So... I thought I would never do this... write a pre trip report... but I have been having some serious withdrawal that I have to do Something to contain my addiction problem of everything Disney before people start to think there is something seriously wrong with me. Seriously I have been lurking these sites for several years. Think I only joined this site about a year and half ago even though I was here several times before that. I am also a member at TGM, but suffice to say I think that site has fallen to the wayside recently....
If anyone is a member over there, my screen name is the same, and I am the one who produced the snack credit cheat cards printable on index cards for each available park and resort...I have been to Disney 9 times. My love really came when we went on a family reunion in 2007 on my in laws DVC credits. We stayed at OKW 1 bedroom. The visit before this was in 2000 off site. Holy Crap! The difference between staying at a value hotel/motel offsite,, to OKW,,, well lets say.. we were never going to do Disney the old way again. My kids were hooked. When we came back from our trip in 2007 they all talked about Disney for months. I mean randomly we would be shopping in the grocery store and my then 6 year old would sigh out loud,,, "mommy,,," me: yes Shane? Shane: "I miss Disney soooo much." me: "you do? why?" Shane: " Cause that is the happiest place in this whole world, and I love it sooo much cause they love me too..... with tears down his face"
My heart just sank. I went home that night and looked into buying DVC. No spiel from the DVC people, no incentives, no nothing... I bought into AKL Kidani........ in 2 months we were planning our next trip.
Now ,, this may have been hasty to some that spend months researching, doing Disney Math, figuring if there was a better deal. For me it was a no brainer. I was going to do anything to have my kids go to there happy place too. My hubby knew better then to even dispute with me,, and I believe in all honesty he wanted it just as much.
I guess this would be a good time to introduce the Cast of Characters... and characters is saying it mildly...
Me: Lisa 41 A registered nurse in post/pre anesthesia surgical. Friends think I am hilariously funny,, life of the party,,, the female Jim Carrey... I am still not sure why they say that
I just say things that come to my head and they laugh. That is what they think is so funny too.. that I just speak what I think and its always hilarious. So please people keep this in mind if I respond rather strangely to you, its not to offend, I am Italian and that just how it rolls. Lets see what else?? oh yeah... I am a Disney Freak! whoduh thunk? 
I have read all the Disney books, biographies, Imagineers books, secrets, and blah blah... so full of useless information I am! When ever someone even mentions the idea of Disney around me, I go off like a crack addict on my love for Disney, and did you know antics. Tim: 43 the love of my life too...
even though he can seriously drive me crazy at times because he falls into the male syndrome.... you know , the one where I believe the male species is missing a link up there somewhere when it comes to knowing what the wives want. I mean seriously people! We have been married for years! nothing has changed! I still do everything the same, so why in Gods name would I want something done differently today? More on this in the future.. you will see. Tim has been a mechanic for 28 years. Started in high school and knew he wanted to do it for the rest of his life. I admire him for that. He knew what he wanted to do, regardless of his parents telling him to go to college, and he is 100% happy with his career. Not for me to have those greased, black , dirt, oil, digusting hands.. but to each his own! 
Kyle: 20 son... a junior college student at Rutgers Engineering in NJ. Hmm what do I say about my introverted yet sensitive son? Well since he was born he was stubborn. He remains stubborn to this day. He does not express his emotions, very quiet, hates , hates attention on him. Loves geocaching, robotics, and anything technology savvy. I guess that is why he is in this major huh?
He has been going with a nice girl since his sophmore year at school. This Jan will be 5years for them? I am hoping they don't ever read this, because between you and me,,, I think an engagement is coming, and they are talking a Disney wedding!!!
Kyle and Jen.. photopass at AKL
Heather: 17 year old senior high school student. Heading to college, has no clue where yet, to be a physicist.
Just that word scares me! I mean what the heck? where did this come from? She wanted to be a surgeon, I tried talking her into a psychiatrist as opposed to a surgeon. I work with surgeons, and they have no lives. The hospital is there life. On call , night, weekends, emergencies. I told her,Heather, Psychiatrists get to make your own hours , charge astronomical prices , and listen to other peoples problems... nice money. Now before I have any psychy people out there jumping on me,, don't be offended. I think your job is hard too....honestly I don't know how you do it. My MIL is a psych RN MSN., and well lets say I think it got to her. Anywho, back to the daughter. She too loves everything Disney. She has so many favorites , I am not sure I know them all. First,,, Pooh , then Tink,,, then Jack Sparrow... wait there is Marie too, and Alice! I think she loves them all , and can not decide which she likes better. She knows all the songs to every single movie, knows all the words... knows the parks songs, the ride speeches.. the monorail speech... I mean good god girl.... that is just plain freaky. I don't know where she got that from... 
Shane 11 a big six grader.. the one who melted my heart into buying DVC..
: Just as much a Disney freak as the rest of us... he is much more outgoing.... talks to random people,, anybody who will listen is what I should really say.. I mean ,,, I often ask him if it hurts to talk so much?His two older siblings are constantly embarassed by him because he talks to people. He is my sports kid,,, football, baseball, wrestling, and lacrosse... you can imagine the thoughts through my hubby and my head when he comes home from school one day, and announces he wants to play the violin
Where in the H E double hockey sticks did that come from? Tim thought he was going through an identity crisis... 
Jen: 20 Kyle's girlfriend. Junior college student at University of Delaware, studying special education. A sweetheart for my son ... and best of all she loves Disney too!!! her favorite is Pluto.
I
I love this photo of her,,, so jerseyliscious....
we stayed off site. (GASP!!) Shane was just 3 months old,, and we drove the 17 hours straight through the night. My poor husband... when I think back on that trip we took in June no less..... he was soooo exhausted. 
It got so bad,, that Shane,, my poor little guy fell asleep on the rocks in Universal from pure exhaustion, and dear hubby sat with him till he woke up.. Every night on the bus ride home he would fall asleep and not even wake up when we put him to bed.... One night we came home around midnight,, put him in bed,, started to undress him for P.J's,,, he opened one eye halfway and said "Is it time to go again mommy?"
sooo.. we slept in the next morning.... Must not have been too bad, cause this it the trip that Shane guilted me into buying DVC... yeah thats right people,,, I am blaming it on a 6 year old......
I don't know but I noticed more people arguing with cast members at all places about how they were right and the cast members were wrong.. puhhhhlease people..... Your from Jersey,, ya got that accent,,, I can tell where your from..... lighten up already! This is Freaking Disney!!! Tim, me, Heather, and Shane went. We took my mother with us this time. We paid for her entire trip...everything. What did my mother keep saying to us? Well nursing must be paying the big bucks if you can afford all this!!
and his mom& dad too!! We happen to be real good friends with the mother and father,,,,This was also their first time,,, so it was sooo awesome to show them everything! We had an awesome time! 
"sorry mommy.. we love you, and thank you,, no matter where you make us stay" 
.. the rest of us had a good time, good food, and good character interaction. My youngest son refused pictures with characters, "cause that is just for 
