So this is what mid-life crisis feels like? Dec 2011 PTR

[kwitcherkicken99]

Let me preface by saying I feel like a complete cow. Not the animal, but the British form of an insult, because I failed to mention, GREAT JOB ON STARTING WITH WEIGHT WATCHERS!

We can work together to work our butts off!

So I sheepishly look at him and ask if he really_really wants to know to which he replies "Yes, I'm interested - better catch me now."

Famous last words...

I start in with the plans.... and these are completely based off of tentative park hours, events from the 2010 calendar so of course they can and probably will change.

Famous last words...

**At this point of my conversation with DH, he's looking at me in shock that I've actually put this much thought into a trip that is 9 months, 3 seasons away....

Some people will NEVER get it. E and I are planning for December too, and DH, and my mother, and my colleagues, and others... all think I'm bonkers. I haven't even begun to tell them that we've already made up our minds for our ADRs...

Then he makes music to my ears by saying "We just need to plan on going to Disney so you have something to do!"

Does he intend to make these trips a regular thing???

I think DH was hiding his excitement to eat at Boma's. He had a pleasant smile on his face when I told him we needed to do this.

I loved Boma! It was one place that E and I had a lot of choices. She can't do gluten, I can't do black pepper. We had a lot to eat. Sometimes I'm glad that the zebra domes are little... they fit in the belly better after a big meal.

We were leaning towards Chef Mickey's but are rethinking that plan.

Please do... CM's has just been falling in quality. After our last "experience" I have no desire to return.

Day 7: We fly out at 3p - so we will just have the morning to do ??? We've never been to rope drop at MK so maybe....

If you take ME, remember they'll expect you to be ready for pick up at 11:45a.

Most changes that will occur will be because of park hours/touring days as well as what day we can actually attend MVMCP and Fantasmic.

You'll have the party dates for MVMCP before the park hours come out, but probably only by a few days. They usually release the dates for the Christmas party in May. Our hours will be out in June! I CAN'T WAIT!!!

 

[shocky5]

Ok, maybe great minds tend to think alike. I too want to gradually get Christmas gifts in order. But... as for kicking back Christmas Eve/Day... well, I am still so torn on that one. Do I keep our current reservation and stay over Christmas... or go home and relax. I guess I have a few months to decide.



Mine came on friday too! I need to add the items to my TR... You may beat me to that since I am not sure I am going to have time for it this weekend. I found some cool stuff though. Did you shop the presidents day clearance sale?



You are just amazingly busy. Did I miss that you were moving this year? Where to?



Have fun!!!



That would be dh and I...and I have to totally get him when he is "willing" to listen to Disney talk.







Hmm.. I like that "Christmas dangling over our heads to ease the sadness" Can I ask, do you do Christmas big? One reason for us not coming home for Christmas is how "big" I make it. I make hundreds of cookies, wrap dozens of presents, we cook a huge meal with aps to snack on throughout the day. It is a big event and... well, I am not certain I am up for it but wonder if maybe just not doing it so big would still be ok. See...being gone, we would not be expected to do all this for our neighbors and family. Home... I would feel obligated.



Your plans look awesome!

ahhhhhhhhhhhhh I had a big long reply and my computer did something weird so I'm starting over!

Yes to sale - have two more t-shirts on the way!

We are putting our house on the market mostly just to try to sell. We would like to build! We just finished a 9 month remodeling process and we love all that we did but we want to try to sell and our realtor thinks it is highly likely at the price we would like to ask which would take care of the down payment to build. We shall see. We aren't beginning the building process yet so if it sells quickly, we will be homeless! Actually, my parents have agreed to be back-up plan if that happens. They have a nice sized home that would accommodate us all for a bit if needed. I will say that there is a small chance we could relocate but still in this general area - would be a new teaching/coaching job for DH but he's not actively looking - this school approached him so we are considering. But in all likelihood, we will be right here, scratching out construction plans if this one sells.

As for Christmas - we do celebrate big. I just need to be 'prepared' before we leave town so as to not have so much when we get home. We do candy/cookies for friends, neighbors, co-workers so they will get an early delivery this year! We will have to fit in time to travel to DH's family and my family is close by (his are only 4.5 hours away) so that works out pretty well. Typically, we are at our own home on Christmas Eve and do the huge meal on Christmas Day later in the afternoon with my family. Works fairly well! Pretty chaotic but ya know... it's Christmas. Can't wait to get to Disney and just have some relaxation before the chaos!!! We haven't told anyone yet we are going, just some of our close friends, and we wonder if anyone will ask why we didn't invite them along?!? Would love to do a trip with my parents but not quite there yet for a full fledged family gathering! BIG FAMILY! Lots of people and lots of opinions!!

 

[shocky5]

Let me preface by saying I feel like a complete cow. Not the animal, but the British form of an insult, because I failed to mention, GREAT JOB ON STARTING WITH WEIGHT WATCHERS!

We can work together to work our butts off!

Famous last words...


Famous last words...


Some people will NEVER get it. E and I are planning for December too, and DH, and my mother, and my colleagues, and others... all think I'm bonkers. I haven't even begun to tell them that we've already made up our minds for our ADRs...




Does he intend to make these trips a regular thing???


I loved Boma! It was one place that E and I had a lot of choices. She can't do gluten, I can't do black pepper. We had a lot to eat. Sometimes I'm glad that the zebra domes are little... they fit in the belly better after a big meal.


Please do... CM's has just been falling in quality. After our last "experience" I have no desire to return.


If you take ME, remember they'll expect you to be ready for pick up at 11:45a.


You'll have the party dates for MVMCP before the park hours come out, but probably only by a few days. They usually release the dates for the Christmas party in May. Our hours will be out in June! I CAN'T WAIT!!!

I finished week 1 yesterday and lost 3 lbs! I was happy because I really tried to blow it one day! Absolutely can be support for each other - I need the accountability!

I've talked a little bit of Disney with close friends and always stop myself when I see the interest fade. They I know I love it but some of my friends haven't been to WDW so they don't 'get it' yet. I will say I have them convinced they need to go though!! I've offered up my services as tour guide.

I do believe DH is finally understanding that Disney needs to be a regular for me... I told him about the marathon weekend next year, and that I'd love to do a mom/DD trip as well as a mom/DS's trip... and I want to take my mom... and girls trips, etc. I'm sure he thinks I'm bonkers but he has been there and he does 'get it' and he is just asking that I spread my wings a little bit when we plan future family vacations - that we can go to Disney but there are other places we can go to as well. Not sure exactly where he's talking about!!

I do think we have officially scratched CM's. Will be nice to stay in MK and eat there on that day, anyway. We like good food!!

I don't know yet if we are doing ME. We are signed up but we get in at 9:45 p.m. the first night so we will be getting our own luggage and I'm trying to determine which would be quicker route to resort - ME anyway (with our bags) or car rental or pick-up... any thoughts or opinions?? Had planned on doing ME on the way back to the airport though - so we may just stick close to resort, be lazy that morning before heading home. Not even there yet and I'm sad thinking about that day. Sucks.

But on a brighter note! Ready for park hours, too!! C'mon June!

 

[shocky5]

Okay - so here is a pic of DS's birthday cake from January! I don't have DD's uploaded to computer yet - camera is in a box somewhere from carpet install...

And here is my favorite disney pic of Nolan on our first trip in '07. He was 6!!

And this one is just too funny not to share... DH and boys are in the bottom right corner of pic... you can't miss 'em!!

 

[shocky5]

Ahhhhh they grow up way tooooo fast!!! This was at Animal Kingdom outside Rainforest Cafe. DD was 9, DS 6 and DS 4! They are now 13, 10, and 8 respectively. Youngest DS will be 9 before we go (2 weeks before) which was DD's age our first trip.

They wouldn't even fit in one of these now!!!

Our arrival at the Poly - first trip to WDW! We fell in love immediately!

 

[annmarieda]

I love all the "old" pics. Kids do grow up too fast!!!

I am beginning to think that coming home for Christmas might be a good idea. I think about all that we do... and ultimately think I won't be able to give all of that up. Have you ever seen Christmas with the Kranks???? Yeah... I think it might go like that.

As for DME... remind, me... is 9pm the cut off for the bags to be picked up? We did that last year and it was a pain. You have to go to one side to get your bags and then back to the other to board DME. Not that I would get a car...but it was a pain.

 

[shocky5]

I love all the "old" pics. Kids do grow up too fast!!!

I am beginning to think that coming home for Christmas might be a good idea. I think about all that we do... and ultimately think I won't be able to give all of that up. Have you ever seen Christmas with the Kranks???? Yeah... I think it might go like that.

As for DME... remind, me... is 9pm the cut off for the bags to be picked up? We did that last year and it was a pain. You have to go to one side to get your bags and then back to the other to board DME. Not that I would get a car...but it was a pain.

Well - I'm sure whatever you decide on for Christmas, will be great! I love Disney World - hope to retire there some day! Sadly, not kidding. Anyway - I still had an easy decision of cutting the trip off on the 23rd, traveling home, but having everything done 'before' we leave so we can kick back, rest up from trip and enjoy the holidays. It's going to be easier for me to want to leave Disney to come home this way, I think, too!

DME cut off for bags is 10 p.m. We are scheduled to arrive at 9:45 p.m. We've never flown in at night before - has always been by mid-day so DME and baggage delivery has worked great for us. Seems the horror stories I've read about baggage delivery have been the late night arrivals - knocks on the door in the middle of the night, etc. We won't have any plans that evening because of our arrival time so I've more or less decided we will get our own baggage. Wondering if it would make sense to have someone drive us to our resort - taxi? or pick-up service? We have not ever driven 'the World' either....

 

[annmarieda]

Wondering if it would make sense to have someone drive us to our resort - taxi? or pick-up service? We have not ever driven 'the World' either....

The only time we have drove is when we stayed off site. It wasn't bad... but I definitely love DME more. If you don't plan to use a car for anything else, I would say maybe a taxi would be good. Oh... actually, if it were me... cause I am cheap and lazy.... I would probably still go with DME and get my own bags.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I think driving is subjective. We've ALWAYS driven... except last September. We took the bus. Never again...

I don't think it's that hard to navigate down there AND with your own car, you don't have to wait for a bus.

ME was great, but I think if we got in that late, we'd pick up our bags and get on the bus.

 

[shocky5]

Okay - so I think we will grab our bags and grab a bus. Do you think it will take too long to get from airport to Poly that time of evening? In the past, it never seemed to take too long but was mid-day when we would arrive. I know we'd stopped at WL in '09, which I don't mind at all, but wonder if they sit and wait to try to fill up the buses or are 'okay' with driving a few people?

Not too much going on here lately... house went on the market yesterday and we've had two separate 'lookers' today. I'm trying to be calm about this but I think we've found 'the perfect home' should ours sell and that one doesn't sell before we can get a contract. Just don't want to set myself up for disappointment. Good thing is not too many people are looking to move to tiny town OK so the market is not hopping in the area that the house I would love is in. I do think we will sell ours... it's just a matter of 'when.'

I have one more week of the current class I am in! So ready. It's taking a lot of self-motivation to make myself finish strong but almost there. And then ready for the 3 week break!

When I finish next round of classes, it will be a mere 2 days away from my ADR date! So in 13 weeks and 2 days, I will know the fate of that part of the planning!!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

 

[annmarieda]

When I finish next round of classes, it will be a mere 2 days away from my ADR date! So in 13 weeks and 2 days, I will know the fate of that part of the planning!!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

 

[shocky5]

Yikes, Friends! Dropping in to offer a brief update! I'm in my final week of class and working on my final project. But in 2 days, it's DONE! And then I get a break.

As you may remember, we also put our house on the market a week ago and have had a fair amount of interest. One in particular from Monday that we are waiting to hear back from! So fingers crossed, prayers, good luck dancing... will take any of that!

On a side note... I had ordered some fleece pullovers for the kids for our Christmas trip - found them on Disney with a big markdown!! Anyway - they arrived yesterday, in a Disney bag, DD found them on the front porch... she has no idea what was in the bag and while I think they 'think' we might be going to Disney this summer -that's totally fine with me! Because we aren't going this summer and I know they will never suspect going in December! I just hope I have my secret purchases strategically hidden though!

275 days til our trip! That's a nice number (out of the 300's, anyway!) And I was pleasantly surprised to login today to see my ticker in the '8 month' category!! And.............. it's nice to be in double digits for ADR times and park hours! Ahhhh the little things we can enjoy about planning a Disney vacation!

 

[teachermommy78]

Caught up! The pictures are GREAT!!!

 

[shocky5]

Caught up! The pictures are GREAT!!!

Thank you!

 

[veggiemama]

We are going to DW in December too! This will be our second time. The last time was in April of 2008. I tried to do a trip planner then, but it never really took off. I never did figure out how to do pictures and all that fun stuff. I love following others though. Who knows, maybe you will inspire me to take another stab at a trip plan....

veggie mama

 

[shocky5]

We are going to DW in December too! This will be our second time. The last time was in April of 2008. I tried to do a trip planner then, but it never really took off. I never did figure out how to do pictures and all that fun stuff. I love following others though. Who knows, maybe you will inspire me to take another stab at a trip plan....

veggie mama

This is my first PTR - have thought about it many times but decided since this is the furthest out we have planned a trip to WDW, it would give me something to do to pass the time. There are days it works and days it just makes it seem like it's dragging along.

I will tell you that I've learned all I know about writing a PTR from this board!! And that includes picture upload. I'm still not very good as you can see my pictures are HUGE! But it's fun. I like when I'm busy and can't get on here for a few days and then when I do, my ticker counter is 'lower.' When are you going and where are you staying? I love to hear/read everyone's plans!

 

[annmarieda]

Yikes, Friends! Dropping in to offer a brief update! I'm in my final week of class and working on my final project. But in 2 days, it's DONE! And then I get a break.

for the break. I bet you need one!

As you may remember, we also put our house on the market a week ago and have had a fair amount of interest. One in particular from Monday that we are waiting to hear back from! So fingers crossed, prayers, good luck dancing... will take any of that!

Fingers crossed...prayers said...etc!!

On a side note... I had ordered some fleece pullovers for the kids for our Christmas trip - found them on Disney with a big markdown!! Anyway - they arrived yesterday, in a Disney bag, DD found them on the front porch... she has no idea what was in the bag and while I think they 'think' we might be going to Disney this summer -that's totally fine with me! Because we aren't going this summer and I know they will never suspect going in December! I just hope I have my secret purchases strategically hidden though!

I still cant believe how strong you are. I would never be able to keep the secret. Very cool on getting the new pullovers!

275 days til our trip! That's a nice number (out of the 300's, anyway!) And I was pleasantly surprised to login today to see my ticker in the '8 month' category!! And.............. it's nice to be in double digits for ADR times and park hours! Ahhhh the little things we can enjoy about planning a Disney vacation!

I know... I saw mine in the 8 + range now... and it makes me do a little dance. Granted... 8 months is a long time. December will be here before we know it!!!!

 

[taymacsmom]

Hi!! Jumping on board! Adorable kids! I would love to surprise mine but the two oldest are teenagers and I think that they would kill me!! You have all winter babies and I have all summer. Oldest DD on July 7, middle DD on June 2 and DS on June 23. At least they are all as far away from Christmas as you can get!

I am always happy to hear from people as "obsessed" as me. We are going Aug 17 - 26th of this year and I made our reservations last August. Congrats on the airfare. We are flying SW and I got RT direct flights for $179.00/person. Wow, was I happy!!! Imagine my surprise when I logged onto Southwest and found that those same flights are now 3 times that amount!

Looking forward to hearing all of your plans!

Kelly

 

[shocky5]

Hi!! Jumping on board! Adorable kids! I would love to surprise mine but the two oldest are teenagers and I think that they would kill me!! You have all winter babies and I have all summer. Oldest DD on July 7, middle DD on June 2 and DS on June 23. At least they are all as far away from Christmas as you can get!

I am always happy to hear from people as "obsessed" as me. We are going Aug 17 - 26th of this year and I made our reservations last August. Congrats on the airfare. We are flying SW and I got RT direct flights for $179.00/person. Wow, was I happy!!! Imagine my surprise when I logged onto Southwest and found that those same flights are now 3 times that amount!

Looking forward to hearing all of your plans!

Kelly

Welcome!!

Awesome on the airfare! I have friends who would like to go in September and they are a family of 6 and are really having a difficult time finding a good price! I've checked our flights as well and they are significantly increased as well. Really glad I got ours when I did.

I am unashamedly Disney obsessed. And the disboards keep me sane! Mostly from thinking that I'm silly for being obsessed!

We will see how the secret goes! I had to take our youngest to the doctor and when they measured his heighth I blurted out "YEAH! You are big enough for all of the rides at Disney World now!" The comment went RIGHT OVER his head, thankfully!

 

[shocky5]

Celebration #1
Just finished my final project for school and am officially beginning my 3 week break!

Celebration #2
We have a contract on our house!!!!

I am in total shock about the contract. It's been on the market 1 week and we got a really good offer today and accepted!

While I am very excited, we have no idea what we are going to do!! And we close April 27th! So, DH and I will be having some serious discussions about our plans beyond selling our home! Please continue those prayers!