Pre-Trip Report for Three Princesses and a June Trip to the World, 6/24 We're Back!!

[twob4him]

First installment: The Conversation
Hello! Come on in and sit down. Get comfy! Help yourself to the cookies and milk. I hear that you have a question for me….“So,” you ask, “how did this trip get started?” With a big smile, I will tell you…


I believe it started in Jan 2007 with the Nickelodeon Hotel advertisement emailed to my husband’s account. I am all for Disney :: but you gotta admit their hotel is pretty interesting. We thought it might be fun to go for Spring Break (April 2007). We had just been to Disney last August for 4 days with our two youngest girls (ages 2 and 3 yr). Here we are on the plane…

Hubby said we weren’t going back to Disney until they were older. OK, but he didn’t say anything about not going to Orlando and seeing other parks.

So, we checked out the rates for the Nick hotel. Are you kidding me? $300-$400 a night? “Gosh, it’s cheaper to stay at Disney,” I exclaim. rolleyes: he, he, he) Then, in my most helpful of voices I say, “Maybe we could stay at Nickelodeon for a night and then go to Disney, where it is less expensive.” After checking Easter airfares, (they were double the normal amount) the trip was completely off. It was such a sad moment.


(Pause for effect)




That’s when it happened. My hubby innocently says, “I would rather go in June and stay longer at Disney for the same amount.” Now, just a heads up for all you non-Disney folks = Never, never, never make such a statement to a Disney-obsessed person.
However, you will all be happy to know that I played it cool …but was secretly jumping up and down celebrating inside.

I checked airfares for June and they were much more reasonable. So were Disney’s rates. I mentioned this fact and hubby looked into it himself. “Yaaaa!” I think, “maybe we were really going to go to Disney?!” I asked IF we were to go, which parks would he want to see during our imaginary four-day trip? Since we have free tickets to Universal, hubby wanted to go there one day. Hubby also likes the Disney water parks. My oldest daughter (9 yr) hadn’t been to Disney since she was 8 months old, so she wanted to see MK. I like it all…Animal Kingdom, Epcot and MK, and was just happy to dream about going. I made out a brief plan and discovered that we had more parks than days. Uggg! Another trip down the drain.


(but wait....there's more!)



When I mention this to hubby, he magically responds, “Why don’t we just stay for a whole week.” Now, if you knew my hubby, you too would have fallen on the floor. Six nights and seven days in Disney!!! That night we made plane reservations since the airfare was already on the rise. I was dancing a jig. Wooo-hooty! We are going to Disney!!!!… We are going to Disney!!!! WHAT??? WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY???? OMGosh…where are we going to stay???

And that folks, is how it all began. Just in case you wanted to know. 

And for those of you who loves pics...here are some memories from last year’s trip:

Our first meeting of characters in Pooh's Hideout...the kiddos are a little nervous but fascinated at the same time.

Indy's newest driver...course she can't see over the dash...lol

Ears for two! Daddy and Boo in Down Town Disney...amazing stores!

Next installment: Exactly who is going and where are we staying?

 

[sunlver]

I am enjoying your first installment Cant wait to read more.

We are going in Mid June as well with our three kids who are 12, 7, and 2. I cant wait

 

[TAEMom]

Great start! Can't wait to read more! I'll bet if I reviewed the "June Stalking" thread I would be able to figure out where you're staying, but I'll wait and be surprised instead!

 

[twob4him]

I am enjoying your first installment Cant wait to read more.

We are going in Mid June as well with our three kids who are 12, 7, and 2. I cant wait

Hey Sunlover, Mazal tov! Glad to see you over here on my first trippie!
Well I am getting ready to do the next installment. Maybe our days will overlap? Thanks for reading!!

Great start! Can't wait to read more! I'll bet if I reviewed the "June Stalking" thread I would be able to figure out where you're staying, but I'll wait and be surprised instead!

Taemom...you're better than me...I would just peak!! But, yes, I am over there on that thread and like 10 others. If I dont check my email, there's about 70 from the Dis!!!! Well, here comes the next installment.... Thanks for coming along!!!

 

[Cinderella16]

I love your pre trippie so far! I especially love it because you are going in JUNE just like me! I cant wait to read more about your plans !

 

[twob4him]

Second Installment: Exactly who is going and where are we staying?
Welcome back! Help yourself - I put out some fresh fruit and yogart dip! Put your feet up and join us!

So who is going on this June trip? Well, here we all are…

Dear Hubby…almost Disney….hoping this trip puts him over the edge! (41) Type A personality, great “saver of all money”, devoted, loving hubby and terrific dad! Loves football (Tebow fan), fishing and TV! Great photographer… in charge of one of two cameras on this trip.

ME (41) Obviously big Disney fan and Dis reader, loves horses (and dressage in particular, if you know what that is), children (mine and the ones I teach), born-again believer and not ashamed to say it (however I wont beat you over the head with it). I try to be a good wife (you will have to ask my hubby) and try to balance all aspects of my life. Yeesh, that’s not easy! I have camera #2.

DD (9) “RahRah” The best daughter and sister you could ever ask for. She helps me out in so many ways. Gentle, loving, heart of gold! Loves horses (rides too!), like mom, drawing and art work, creative, gets excited about all holidays and vacations, great student, and friend!

DD (3 ¾), “Boo bug” Girly girl princess, smart, loves her sisters, takes dance class, trys to be bigger and bigger to keep up with the older girls, great sense of justice and fashion (already!), did I mention she is really smart? Dispenser of big hugs! Makes lots of funny faces!

DD (2 ½), “Baby”, poor thing will never outgrow that name, people watcher, follower of all big sisters, can be serious, smiling or crying all in the space of 5 minutes, not afraid of anything, loves dressing up, eating mac and cheese and drinking milk! She cracks me up!

Also joining us for part of the time is one of my husband’s high school friends (John) and his daughter (Kayla, 12). They live in Florida and believe it or not, he has not taken her to Disney before. So they are driving there to meet us for a few days. Both are great people and very easy going. Unlike us, they may be used to the Florida sun and heat. I hope they realize Disney is not a vacation….and is more like something to be conquered as per my detailed touring plans. I did send them an advanced copy so we shall see how it all turns out.

So, how is the fresh fruit and dip? Need some soda or lemonade yet?

OK onto the lodging dilemma……

I love the Disney website where you can peruse lodging of all kinds, type in different perameters and compare location, amenities and prices. OK, well, that alone kept me busy for a week. I figured out the best package that would fit our needs. I picked three places in three different price ranges: Wilderness Lodge, Caribbean Beach and All Star Sports. Then I showed my hubby my week’s worth of work. After much discussion of all of the pros and cons, we choose Caribbean Beach and changed it a few days later to All Stars. Poor WL…it never made the radar screen. I would love to stay there someday when the girls are older. I absolutely loved the look of the place but for now it’s a bit expensive for us. I am convincing myself the girls won't appreciate it yet...

All-Star Sports is perfect for a family with little youngins. Afterall, we won’t spend much time there and when we do, they have everything we need. Last summer we enjoyed the pool and food court. I didn’t have to constantly shush the kids to be quiet either. The bus service and location are great since we are going all over Disney property.

So, there you have it. I called Disney in February and booked the trip! Yeah!!! We are going to Disney, We are going to Disney!!!
Let the planning begin!!! Where are we going and when???

Next Installment: Planning our days and our ADR’s.


Here are some more pics of the princesses:

Valentine pictures

Decorating cookies

Dad and Santa's helpers

 

[twob4him]

I love your pre trippie so far! I especially love it because you are going in JUNE just like me! I cant wait to read more about your plans !

Hi there Miss Cindy!!!! June rocks for Disney!!! Waaaa Hooty!
I think I posted just after your visit so check back and read on!
I need to get on over to yours and see if there's anything new too!!
Have a Disney Day!

 

[Cinderella16]

"Great saver of all money" Can I just tell you that your daughters are adorable!! You really seem like a truly happy family. I cant wait to hear about your ADR's and itineraries! Have a great day~!

 

[siestakeys04]

Hey wheres the rest?? Don't keep us waiting!!!

 

[twob4him]

Third Installment: Planning our days and our ADR’s

Please come in and sit where you like. I have some cheese and crackers and other munchies while you read. Soda is in the fridge!


Top Secret Tip: Here’s how to plan for your next WDW trip…ready?…. Read the Dis, reread the Dis and buy a Disney Passporter and the Unofficial Guide to Disney. Sign up for Tour Guide Mike if you like. You can’t go wrong!



So, here is what I am dealing with to plan this trip. First, I have two young ones who can’t last all day and night in the parks. I will have to plan so the afternoons, when its really hot, will be spent in the hotel resting.

Playing in the Big Girl ("Mommy I am NOT a baby") Pool


Next, to make the most progress, I will use the hardest strategy to follow. Get to the parks early, early, early.

Third, skip the big thrill rides (with the looooong lines) for the most part. I will take my DD9 on a one or two and that’s it.

Forth, remember we will come back someday. Don’t plan to see and do it all this time. Make a schedule but realize keeping everyone safe and happy is more important.

Finally, just soak up the Disney atmosphere and enjoy the people, places and situations we come across. Find the humor and plan to write it all in this trippie!

So I had orginally made a rough schedule during the dreaming stage of this vacay. I decided to follow the morning EMH schedule for the parks we were visiting if I could. That means that day 2 would be MK, day 3 would be AK and day 5 TL for half a day. Day 4 then became our day out of Disney (can you bear it?) when we go to, gasp, Universal. Day 6 became Epcot. Day 1 and 7 would be great for the hotel and DTD. I knew the evening for days 3, 4, and 5 were open. I picked day 5 for a second evening in the MK. The other two would be a dinner and “home” to rest evenings. And there you have it… one week plotted out.


Ahhhhh...did you get all that??? Here it is in short:
Day 1 - Arrive, hotel, DTD, Poly for dinner
Day 2 - MK, hotel, MK, LTT for dinner
Day 3 - AK till 4, dinner at WL
Day 4 - Universal till 3, dinner at AKL
Day 5 - Typhoon Lagoon till 1, hotel, MK, CP for dinner
Day 6 - Epcot, hotel, Epcot, dinner at Akershus
Day 7 - Pack, check out, Breakfast with Chef Mickey or DTD, leave

Pin Traders at Downtown Disney

Disney Dining Plan….what would we do without it??? Seriously, it rocks!!! It makes Disney seem all-inclusive! Last year, we tried it out and ate like there was no tomorrow. So we signed up again and decided to hit our favorite spots. For MK full service, I picked Liberty Tree (Day 2) and Crystal Palace (Day 5). Both character meals that the girls would love. For Days 3 and 4, we are eating at the hotels we couldn’t afford to stay at. It’s the best of both worlds. We can hang out, explore and eat there but not pay the high price. So Day 3 is a fun place, Whispering Canyon Café in Wilderness Lodge, and Day 4 is Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Epcot Day 6 is the big Princess Day when we eat in Norway’s Akershus. Day 1 we are eating at Ohana’s at the Poly. (My parents favorite). Day 7 would be on our own. I made ADR’s for Chef Mickey’s in the Contempory for breakfast. I may end of changing them if we don’t get packed in time. We may decide to go to DTD instead, in which case we can eat at Earl of Sandwich.

Lunches each day will be counter-service at the parks we are in unless we duck out early and eat back at the hotel. You’ll have to read the trippie to find out what they became!!!

Bike riding around DTD...What no helmets??


So, one week after booking Disney, I called them back to make the ADR’s. I was able to get all the places and times we wanted. YESSSS!! A ½ hour later we were in like flynn. The only catch is the addition of hubby’s friend and daughter. If they eat dinner with us, I will have to make changes. So far I don’t know their plans. And that’s it. No drama or changes or anything interesting to write about. For that you must read Princess V's trippie...

Next Installment: Shopping, planning and waiting and waiting…

 

[twob4him]

"Great saver of all money" Can I just tell you that your daughters are adorable!! You really seem like a truly happy family. I cant wait to hear about your ADR's and itineraries! Have a great day~!

He, he, he....thank you very much ....they keep me very busy let me tell you. Luckily they like to sit in my lap and look at Dis Pics and jumping icons...

Hey wheres the rest?? Don't keep us waiting!!!

Hello Siestakeys Glad you asked...it just so happens I have another installment hot off the press!!!! Read up!

Oh and by the way, these plans arent set in stone (in my Passporter), so if you have any suggestions, throw me a line . Speaking of which, I better get going on my chores!!!

 

[DisneyJo]

Loving your TR so far, your DD's are such cuties! BTW I'm going to put on so much weight with all the food you keep putting out

 

[Goofyluver]

I'm on sistah friend! Now...is there a dis rule that says that when someone reads your trippie that you have to read theirs?

Isn't it like show me yours and I'll show you mine????

 

[twob4him]

Loving your TR so far, your DD's are such cuties! BTW I'm going to put on so much weight with all the food you keep putting out

Aww thanks!
Don't worry about the weight...we'll walk it off at Disney.

I'm on sistah friend! Now...is there a dis rule that says that when someone reads your trippie that you have to read theirs?

Isn't it like show me yours and I'll show you mine????

Hey, I remember that game!!! Actually I do do that! (Ahhh, read other people's trippies that is... )

 

[buffy0214]

Subbing on...you guys are cute. Love the pics

We were going to do the Nick Hotel this year and just go to Sea World. Nah, didn't happen....That Nick Hotel really went up in price from when I first checked it out.

 

[twob4him]

Subbing on...you guys are cute. Love the pics

We were going to do the Nick Hotel this year and just go to Sea World. Nah, didn't happen....That Nick Hotel really went up in price from when I first checked it out.

Agreed! I mean we ALL love Sponge Bob and Dora, but they gotta remember that's a lotta dough to part with for a single hotel and some really cool slides. So... if and when they come down in price, I think it looks like a great place to stay.

Your kiddos are so cute hugging the characters! Awwwww

Welcome aboard!

 

[twob4him]

I am waffling! I have been looking at Port Orleans Riverside .... should I change??? Its only $500 more for the entire week.
HELP!!!!!

 

[buffy0214]

I see that you have a family of 5 like me. It really makes it harder to find a good rate. Are you staying in a suite or booking 2 rooms at the AS? Which All-star are you going to? We love the All-stars but, similarly, I noticed that you can book 5 into the PORR. It's on our list for next resort. Unless I can save enough to do CR between this years trip and the next one.

 

[PrincessV]

And that’s it. No drama or changes or anything interesting to write about. For that you must read Princess V's trippie...

Hey, I resemble that comment! Trust me on this one... never say "no changes"!

I am waffling! I have been looking at Port Orleans Riverside .... should I change??? Its only $500 more for the entire week.
HELP!!!!!

Well, I'll say this: I LOOOOVED POR when we stayed there last Dec. I loved it so much, I had reservations about buying into DVC, knowing that I'd likely not be staying at POR again. It was THAT good. The pool got a from my DS, even though it was too cold to stay in it more than 5 minutes! It has my favorite Mod. food court. The mansion part isn't my taste, but Alligator Bayou was terrific; beautiful pathways, quiet, green courtyards. The whole place just felt so relaxing

I'll admit, I'm not a fan of the All Stars, so by all means take this with a grain of salt!

 

[DISNEYDUET]

Signing up for this ride! What a beautiful family your have!

I agree with V. POR is wonderful! That is the first resort DH and I stayed at and he keeps asking when we will return. I love the bus service there and it is nice having access to 2 pools (with slides), 2 food courts, a wonderful table service and boat access to POFQ and DTD. Alligator Bayou also has trundle beds so you can sleep 5 comfortably if you need bed space for 5. This is the only Mod resort with rooms able to fit 5 people.