Starting 2007 Off Right - Final Day is Up!!! Pg 16!

[arizonacolbys]

Currently preparing for our 9th trip to Walt Disney World together~

Since I love living vicariously through everyone’s trip reports here on the DIS, I thought I would attempt one of my very own! We are VERY excited for this trip (pretty much like we are for EVERY Disney trip – ) but this one is special to us for several reasons. Unfortunately, I experienced a miscarriage just 3 days before Christmas, so it’s been a rough couple of weeks. Hubby & I are really looking forward to getting away from the real world for awhile & spending some quality time together. (What better place to do that than at WDW!!) We are hoping that this will be our last “adults only” trip, which also means that it may be our last trip for at least a year or two, or three...

A short introduction for anyone following along…it’s just me & hubby on this trip – celebrating our 9th trip to Walt Disney World together.

~Me! Emily, 28, works hard all year in anticipation of our annual Disney trip. Part of the fun for every trip for me is getting to do all the planning (when I spend a lot of time here on the DIS!!) I love to make up spreadsheets to determine where we’ll stay, for how long, where we’ll eat & what days we’ll go to which parks.

~Hubby, Craig, 29, also lives to go to WDW with me – has been going to Disney for years. Doesn’t usually participate in much of the planning, but looks forward to our trips just the same.

We have now been together for 10 ½ years – we started dating at the end of my senior year of high school (hubby even took me to my Senior Prom 3 weeks after we started dating.) We love spending time together & spending it at WDW is always a lot of fun for us – we’ve never had a bad time there. We are often teased by friends and family for returning to WDW so often – we’re told often about all the other places in the country we should go to instead…but, we’re happy returning to WDW, so that’s where we’re headed!

We have gone to WDW together 8 times since our first magical trip in January, 2000. We were married just 5 months later! We even returned to WDW to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary in May 2005. It was one of our most magical trips highlighted with an anniversary dinner at California Grill & a carriage ride at Fort Wilderness.

This trip is actually “somewhat” of a “budget” trip. We have our Annual Passes from our trip in September/October 2006, got some great AP rates on our rooms, are using the complimentary Magical Express Service from the airport, utilizing our DDE Card for discounts on meals (& tasty beverages around the “world”) and we are also using a free roundtrip airfare I earned over the summer!

Table of Contents:
Pre-Trip Info - Current page!!
Day 1, Part 1: Page 3
Day 1, Part 2: Page 4
Day 2: Page 5
Day 3: Page 8
Day 4, Part 1: Page 9
Day 4, Part 2: Page 10
Day 5: Page 11
Day 6: Part 1: Page 11, Part 2: Page 12
Day 7: Page 13
Day 8: Page 14
Day 9: Page 15
Day 10, Part 1: Page 15, Parts 2 & 3: Page 16
Day 11: Page 16
Day 12: Page 16
Recap: Page 16

 

[arizonacolbys]

More details of our Upcoming Magical Trip~

We will be staying at WDW for a total of 10 nights this time – arriving January 17, 2007 & departing January 27, 2007. It’s a couple nights shorter than our previous trip, but still a great amount of time in the World.

We generally tour the parks pretty commando style – we get a lot of rides done in a short amount of time & don’t see the shows & parades very often. We are up & at the parks for the Morning EMH’s almost every day that they are offered. After we’ve done everything we wanted to do for the morning, we tend to return to our Resort for some relaxing/swimming or napping in the early afternoon before we switch to a different park for the evening. Come to think of it, I don’t think we’ve ever opened & then closed the same park in the same day!! We are avid park hoppers!!

As you can see, we’ve stayed at POP Century a couple times now...

Actually, this will be our 5th stay there!! We really do love POP Century – it’s new & clean & we’ve had a lot of great times there (heck, we were even there during Hurricane Jeanne in 2004! ) We think the transportation is great there – especially since this resort doesn’t share a bus with anyone - the food court is usually pretty good & very convenient. We’ve stayed in the 50’s by the lake a few times & last trip we tried out the 70’s. We always request a 4th floor room for some added peace & quiet. We’re thinking of requesting a room in the 80’s this trip since that is when we both grew up.

POP’s biggest selling feature that has always pulled us back in though, is the great rate! We’ve gotten some great military discounts & AP rates & this trip is no exception!! We’ll be staying at POP for just 4 nights at a $59/night AP rate. We always say we’d rather spend several extra nights at WDW touring the parks than spend a lot of money on the room we’ll be crashing in at the end of the day. POP allows us to do just that!

We’ve never stayed at a moderate before, so that is something we’re looking forward to checking out this time!! We’re staying at Caribbean Beach for our final 6 nights!! We’re looking forward to trying another new resort (I love to go back to our old favorites – like POP – but, also love to branch out & try new Resorts – we haven’t been unhappy with a Resort choice yet!) We’re looking forward to relaxing on the beaches of the Caribbean & swinging on the hammocks in the sand to end a long day in the parks...

 

[arizonacolbys]

Our current itinerary/ADR’s:

Weds, Jan 17th:
Flight out of Cleveland at 8:40 am, land in Orlando at 11:08 am –
Check-in at POP
Late lunch at Alfredo’s

Thurs, Jan 18th:
Morning EMH at MK, late Breakfast at Crystal Palace
Evening EMH at MGM

Fri, Jan 19th:
Breakfast at POP, head to AK (Expedition Everest!! )
Late lunch at Beaches & Cream, Evening EMH at Epcot

Sat, Jan 20th: Early Breakfast at ‘Ohana (with Stitch!! ), then to MK
Late Lunch/dinner at Cantina de San Angel, Epcot

Sun, Jan 21st: Check into Caribbean Beach today!!!
Breakfast at POP, head to MGM
Late Lunch/Dinner at Columbia Harbor House, Evening EMH at MK

Mon, Jan 22nd:
Morning EMH at AK, Breakfast at Tusker House (after Everest…)
Dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern before our evening at the Pirate & Princess Party at the MK!!

Tues, Jan 23rd: Sleep-in/swim at resort (after late night at Pirate Party)
Early Dinner at Hollywood & Vine before Evening EMH at MGM

Weds, Jan 24th: Head to AK, late Breakfast at Boma
Dinner at Spoodles, Evening EMH at Epcot

Thurs, Jan 25th:
EMH at MK, Main Street Bake Shop (love those cinnamon rolls! )
Late lunch/dinner at Flame Tree BBQ

Fri, Jan 26th: Breakfast at Caribbean Beach food court, head to MGM
Dinner at Cape May Café, head to Epcot

Sat, Jan 27th:
Spend our last morning at MK
Flight out at 3:15 pm…

 

[__disneygirl]

First of all let me say, great pics!!! You guys are a very cute couple, you look so happy together. I am so sorry that you suffered a miscarriage, and right before Christmas A WDW trip is exactly the kind of blessing you need right now! You are gonna have an amazing time!!

POP is one of my favorite places, and I have been dying to try out Caribbean Beach. You are heading to a lot of my favorite restaurants as well. Can't wait to read this trip report!

 

[dundeehunter]

I will also be at Pop from 1/16-1/22. I'm requesting a 4th floor as well, but I paid for a preferred location. You will love CBR...my family stayed there last year. We are having my sister join us this year for a "girls only" trip. So if you see 2 women in Pink Green Bay Packer hats and 2 cute little blonde girls, say hi!

 

[arizonacolbys]

Thanks for following along! Tammy - I'll keep an eye out for you - your girls only trip sounds like fun.

It's finally Friday!

Lots of last minute stuff to get done over the weekend before the big trip on Weds. Tomorrow, I'm going to get my hair highlighted for the trip & Sunday will hopefully be my laundry day. I'm hoping to get most of my clothes packed that day, too.

So, the weather forecast is crazy - every day that I've checked it this week it's been drastically different. Looks like I'll be packing half jeans & half shorts & some gaucho pants in there, too. As of this morning it's showing lows in the 30's for a few of our nights there. I really hope that the weather looks up before we head out, but considering it's supposed to be in the teens here the night before we leave, anything should feel nice!

I've called & paid up our resort balances, so now when we get there the only thing we'll need to worry about is food & souvenirs. We've got our DDE card this trip, so we're looking forward to utilizing that at our sit-downs & when we want to enjoy a beverage from the Rose & Crown (hubby's favorite spot around the World Showcase )

We're also excited (or, maybe a little nervous ) to try Disney's Magical Express this trip. We usually rent a car for arrival & departure days thru National & have always gotten great rates for p/u at MCO & return to the Dolphin ($58 total for both rentals in Sept/Oct) but, this time I couldn't get the total under $115!! So, being that this is a "budget" trip so soon after our last trip, we opted to try out the Free DME this time. If we hate it, we'll spend the money next time on the rental car.

My dear in-laws will be watching our furry children for us while we're away:
Our 5 year old Chocolate Lab, Colby Jack~

And, his favorite buddy, our 5 year old Yellow Lab, Arizona~

They really love going on their little "Vacations" to my in-laws house. They also have 2 labs (a bit younger than ours) so, the fun never stops over there. We're planning on getting to my in-laws Weds morning by about 6:30 am & leaving our Jeep there while we're away. My dear MIL will be driving us to the airport that morning as well.

Only 5 Days to go!!!

 

[MA pigletfan]

i am LOVING your pre-trip!! You two are adorable and definitely deserve a fantastic time in the world after what you just went through.
I am really looking forward to reading more...

 

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

Emily,
You read my TR and I am thoroughly enjoying yours. Thank you for sending me this way!

My heart goes out to you. I, too, spent a past Christmas with a broken heart. It's never easy. But somehow the loss just before Christmas seemed unjust. I hope you are okay, and I'm sure your quality time will be just that. Take note, there is something in the WDW water...my 3rd son is obsessed with the world, and we just always think of it has his "homecoming"

Can't wait to hear about the trip!

 

[Cinderella16]

Hi! I love your pre trip report so far! All the pics are so very cute! I am very sorry to hear about your miscarriage and I hope you have the most magical and wonderful time on your upcoming trip! I cannot wait to hear about it

 

[__disneygirl]

Awww... your dogs! They are so adorable. I love labs.

Can't wait to read about this trip!

 

[Blaynexox]

I cant believe I havent checked out your pre trippie yet! It is AWESOME! I cant wait to find out how your trip went and hear all the details!! Your pictures are so cute, your SO pretty and you guys are so cute together! Your dogs are also adorable! I cant wait to hear all about it HAVE FUN!

 

[Beemerof3]

This report is great so far, thanks! Hoping to start mine soon, leaving on the 27th...

We have one dog, for a few more hours anyway, going to get his brother tonight, just can't stand the cuteness of them. Mixed breed bishon and ****zu. I also have three children, no fur LOL

DH and spent our honeymoon at WDW. We went to WDW four years ago, with two kids the, and stayed at CBR, you will LOVE IT! Watching Illuminations from the hammocks on the beach is the best.

Now, we will stay at the Nick hotel, oldest two are itching to go there and our little one (who is 3) loves Dora...hope I don't regret stayiing off site.

Looking forward to more.

 

[tubachick]

 

[arizonacolbys]

Well, here I am - less than 24 hours from now I'll be on a jet plane to Sunny FL!!! Away from 20 degree temps & falling snow!

I'm so happy to have so many of you following along with us on our adventure to WDW. I've checked the weather forecast again this morning & must say that I think it looks pretty good!

Wed
Jan 17 Mostly Cloudy 69°/60°

Thu
Jan 18 Mostly Cloudy 78°/57°

Fri
Jan 19 Mostly Cloudy 74°/49°

Sat
Jan 20 Sunny 64°/48°

Sun
Jan 21 Mostly Sunny 74°/57°

Mon
Jan 22 Mostly Sunny 80°/59°

Tue
Jan 23 Partly Cloudy 79°/57°

Wed
Jan 24 Mostly Cloudy 75°/54°

Thu
Jan 25 Scattered Showers 72°/51°


Sooooo, tonight I need to go thru the suitcase one last time & make sure I have enough clothes - really, I probably need to narrow it down some, but after being down there in Jan 2005 & hitting an unexpected cold spell where it was only in the 30's during the day for a couple days & there we were without coats, hats & gloves, tends to make me overpack now.

I just printed out our boarding passes a few minutes ago & scored us seats in Row 9 instead of Row 18!! The closer we are to the front of the plane, the sooner we'll pull into POP on that Magical Express Bus.

Well, I'm off to write up another check list of things to remember to do tonight after work. Not sure if I'll be able to check back in or not, it's already shaping up to be a crazy day! Thanks again for following along & all the sweet comments - I'll "see" ya all when we get home in 11 days!!!

 

[Blaynexox]

HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!!

I know you will have so much fun! I cant wait to hear all about it!

 

[__disneygirl]

Yess!!! The weather seems like it will be nice enough. Have a wonderful trip!! Can't wait to read all about it!!!!!!

 

[OhMari]

I see you left today, the 17th, for a great Trip. Let me know when you get home, and I can switch your thread to the regular Trip Reports Board.

for your loss, life is sometimes not easy or fair.

OhMari
Trip Report Moderator

 

[lovemickeyshouse]

as i write this i know your so lucky to be there i wanted to let you know that i also am goin to pop/ car beach but only 2 nights and am a premium passholder i love what you did with the countdown and hope your having a ball this week i will be there in march for 8 nights and my little nephews first disney trip one is 5 and the other only 1

i been to disney 5 times recently
2005- all star sports 1 night stay eagles superbowl trip
2005- may port orleans riverside/all star sports
2006- feb french quarter/pop/all star sports
2006- free dining october pop
and now march 2007 doin the parks with my family parents sis her kids hubby and my aunt and my gf for the 5th trip together
let me know some more tips when you get back thanks

 

[natale1980]

You guys are in Disney right now!!! I'm jealous!
I hope your having a blast and that it is a VERY magical trip.

-nat

 

[huggiebear23]

I just noticed your pretrip report. I hope you are having a great time in Disney. I have 2 lab mixes Henry

and Jake

Can't wait to hear how your trip was.