jeepgirl30
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2003
- Messages
- 1,678
Princess Buttercup Meets the World
First, Im writing this pre trip 2 months pre trip but posting one week prior.
Cast: Me, 30something working mom, Disney and planning freak.
DD6 First time to Disney, loves all things Princess, Pink and Girly
Background: I need to give a bit of info on who we are to help convey the whole feel of this trip, the reason the family is split and why we went where we did. Im an event planner for work and love to plan trips. I go a bit overboard. DH and I took our first trip to Disney together back in 98. We had been married for just one year but had dated many. He had never been to the World and I had only been there as a child. My parents took us on many family vacations but always very, um, well economical. I had the mom that would try passing me off as 2 when I was 13. I hated it. We never stayed onsite and always drove which took longer than the actual time at Disney.
So when planning my first trip I thought I went all out while remaining budget smart. We stayed at Coronado. I fell in love all over again, with Disney. Oh okay, with DH too. We spent a lot of time at the boardwalk and vowed wed be back as often as we could and someday stay at a more upscale resort although we did like CSR and would return there. Being an event planner I immediately went back to work telling my boss I found a fantastic venue and booked an event at CSR for the next spring! I meant the most wonderful person at CSR for events. If anyone is interested PM me and Ill tell you all about her. I did another event at CSR the following year then when my convention services extraordinaire moved to GF I went with her! In the mean time I attended 3 events outside my own all at Disney. One I stayed at CSR, one I stayed at the Dolphin and one at CB. DH came with me to the Dolphin and also the GF. We agreed we liked CSR the best. In between all those events, 2 kids came along. Our princess was born in 2000 and our DS was born in 2002. I lost my job in 2004 and finally got back into event planning in 05. We always knew we wanted to take the kids to Disney but we wanted to wait until they were out of diapers, could handle walking somewhat and would remember some of it. This is our feelings for our family. When DD came I immediately started planning her first trip and revised it every year!
Unfortunately things popped up that just didnt make it possible. DH is a bit unflexible so he doesnt travel real well. In fact when I book our flights somehow those darn airlines always put us in separate rows, gee honey really I dont know why. So when I traveled for business I didnt bring DD as DH would have to take care of her outside his normal comfort zone. It worked better to let grandma be grandma and know the child was safe. Then DS came along.
For the 1st 6 months of his life he was the easiest child ever. Then his true nature came out with the horns. Okay not really but sort of. At 15 months he was literally scaling our furniture and hanging from chandeliers. At 18 months we had our first trip to the ER and surgery. He knocked out 4 teeth, breaking the bone and splitting his gum in the process. DS looks and acts just like DH. If anything in his world changes he becomes completely unglued. Not the typical tantrum but something crazier. You can not reason with him at all. You know at the play centers where they have the shoe racks? Well its an issue if he cant have his shoes side by side, alone. No other shoes can be near his and his can not be any other way but side by side. Ive had moms come up and offer to move shoes for us because he just cant deal. Now he is not a bad child but he does show many signs of OCD. His hands can not get dirty and he freaks when he sneezes. He also does not sleep well if he does not have his bedding. We went to the beach and mommy had to walk him in his stroller all night long because he would not calm down any other way. We were staying in a condo with another family so I did not feel sleep training would be appropriate.
So, back to this trip, when I got my current job I started saving money through ING for a family trip. DH did not know about it. We talked and he said to start looking into it. I got pricing and it all looked reasonable. But then we started talking about how hard it is to travel with DS and while the money isnt outrageous its not that readily available either. DS is only 3. But the princess is ready and has been. So I mentioned a girls only trip. At first DH was like no way, family should stay together. DH never did family trips as a child. Then his Steelers season ticket bill came in the mail. I calculated frequent flyer miles and showed him how cheap I could do a 3 night stay at a value with DD. Considering it was less than his steeler tickets, he said GO! I went back and forth about not taking the boys. Then free dining came out and I booked, DD and I at All Star Movies for 3 nights, 2 day regular non hopper tickets, $500 total. I booked CRT as soon as I could. I booked the frequent flyer seat and paid for my ticket so another $225. Then the guilt hit. I told DD about it and she was so happy but said we needed to say the D in front of DS so his feelings werent hurt. DH and I talked and rethought taking the boys. However at this point I didnt want to add close to 1K for only 3 nights but to change the tickets would be crazy. So as I write this we are still flip flopping. I love my wild child DS but at the same time I really want to take the princess by herself and really give her a magical trip. She is always hearing honey just wait until I get your __ settled. Insert either DS or DH depending on which is having the issue. She has her moments but for the most part she is an easy child that you can actually reason with.
Our last conversation I explained to DH that DD still believes in the magic and really deserves to have the full attention and a trip all about her for a change. I told him that he and DS would not want to see every princess all day long but she would. At this point I think we are on the same page and agree its girls only. I do still feel guilty every night I tuck DS in bed but have already planned to do a full trip either next year or the following with all of us. DS is planning on going camping with his bes fend Boppa which is Best Friend Poppa. He thinks he is the cool one because his big sis isnt going. Hopefully later in life he still feels that he got the better deal. I know my father is beyond thrilled.
Ive never did a true scrapbook just a photo album. But I really want to have a special autograph book for my baby so Ive been reading the scrapbook threads and finding great ideas. I have started to buy her tinkerbell gifts and am even planning when to give her each thing. So far I have a princess swim suit which Ill have in the car shell see when we get up and head to the airport. I also have a Cinderella costume that Tink will leave out on our first night so shell be able to wear that for the first park day and first breakfast at CRT. I also got her an Ariel sundress, shoes and purse. In May I had a tradeshow in Orlando so I bought postcards and had a coworker sign one for my DD from Cinderella saying how excited she was to meet her.
Ive been reading the guide book to her and to my surprise she wants to go to Epcot and have dinner with Pooh. A few weeks ago I called and changed our tickets to hopper passes. I have all our ADRs set to include the requested Pooh dinner. I have our agenda sketched out but am really trying to not over schedule! I keep flip flopping about BBB at DTD. I want to spoil her but I wanted to do Ohana our first night so she could see the fireworks and we have early ADRs at CRT so I dont want to have too big of a first day. Our flight is early so I want to give her a chance to relax before dinner. However she does want to go to DTD and shop. I told you she was a true girl.
So now Im at less than one week and know we made the right decision for us, GIRLS only! DS is still so excited to go camping and fishing with his poppa and keeps asking when he gets to go all by himself. DH is thrilled because DS leaves Sat night and DD and I leave early Sunday and the Steelers are at home on Sunday. He can go to the game as early and stay as late as he wants.
I ordered more stuff from Disney shopping last month but it is just now shipping out. I also just ordered Crocs for myself but am now seeing that wont ship until tomorrow. Im off Friday and probably will not get any of it in time. Im sure hoping the pixie dust comes early
Watch out Disney, here we come!
First, Im writing this pre trip 2 months pre trip but posting one week prior.
Cast: Me, 30something working mom, Disney and planning freak.
DD6 First time to Disney, loves all things Princess, Pink and Girly
Background: I need to give a bit of info on who we are to help convey the whole feel of this trip, the reason the family is split and why we went where we did. Im an event planner for work and love to plan trips. I go a bit overboard. DH and I took our first trip to Disney together back in 98. We had been married for just one year but had dated many. He had never been to the World and I had only been there as a child. My parents took us on many family vacations but always very, um, well economical. I had the mom that would try passing me off as 2 when I was 13. I hated it. We never stayed onsite and always drove which took longer than the actual time at Disney.
So when planning my first trip I thought I went all out while remaining budget smart. We stayed at Coronado. I fell in love all over again, with Disney. Oh okay, with DH too. We spent a lot of time at the boardwalk and vowed wed be back as often as we could and someday stay at a more upscale resort although we did like CSR and would return there. Being an event planner I immediately went back to work telling my boss I found a fantastic venue and booked an event at CSR for the next spring! I meant the most wonderful person at CSR for events. If anyone is interested PM me and Ill tell you all about her. I did another event at CSR the following year then when my convention services extraordinaire moved to GF I went with her! In the mean time I attended 3 events outside my own all at Disney. One I stayed at CSR, one I stayed at the Dolphin and one at CB. DH came with me to the Dolphin and also the GF. We agreed we liked CSR the best. In between all those events, 2 kids came along. Our princess was born in 2000 and our DS was born in 2002. I lost my job in 2004 and finally got back into event planning in 05. We always knew we wanted to take the kids to Disney but we wanted to wait until they were out of diapers, could handle walking somewhat and would remember some of it. This is our feelings for our family. When DD came I immediately started planning her first trip and revised it every year!
Unfortunately things popped up that just didnt make it possible. DH is a bit unflexible so he doesnt travel real well. In fact when I book our flights somehow those darn airlines always put us in separate rows, gee honey really I dont know why. So when I traveled for business I didnt bring DD as DH would have to take care of her outside his normal comfort zone. It worked better to let grandma be grandma and know the child was safe. Then DS came along.
For the 1st 6 months of his life he was the easiest child ever. Then his true nature came out with the horns. Okay not really but sort of. At 15 months he was literally scaling our furniture and hanging from chandeliers. At 18 months we had our first trip to the ER and surgery. He knocked out 4 teeth, breaking the bone and splitting his gum in the process. DS looks and acts just like DH. If anything in his world changes he becomes completely unglued. Not the typical tantrum but something crazier. You can not reason with him at all. You know at the play centers where they have the shoe racks? Well its an issue if he cant have his shoes side by side, alone. No other shoes can be near his and his can not be any other way but side by side. Ive had moms come up and offer to move shoes for us because he just cant deal. Now he is not a bad child but he does show many signs of OCD. His hands can not get dirty and he freaks when he sneezes. He also does not sleep well if he does not have his bedding. We went to the beach and mommy had to walk him in his stroller all night long because he would not calm down any other way. We were staying in a condo with another family so I did not feel sleep training would be appropriate.
So, back to this trip, when I got my current job I started saving money through ING for a family trip. DH did not know about it. We talked and he said to start looking into it. I got pricing and it all looked reasonable. But then we started talking about how hard it is to travel with DS and while the money isnt outrageous its not that readily available either. DS is only 3. But the princess is ready and has been. So I mentioned a girls only trip. At first DH was like no way, family should stay together. DH never did family trips as a child. Then his Steelers season ticket bill came in the mail. I calculated frequent flyer miles and showed him how cheap I could do a 3 night stay at a value with DD. Considering it was less than his steeler tickets, he said GO! I went back and forth about not taking the boys. Then free dining came out and I booked, DD and I at All Star Movies for 3 nights, 2 day regular non hopper tickets, $500 total. I booked CRT as soon as I could. I booked the frequent flyer seat and paid for my ticket so another $225. Then the guilt hit. I told DD about it and she was so happy but said we needed to say the D in front of DS so his feelings werent hurt. DH and I talked and rethought taking the boys. However at this point I didnt want to add close to 1K for only 3 nights but to change the tickets would be crazy. So as I write this we are still flip flopping. I love my wild child DS but at the same time I really want to take the princess by herself and really give her a magical trip. She is always hearing honey just wait until I get your __ settled. Insert either DS or DH depending on which is having the issue. She has her moments but for the most part she is an easy child that you can actually reason with.
Our last conversation I explained to DH that DD still believes in the magic and really deserves to have the full attention and a trip all about her for a change. I told him that he and DS would not want to see every princess all day long but she would. At this point I think we are on the same page and agree its girls only. I do still feel guilty every night I tuck DS in bed but have already planned to do a full trip either next year or the following with all of us. DS is planning on going camping with his bes fend Boppa which is Best Friend Poppa. He thinks he is the cool one because his big sis isnt going. Hopefully later in life he still feels that he got the better deal. I know my father is beyond thrilled.
Ive never did a true scrapbook just a photo album. But I really want to have a special autograph book for my baby so Ive been reading the scrapbook threads and finding great ideas. I have started to buy her tinkerbell gifts and am even planning when to give her each thing. So far I have a princess swim suit which Ill have in the car shell see when we get up and head to the airport. I also have a Cinderella costume that Tink will leave out on our first night so shell be able to wear that for the first park day and first breakfast at CRT. I also got her an Ariel sundress, shoes and purse. In May I had a tradeshow in Orlando so I bought postcards and had a coworker sign one for my DD from Cinderella saying how excited she was to meet her.
Ive been reading the guide book to her and to my surprise she wants to go to Epcot and have dinner with Pooh. A few weeks ago I called and changed our tickets to hopper passes. I have all our ADRs set to include the requested Pooh dinner. I have our agenda sketched out but am really trying to not over schedule! I keep flip flopping about BBB at DTD. I want to spoil her but I wanted to do Ohana our first night so she could see the fireworks and we have early ADRs at CRT so I dont want to have too big of a first day. Our flight is early so I want to give her a chance to relax before dinner. However she does want to go to DTD and shop. I told you she was a true girl.
So now Im at less than one week and know we made the right decision for us, GIRLS only! DS is still so excited to go camping and fishing with his poppa and keeps asking when he gets to go all by himself. DH is thrilled because DS leaves Sat night and DD and I leave early Sunday and the Steelers are at home on Sunday. He can go to the game as early and stay as late as he wants.
I ordered more stuff from Disney shopping last month but it is just now shipping out. I also just ordered Crocs for myself but am now seeing that wont ship until tomorrow. Im off Friday and probably will not get any of it in time. Im sure hoping the pixie dust comes early
Watch out Disney, here we come!
