"Reach for the sky!" We're finally getting there in JAN 2012!!!TR LINK PG 69!

[Colleen27]

Wow, what a ride! I'm joining in, and since following you "home" from the Jan thread I've read all (okay, most...) of the backstory.

I'm so excited for you having the trip paid off and set! We went through some difficult times too and planning what ended up, after many delays, being our Dec '09 trip really helped get me through some tough financial situations and the scary choices that it took to get to a better place. But on the bright side, it does make finally getting to that happy place so much more magical! I cried like a baby on the first day of our long-awaited trip; the emotion of going from realizing we couldn't keep up with our mortgage to righting the ship and finally being at Disney with our three wonderful kids in the span of just a couple years was totally overwhelming.

I'm bummed about Dumbo too. Thunder not so much because it is that rehab that is keeping Splash from closing for its usual January rehab, and my kids love Splash so much more than Thunder. My 3yo is going to miss riding her flying elephant but I think the "Aladdin dash" (love that!) will make for an acceptable substitute.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Wow, what a ride! I'm joining in, and since following you "home" from the Jan thread I've read all (okay, most...) of the backstory.

I'm so excited for you having the trip paid off and set! We went through some difficult times too and planning what ended up, after many delays, being our Dec '09 trip really helped get me through some tough financial situations and the scary choices that it took to get to a better place. But on the bright side, it does make finally getting to that happy place so much more magical! I cried like a baby on the first day of our long-awaited trip; the emotion of going from realizing we couldn't keep up with our mortgage to righting the ship and finally being at Disney with our three wonderful kids in the span of just a couple years was totally overwhelming.

I'm bummed about Dumbo too. Thunder not so much because it is that rehab that is keeping Splash from closing for its usual January rehab, and my kids love Splash so much more than Thunder. My 3yo is going to miss riding her flying elephant but I think the "Aladdin dash" (love that!) will make for an acceptable substitute.

Welcome Colleen!!! What a saint you are for reading ANY of the backstory, b/c it's LONG!

I'm not mad at WDW or anything, I totally understand that they have to close stuff and refub, just bummed that our dates happen to fall when they are doing two that I really wanted to go on. I'm sad for Leslee b/c Savannah is always talking about how doing Dumbo is the first thing and that it's a special ride. We'll make it special though, so I think it will all work out!

I should tell you the argument Rey & I got into about planning, but I will save it for another day! It's longwinded (but what isn't that I post?!?)

 

[mousescrapper]

believe me Karen I am just as sad and mad as you are...it's like our '08 trip when POC was closed ...it is very hard when your beloved rides are not running for your trips, I understand why but it still stinks....last yr the little girls chicken'd out at the last minute on going on Dumbo, so once again it was just the twins and I...the other times we were at MK, the line was just too long. Naomi-Ruth will be 5 in just a month and doesn't know many of the rides...but keeps telling me how she wants to sit w/ me on Dumbo when we go to Disney again

PLUS the worst part is...for Bekah and I, BTMRR is OUR ride each trip since '08 I always make it a point to spend some special time alone w/ her and we go on this ride several times in a row...her and I have some tough times on a daily basis as we deal w/ her Autism...so Disney is that time when we don't have to "deal" w/ it


I haven't had the heart to tell the kids


I may have to steal a moment away from Matt and ride BTMRR by myself next week

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

believe me Karen I am just as sad and mad as you are...it's like our '08 trip when POC was closed ...it is very hard when your beloved rides are not running for your trips, I understand why but it still stinks....last yr the little girls chicken'd out at the last minute on going on Dumbo, so once again it was just the twins and I...the other times we were at MK, the line was just too long. Naomi-Ruth will be 5 in just a month and doesn't know many of the rides...but keeps telling me how she wants to sit w/ me on Dumbo when we go to Disney again

PLUS the worst part is...for Bekah and I, BTMRR is OUR ride each trip since '08 I always make it a point to spend some special time alone w/ her and we go on this ride several times in a row...her and I have some tough times on a daily basis as we deal w/ her Autism...so Disney is that time when we don't have to "deal" w/ it


I haven't had the heart to tell the kids


I may have to steal a moment away from Matt and ride BTMRR by myself next week

Oh oh oh! I have an idea for you! You need to bring a "paper Bekah" (a pic of her on a Popsicle stick) and take a pic of you on BTMRR with it! It would be a great way to at least show her that you were thinking of her and then explain (before or after?) that it won't be open on your trip in Jan.

 

[Pixiedust530]

I feel your pain Karen. I would be totally bummed about BTMRR...not so much about Dumbo!

The last time I was there in 2006 POTC was closed for Refurb. It was one of the rides I had remembered from my childhood and was looking forward to the most! I am here to report (from experience of course) that it WILL be okay and the trip will still be LOADS of fun!

 

[exwdwcm]

Karen- so sorry! that is a total bummer! WE were so bummed when HM was closed for the Nightmare before Christmas overlay when we went to DL last September. So bummer. But we still had a great time regardless and you will too- plus, it's a reason to book another trip later, right?

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I feel your pain Karen. I would be totally bummed about BTMRR...not so much about Dumbo!

The last time I was there in 2006 POTC was closed for Refurb. It was one of the rides I had remembered from my childhood and was looking forward to the most! I am here to report (from experience of course) that it WILL be okay and the trip will still be LOADS of fun!

Thanks, that's just what I needed to hear! I know it will be great and I'm SO glad that they let people know so far in advance, it gives me lots of time to get used to the idea.

Karen- so sorry! that is a total bummer! WE were so bummed when HM was closed for the Nightmare before Christmas overlay when we went to DL last September. So bummer. But we still had a great time regardless and you will too- plus, it's a reason to book another trip later, right?

Oh boy, I would be even more upset if Haunted Mansion was closed! It's my favorite non-roller coaster ride at MK! I wish it meant planning another trip, and we will have others, but I'm unsure it will be all of us. Next year I'm planning on going with my BFF, Hope, and running the Princess 1/2 right before my 40th bday and then Savannah's 16th bday (2016!) we were going to go just us girls, but I'm just not sure another family trip is in the making. This one will have to BLOW THEM ALL AWAY in order for them to want to come back instead of heading to the beach or somewhere else...

and my boys are almost grown! Dylan will turn 18 next year and Dallas will turn 17, I feel like I'm running out of family-vacation-time and this is just when we are finally able to take trips!

OMG, I'm rambling again. sorry.

 

[Colleen27]

Oh boy, I would be even more upset if Haunted Mansion was closed! It's my favorite non-roller coaster ride at MK! I wish it meant planning another trip, and we will have others, but I'm unsure it will be all of us. Next year I'm planning on going with my BFF, Hope, and running the Princess 1/2 right before my 40th bday and then Savannah's 16th bday (2016!) we were going to go just us girls, but I'm just not sure another family trip is in the making. This one will have to BLOW THEM ALL AWAY in order for them to want to come back instead of heading to the beach or somewhere else...

and my boys are almost grown! Dylan will turn 18 next year and Dallas will turn 17, I feel like I'm running out of family-vacation-time and this is just when we are finally able to take trips!

I would be too! Our last trip was literally days before the interactive queue opened and that was bad enough... The walls were up in the graveyard and it was all ugly, and I had hardly started my trip report when the DIS was all abuzz with news of the awesome new queue. If that was going to be closed in Jan I'd be really upset!

My son is only 13, turning 14 the week before our trip, and I feel the same way about the family vacation days slipping away. I'll be a basket case when he's actually turning 18!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Aren't things supposed to slow down in the fall??? It's crazy around here! I have lots of clients going out of town (petsitting) and TONS of people contacting me for photo shoots! Great for Disney money, so I'm not complaining, but shew! the calendar is full. Not much time for Disney stuff!

Since I rarely get to photograph my own family, Savannah & I decided to do a photo shoot of her the other day. She turns 11 on the 20th (you won't believe it when you see the pics. ACK!) and with the fall colors, it was perfect timing. It was fun to take her pics, and I'm a superproud mama, but holy cow my little girl is grown up! Here are a couple of the shots:

This one is her favorite, but it scared me the most, she is growing up too fast!

This one was my fav, I think!

So, things are crazy, but there is ALWAYS time for Disney planning! I got a cheap new printer and have printed out a lot of our DISigns for tshirts, waiting on more transfers to arrive so I can finish them up! I also have to order hoodies for all of us, I have a 2012 DISign I'm putting on those.

I have 3 of the 4 hats (Rey's, Savannah's, & Leslee's) already. The lady that is making them is doing it slow so I can spread out the cost. They all have monkey Mohawk hats, each in different colors, and she is making me a minnie mouse! I'm excited to see how that one turns out!

Leslee spent the night and we are headed to the shelter to walk some dogs today, but in the afternoon we will probably make some shirts, so I'll post those when I get a chance!

 

[jodi90]

It's been a long time since I've posted but I've still been following along and I'm so glad that your able to go in January!!

Love your photos, your daughter is beautiful.

Jodi

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

It's been a long time since I've posted but I've still been following along and I'm so glad that your able to go in January!!

Love your photos, your daughter is beautiful.

Jodi

Hi Jodi!! I'm glad you are still following and see that you are headed down for a Christmas visit! Sounds awesome!

 

[MARsMama]

I had a bit of catching up to do, but finally found some time to do it!
Your anniversary TR was great, sounds like a wonderful time
That's too bad about the rides being closed when you are there We've never been on Dumbo, and this time was our first experience on Thunder Mountain.
As always, I love your photos

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I had a bit of catching up to do, but finally found some time to do it!
Your anniversary TR was great, sounds like a wonderful time
That's too bad about the rides being closed when you are there We've never been on Dumbo, and this time was our first experience on Thunder Mountain.
As always, I love your photos

Thanks! Yep, I'm getting used to the idea, and it just means more time for other stuff, so we'll deal with it! We did have a great time on our weekend, we need to do that more, but next adult trip will be Vegas, so that may take some more time to save up! It's Rey's favorite place and he wants to take me, I've never been!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Gorgeous pictures of Savannah!!

That stinks about the rides being down when you go. I once went when Splash Mountain was down, and was SO bummed about it!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Gorgeous pictures of Savannah!!

That stinks about the rides being down when you go. I once went when Splash Mountain was down, and was SO bummed about it!

Thanks! She loves them and I was really happy with them as well! The only good thing about Big Thunder being closed is that Splash won't be! Savannah was pretty upset when Splash was going to be closed, but I had hoped that it would open at least by our 2nd day at MK. Now we don't have to worry about it b/c it looks like they won't close Splash like they usually do in January b/c of the Big Thunder rehab!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Crazybusy right now with petsitting, photo shoots, and Savannah's 11th Birthday tomorrow, but I couldn't NOT post today b/c today is 100 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tomorrow is actually 100 from when we arrive, but I decided to count from the beginning of the trip, it's only fair, right?!?! I'm so crazy excited and when things die down I'll have lots of little project pics to share that I've been working on! For now, it's the 100 day dance!!!!!!!!!

and 100 days from tomorrow, I will be seeing this...!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Oliquig]

Crazybusy right now with petsitting, photo shoots, and Savannah's 11th Birthday tomorrow, but I couldn't NOT post today b/c today is 100 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tomorrow is actually 100 from when we arrive, but I decided to count from the beginning of the trip, it's only fair, right?!?! I'm so crazy excited and when things die down I'll have lots of little project pics to share that I've been working on! For now, it's the 100 day dance!!!!!!!!!

and 100 days from tomorrow, I will be seeing this...!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course its fair to celebrate today! I am only a few days behind you and am buffing up my dancin' shoes right now!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Of course its fair to celebrate today! I am only a few days behind you and am buffing up my dancin' shoes right now!

Thanks Rachel!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Yay for 100 days!!!!

And happy birthday to Savannah tomorrow!

 

[danimaroo]

AHHH THAT'S SO EXCITING!

You just made me look at ours and we are exactly 3 months away from being in WDW! I'm really excited for you guys. It's going to be so awesome to be there in January. And can I just say.. though I'm sad Big Thunder is going to be down.. SPLASH will actually be open for once in January! I told my DH we're going on it a lot so he best be prepared.