scanne
<font color=blue>OK, I must have really small ears
- Joined
- May 13, 2000
- Messages
- 5,365
OK. It seems there is a trend on the DIS trip reports board to begin PRE-trip reports. So I decided that between reading all the awesome trip reports (pre and post) that I will begin my own. So here goes! 
This years trip wasnt supposed to happen.
We were going to take a break from the Mouse. I was NOT ok with this, but I knew it had to be done for $$$ reasons. Now, even though DH was a no-go for Disney (as far as his wallet was concerned) I still had a bleeding heart for that 47 square mile piece of land in Lake Buena Vista. I started saving a little bit from each paycheck, I started teaching some voice lessons (Im a music teacher) and I also started dropping hints to DH that I really wanted to go to Disney. Badly. VERY badly.
Still, DH wouldnt budge.
So it seemed that 2006 would be the summer without Disney.
It was ok. We had done it before when I was pregnant with DD. Oh, but then there was that great tax refund and my maternity leave with a trip for Halloween that year so I guess we never REALLY took a summer off!
Then my dad kind of blew me away.
First he offered us the money to go on a 7 night/8 day Disney trip. What?!? Dad you are my HERO! 
But I felt awfully guilty about this, so I thanked him and said, Dad, well just wait until 2007. That was VERY hard to do, by the way.
Then my mom calls me a few days after Dad put the offer on the table. Now, when Dad made the offer, it was just for my DH, myself and our two kids. No mention of my parents going Dad seemed still set in his way, even though they have enjoyed coming on every trip with us since 2001. So Mom says, Ive been thinking. I want to go to Disney, too! Well now, this changed EVERYTHING!!!
Mom and I went into planning overdrive! First question was Where are we gonna stay? The answer? WILDERNESS LODGE. Duh.
Next was When are we going to go? This took a little more thought because I still was planning that 2007 trip a BIG one! So we got a calendar and looked at dates. I wanted to be in WDW over 4th of July in 2007 (until the 2007 seasons were announced Ill save that for NEXT years TR!). So we decided our best bet was to get annual passes and go later in July this year and earlier in July next year.
The dates? July 17 to 24, 2006. 7 nights/8 days at our beloved WL!!!
I contacted my DU agent, told her the good news and within a couple of hours we were booked in 2 woods view rooms with the AAA rate. (WILL there be AP rates? No!
) Now, I mentioned above how I had been saving some money and teaching some lessons. This afforded me to pay the deposit for both rooms at the WL. I told my parents that this was the LEAST I could do since they were footing the bill for the airfare and rooms. At this point, I knew Id have to save hard to pay for 3 annual passes, but it was all good!
Now when Mom and I told Dad our doings, we were concered about his reaction. OK so this man NEVER ceases to amaze me. He was THRILLED!!! And then he said, You know what? We should just go to Disney every year from now on. Knock my socks off, Dad! Youve got a deal!!!
So plan I did. I made ADRs. I changed ADRs. I found out the WL was being RENOVATED! Huh!??! I need to be a NEW room! Emailed my DU agent to put that request in (along with a room overlooking the otter pond on the 5th or 6th floor hey I want that MK view). Have I mentioned that in the 3 times weve stayed at WL and made that request we have NEVER gotten it? Maybe this trip we WILL!
Next step was to be on the airfare hunt. I downloaded DING and checked all the airlines that fly non-stop from Philly to Orlando. USAirways wants HOW MUCH??? Airtran no non-stops. Southwest? Come ON! Publish your summer rates!
Finally, one cold morning in February, the rates are OUT. And theyre good! $79 each way. I can deal with that, plus Im too impatient to wait for a DING. (Why do I download it anyway?) Im so glad we got this airfare because a month later, the fares went UP to $109 each way. So I got in good! Thanks Southwest! Luv ya!
Then the good news comes. Oh, you thought that the Disney-Trip-That-Wasnt-Supposed-To-Be-But-Is was the good news? Well, ok. Youre right. It was. But theres more good news. DH got a RAISE!!!! Woo hoo!!! 
Our prospects are getting better and better.
So here we are, about 2 ½ weeks away from our Trip-That-Wasnt-Supposed-To-Happen and Ive started packing, I have our annual passes, our Disney Dining Experience card, a gift card from the Disney Store (they never had Disney Dollars when I went) and a countdown that isnt going fast enough!
My kids are excited. My parents are excited. My DH is excited and I cannot stop walking, talking, eating, sleeping, breathing or dreaming DISNEY!
Ill keep you posted on the days to come the last minute shopping we ALL do, the when are we going to Disney, mommy? moments my kids have, the calls to double check our ADRs and the special surprises I have in place
Ah, this is only the beginning!
This years trip wasnt supposed to happen.
We were going to take a break from the Mouse. I was NOT ok with this, but I knew it had to be done for $$$ reasons. Now, even though DH was a no-go for Disney (as far as his wallet was concerned) I still had a bleeding heart for that 47 square mile piece of land in Lake Buena Vista. I started saving a little bit from each paycheck, I started teaching some voice lessons (Im a music teacher) and I also started dropping hints to DH that I really wanted to go to Disney. Badly. VERY badly. Still, DH wouldnt budge.
So it seemed that 2006 would be the summer without Disney.
It was ok. We had done it before when I was pregnant with DD. Oh, but then there was that great tax refund and my maternity leave with a trip for Halloween that year so I guess we never REALLY took a summer off!Then my dad kind of blew me away.
First he offered us the money to go on a 7 night/8 day Disney trip. What?!? Dad you are my HERO! But I felt awfully guilty about this, so I thanked him and said, Dad, well just wait until 2007. That was VERY hard to do, by the way. Then my mom calls me a few days after Dad put the offer on the table. Now, when Dad made the offer, it was just for my DH, myself and our two kids. No mention of my parents going Dad seemed still set in his way, even though they have enjoyed coming on every trip with us since 2001. So Mom says, Ive been thinking. I want to go to Disney, too! Well now, this changed EVERYTHING!!!
Mom and I went into planning overdrive! First question was Where are we gonna stay? The answer? WILDERNESS LODGE. Duh.
Next was When are we going to go? This took a little more thought because I still was planning that 2007 trip a BIG one! So we got a calendar and looked at dates. I wanted to be in WDW over 4th of July in 2007 (until the 2007 seasons were announced Ill save that for NEXT years TR!). So we decided our best bet was to get annual passes and go later in July this year and earlier in July next year.
The dates? July 17 to 24, 2006. 7 nights/8 days at our beloved WL!!!
I contacted my DU agent, told her the good news and within a couple of hours we were booked in 2 woods view rooms with the AAA rate. (WILL there be AP rates? No!
) Now, I mentioned above how I had been saving some money and teaching some lessons. This afforded me to pay the deposit for both rooms at the WL. I told my parents that this was the LEAST I could do since they were footing the bill for the airfare and rooms. At this point, I knew Id have to save hard to pay for 3 annual passes, but it was all good! Now when Mom and I told Dad our doings, we were concered about his reaction. OK so this man NEVER ceases to amaze me. He was THRILLED!!! And then he said, You know what? We should just go to Disney every year from now on. Knock my socks off, Dad! Youve got a deal!!!
So plan I did. I made ADRs. I changed ADRs. I found out the WL was being RENOVATED! Huh!??! I need to be a NEW room! Emailed my DU agent to put that request in (along with a room overlooking the otter pond on the 5th or 6th floor hey I want that MK view). Have I mentioned that in the 3 times weve stayed at WL and made that request we have NEVER gotten it? Maybe this trip we WILL!
Next step was to be on the airfare hunt. I downloaded DING and checked all the airlines that fly non-stop from Philly to Orlando. USAirways wants HOW MUCH??? Airtran no non-stops. Southwest? Come ON! Publish your summer rates!
Finally, one cold morning in February, the rates are OUT. And theyre good! $79 each way. I can deal with that, plus Im too impatient to wait for a DING. (Why do I download it anyway?) Im so glad we got this airfare because a month later, the fares went UP to $109 each way. So I got in good! Thanks Southwest! Luv ya!
Then the good news comes. Oh, you thought that the Disney-Trip-That-Wasnt-Supposed-To-Be-But-Is was the good news? Well, ok. Youre right. It was. But theres more good news. DH got a RAISE!!!! Woo hoo!!!
Our prospects are getting better and better. So here we are, about 2 ½ weeks away from our Trip-That-Wasnt-Supposed-To-Happen and Ive started packing, I have our annual passes, our Disney Dining Experience card, a gift card from the Disney Store (they never had Disney Dollars when I went) and a countdown that isnt going fast enough!
My kids are excited. My parents are excited. My DH is excited and I cannot stop walking, talking, eating, sleeping, breathing or dreaming DISNEY!
Ill keep you posted on the days to come the last minute shopping we ALL do, the when are we going to Disney, mommy? moments my kids have, the calls to double check our ADRs and the special surprises I have in place
Ah, this is only the beginning!
Cannot wait!!!
). are neatly piled and READY to go in. But has he put them in or even asked me to? NO! He has to try everything on. I swear, he is worse than a woman! 
.
.
, but won't go on pirates, 
, wants to meet Minnie 
and hopes he runs into 
at MGM. He's also ready to try Star Tours. We'll see 
Being royalty herself, she is completely ready to rub elbows with the likes of Cinderella, Belle and her favorite, Ariel. She also has to hang with Minnie 
and I gave him a big smooch 
and thanked him for making my pre-trip days less stressful! 
, I'm almost done my summer camp program (tomorrow is the last session and our performance - I teach musical theatre 
