Sweet mother of monkey milk we are heading back to WDW!! A Nov/Dec PTR

[MamaJessie]

Hi everyone Like a lot of us DISers I am in obsessive, over planning over drive and instead of making everyone in my house crazy (well to be honest in addition to, not instead of) I figured it is time to start my first PTR

Thanks for reading!

Links
A little about the crew....
The when and the where....
February Countdown Party - Peter Pan
Legoland?
Long car rides = obsessive Disney planning with my husband
One more decision made - Photopass / +?
First planning wall
ADR goals
New and Improved ADRs
Countdown Nights?
And then FD was released...

 

[MamaJessie]

This is all of us at TH last trip, Sept/Oct 2011.

DH aka Rich

He wasn't always into the Disney vacations, but now likes talking Disney with me (within reason) and is really looking forward to our trip.

Sapphire - our oldest DD. She is a big fan of Disney and is now finally into planning with me. I LOVE being able to talk Disney with her and pick her brain.

She cannot stand this picture, I think it is cute.

Bastian - This trip should be a lot more fun for him than our last one. On our last trip he broke his arm only HOURS before we drove down Poor kid did not get to do a lot of fun stuff since it was sore and swollen and he didn't like it getting jostled. I am really hoping this trip is so amazing it will make up for it for him.

I know I already used this pic in my TR but I just love it.

Esme - Our princess is ready. She seriously packs her bags and pretends she is driving to Disney at least weekly. She has a growth chart in her room and is psyched she will be able to ride some more exciting rides this time.

Clara - Walks around with her autograph book and talks about meeting princesses. I am surprised how much she remembers seeing as though she was only 2 when we went. I am so excited for her, knowing how much fun she is going to have

Oh yeah and me (I seriously almost forgot)
Jessica - Disney geek. Nuff said

Well, that's us! Tonight I will have to come back on and share the where and the when.

 

[Riles_and_Gabe]

Joining in...looking forward to hearing your plans.

 

[MamaJessie]

Figuring out the when was easy. I really want to see the Christmas decorations!! I went to WDW for Christmas - New Years when I was young and had such a great time. DH is not a fan of crowds so THAT isn't happening anytime soon. I decided the week after Thanksgiving would be best so we could start the drive down on Friday. The kids already have it off and it just seems like the BEST way to start the Christmas season.

The where though. That is where I have gone back and forth and back and forth. Since we are a family of 6 we don't have as many options, but still plenty for me to go back and forth on

I am going to call it at this point and say we are getting two connecting rooms at AsMo. I considered Pop since it is a quick jaunt over to check out AoA and it has such a loyal following. I considered AoA but the prices are a little out of my range right now, especially since if a discount is announced it will be less substantial than a mod. So I checked out a cabin at Ft. Wilderness. I keep going back to this one because DH wants a hot tub, the singalongs at night, the decorations at campsites.... But then I get stuck on the SIZE of Ft. Wilderness and that tired feeling at the end of a long day touring the parks and how we will not be in the mood for internal buses, especially with the youngest. That and the second bathroom, I do like the idea of a second bathroom.

So I am considering not going preferred at AsMo and just going Mighty Ducks or Herbie. Kids want Herbie but I like how close Mighty Ducks is to the AsMu bus stop. All I know for sure is we will have to incorporate those two movies into our countdown nights.

Any opinions on the where?!

 

[MamaJessie]

Joining in...looking forward to hearing your plans.

Thanks for stopping by

 

[::danielle::]

Hi Jessica! I'm coming over from the Facebook group. You have a beautiful family.

Our December trip will be the first time that we drive to Disney. How long is the drive from Connecticut?

I can't wait to hear more about your trip!

 

[Marshay]

Joining in from FB too. We will be there the same time. Can't wait to hear more. My PTR won't be for a while.

My vote is AoA! I know, I know...but second choice is two values, so you have the second bathroom...also more beds and more space and can close the door if you need some peace!

You have a beautiful family! What are the yes of your kids! Mine will be 8 and 4 when we travel...both girls.

 

[MamaJessie]

Hi Jessica! I'm coming over from the Facebook group. You have a beautiful family.

Our December trip will be the first time that we drive to Disney. How long is the drive from Connecticut?

I can't wait to hear more about your trip!

Joining in from FB too. We will be there the same time. Can't wait to hear more. My PTR won't be for a while.

My vote is AoA! I know, I know...but second choice is two values, so you have the second bathroom...also more beds and more space and can close the door if you need some peace!

You have a beautiful family! What are the yes of your kids! Mine will be 8 and 4 when we travel...both girls.

Welcome and thanks to you both

danielle -The drive is technically about 19 hours, but all told it took us over 22 hours last time. I actually like the car ride! It gives DH a lot of uninterrupted time to talk about the little things we forget to share on a daily basis, get nostalgic and plan for the future. And the whole ride home is spent planning the next trip

Marshay - believe me AoA has spent some time on the list!! My husband's two favorite movies are Lion King and Finding Nemo so it is a pretty great fit for all of us. Who knows, maybe if I make some extra $$ it can go back on the list lol

The kids are 14,10 (will be 11) 5 and 3 but both the younger girls have birthdays this week so they will be 6 and 4 for our trip. They are getting some great stuff for vacation, I will have to post pics next Monday.

Thanks for joining in!

 

[::danielle::]

I forgot to share my opinion about lodging!

I'm a practical person so I vote for the two value rooms because of the second bathroom. My second vote is for the Ft. Wilderness cabins. I think the Fort would be a fun place to stay plus you'll have a kitchen to store food, snacks, water, etc.

I can't wait to see what you decide!

 

[taaren]

Following along! You picked a great week ... right after Thanksgiving is when we went last year and it was perfect! Wish we could go at that time again this year but we have to go before our APs expire.

Have you considered renting DVC points to get a 2 bedroom? I'm not sure what value rooms cost, but a 2 bedroom at Old Key West could cost as little as $348/night (29 pts, $12/pt) and then you get 2 baths + a full kitchen so can eat more meals in (we usually do breakfast in plus every other dinner (easy stuff like frozen pizza/lasagne + salad), then lunch counter service in the parks) ... and those rooms are super spacious, and there's no taxes or resort fees on top of your rental fee.

 

[disneyfantotheend]

Following from the November FB group. I love all your kids names! Really hope your DS can escape injury this time and make more magical memories. I am sure he had a few from his last trip, even with a broken arm. Can't wait to read more.

 

[ethansmommy]

Hello!! Coming over from the Nov Facebook group. I havent stayed at any of those resorts but I think I would choose the Fort Wilderness Cabins. I think it would be so relaxing going back to the woods and serenity at the cabins at the end of a busy day at the parks. Also it would give you more options for meals with the small kitchen.

 

[MommyRobot]

Following! I have no advice as I'm planning our first trip, but I can't wait to see your plans! you've got a beautiful family. <3

 

[MamaJessie]

Have you considered renting DVC points to get a 2 bedroom?

Following from the November FB group. I love all your kids names! Really hope your DS can escape injury this time and make more magical memories. I am sure he had a few from his last trip, even with a broken arm. Can't wait to read more.

I have considered it, DH's dream resort is AKL and I remember reading about a value there for 6? I admit I am not as up on my DVC info. I figure if there are any discounts at all I will go with one of the regular resort rooms, but if there aren't discounts I will definitely give it a try. I have been known to randomly go fill out the points calculator and add one of those scenarios into my list of maybes lol

Hello!! Coming over from the Nov Facebook group. I havent stayed at any of those resorts but I think I would choose the Fort Wilderness Cabins. I think it would be so relaxing going back to the woods and serenity at the cabins at the end of a busy day at the parks. Also it would give you more options for meals with the small kitchen.

Doesn't it just look so nice and peaceful there? Even if we don't stay there I definitely want to go visit to check it out!

Following! I have no advice as I'm planning our first trip, but I can't wait to see your plans! you've got a beautiful family. <3

and thank you

::danielle:: - we don't have two bathrooms at home but our last trip (offsite) we had two bathrooms and it was sooo nice lol

 

[MamaJessie]

So I am a lame-o and no pictures for the first party :\ I had pre-ordered Peter Pan at the Disney store because I really like getting the $20 off of $40 coupons. The three younger kids had no idea I bought it but I enlisted Sapphire's help in the planning. I told the kids our countdown party would start as soon as they found their treasure. She made a treasure map and at the end we had a box with Peter Pan and Tinkerbell coloring pages, a tube of large mini m&ms for each kid and of course, the movie

Lunch was french bread pizza's and they decorated the sails. The kids really liked those!

During the movie they snacked on the m&ms. I had bought them on Valentine's clearance at Walgreens and after they finished eating the m&ms we decorated with the adorable wrappers I requested over on the DISign forum. Those people are the best, making people's vacations with all the things they do and nothing in return

Next movie up.. Wreck It Ralph

 

[ctniners]

Also from the Dec FB Page...Will tag along...also from CT

 

[MamaJessie]

Thanks for joining neighbor!

 

[disneyfantotheend]

Sounds like so much fun and not lame at all! I love Peter Pan. We did the M&M tubes last trip. My kids were always fans of the penny squishers.

 

[Tinker326]

Hi Jessica!!! Found you from the Nov. FB group!!!

We are a family of 5, plus bringing my mom.. so really 6. We were able to rent points for 2 studio Savannah rooms at AKV for about $600 more than it would have cost for ONE suite at AoA!!! The only downside is that if free dining is offered we can't utitlize. But I'll take comfort in gazing at giraffe from my balcony eating a poptart! Hahahaha!!!!

Can't wait to follow someone who will be there right around when we will!

Nicole

 

[wiigirl]

Following along!