC promo....I told Joe before I called that I was just going to call for the free gift card but...oh even he has been trying to figure out the money How can you not love Disney?

Happy new Year Tina! and Happy anniversary to you & Mark (first dates are very important!)

 

[tinacaplan]

YAY for a new PTR!! You will be there for my birthday -- I am hoping you won't mind having a slushy for me

No problem!

Did you see the free day announcement last night? Will that change your dates at all?

I did and no, I don't think that it will. I can't change our February dates even a little. For our 2010 trip, we got the 3/4 deal, which was spectacular.

But I wouldn't mind being there for the 29th. But I'm weird like that, I'd love to walk through the Magic Kingdom with the sun just coming up.

I am excited to follow your plans..I agree that the anticipation and the fun of planning is such a big part of the excitement of going.

Yes, it is.

I have a confession....yesterday I called about a DVC promo....I told Joe before I called that I was just going to call for the free gift card but...oh even he has been trying to figure out the money How can you not love Disney?

You know, its so funny. I was looking at the total price and realized, hey, this isn't any different than financing a car would be. Which got me thinking. However, having a set monthly payment on anything right now isn't the best idea for us as a family, I think its a fabulous idea and as soon as we are able, I want to do it! So sending you and hoping that you do!

Happy new Year Tina! and Happy anniversary to you & Mark (first dates are very important!)

Same to you! And thanks..they are.

 

[annmarieda]

I was wondering how the new promo affected your dates. I honestly think the promo kinda stinks... one day really doesn't help that many and for those it does, I wonder how packed the parks will be on that one day.

Great intros!

 

[tinacaplan]

I'm paid in full!
Always make the trip feel like its that much closer! ​

 

[tinacaplan]

I was wondering how the new promo affected your dates. I honestly think the promo kinda stinks... one day really doesn't help that many and for those it does, I wonder how packed the parks will be on that one day.

Great intros!

Thanks...I think it does, too. I haven't even really thought too much about it.

 

[dizneeat]

I'm paid in full!
Always make the trip feel like its that much closer! ​

Doesn't it feel nice!
And our trip is now really coming up fast!

 

[MEK]

That is the darn cutest picture of Max in his soccer T.

I'm glad your trip is paid in full. What a great feeling.

I bet by Feb you are totally ready for a break. I have never taken a Feb trip to the world, but its definitely on my bucket list.

Happy New Years and I hope the next several weeks of school go very fast for you!

 

[tinacaplan]

Doesn't it feel nice!
And our trip is now really coming up fast!

Oh, it feels great. And I know...we have 48 days according to my daily trip countdown! And then I have just over 30 odd days of school.

That is the darn cutest picture of Max in his soccer T.

I'm glad your trip is paid in full. What a great feeling.

I bet by Feb you are totally ready for a break. I have never taken a Feb trip to the world, but its definitely on my bucket list.

Happy New Years and I hope the next several weeks of school go very fast for you!

It really is. And by February, I'm ready. I know that a lot of places around the country don't have that week off, but I'm thankful that we do.

And I think the weeks will go by pretty quickly, especially if I get lucky and a snow day or two gets thrown in there. Although with temps in the 40s and low 50s, I'm wondering if we'll see snow at all this winter. I shouldn't complain. I got to wear fllip fops out of the house yesterday.