shhhh Dec '08 & (6/'10) pre-trip twofer

[hollybearsmom]

NO! It is so 500 days out. I have counted and recounted and printed calendars and used timetable counters and everything. Why is the answer NO to making my reservation! I was in tears yesterday. And pouty all day. I didn't even call at 7am today. I waited til almost 11a and still today, NO. "Hmmmmmm", the operator says, "it seems that I can book a cabin for you, but no campsites. Would you like to stay there?" And do what with my camper? think lady. I didn't say it out loud, I just sat silently trying not to cry again. "Try again in a day or two" she offers. This is my whiny day.
And i stayed with my nephew last night who had a fit of people/monsters coming out of the outlets to keep him awake. So I sat up "on watch" for about an hour sometime near 4a with him. Until he finally believed i would keep them away from his bed. Poor kid. So this morning, I'm watching him and his sister. My sil thinks I am calling Disney for the family trip in '10, she doesn't get out much. So she starts telling my brother about how hilarious it is that I have a plan and tours made and etc. I just smile sweetly and let her talk. So he-who-changed-the-date says, "you can make those plans, and I will tell you what we will do with you if anything". You know that part in Apollo 13 when the batteries are dying in the radio and the music sounds putrid and everyone is mad at everyone else and the numbers don't add up and it looks hopeless. I had to run to the boards to find a little of the happy place. So I stumble on Lauralee131's dysfunctional family trip and I have to read the whole thing. I can't stop. From bad to worse to better, I read the whole thing. Then I start to wonder, should I try this planning thing? Should I really go with our cousin's family? What have I done? Oh what a day.

 

[hollybearsmom]

Yahoo!!!! I have reservations, sort of. Details on the camping thread.
So the planning can really begin. I stopped by the Library to check out Guidebooks, and the 2003 is the latest edition available. What? I guess I'll have to e-bay and see if I can find one someone used this year and is done with. I know, I spend a lot of time on here but I also sit on the beach a lot too, and I need a book to flip through.
So, now I have butterflies. Isn't that crazy? I've been to HD twice this month already looking for lgmh. And getting the other colors too to make our countdown chain (got that idea on here somewhere, sorry I can't find who right now). I am doing everything by twos for the two families. Oh yeah, did I mention I went to the Disney store last week and found some of those magic towel washcloths for 99c? I had a gift card and with some stickers and a headband, i got three days worth of Tink surprises for our kids!!!! I even got dh to agree to let me keep them in a special box for the year until we go! Little does he know there is already a special box started. And the shirt ideas from the creative DISigns here, my goodness, I don't have enough days for all the things I want to make. So now my plan is going to be for everyone to take a nap/swim break in the afternoon and then change clothes! And you know, now that we have some things set, I'm not sure what to work on. Argh. What to do, what to do?

 

[hollybearsmom]

Okay, i decided to start with the mammoth packing list. I have taken every packing tip I can find and combined them into one huge list. And I am sure there will be something that isn't on there that will be a must have. I have it divided into categories on the spreadsheet, but here they are...
Now I realize that the two trips we are taking are at two different seasons. So while we will not need a scarf and hat in June, there is a chance we would in Oct, especially since we have little ones.
CLOTHING
bandana, beach towels, belt, bras, capris, dressy outfit, dressy shoes, flipflops, gloves, hairclips/headbands, hat, jacket, jeans, khaki's, matching tees, pj's, polo shirts, pool shoes,
rain poncho, sandals, scarf, shirts, shoes, shorts, slippers, socks, sunglasses, sweatpants,
sweatshirt, swimsuit, tennies, undies, visor, watch, watershoes

BABIES/KIDS
.01c & .25c for pressing, activity pages, autograph book, baby food, baby monitor, beach ball,
bibs, blanket, bottles nipples liners, bubbles, caps, car seat, changing pads, clip on fan, coloring book,
diaper bag, diapers, glowsticks, goggles, harness, hat, high chair, hiliters, ID tags, journals, life jacket,
markers/pens, mimi m&m's tube, notebook, pack-n-play, puzzle books, sippy cup, stickers, straws,
stroller, stroller net, stroller rain cover, swimmers, toys, travel games, valves, window shade, wipes

Anything else you have needed for your kids that isn't on my list????

TOILETRIES
alarm clock, antibacterial gel, baby lotion, baby powder, baby soap, blow dryer, comb, conditioner,
contact solution, contacts, cornstarch, dental floss, deoderant, extra toothbrushes, face wash/ cream, footspray, gel/mousse, glasses, hair brush, hair spray, kleenex, lip balm, make up, nail clipper,
nail file, nail polish remover, off, q-tips, razor, shampoo, shave cream, shower kit, soap, sunscreen,
tampons/pads, tissues, toothbrush, toothpaste, towels/washcloth, tweezer, wet wipes

I have the rest to follow. Stay tuned.

 

[hollybearsmom]

And here's the next part...
FIRST AID
ace bandage, aintibiotic ointment, aloe vera, anti-itch gel, band-aids,
benadryl, ben-gay, bodyglide, caladryl, chafing gel, claritin/sinutab, cough drops, dr phone #, earplugs, eyedrops, first aid kit, gauze, gloves, gold bond powder, hot/cold pak, hydrogen peroxide, immodium, inhaler, kids tylenol/ kids motrin, moleskin/scissors, neosporin, pepto, prescriptions, rubbing alcohol, snore strips, solarcaine, sting stick, thermometer, tums, tylenol/advil,
vitamins

PAPERWORK/STATIONARY
$$$, $1's for tips, AAA card, address book, annual passes, birth cert. copies,
boarding passes, business cards, checkbook, coupons, credit cards, cruise documents, document case, drivers license, driving directions, guidebooks,
health ins card, health statements, hotel conf #/copies, itenerary, kids id,
maps, mousekeeping envelopes, paper/envelopes, park tickets, passports,
pen/pencil/marker, plane tickets/copies, proof of auto ins, rental car conf, rental car copies, sharpies, stamps, travelers checks/copies

OTHER
air freshners, air purifier, backpack, batteries, board games, bungee cords,
camcorder/charger/tapes, carabiners, cd player/headphones, cellphone/ charger, citronella candles, digital camera/card/charger, disposable camera,
dvd player/movies, earplugs, fanny pack, flashlight, football, frisbee, Ipod/ear set/charger, laptop/cables, mirror, mister fans, neck lanyards, nightlite,
photo printer/paper, pillow/blankets, playing cards, radio/batteries, rain ponchos, safety pins, sewing kit, small fans, softsided cooler, trading pins,
tri-pod, umbrella, walkie talkies, waterproof camera, zip ties

 

[hollybearsmom]

And finally, the rest of the list.
KITCHEN/LAUNDRY
brita pitcher/filters, can opener, clorox anywhere, coffeefilters, coffeemugs,
coffeepot, corkscrew, crockpot, crockpot liners, cutting board, dish sponge,
dish towels, dishpan, dryer sheets, electric skillet, febreeze, flat tupperware,
foil, grill fork, hamper, knives, laundry bag, laundry soap, matches, measuring cups, napkins, pam spray, pans w/lid/sm & lg, paper bowls, paper cups,
paper plates, paper towels, plastic utensils, pot holders, pots w/lid/sm & lg,
quarters for laundry, rubber bands, scissors, spatula, stain remover, straws,
toaster, tongs, trash bags, twist ties, water bottles, ziplocs/sm & lg

GROCERY
A-1, applesauce, bagels, bisquick, bottled water, bread, can fruit, can veggies, cereal, chips, coffee, crackers, creamora, dish soap, fruit chews,
garlic powder, gravy packets, graham crackers, granola bars, gum, hershey bars, hot cocoa, instant soup, jelly, juice boxes, mac n cheese, marshmallows, microwave popcorn, milk, minute rice, mutri grain bars, onion powder, orange juice, oreos, peanut butter, pop tarts, powdered drinks,
pretzels, salt & pepper, seasonings/premeasured, soda, soy sauce, spaghetti noodles, spaghetti sauce, stove top, sugar, sweeteners, syrup, tea bags,
teriyake sauce, tuna, worcesteshire sauce

CAMPER/CAMPSITE
air compressor, air mattress, axe/hatchet, batteries, bicycles/helmets, binoculars, broom, bungee cords, camp stove/propane, charcoal, clothespins,
dining tent, duct tape, dustpan, extension cords, extra fuses, extra lite bulbs,
fire extinguisher, flashlight, folding chairs, grey out hose, griddle, grill brush,
kerosene/oil, lantern, lantern oil/wicks, leatherman tool, leveling blocks,
long handled lighter, lysol, mallet, mosquito coils, off, old towels, power strip,
propane tank hose, rake/shovel, rope/twine, sleeping bags, small rug, string of outside lights, tablecloth/clips, tarps, tent rain fly, tent/stakes, timer for lights, tire/jack/lug wrench, tool box, tp, trailor hitch locking pin, trash bags,
wd-40, wheel chocks, windex, work gloves

And that is the entire list. What's missing?????

 

[ktink]

Enjoying your pre trip! Can't wait to hear more.

 

[hollybearsmom]

On with the planning.
I am trying to figure out to keep everyone (mainly me)happy. So I thought I could try to send a little survey like others have mentioned. But then I have to figure out what to ask. So here's what I have so far...
It's a Small World 5x in a row is fine by me -or- We payed for it and we are going to see it all dang it
We have to stay together all day -or- we'll see you tonight, but don't wait up
Ride, ride, ride -or- shows, shows, shows
Parade every day every time -or- seen one, seen 'em all
character meal a must -or- ain't spending another dime on food in the park
Autograph book -or- pin trading
Same park all day -or- hopper
Up and at 'em early -or- get there when I get there, don't wake me
Eat a full breakfast and then go -or- just stuff a muffin and juice box in on the bus
Please the 2's -or- the 9's
Please rate the parks in order of favorites:
Please rate the characters in order of must see:
Please list the 5 rides you can't come home without doing:

I think that will give us enough to start with, especially since the hours are shorter in the fall and we have all been there before. Thoughts????

 

[ILMICKEY]

Wow!! Slow down girl!

After you get all the planning done what will you have left to do? Take your time and savor it!!

Having fun reading though!!

 

[hollybearsmom]

So much has happened since this all started, but now we are all back and ready to go again. We are right now deciding on tickets. It is a crazy situation. I plan to be there the whole time with my 2 kids, but dh will not have the full vacation time off. It stretches two weeks, crosses a pay period, and somehow throws off the whole schedule at his job. boohoo. I could figure it out but I won't. I will just book him a flight home on Spirit and say see ya later. His cousins wife plans on being there the whole time with her two daughters, unless he has to leave early because she will not drive the trailor home alone. What? Where will I go? Seems the Marines have ideas other than leaving him in the States again in the fall. So between the kids in school and the jobs and the pain of hauling a tt.....I'm not sure how long our vacation is going to be. I cannot operate this way. I am not a fly by the seat of my pants gal, no, I need it in writing or it won't happen. I refuse to buy day to day tickets if we happen to decide to go to a park today...I want plans baby. Lots of lists and cards and packing prep. What oh what am I going to do?

 

[hollybearsmom]

Oh my goodness. I am just about crazy over all the plan changes today.
The current consideration is that if the men leave early, the girls will not stay either, so either I move to a resort hotel for two days with the kids and drive home alone, or fly..so, says, he who watches the budget (dh)..what is the difference in a resort and the campground. We have spent three hours at least doing every single configuration of hotel/campground/ticket/shades of green/flying/driving/ddp/bring food/except AAA that we could conceive of.

Is there not a simpler way to do this!?!?!?!?!?!
I am not feeling the magic at the moment.

 

[hollybearsmom]

http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/showphoto.php/photo/28017/sort/3/cat/500/page/1


Trying to add another photo here....of another family that might go too
Back row: Monster, Prince, Me, and my Princess. "Uncle" Pooh.
Middle Row: Snow White, Top, Their baby Lilo, "Aunt" Mickeyfanatic, holding baby Minnie.
Front Row: Tigger.

"Uncle" Pooh, "Aunt" Mickeyfanatic, and baby Minnie are the other bestest friends of DH and dhcousin. These three men grew up together. Heaven help that town! Pooh works in WV, where his wife and baby stay home and wait for him each day! Mickeyfanatic loves all things Disney, was terribly upset that they didn't use Disney wedding invitations, but is planning for two small suitcases in the back seat -- leaving the whole trunk for her shopping! Baby Minnie is a special little gift, very tough, very early start to life, more challenges ahead, but growing like noone told her she couldn't.


IF we change to September. OCTOBER is probably cancelled, as dh work will not give vacation that week. cry, scream, spit, and pray for free dining so we can afford to go that soon!
But now we find out that dhcousin will be "out of state" training from end of july to last week of oct. Oh no! Either week we drop a husband, that's just not okay. So if we think about pushing it all the way to november...school work becomes a big deal for testing dates. Plus, dhcousin will have moved bases by then and coming from who knows where. AUGH! I am so frustrated! I know I want to go, now even, but this is just so hard. It is not too early to plan, esp if we go in sept...but are we or not? eeiiioooiiieiieiieioo

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Oh my! I hope everything works out for you guys! I can see why your frustrated! Lots of for your trip planning!

 

[stagemomx3]

I hope everything works out!

 

[hollybearsmom]

Thanks to both of you.

It is so frustrating. I want to have everything set so I can look at it everyday and just imagine each step and have my backup plans done too. I can't even start with what day I will be there and where I am going to sleep. It is important since food is a major issue between camping and the resort room. I am so glad I can read about other peoples good and not so good trips in the meantime!

The latest today? Hmmmmm. Revamp: DH put in again for the sept vaca and we are waiting for that answer from his job. Maybe Tues before we hear if it will even go past HR to the MGR for review.
DHCousins family can't decide if they want to come anyway and him just fly in for the weekend from his training, or if they want to wait for him and go without us in oct, or if we just all wait and go in nov.
Except, Pooh can't get off in Nov. Now I know we would go as a family without any of these people.......but dh is really social and I am not, so for him to do PI and some of the motion rides, I really need a standin for me. I don't do the 3-d or virtual so well. Actually not at all. Blech.

And the question of scrapping all these slow cooker recipes I've been collecting for the campground and trying to start plan for the ddp is fun, but scary too. Can I figure this out and keep everyone happy? of course not, but I have to try.

sigh

back to the boards for more ideas....

 

[hollybearsmom]

http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/showphoto.php/photo/28174/sort/1/cat/747/page/1

This photo has nothing to do with our trip....but I found this book and it cracked me up. I thought someone else might get a smile out of it too. The front says, "A Whitman BIG Tell-a-Tale Walt Disney's A Visit to Disneyland 1965 WDProductions".

If anyone knows if I can upload the pages I will, but I don't want to do a no-no, so please let me know ASAP.

 

[hollybearsmom]

Well, more news for the BIG FAR away trip...there is this thing. I won't get specific yet, but that will definately affect the numbers...and maybe need separate lodging too. As if I didn't have enough to worry about with this years trip. I can't make a single concrete plan yet! I am in need of some dusting!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[stagemomx3]

Some pixie dust for you.

 

[hollybearsmom]

Some pixie dust for you.

Thank you for being so kind.

 

[hollybearsmom]

So if you followed this you will see that the Halloween trip is officially gone.

But I have started thinking about where we will eat on the ddp, whenever we get there!
So, opinions welcome:
We arrive Sat pm, check in, hit the outlets, go to Wilderness Lodge and eat dinner at Roaring Fork (nostalgia for dh and I since we Disneymooned here)
Try to catch fireworks from the boat dock if at all possible.

Sunday, Magic Kingdom, it has to be first.
Late Breakfast at Crystal Palace and dinner at Pecos Bill.
Monday, HS. Lunch at Pizza Planet. Probably only here 1/2 day, back to MK after a nap. Dinner????
Tuesday, Animal Kingdom. Dinner at Yak & Yeti. Lunch????
Wednesday, Epcot. Akershus Breakfast early, and then snacks for lunch, and Mexico dinner possible oop.
Thursday, Magic Kingdom again. Cinderellas Royal Table for early lunch.
Dinner?????
Friday, Check Out, Breakfast Late at Chef Mickeys and head for home.

Most of our breakfast will be cereal in the room or snacks we picked up, like chocolate croissants and elephant ears.

Thoughts? Hints on order of days at parks? Hours may switch some around, for fireworks, parades, loemh, or extra hours either way. But it is a start.
So, how's it look?

The only thing missing is that I really want to go to the Poly Luau, but with 2 TS I'm not sure it's worth it. I like it, my dd8 would, but the little one probably not and dh could care less. He's seen it so it's not a big deal to him. I'm not sure what to do about this....

 

[hollybearsmom]

Excuse me a moment for screaming, but CHRISTMAS!!!!!!! What? Yeah, my question too. Can't get off the weekend after Labor Day, can't get off for Halloween, but Dec 25 through New Years?!?!?!?!? Crazy scheduling process, but he has to use his vacation and the "vacation gods" accepted that last week of the year! Is there anymore excited smilies I can add.

Oh my goodness, all my plans are changing for sure now! The family trip for 2010 summer still on, but half of them will probably come for Christmas, and then there's the other two families..one will not, one might. Tickets for the Christmas party, warmer clothing needed, ohmygoodness, I have to get busy starting to plan now!

YEAH