PTR- Grand Gathering, a birthday, first timers and more!

[mouser_momof2]

Ok, so I came across mickeystoontown's trip report: You're the best parents in the world! I gotta pee! Where's My Tooth? Trip report! and it has inspired me to write my own.

I mostly post on the creative Disigns, tie dye Mickey- even though I haven't in a bit. Plus I lurk on the food/booze threads since I'm still trying to decide which ADR's to keep/try to get- a vent I'll get to in a bit, lol.

Even if no one reads it but me, my husband is tired of hearing about Disney, (he complains, but I know he's as excited to go as I am), the others that are going live in OK and I can vent when I need to, lol.

So, we're leaving in 18 days!

I'm SOOO excited.

So, this first post I'll give a little background on my experiences with Disney so far:

My name is Amber, I'll be 30 in December. I went to Disneyland with my step dad, brothers, and his brother (only a year older than me) and niece when I was 16. We were only there for a day, but had a good time. That was my first ever experience with Disney.

I however have dreamed of going to Epcot since I was in 2nd grade and my teacher, Ms. Clinton, went there with her daughter for vacation. She brought back some dried sea weed for us to try, as well as astronaut ice cream and a few other things. I've wanted to go ever since.

I have been to WDW, kind of. I say kind of because we live in Jacksonville, FL right now, which is only about 2 hours from Orlando. Last October my mother in law came to visit and we spent 5 nights in Orlando at the *Econolodge on 192. We went to Sea World using our one day military tickets, and then she bought tickets for us to go to MNSSHP. And I've since driven down to Downtown Disney several times. Never stayed on-site, never been during the day, never been anywhere except the Magic Kingdom on party night, never eaten in the park except for some popcorn.

So, I'm counting this as my "first" WDW trip


*I'll insert a little bit about this hotel. We stayed CHEAP. For 5 nights we spent $69, and then paid the $30 in "resort fees" or whatever they call them when we checked in. We had originally planned on staying for 3 nights, but that was going to be almost $100. I found a coupon code for Orbitz that was $100 off a 5 night stay!

The hotel itself, while older, wasn't that bad. I've stayed in worse. We had 2 double beds, plus a fridge and microwave and didn't have to pay extra for it. The pool is small, and we did swim in it a few times even though it was chilly. The continental breakfast wasn't that great, but they had juice and doughnuts which was fine for the kids.

It's about 4 or 5 miles from the main entrance on 192, at mile marker 9 I think. I wouldn't say it's in the best area, but most on 192 seem to be getting a little run down. I've stayed at 3 other hotels in the area since then on my treks to Downtown Disney- the Serilago next to Old Town, the Holiday Inn across from Old Town, and some resort on I-drive. Out of the 4 of them the Econolodge was the cheapest, not the best (the Holiday Inn was, but had no fridge- and their parking lot was scary- no lighting, and an empty building next door) but was the one of the four I would stay at again.

So, I would recommend this hotel if you're on a budget as you can usually get the rooms for $25 to $35 a night or so depending on the time of year.

Ok, now that I've probably bored everyone to tears with that... on to my next post and the dates/cast of characters that will be coming with us.....

 

[mouser_momof2]

So, for this, our first WDW true vacation, there are 9 of us going.

4 of us live here in FL- at least until later this year-

Me- Amber- 29, mom of 2 rowdy little boys.

Tim- my DH- 30, almost as much trouble as the 2 rowdy little boys

Logan- my oldest, who will be 4 in November. He's speech delayed, but we don't think Autistic. We do have behaviour problems from this though.

James (we call him Jamie)- he will be 2 in January. He thinks he has to do everything that bubba does, and more.

The other 5 are coming from Oklahoma, where we're from:

My MIL- Karla- I won't say her age, mainly because I usually get it wrong not to good with dates. - AKA as Mom, because she's more of a mom to me than my own mother is.

My husband's older sis, Amy- She's 36 now I think- like I said, I'm bad with dates. She and I are the one's planning this trip, driving everyone crazy with said plans, and just plain driving each other crazy with details I think. It is pretty hard to coordiante from halfway across the country from each other.

My BIL, Les- He'll be having a birthday in October, but I don't remember how old he'll be. Over 40 I know because I had so much fun helping my MIL send anonymous cards to him for about a month before his birthday last year.

My niece, Beth. She's the one having the birthday while we're there. She'll be 12! I think from what Amy has said, she wasn't too into some of the things we want to do at first, but she's coming along.

My nephew, Jacob. He's 8, but I keep wanting to make him 7 when I do ressies. I can't believe he's that old!

We're going to be staying at the POP, in the classics years according to the last person I talked to while checking on ADR's. We had thought about staying off site, but the free dining decided it for us!

Our arrival date is September 17th, with Tim and the boys and I driving and they're all flying. I think it's my niece and nephew's first plane ride! We'll be leaving on the 24th, but Tim and I are thinking about staying off site somewhere for 2 nights to go to the Food and Wine festival. Depends on how much money we have left by then!

So, since it's almost 2 a.m. and Logan is up I'll give some more details tomorrow! Plus, I'm only about 60 pages into mickeystoontown's trip report, and I want to get it finished! (Plus, I've bookmarked others to start on!)

 

[CupidsKiss]

Hi!
First on board your PTR. This is going to be our first trip to DW too staying at the POP. We'll kind of be crossing over!

Unbelievable to be that close and not get to go more than MNSSHP. You should have a great time by the light of day then

Waiting for more details!

Diana

 

[reyasmommy]

I hope you have a wonderful trip!! You're so lucky you leave so soon!!

 

[mouser_momof2]

Thanks for the replies!

I know, I'm so excited!

Tim and I kind of squabbled a little today because I was complaining that I have a lot to do.

His quote- "What, there is still like 15 days before we leave."

Ugh. I shot right back, no, not still like, ONLY 15 or so days- and if I don't start getting things done, it won't get done, lol.

So, now some of our plans so far in the next post.

 

[mouser_momof2]

So, I've been trying to put some things away here and there for our trip. Mostly snacks and things to keep the boys occupied (plus stuff for their cousins) while in lines and at dinner and such.

Only problem is, I can't find some of it. I know where some is, but there are things that I know Logan has found and opened, or his daddy has given him or his brother to play with/eat.

It drives me crazy and Tim's response is always- well it doesn't make any sense to hoard food. Or toys or whatever it is I'm trying to pack.

I honestly just think he doesn't get it. But other times I wonder if he doesn't do things like that just to tick me off.

I've tried and tried and tried to explain to him that it's easier on us if I do a little at a time, than all at the last minute or wait til we're there because stuff is so much more expensive in the parks. The good thing though is we'll be driving, so that will help.

I have found some of the cutest toys and such for the kids though.

I found some Buzz Lightyear flashlights at WalMart on clearance. Slide puzzles at Michaels, as well as paddle balls (more for the room), bubbles and I can't even think of what else.

I lucked into some cheap suckers and gum on clearance the other day and I swear Logan watches me like a hawk to see where I put the bag so he can try to get in it as soon as my back is turned.

I've also stored some Disney shrits and stuff for Logan, Jamie and Tim. Me not so much as I'm a big girl and it's hard to find the plus size shirts that fit. Plus I have a hard time spending money on myself. I am making a few shirts- design wise- but I'll get more into that in the next post or two.

So, not much of an exciting update tonight, but I'm still sooo tired because we've all had some kind of stomach bug the last few days. I don't like being sick anyway- but when both Tim and I are it's hard because we don't have any family down here, and we don't know anyone really outside his command.

Well, I want to write more tonight but since we're going to be moving very soon after our trip, I'm trying to get some things taken care of in addition to finishing the designs for our shirts.

Right now I'm packing up our desktop computer to ship to Tim's grandparents. They were going to buy a computer, and we were thinking about selling ours, but I'd rather just give it to them. I really want to get it in the mail tomorrow or Tuesday so I need to finish cleaning it off. I formatted it and now I'm re-installing Word and stuff.

So, off for now. Plus Logan just got up a few minutes ago and he so needs to go back to bed. It's bad enough that he pooped in the floor tonight. I'll explain that one later when I don't have little fingers trying to help me type