SOOZE 10 year Anniversary Getaway.. All DONE!

[Blueyed Girl]

Subscribing! Can't wait to read more. DH and I can't do this due to our lack of responsible people to watch DS. I will be living vicariously through your report.

 

[Sooze]

I will be reading your PT very closely as DH and I are about to take our first adults only trip in 12 years. Looking forward to some great tips!

I gotta tell you... I LOVE going with my kids... but it is a TRUE vacation when it's just the two of you! You're gonna love it! I sure hope I can help you out.

LOVE the Disney holiday decor. Maybe I will post a pic of our Disney menorah and our all Disney "holiday" tree.

Oooo.. please do! I'd love to see that! And welcome to my TR! I LOVE your screen name!

Subscribing! Can't wait to read more. DH and I can't do this due to our lack of responsible people to watch DS. I will be living vicariously through your report.

I never really thought about that.. we truly are blessed with friends and family close by that care for my children as if they were their own! Maybe someday when the little one is older.. you can slip away too! In the meantime.. enjoy my trip!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

Going to the ROse bowl in 09 huh, do they let you guys go into the game, or just perform the parade?

 

[Sooze]

Going to the ROse bowl in 09 huh, do they let you guys go into the game, or just perform the parade?

Nah... unfortunately, we didn't actually get to go INTO the Rose Bowl... but we spent a lot of time outside of it getting pictures taken!! The parade is awesome! We also got to see them working on the floats. I have some great up-close pictures of the floats... AMAZING!!

 

[DisneyJo]

You and your DH sound great and I can't wait to hear all about your plans

 

[IluvXU]

I am very curious to how this trip went from a cruise to POR? Looking forward to hearing!

 

[Sooze]

You and your DH sound great and I can't wait to hear all about your plans

HI! Great to have you along for the ride! Plans will be up sometime this week.. got a busy couple of days to get through, then hopefully I'll find some time to sit down with my DIS again!

I am very curious to how this trip went from a cruise to POR? Looking forward to hearing!

Yeah.. it's been a frustrating couple of months.. but we are still going to Disney.. just not in the original way!

 

[Sooze]

So let's go back several, several months ago... when DH and I were looking at our DVC points for the year. We had banked enough to finally go on our first cruise.. it was perfect, since we were celebrating ten LONG years!! So we booked one for January 3. Just a short 3-nighter, in the cheapest, non-ocean-view room you can get... but we were so excited!

Fast Forward a few months later. DH has a few great friends that teach Drum Corps with him, and they are also DVC members. One of them is getting a GRAND VILLA at SSR and invites us to stay with them and another couple on New Year's Eve. SWEET!!! A GRAND VILLA with two couples that love Drum Corps and Disney!?!?

So our plans were set! Fly into WDW on Dec. 31... spend NYE with great friends, stay with them until they leave on Jan. 2. We found a room at BCV for one night... then on to the ship on Jan. 3. Come home on the 6th.. then head to school the next day. We were good to go..

Then it all started to crumble...

First, one of the couples backed out of the NYE fun. That was okay.. there would still be the other couple.. you know, the ones forking over the big points to stay in a Grand Villa on NYE?!?! (They have A LOT of points, I tell ya!)

Nope... next.. THEY back out! Turns out their son (Who marches at Carolina Crown, where DH teaches) has a Drum corps camp shortly before the New Year, and they don't want to only spend a few days there.. they want the whole sha-bang!!

So now, DH and I are out of our accomodations for the New Year.. but we still want to go a few days before the cruise. And neither one of us had ever been at WDW on NYE. So we called to add on to our one night at BCV... SORRY.. NOTHING AVAILABLE. We got put on a wait list.

That's okay.. we both have friends that live in Orlando, we can just stay with them if our wait list doesn't pull through.

Fast Forward another few weeks... Dh and I come to the realization that we are in NO financial situation to be buying plane tickets... eating out for several nights... and paying for transportation to our ship. After MUCH discussion and some SLAP IN THE FACE reality checks... we cancel our trip... including the cruise. But there was a light at the end of the phone call:

Drum Corps International holds a convention every year, which DH attends as a representative for Carolina Crown. Guess where the convention is this year? YUP, Orlando! The Drum Corps pays for DH's plane ticket to go down there. So now we'd only have to pay for mine. Since we cancelled our January trip, we had some points left in reserve to use... so let's go!

So, I call Disney again.. and find out that the points I used for the cruise cannot be used at a DVC resort... some kind of confusing exchange system.. but I don't want to bore you with that. So we can use them at a regular Disney Resort. Unfortunately, we don't have enough points to stay Deluxe, and you can't use them at Value... so moderate it is. We decided to try CSR since we had never been... guess what? Nothing available!!! Call back later and book POR. We are set...

Except we then get the schedule for the DCI convention... and it is a bit more involved than DH remembered. So we have to call back AGAIN to change a few nights. Hopefully they will be available.. or I might have to hurt someone.

SO... here is our final.. hopefully... plan!

LEAVE INDY Friday morning 1/25
ARRIVE ORLANDO Friday afternoon around 2
RENT A CAR and get ourselves on property!!

I get two days ALONE while Matt attends his DCI convention. I'm completely excited about this.. I just LOVE to be alone!!!

Spend two days in Disney WITH DH

LEAVE ORLANDO Tuesday night 1/29
ARRIVE INDY late Tuesday night

Get our butts up for work on Wednesday!


I will get a bit more detailed after I call Disney on Monday and make a few date/ dining changes (Yes.. I had ALREADY done our ADR's when we decided to change up the dates.... ugh!!)

Seriously.. I have never, ever changed up a trip after making the initial reservation. I just do it.. and a few months later, we go!

This trip has been CRAZY!! I can't believe how many times it has changed. But now that it's less than two months away.. it needs to get finalized!

Okay.. If anyone REALLY sat here and ready that.. you REALLY need to find something else to do with yourself... REALLY!!

Next update should have a rough outline of our schedule!

 

[Blueyed Girl]

WOW!!! You HAVE gone through a lot of changes for this trip. At least they are finally set. Can't wait to read more.

 

[DisneyJo]

That was exhausting just reading that Glad it got sorted though

 

[Sooze]

WOW!!! You HAVE gone through a lot of changes for this trip. At least they are finally set. Can't wait to read more.

Yes.. I will feel much better after talking with Disney tomorrow.. I just have a bad feeling we are going to not have availability or something like that.. keep your fingers crossed!

That was exhausting just reading that Glad it got sorted though

Did you really read it all? That's crazy! But thanks!

 

[Sooze]

Okay... after reading Lesley's pre trippie and hearing that she already has her ADR's for JUNE I thought I better get my butt on the phone and get my changes made before it's too late!

After a 20 minute wait... I spoke with a fabulous CM who helped me make all of my changes. I'm READY TO GO!!!

Here's a very basic outline. I do not like to plan specifically what I'm doing at each park. DH and I are very quick to change our minds based on the situations, crowds, rain, feet pain, stomachs, crowds.. whatever! Don't like being tied to specifics.. but here you go:

FRIDAY 1/25:

Flight (direct) from Indy to Orlando. Arrive around 2 pm. Rent a car (still need to do this.. ugh!) and drive to POR.
DH will drop me off and head into Orlando for his Drum Corps convention.
Tonight is DTD night for me. I will be flying solo and am VERY excited about it! Planning on browsing the stores, visiting Goofy's place for the 1st time, and possibly seeing a movie. Any other ideas?

SATURDAY 1/26

I am on my own for the WHOLE day today. DH will be busy at his convention.. poor little fella..
There are AM EMH at the Studios. I will start out here and get my fill of RNRC and TOT. I'd like to check out the animation exhibit. Can anyone tell me more about this?!?! I've read about it in other TR's.. a place where you go to learn how to draw characters?!?! That is right up my alley.. and I'd love to know where it is and what it's like. I will also take the time to watch the street performers. No one ever lets me do this!

Next stop will be AK. I want to ride EE several times (Missed it on the last trip due to toddler duty!) and watch the NEMO and Lion King musicals. I'd also like to catch the bug show under the tree.. it's been several years since I've seen it, and I was consoling DS at the time.

After that.. up in the air? Back to POR for some pool/magazine/cold drink time? Over to other resorts to check them out?

See my next post.. I would love some suggestions about what YOU would do if you were alone and could do whatever you wanted?!

Sunday 1/27
I'm still husbandless on this day. MK might be today. I've always talked about exploring Frontierland and Adventureland, because we NEVER go here! I WILL try my first Dole Whip on this day! I WILL!!

I'll probably end up at the resort for the afternoon so I can relax and get primped up for my reunion with DH and our California Grill/ 10year anniversary dinner! I'd love to visit a fancy salon (ala Michelle), but not in the budget at this time! We have 5:30 reservations. We will dine with class (and hopefully I'll get around to ordering a special cake for us, too!) and then head over to MK for PM EMH. We will go ride what we want while everyone else is watching Wishes. *(Sorry.. we are die-hard Illuminations fans!!)

Monday 1/28
We will sleep in slightly. Breakfast ADRs at KONA at 9:30 am. Can't wait to try the Tonga Toast!! After KONA, we will head over to EPCOT. Notice I saved EPCOT until I can be with DH. This is our place!! I wouldn't feel right being there without him. We are going to take a REAL walk around WS. Stopping by the shops, taking in the scenery, listening to Voices of Liberty AT LEAST three times... ahhhh... I just can't wait!

That afternoon, we will venture over to the Studios. We have a dinner ADR at PTC. We plan on being extremely mischevious while we're there! Our server will be busy reprimanding us!! There are PM AMH at the Studios that night. We will close it out riding RNRC and TOT.

Tuesday 1/29
Leaving day...
AM EMH at Epcot will be our start. Ready to ride Soarin', missed out on that one on the last trip. I will stay FAR, FAR away from that God forsaken NEMO ride!!! Test Track and Mission Space:Orange Side will be top priority. We have early lunch ADRs at Coral Reef. When I called to make ADRs, I asked about the personalized menu.. he said that wasn't available there huh? I thought I've heard of many people on the DIS talking about their menus from Coral Reef... anyone have any idea what he was talking about? Anyone have a phone number for Coral Reef, or a place where I can find one? I really want to make this "last meal" of our anniversary trip a special one... help if you can!

We won't have to catch ME this trip, since we are renting a car.. so we won't have to leave 5 hours before our flight so we will suck up as much Disney as we can before we have to leave...

We have a connection in Atlanta on the way home, and will be back in Indy around 10pm. We'll have to gather the kids from wherever they are, and set the alarm for a very depressing day back at school! At least it will already be Wednesday and the weekend won't be too far away!


SO THERE IT IS!! Any ideas? Suggestions? Questions? Thanks for reading! It helps so much to share it and think about it ahead of time, doesn't it!!!

Til later....

 

[Sooze]

If you have a moment, please think about being at WDW by yourself for a day or two... you have the freedom to do anything you want. Where would you go? What would you see? What would you do? I have some ideas, but they are based on my own experiences.. I'd love to see what YOU all would do... I might get some great ideas!!



ALSO...

I am really interested in the animation exhibit at the Studios.. the one where you actually get to draw. I've only heard about it, and don't know anything else. If you know about it, or have participated in it, please fill me in! I don't even know where to find it.

THANKS EVERYONE!

 

[Sooze]

We had some good snow today.. I thought I'd share a funny moment!

Here is Shae all bundled up and ready to play in the the " 'noooo!" (as she calls it)

And here she is after we made a cute "baby" snowman. She was ticked off because when I asked her to stand by the baby snowman, she kept trying to SIT on it!!! So after firmly telling her to STAND.. she freaked out! I just love the terrible twos! Seriously.. I was laughing when this was happening.. you just gotta laugh sometimes!

 

[IluvXU]

I did a search when I wanted to call the Coral Reef on this sight. They had mentioned that the menu diver free fun might not happen in 08--- so I wonder if you ran into that with your call. Lots of alone exploring time, I am sure that this trip will be more relaxing than with Shae. Looking forward to the rest of the planning. Have you considered doing a tour during your free time- I think that would be fun to do someday.

 

[Blueyed Girl]

The number I have for the Coral Reef is (407)560-6784. Let us know what you find out about the sign if anything.

What would I do in the world by myself...hmmmm, well I am really big into the movies so I would probably spend most of my time thoroughly combing through everything at MGM. I would look at all the art, walk through all the exhibits, etc that DH would normally find boring and rush me through, or that I can't go into with a toddler. I would just soak it all up and enjoy it.

Cute pictures by the way!! Too funny about her wanting to sit on the snowman.

 

[DisneyJo]

We did the animation drawing thing and it was great fun, so much infact my DD's made us go straight from the exit into the next show You can actually get to it without going through the lines and the preshow bit by going through the shop

You sit at a drawing desk on a little stool and the animator sits up front, he normally allows one of the guests to choose who you draw (we drew Mickey and Daisy) he then shows you (via a big screen) step by step how to draw the character which you follow, it's pretty good fun especially when your 10 y/o draws a better MM than you do Have fun and take photos of your creations

Love the snow photos

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

she made a lovely snowman with you.

 

[Sooze]

I did a search when I wanted to call the Coral Reef on this sight. They had mentioned that the menu diver free fun might not happen in 08--- so I wonder if you ran into that with your call. Lots of alone exploring time, I am sure that this trip will be more relaxing than with Shae. Looking forward to the rest of the planning. Have you considered doing a tour during your free time- I think that would be fun to do someday.

I'll let you know what I find out. I chose this restaurant simply for the diver/menu experience, since I've heard the cuisine isn't the greatest. If it doesn't work out, we might be dining elsewhere!

The number I have for the Coral Reef is (407)560-6784. Let us know what you find out about the sign if anything.

What would I do in the world by myself...hmmmm, well I am really big into the movies so I would probably spend most of my time thoroughly combing through everything at MGM. I would look at all the art, walk through all the exhibits, etc that DH would normally find boring and rush me through, or that I can't go into with a toddler. I would just soak it all up and enjoy it.

Cute pictures by the way!! Too funny about her wanting to sit on the snowman.

Thanks for the number. You saved me some investigating time!
I do plan on spending quite a bit of time at all of the Studios exhibits. I'm sure there's tons of stuff their that I've missed.

We did the animation drawing thing and it was great fun, so much infact my DD's made us go straight from the exit into the next show You can actually get to it without going through the lines and the preshow bit by going through the shop

You sit at a drawing desk on a little stool and the animator sits up front, he normally allows one of the guests to choose who you draw (we drew Mickey and Daisy) he then shows you (via a big screen) step by step how to draw the character which you follow, it's pretty good fun especially when your 10 y/o draws a better MM than you do Have fun and take photos of your creations

Love the snow photos

That sounds SO cool! And something I would LOVE to do. I will make sure to take pics of my creation!

Can you tell me where the animation drawing thing is?

she made a lovely snowman with you.

Thanks! We used blue sidewalk chalk for the eyes. We chose blue because the last time it snowed and we made a snowman, we chose pink chalk.. and our snowman looked EVIL!!!

 

[Sooze]

BTW.. I love my ticker today... 1 month, 1 week, 1 day.. kinda cool.



Oh.. and I quick rental car update!
I went to Expedia.com today and found an economy car for 10 bucks a day. We'll have a car the whole time for under $70. I thought that was pretty exciting!