PTR for the planning obsessed....Updated 11/5 We're home now.

[DisMomAmy]

Heidi - Since you have been following Southwest.com closely lately, what is your guess as to when they will release tickets for the end of February and/or the end of April? Amy

PS - My guess about why Nov 5th is a popular birthday... cabin fever in February!

 

[MRYPPNS]

Heidi - Since you have been following Southwest.com closely lately, what is your guess as to when they will release tickets for the end of February and/or the end of April? Amy

PS - My guess about why Nov 5th is a popular birthday... cabin fever in February!

From the SW website:We are currently accepting air reservations through January 9, 2009. On August 21, we plan to open the schedule for purchase through March 6, 2009. This date is subject to change. Please check back frequently.

I would guess that April bookings would open in October.

mmmmmm....Feb or April.....those are vacation weeks in NH....what do you have cookin'?

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hey, that's my brother's birthday! And also the birthday of my childhood best friend. Nov. 5 must be a popular day for giving birth.

Best day of the year for a birthday! It's Great Britain's national holiday -- Guy Fawkes Day! I have a dream of one day being in London on my birthday watching all the big fireworks!

Or something else was popluar 9 months before

Oh, wait, that's my parents you are talking about -- ewwwww!!!!

PS - My guess about why Nov 5th is a popular birthday... cabin fever in February!

February is such a bleak month -- not much to do once the crossword puzzle is finished!

 

[DisMomAmy]

From the SW website:We are currently accepting air reservations through January 9, 2009. On August 21, we plan to open the schedule for purchase through March 6, 2009. This date is subject to change. Please check back frequently.

I would guess that April bookings would open in October.

mmmmmm....Feb or April.....those are vacation weeks in NH....what do you have cookin'?

I'm hoping we can go during one of the vacation weeks... most likely April. I'd rather go in February, but DH and I have leased cars that somehow both ended up being up in Jan/Feb next year. So between getting two new cars (DH has to buy this time since he drives a lot for work), an extra year of preschool tuition and buying a pellet stove sometime this summer we might not have the $$ to go by February. DH gets a bonus in March, that alone, or along with our tax refund, should cover an April trip. (As long as the economy doesn't effect his bonus. ) It's still up in the air, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. However, I do need to be ready to book as soon as airfare is released - I don't want a last minute trip to cost us an arm and a leg because we were indecisive. At least that's what I'll tell DH when I'm trying to convince him in October!

PS - We had a ton of fun at Story Land last weekend - I didn't bring the camera because it's too big to lug around the park! I've decided to buy a cheaper small one for such situations. However, we did take pictures on our first ever trip to Santa's Village. I'll post some soon.

 

[MRYPPNS]

I'm hoping we can go during one of the vacation weeks... most likely April. I'd rather go in February,

In Feb. you'll have Presidents Day weekend, Mardi Gras and ESPN weekends to work around for crowds.
Easter is April 12 in 2009

PS - We had a ton of fun at Story Land last weekend - I didn't bring the camera because it's too big to lug around the park! I've decided to buy a cheaper small one for such situations. However, we did take pictures on our first ever trip to Santa's Village. I'll post some soon.

[/QUOTE]
Can't wait to see the pictures!!! Did you go to Clarke's this time too???

 

[DisMomAmy]

In Feb. you'll have Presidents Day weekend, Mardi Gras and ESPN weekends to work around for crowds.
Easter is April 12 in 2009

Our vacations are a week later than the Mass. vacations and many of the other NH vacations - not sure which week you guys go, but the later week usually works to our advantage. Our February vacation is the 23rd - 27th. April vacation is April 27th - May 1st. My preference for February is just because it is during the winter - I need a break by then - but I'm sure I could hold out for April too.

Can't wait to see the pictures!!! Did you go to Clarke's this time too???

We didn't do Clarke's - we thought about it, but didn't think Alex would enjoy it very much - which would make the rest of us not enjoy it. We went up north with some friends and they went to Clarke's on Saturday when we went to Santa's Village - they had a ton of fun. Apparently there is a lot to see.

 

[MRYPPNS]

Our vacations are a week later than the Mass. vacations and many of the other NH vacations - not sure which week you guys go, but the later week usually works to our advantage. Our February vacation is the 23rd - 27th. April vacation is April 27th - May 1st. My preference for February is just because it is during the winter - I need a break by then - but I'm sure I could hold out for April too.

Pros and Cons for boths weeks....but either week would be wonderful!

We didn't do Clarke's - we thought about it, but didn't think Alex would enjoy it very much - which would make the rest of us not enjoy it. We went up north with some friends and they went to Clarke's on Saturday when we went to Santa's Village - they had a ton of fun. Apparently there is a lot to see.

I'm thinking of Clarke's being our August day trip. In September I want to do the first day (Friday) of the Highland Scottish games to see the dog herding trials. We usually go either Sat or Sun but the dogs are only on Friday.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Pros and Cons for boths weeks....but either week would be wonderful!

Yes, I know... I have a lengthy list of the pros and cons of each!

I'm thinking of Clarke's being our August day trip. In September I want to do the first day (Friday) of the Highland Scottish games to see the dog herding trials. We usually go either Sat or Sun but the dogs are only on Friday.

I've never heard of the Highland Scottish games... what's that about?

 

[MRYPPNS]

I've never heard of the Highland Scottish games... what's that about?

NH Highland Games website
It's basically a Scottish festival with food, tons of entertainment, heavy games which are like field events with big men in kilts and lots more. Me and my sister have been going for years.

 

[mousescrapper]

Okay, some things I can just put out there right now, some that I did, and some that I've read.

Just jumping in on that traveling w/ under 2 crowd....

Pack lots of snacks, and maybe even some new ones. Ditto! Margaret ate dry cherrios, those Gerber finger puffs and goldfish pretzels when she wouldn't eat regular food...which was alot!

Pack some new toys he's never seen before, and pull them out at really, really cranky moments. A diversionary tactic I read on another thread, could be good for the plane, or good for waiting in lines. Perhaps you may even want to wrap them for on the plane since it could take a bit of time for him to unwrap them. Now this I didn't do and had a hard time deciding what to bring for her for the plane, etc. She didn't really play with much...mainly got into her older siblings things...but for a single child he may need some good boredom tatics.

We use those Spongebob straw cups for him to drink out of. Not sure if you use these, but we bring four. One for juice and milk per day. We still water down our juice (even though DS is three, I feel better about less sugar) and I like to have the control of being able to do that in a non-spill straw cup. The idea is to bring two with you for the day, and rinse/wash them as you go, then give them a thorough soaking/washing that night and your other two are in the room nice and clean, ready to go. I did bring 3 cups from home, plus some disposable sponges w/ dish-soap in them already. I like those Nuby cups, we had one 8 oz sip style and 2 10 oz straw kind...now my mistake in not having her use the new straw ones at home before leaving, becuse she wanted to keep tipping it back like the sippy and couldn't get her drink at the end...

Always bring a favored toy and blankie from home. One of the most comforting things to a little one is having their own blankets from home to sleep with. I think this will definitely help with the whole bed situation. YES, YES, so agree...Margaret is a blankie baby so that blankie plus 2 spares were with us and 2 extra blankets for her at bedtime.
And truthfully, I'm a little worried about my little nut with bedrails and he's three! It's because he's in a toddler bed, and although he hasn't fallen out in a very, very long time, I still worry about him being higher up. Honestly, though, I think you'll be fine with that. I'm a little nervous about that bedrail thing for an 18 mo...but can understnad the whole 9 nights in a p-n-p...does CBR have actual cribs...like Poly, they were metal. maybe you could rent one...not that you want an extra expense, but if he stnads up in his crib at home or tries to pull out, he'll just be able to sit up and flop right over those bedrials I'd think...don't mean to scrae ya...just thinking out loud

I'm going to go look through my scrapbook from that year and see what else I can come up with.

Our return flight has been booked. The 11:30am flight that lands in Manchester at 2:20pm. Total cost for this leg $433.50. For a grand total of $750. I don't dare hold out for a cheaper fare.
Well at least we can vote in person and not by absentee ballot.

Ok am I sorry or happy w/ the airfare $ and time...you guys now what's best and I guess a nervous flyer on no food till 4 pm could become bad, especially if have a flight delay....

looking forward to more!

 

[willwriteforears]

Or something else was popluar 9 months before

PS - My guess about why Nov 5th is a popular birthday... cabin fever in February!

Well, there is also Valentine's Day!

Best day of the year for a birthday! It's Great Britain's national holiday -- Guy Fawkes Day! I have a dream of one day being in London on my birthday watching all the big fireworks!

Ooh, that'd be fun! I had a study abroad semester in college one fall, so we were out there during Guy Fawkes. Alas, we weren't able to go to London that day. Or we were on a weekend trip somewhere else... I forget which.

February is such a bleak month -- not much to do once the crossword puzzle is finished!

Hey now, there is Valentine's Day, and more importantly, my birthday (the 17)! It's my mom's birthday as well, actually. She says she hasn't aged since she gave birth to me, since she "transferred" her birthday.

NH Highland Games website
It's basically a Scottish festival with food, tons of entertainment, heavy games which are like field events with big men in kilts and lots more. Me and my sister have been going for years.

Big men in kilts.

 

[MRYPPNS]

Posted by Scrappie-Do
MRYPPNS in red

Margaret ate dry cherrios, those Gerber finger puffs and goldfish pretzels when she wouldn't eat regular food...which was alot!

I'm planning on a lot of snacks and breakfast foods. DS usually eats a very good breakfast and we'll eat most of those in our room so that should help

Now this I didn't do and had a hard time deciding what to bring for her for the plane, etc. She didn't really play with much...mainly got into her older siblings things...but for a single child he may need some good boredom tatics.

I really need to work on this one....I don't want to bring toys that I would be upset losing....we will have the laptop to watch dvds at the airport and on the plane if need be.

I did bring 3 cups from home, plus some disposable sponges w/ dish-soap in them already. I like those Nuby cups, we had one 8 oz sip style and 2 10 oz straw kind...now my mistake in not having her use the new straw ones at home before leaving, becuse she wanted to keep tipping it back like the sippy and couldn't get her drink at the end...

He uses the Nuby straw ones...I have the opposite problem....he can't drink from a non-straw sippy. My plan is to find some disposables for the parks and start using them at home before we go

YES, YES, so agree...Margaret is a blankie baby so that blankie plus 2 spares were with us and 2 extra blankets for her at bedtime.

DS isn't a lovey kid...no blanket for him. We will take something from home plus his Mickey stuffie that stays in his crib.

I'm a little nervous about that bedrail thing for an 18 mo...but can understnad the whole 9 nights in a p-n-p...does CBR have actual cribs...like Poly, they were metal. maybe you could rent one...not that you want an extra expense, but if he stnads up in his crib at home or tries to pull out, he'll just be able to sit up and flop right over those bedrials I'd think...don't mean to scrae ya...just thinking out loud

I've been thinking about it too....I think I'm stealing TK's idea of bringing a Aerobed for Kids with us. I talked with DH last night about it and he seemed to like the idea too. So the plan right now is to have DS on the floor on the Aerobed. If budget allows I'll upgrade the room to a King bed so we have more room

Thanks for all the suggestions and advise

 

[MRYPPNS]

Well, there is also Valentine's Day!


Big men in kilts.

I never even thought of Valentines Day


Men + Kilts = Good!

 

[TarzansKat]

Posted by Scrappie-Do
MRYPPNS in red

I really need to work on this one....I don't want to bring toys that I would be upset losing....we will have the laptop to watch dvds at the airport and on the plane if need be.

Do you have Dollar Tree stores near you? I know they have some wonderful Disney books, and these foam puzzles in Cars or Winnie the Pooh...heck, even princesses, in my house we play with princess things too, we have the Princess Memory game. I just mention the Dollar Tree because you could get some new things fairly inexpensively, and it wouldn't matter so much if they got lost.

He uses the Nuby straw ones...I have the opposite problem....he can't drink from a non-straw sippy. My plan is to find some disposables for the parks and start using them at home before we go

My DS was the same way, only drinking from a straw one. However, may I just add that disposables are not always leak proof. Just for the safety of your clothing.

I've been thinking about it too....I think I'm stealing TK's idea of bringing a Aerobed for Kids with us. I talked with DH last night about it and he seemed to like the idea too. So the plan right now is to have DS on the floor on the Aerobed. If budget allows I'll upgrade the room to a King bed so we have more room

Thanks for all the suggestions and advise

Glad I could help a bit. I also wanted to mention to you, and I know you'll have thought of this in general, but...

always carry at least three outfits.

Why, three you ask?

Because one day we ran through the one he was wearing and the two extras. I literally walked all the way around Epcot to find toddler clothes...it's actually quite a funny story, I think I posted it in my pre-trip.

Anyway, hot days = more drinking = more wet diapers = wetting out of the diapers = running through lots of clothes.

And not that we didn't change him often enough, just that it was one of those days. So we always carried two outfits and a pair of jams.

Oddly enough, I'll be having to do that on this trip as well, except instead of extra diapers, it'll be underwear. :::sigh:::

 

[MRYPPNS]

Packing/shopping for DS is the real planning unknown at this point. As we get closer it should be easier because I'll know where he is developmentally.

On a side note: Liam is really getting good at walking. He should be very stable on his feet by the time the vacation rolls around.

 

[TarzansKat]

Packing/shopping for DS is the real planning unknown at this point. As we get closer it should be easier because I'll know where he is developmentally.

On a side note: Liam is really getting good at walking. He should be very stable on his feet by the time the vacation rolls around.

Seriously, there's nothing more fun than watching your child toddle around a WDW gift shop, or towards a character, or whatever is of particular interest at that moment.

I don't know if it's something you would consider, but every year when we go, we get our family picture done for the holidays...in our tourist gear . We go into one of the XMAS shops, or downtown, and have someone take our picture (usually it's my mom, but I guess we'll be asking a cast member this time) and then we end up using it for our holiday photo cards.

 

[Sarilas]

Heidi, I just caught up on your PTR and LOVED the 1984 flashbacks! I wish I had pictures from our trips to Disneyland in the 80's - those would be PRICELESS!

 

[MRYPPNS]

Heidi, I just caught up on your PTR and LOVED the 1984 flashbacks! I wish I had pictures from our trips to Disneyland in the 80's - those would be PRICELESS!

Hello Sarilas! Thanks for reading.....I have a tiny mini TR from Disneyland 1988 coming up soonish.

 

[MRYPPNS]

I few pages back I posted a link for a chart of airline fees.....today I'm sharing a link for Airline carry on bag sizes....who knew they weren't all the same!

Happy traveling!


airline-carry-on-baggage-chart

 

[cjhinch]

Ok, this is entirely surreal....

I followed your link to your PTR from your reply on mine, and I haven't even gotten through the first post completely, but I just had to reply!!

Are you my long, lost twin?? Seriously, My Birthday is 3/3, I worked in Accounting for 7 years before becoming a SAHM, My DH also as a BS in Biology (he is now a CRNA, but still), and I acted like our upcoming trip was totally mythically as well, until the day DH finally caved in and let me start planning for real. :lol:

I thought all of this was pretty cool, then I got to your dogs. We had a yellow lab named Bailey also! We had to have her put to sleep last year, it was so upsetting to our family.

Ok, I just thought those coincidences were pretty cool! Now, I will continue reading your report!