PTR: OMG my first DL Trip with DH's Sis and family

[sahbushka]

Ok, so this is my first ever Pre trip report. I just plan on rambling about how the planning is going and how I am feeling about this trip in general.

Cast of Characters:
Me - 30 year old married mother of 2 and disney lover (Went on Divas trip)
DH - 28 year old married father of 2 and computer lover
DS - Almost 4 year old child who loves movies and especially the villains
DD - 10 months old adventure lover with crazy hair

DH's Sister - 30ish married mother of 3 and laid back
BIL - 30ish married father of 3 who suggested this trip in the first place
DNephew - 13 year old sensitve boy who loves his Uncle and computers
DNephew - 5 year old moose
DNiece - 10 month old bald linebacker in the making

So here we were over at my sister in laws very soon after our daughters were born (3 days apart) admiring each other's children when my brother in law pipes up with "So, when are we going to DL?" I stared at him...after all, I am usually the one with these ideas. Of course I couldn't just let this pass, oh no, it is on! So the planning begins. It is slow at first, we have never travelled with them before and so I don't know if this was just something he threw out there or if he was serious. We took the kids to the county fair a month later and talked some more about going to DL. 8 months later we had the in laws over to our home for dinner to discuss all the details and get the dates set in stone. We decide on 5 days in September with a couple of options for hotel. We would love to stay at the Grand Californian...especially with the girls being only 14 months old when we go...but we may not be able to afford it so we also consider the HoJo. I have an annual pass so the Grand might be doable....I still need to call for availability. In the mean time I have purchased our airfares...which went on sale 2 days later...and found out because of the sale that my in laws may not be able to get the same flights, they may already be booked....for SEPTEMBER!!! Crazyness. Now I am wondering how this is going to affect our trip. I have non-refundable tickets. And even if they just come back on a later date, how will that work with the round trip group shuttle I have priced? So right now I am just nervous. I know if they don't end up going, we will still have a great little family vaca and I have relatives in the area we could meet up with so it will be all good, but I have my heart set on these kids (especially the 4 and 5 year old) experiencing DL together and my DH and I having other adults to talk to.

More soon and thanks for reading!
SArah

 

[jordansmomma]

YAY Sarah!!

I can't wait to here more!!

 

[cinderella-princess]

Take a deep breath, relax and remember that everything will be just fine. These things usually work themselves out. Everyone will have a great time no matter what! I can't wait to hear more!

 

[Docter419]

Great Start, Can't wait to read more.

 

[Queenbillabong]

Yay, Sarah!!! Great start

 

[Escape2Disney]

If you are going anytime between September 10-20, you might want to contact Southwest Home Education. They are hosting a Homeschool conference @ GCH. Hotel tickets are deeply discounted, and I believe they will allow you to book even if you aren't going to the conference. The website is http://www.southwest-home-education.com

We'll be there from the 13th to the 19th - I'm organizing a meet if you're interested!

 

[sahbushka]

YAY Sarah!!

I can't wait to here more!!

Thanks Debra! I appreciate the support!

Take a deep breath, relax and remember that everything will be just fine. These things usually work themselves out. Everyone will have a great time no matter what! I can't wait to hear more!

Great advice! I am just so excited and I want to be able to continue the good relations we have with our relatives. I know how if things go really badly relations can be strained so I just want everything to go well. My SIL is so laid back though that even if something went wrong she would probably still be fine with things.

Great Start, Can't wait to read more.

Thanks so much!

Yay, Sarah!!! Great start

Hi! Enjoying the weather lately...it's even gone into the 60's a few days!

If you are going anytime between September 10-20, you might want to contact Southwest Home Education. They are hosting a Homeschool conference @ GCH. Hotel tickets are deeply discounted, and I believe they will allow you to book even if you aren't going to the conference. The website is http://www.southwest-home-education.com

We'll be there from the 13th to the 19th - I'm organizing a meet if you're interested!

Thanks so much for the tip. Yes, we are going September 16-21. That explains a lot about why the hotels are so booked for those dates!

 

[mommaU4]

Hi Sarah!
Well, what's a Disney trip without a little drama, huh? I do hope things work out though for you all to travel together especially with the kids being so close in age. That would be fun!

As for the actual trip, you are such a great planner, I know you will do everything in your power to make it all go as smoothly as possible. And as long as everyone is ready to be flexible and open to your ideas, I know they will all have a great time.

 

[sahbushka]

So I am just feeling really anxious/excited right now. I want to plan more! I have started thinking about food. I know we are going to eat at the Rainforest Cafe one night. Besides that I think everyone likes burgers and I know my son and I love mexican food so maybe Rancho one meal and mainly CS for burgers the rest of the time. Also, my ds is a grazer. He eats a little of this and a little of that throughout the day so having a lot of snacks prepared for him will be important. Maybe those little 100 calorie snack packs. Especially with 4 kids 5 and under. I wonder if the adults could take turns watching the kids on different nights for an hour and a half or so so that the other adults could go to a nice meal or ride some bigger rides. I wouldn't mind eating at carnation cafe again...the baked potato soup was wonderful! Hmmm, it would also be fun to try a place we haven't eaten before with fare other than burgers. Maybe somewhere in New Orleans square. I think there are a couple restaurants I haven't tried there. I know I am really excited to eat at the Hungry Bear. I have always wanted to and even though I promised myself I would on my last trip in March, I wasn't able to go. I think the Dear Family would enjoy it! So much to think about.

Sarah

 

[sahbushka]

Hi Sarah!
Well, what's a Disney trip without a little drama, huh? I do hope things work out though for you all to travel together especially with the kids being so close in age. That would be fun!

As for the actual trip, you are such a great planner, I know you will do everything in your power to make it all go as smoothly as possible. And as long as everyone is ready to be flexible and open to your ideas, I know they will all have a great time.

Thanks Beth. I really appreciate the vote of confidence!

Sarah

 

[Belle Ella]

Marking my spot so I don't forget. Looks like I'll be there the week before you (and hoping to extend one day to the 13th). Can't wait for more.

 

[cinderella-princess]

OMG! You are going to be there the same time we are! How exciting!

I'm sure everyone you are with will be just fine with a little strain. When all else fails, go back to your room in the middle of the day to cool off and relax. Take a swim, a nap or a shower and you're ready to go back to the park refreshed! We also split up at times so everyone gets to go on the rides they want to. That way everyone is happy and no one gets on people's nerves.

The soup in New Orleans Square is great! I get the gumbo every time. If you've never eaten anywhere in NOS I would try it this trip!

 

[lulubelle]

Hi Sarah!
Looking forward to more of your pre-trip report. I think you picked a perfect time to go and you all will have a magical time. How fun that the two little princesses are three days apart in age. And I love how you describe your baby girl with that "wild hair"!

 

[sahbushka]

OMG! You are going to be there the same time we are! How exciting!

I'm sure everyone you are with will be just fine with a little strain. When all else fails, go back to your room in the middle of the day to cool off and relax. Take a swim, a nap or a shower and you're ready to go back to the park refreshed! We also split up at times so everyone gets to go on the rides they want to. That way everyone is happy and no one gets on people's nerves.

The soup in New Orleans Square is great! I get the gumbo every time. If you've never eaten anywhere in NOS I would try it this trip!

I haven't tried the gumbo, so that is a possibility. Are you staying at HOJO? Didn't I see you on the Divas planning thread? Are you going on that trip in 2010?

Hi Sarah!
Looking forward to more of your pre-trip report. I think you picked a perfect time to go and you all will have a magical time. How fun that the two little princesses are three days apart in age. And I love how you describe your baby girl with that "wild hair"!

I think the time will be good as far as weather is concerned, but I am a bit nervous as everything is sold out the night of the 20th. I now know that the Homeschoolers group is going to be there and I am sure the 5 for 3 promo has some to do with it, but there has to be something else as well if it is already so full! As far as my daughter's hair is concerned...it just goes everywhere. There is no taming it at this point. I am hoping to grow it out so that it will calm down a bit, but we will see!

 

[cinderella-princess]

We are staying at the Anaheim Camelot Inn and Suites (its right next to the McDonald's on South Harbor Blvd I believe). I have not been on the Diva's planning thread but I'll go check it out! When are they going in 2010?

 

[mommaU4]

We are staying at the Anaheim Camelot Inn and Suites (its right next to the McDonald's on South Harbor Blvd I believe). I have not been on the Diva's planning thread but I'll go check it out! When are they going in 2010?

Feb. 25 - March 2, 2010. Come join us. We had a blast last time, all the ladies are lots of fun and very friendly, and we'd love to have some new members.

 

[DizNee Luver]

That's a great idea of having people take turns in watching the little ones!!! We did that in 2005 & it was nice knowing my 3 yr old was back at the motel sleeping, while we were at the park for late night fun. It worked out great for us. Everyone taking their turn seems fair!! You may want to try that during the day as well.

The gumbo is divine!!! I had never had it before & I can't stop thinking about it since we got home. My hubby even made it here & it was pretty darn good!

The Hungry Bear is one of our favorite quick-service restaurants in the parks!!! We love the food & the setting. We love sitting on the bottom section by the water, watching the activity on the Rivers of America & the ducks.

 

[sahbushka]

That's a great idea of having people take turns in watching the little ones!!! We did that in 2005 & it was nice knowing my 3 yr old was back at the motel sleeping, while we were at the park for late night fun. It worked out great for us. Everyone taking their turn seems fair!! You may want to try that during the day as well.

The gumbo is divine!!! I had never had it before & I can't stop thinking about it since we got home. My hubby even made it here & it was pretty darn good!

The Hungry Bear is one of our favorite quick-service restaurants in the parks!!! We love the food & the setting. We love sitting on the bottom section by the water, watching the activity on the Rivers of America & the ducks.

I am so excited to try new things...even though I have been there so many times I feel there is always something new to try!

Sarah

 

[sahbushka]

So plans for the DL trip have been on hold while I have been working all this overtime and now I find myself trying to plan my 2012/2013 trip to DW! I can't decide on dates or hotel so I have been spending some time on those boards searching for suggestions. I did call HOJO back and request 6th floor unobstructed view...they said if we needed a pac-n-play or roll away we could ask for it at check in and they would have one for us no problem. Does anyone know when park hours for september will be out? Is it before we can make dining ressies...not that I plan on making many. Also, how far in advance can you reserve at Rainforest Cafe? So many questions...but it is fun finding out the answers!

SArah

 

[sahbushka]

So I think I have at least decided on the time of year to go on the DW trip....late October 2012. I am still working on the hotel but might wait to decide so that my DS who will be 7 when we go can help pick...he turns 4 in a week and a half.

I tried to talk to my SIL about the trip on her facebook page but I have not recieved a response yet. I am really curious if she has booked her flights yet. We specifically did the airline we did because it is the one they were going to do and now I am worried that she may not be able to get the same flights as us. Hmmm.