(tap tap...crickets chirping) Anyone out there reading our PTR? October 2010

[Chelley00]

In a roundabout way, I'm apparently maybe going to go to Disney again

Quick background on how this trip has surprised even me!

Our first family trip was October 2006, second family trip October 2008. (Worst Trip Ever linked below) Then November 2009, DD8 and I were blessed to be able to take a Mother/Daughter trip to celebrate her birthday (also linked below)

My brother and his family live over 1,000 miles from us, and are planning a trip to Orlando for a tournament in October. DB asked me months ago if we could go, but with medical bills, kids school bills and our recent big vacations, plus a plan to cruise for DS's graduation next June, I didn't think it was possible. We got a couple unexpected surprises in the mail. Then the school calendar came out and I realized their week is the week of our Fall Break. AND a free dining code. DH tells me he's planning a fishing trip with his dad and brother to use up the rest of his vacation time, so a Disney trip is out for him, BUT he has no problem with me taking the youngest kids and going.

On our mother daughter trip, my mom was invited, but didn't make up her mind until it was too late and I had already booked without her. Some hurt feelings later and a few months later (and a girls trip to take her to Chicago) I think she's forgiven me so I have asked her to go with us. She lives 4 hours from me, so we can't see each other as often as we'd like. As long as mom gives the okay (since I don't want to drive alone with 2 kids) I'm apparently going to Disney again!!!!

So this makes our cast of characters:

DD8. This will be her 4th trip to Disney. Shes a HUGE thrill seeker and made me ride RNR 14 times on our last trip. She's totally not into princesses and is anti-girly. Her favorite characters are Minnie and Figment. She loves animals and wants to be a vet when she grows up.

Her picture is with me at MVMCP on our Mother/Daughter trip in Nov. I'm a 30something part time accountant, part time taxi driver for my 4 kids. (well, 3 kids....one is licensed now) and full time OCD obsessive planner/budgeter/secheduler. This will be my 4th trip

DS5. This will be his 3rd trip to Disney. He's a little iffy on rides, loves speeds, hates bumps, loves drops but hates being scared. He's a huge Dinosaur nut and will not get his pictures taken with characters.

At the Missouri Botanical Gardens Dinoquest exhibit

We will be leaving DS17, DS14 and DH at home. (I don't think they even care either )

I won't post a picture of the rest of the family until we solidify plans and I get their permission.

DM 50 something. Full time nurse. This will be her first trip to Disney. She was actually in Florida when Disney was opening but left before Disney's official opening day and didn't get to go in! She is deathly scared of heights, so that eliminates a bunch of rides (and flying!)

DB 30, DSIL close to 30. They live in Texas, long way from Indiana. My nephew will turn 3 just a couple days before they leave for Florida.

Someone smack me because I just got our last trip's scrapbook finished!!!




PTR links:

Onsite or offsite?

Which park when? Dinner reservations

Staying onsite? But where?

Granny chooses.......the POLY??

First trip purchase and a to do list

Waiting....and and owie

Going to see Harry Potter?

Getting ready for school

Plans for Oct 14, Driving and driving and driving

October 15, and driving some more

October 16, Yeti and Safari, here we come!

October 17, Castles and Mountains

October 18, Saving the world and snacking

October 19, Soarin and little purple dragons

October 20, Rockin and Rollin.....and taking my newly arrived nephew to eat with the mouse

October 21, Fantasy.....and Grim Grinning Ghosts

October 22, Toy Story Maniacs

October 23, Brother's choice

October 24, Bye Bye WDW, but first, one more coaster

Gift baskets and party plans

To Whisper Canyon, or not?

Bonus. 40% pin!

Heigh Ho?

Happy Paid in Full Dance

Free shopping OR thank God for Visa points

Nobody's getting left behind

 

[Chelley00]

A couple of logisitics:

Mom, the kids and I will probably arrive on Saturday, October 16th (late) and stay until Sunday the 24th. My brother and family won't arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday and leave the same day.

So now, decisions.

Onsite or offsite. All of our family trips have been offsite, DD and I stayed at AKL on our last trip. There are so many good and bad points to both for us, and honestly, I don't have an aversion to either.

Onsite I have the free dining pin code (it's during a public blacked out date) DD and I loved being onsite, loved the bus service, LOVED LOVED LOVED AKL. We loved the activities. And we love to eat. A lot.

Offsite is usually easy as we stay at the same villa every time. Only this time it's booked by someone else (I'm heartbroken!) We'll have to find a 5 bedroom house. We love the spare room, the cost savings, the kitchen and W/D. The drive to the parks doesn't bother us at all.

My brother is talking with SIL, but I think they'll want to go with the cheapest option (offsite) although they were planning on Pop Century before we decided we could go.

This leaves the question of staying onsite for the first few days, then moving offsite when the rest of the family gets there, or just staying offsite the whole time???

And if they all do decide to stay onsite, can I book brother's room at Pop with my free dining code and another room for the rest of us at a different resort?




Ugh, decisions. Thankfully, dining reservations and park plans are easy for me!

 

[disney<333]

Joining in!
Yay, for a possible trip with your kids. They are too cute.
I have a new PTR, too, if you would like to join. Link is in my sig.
Barbara

 

[Chelley00]

Joining in!
Yay, for a possible trip with your kids. They are too cute.
I have a new PTR, too, if you would like to join. Link is in my sig.
Barbara

Thanks for following along. It looks like you are going to be lonely in here though!!!

I sent DM a bunch of info on resorts and a few rental villas, plus I'm waiting to hear back from my brother on whether they want to stay onsite of offsite. I'm putting the lodging decision on hold for now.



Yesterday I played on touringplans.com and came up with an preliminary itinerary

Oct 17 Epcot (although, I'm a little scared of Epcot on a Sunday of Food and Wine Festival
Oct 18 Animal Kingdom
Oct 19 Magic Kingdom morning and MNSSHP that night (as a surprise for my mom!)
Oct 20 Hollywood Studios (my brother probably arrives this night)
Oct 21 Magic Kingdom
Oct 22 Epcot
Oct 23 Animal Kingdom. We'd do a few hours at DHS if it wasn't for my nephew who I think would enjoy AK more. We may change this depending on everyone else's schedule

I also made ADRs I got pretty much everything I wanted and then some extras. We have to wait until the tournament schedule comes out hopefully this week for my brother's family and then decide which ones we'll need to cancel (or if we stay offsite and lose the dining plan) Until then, we have a couple each day.

The ones I made for DM, the kids and I:

Oct 17 Akershus Breakfast, Coral Reef dinner
Oct 18 Tusker House breakfast (we've never done this one)
Oct 19 1900 Park Fare before MNSSHP
Oct 20 50's Prime Time Cafe

The ones I made for the whole family:
Oct 21 Chef Mickey's (SILs one requirement!)
Oct 22 Ohana breakfast and Garden Grill dinner
Oct 23 1900 Park Fare breakfast (we've never done breakfast here)



I'm debating on park hoppers. With my brother and SIL's crazy tournament schedule, they may have different ideas about parks and things than I do, and I think we may need the flexibility of meeting them at a different park with their son in the evenings or something. We've never done hoppers before.

 

[praisehisname]

Joining in! I was along for your mother/daughter trip and loved it!

 

[Disneymoon09]

Joining in!

 

[Chelley00]

Joining in! I was along for your mother/daughter trip and loved it!

I'm so glad you are back! I read your trip report from December, just didn't post much (if at all)

Joining in!

I called today and booked our onsite rooms. I figure I can always cancel if we decide to stay offsite. I'm thinking onsite will be easier for all of us because
1. If Nephew needs a nap, either my mom or I can bus him back to a resort while the others stay. If we were offsite, we'd probably all need to leave.
2. Brother and SIL will need transportation from the tournament and back, and this way they'll have the bus service and I won't need to play taxi all trip
3. Free dining (or dining plan) Lodging offsite is cheaper, but the food is so expensive. Free dining works out cheaper for all of us. And we love our character meals.


I really wanted Coronado for our room (queen beds) but they were all booked This left me 2 options: moderate with double beds or deluxe. I thought about POR for the trundle, but someone would still have to share a double. I don't share beds well. Well, my kids don't share well, and I like to sleep.

The CM priced deluxes, and AKL with a pool view was cheaper than WL with a woods view, so we are tentatively booked at AKL. If we need to cut back on the expense when my mom realizes her portion of the bill, we will switch to POR.

I booked my brother's choice of a room at Pop. It's closer to where they need to be, and the quick service dining plan should work better for them since they won't have much time to do table services.

If for some reason everyone decides they want offsite, I've found 4 villas with availability that will work perfectly for our needs. I've held their emails as backups, but I'm hoping we get to keep our AKL room. DD and I LOVED AKL. I'm thrilled at the possibility of going back, but I'll be perfectly happy if we have to downgrade to POR. Maybe, CSR will open before then

 

[praisehisname]

Woo hoo for booking your rooms! I'm totally with you on the bed sharing thing. When DH and I stayed at Pop in December, we ended up each taking a bed because there was no way we were going to share a double!

 

[Chelley00]

When DH and I stayed at Pop in December, we ended up each taking a bed because there was no way we were going to share a double!

DH works nights, so I NEVER share a bed. DD and I shared a bed over 4th of July when we took a mini-vacation, and she about killed me. She likes to roll roll over...A LOT, and she does so very quickly and very violently. And she's very boney.





So, I just got the shock of my life. I talked with my mother, who is so excited about this trip. I sent her links to a few resorts and told her to make her final decision. I honestly thought she'd pick either POFQ or stick with AKL, and because she's never really had a real vacation, she wants to splurge and stay:


AT THE POLY


I'm floored. When I told her what her portion would be, she didn't even gulp or anything. She actually thought it was going to be way more than it was and she was happy with the total. I'm so excited I could totally bust. I've always wanted to stay on the monorail but figured AKL was about the most deluxe we'd ever get to go on our tiny little vacation budget. I was okay with that because I loved AKL, but I honestly was thinking this was going to be a moderate trip, and now it's the Poly!

The monorail is going to be cool, but I'm most excited about 2 queen beds AND a daybed. No sharing with DD!!

 

[praisehisname]

That's great news! You are gonna love staying there!

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

Hey there all caught up!!! Loving the report and I actuallyjust read all your past TR too!!! Can't wait to here more on the trip!!! YAY for staying at the POLY!!!

 

[disney<333]

Yay, for the POLY!

 

[Chelley00]

That's great news! You are gonna love staying there!

Hey there all caught up!!! Loving the report and I actuallyjust read all your past TR too!!! Can't wait to here more on the trip!!! YAY for staying at the POLY!!!

Yay, for the POLY!

Thanks for all the happy dances for the Poly! I'm so excited to stay there. It's going to be a long 87 days waiting!

We also changed our dates a tad. My mom realized her regularly scheduled day off was the day before we were going to leave, so we're going to go a day early now!

Now we just have to wait on the tournament schedule to finalize our ADRs and park plans for the portion of our trip when my brother's family is with us. Other than that, I think we're set.



For our mother/daughter trip, I ordered a DD an autograph bag from etsy. Probably the best purchase ever. She loved it and carried it all vacation, and it was nice for me to not have to haul her autograph book all the time. She also put her pins on the straps.
Bad picture of DD, good picture of the Minnie Mouse bag.

Last night I ordered one for DS and one for my nephew. I'm hoping to make a gift basket for my nephew as his birthday is while we are in Florida. Hopefully I can drop it off at Pop and they will stick it in their room for me?? I may also do one for my kids. I ordered a basket from memoriesbybetsy for DD's trip, and while it was great, it was expensive with the minimum purchase. Plus, we are driving and not flying so my space isn't limited this time.


So, here's my to-do list for now:

1. Schedule from ATA from brother, finalize ADRs for last half of trip
2. Think about gift baskets
3. Halloween costumes for MNSSHP. (maybe pirates and schedule us all in for Pirates League?)
4. Loosely plan days
5. Order MNSSHP tickets
6. Tip envelopes (DD loved giving these to our servers, and she got a great response)
7. Research Poly and which longhouse to request
8. Make Epcot passport for DS since DD has one from last trip she didn't use?
9. Research and book hotels for drive back
10. Find and update packing list
11. Figure out when/how to tell the kids about the trip

Reminders for farther out:
1. Oil change, tire check etc
2. Teachers letters
3. Fill out Passporter pockets

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

Thanks for all the happy dances for the Poly! I'm so excited to stay there. It's going to be a long 87 days waiting!

We also changed our dates a tad. My mom realized her regularly scheduled day off was the day before we were going to leave, so we're going to go a day early now!

Now we just have to wait on the tournament schedule to finalize our ADRs and park plans for the portion of our trip when my brother's family is with us. Other than that, I think we're set.



For our mother/daughter trip, I ordered a DD an autograph bag from etsy. Probably the best purchase ever. She loved it and carried it all vacation, and it was nice for me to not have to haul her autograph book all the time. She also put her pins on the straps.
Bad picture of DD, good picture of the Minnie Mouse bag.

Last night I ordered one for DS and one for my nephew. I'm hoping to make a gift basket for my nephew as his birthday is while we are in Florida. Hopefully I can drop it off at Pop and they will stick it in their room for me?? I may also do one for my kids. I ordered a basket from memoriesbybetsy for DD's trip, and while it was great, it was expensive with the minimum purchase. Plus, we are driving and not flying so my space isn't limited this time.


So, here's my to-do list for now:

1. Schedule from ATA from brother, finalize ADRs for last half of trip
2. Think about gift baskets
3. Halloween costumes for MNSSHP. (maybe pirates and schedule us all in for Pirates League?)
4. Loosely plan days
5. Order MNSSHP tickets
6. Tip envelopes (DD loved giving these to our servers, and she got a great response)
7. Research Poly and which longhouse to request
8. Make Epcot passport for DS since DD has one from last trip she didn't use?
9. Research and book hotels for drive back
10. Find and update packing list
11. Figure out when/how to tell the kids about the trip

Reminders for farther out:
1. Oil change, tire check etc
2. Teachers letters
3. Fill out Passporter pockets

Yeah for adding another day to the trip!!! I so want to stay at Poly one day!

I am liking the Pirate League idea for the Halloween Party!!! That is what I did for Devon when we went last year!!! I also think they are running a special now for Pirate leagues for $29.95! You can't beat that!

I'm so confused how to tell Devon about the trip now too!!!

As for an excuse letter here is one I've used.

DATE:

TO: teachers name

FROM: parent's of

RE: Child's Name Grade #, Trip Dates

Please be advised as previously discussed, (Child's name) will be out of school during the week of ....

The reason for (Child's name) absence is that we will be out of the state during this week. While we are gone, we will be visiting Walt Disney World. I believe that Devon will be learning many things during this trip and that his education will continue in his absence from school.

Some things (Child's name)will learn about:

• Different cultures of the world, including architecture, language, diet, and dress, by visiting the different countries in the Epcot World Showcase (Japan, China, Germany, Mexico, Norway, Canada, France, etc.) Devon will have the chance to explore the exhibits for each country and speak with natives from each country who work as cast members. He has been work very hard learning how to say “Thank You” in each of these countries native language.
• American history by viewing the Hall of Presidents presentation in the Magic Kingdom and the American Adventure show in Epcot.
• Nature and conservation at Animal Kingdom.
• Science by exploring the Mission:Space ride in Epcot where he will have a chance to see and feel what it would be like to travel by rocket to Mars and by experiencing the Universe of Energy exhibit which teaches about fossil fuels, energy, and conservation.
• Economics by managing his own spending money and making budget decisions on how to spend his money.

(Child's name)will also be learning about map reading by navigating in and to the different theme parks, as well as the resorts and water parks via the Disney bus system, sociological aspects of crowds including patterns and behavior, physics of the different rides, breakthroughs in technology at the Innoventions computer lab in Epcot, art and animation and the history of film, and mathematics.

I believe this will be a wonderful and educational experience for Devon and hope you agree. If it is possible for (Child's name) to take any assignments with him to be turned in when we return or to turn in before we leave, any work that will be due while he is gone, please let us know as soon as possible.

Thank you for your attention to this. If you have any questions or need any further information, please feel free to contact me at (your phone #)

[Parent's Signture]_________

 

[Chelley00]

I am liking the Pirate League idea for the Halloween Party!!! That is what I did for Devon when we went last year!!!

We did Pirates League last year for DD's trip and she loved it. Unfortunately, they don't have enough availability for all 4 of us (or even just the 2 kids) and also work around our dinner ressies


84 days

One the home front:


Yesterday we were leaving for hair appts, and DS slammed DD's hand in the door between the garage and kitchen. We spent 2 hours waiting on the determination that her hand/fingers were not broken. All the doctors/nurses were surprised it wasn't broken. 3 fingers are badly hurt, the pointer finger actually has a vein protruding from the side since it was smashed and shoved over. Ick. She's still in a lot of pain, so she's on Ibuprofen, and her hand is taped for at least a week. So today, she gets to stay home and be a drama queen and DS is her slave for the day

Today I get to stay home and clean out the garage and prep for a yard sale next weekend. We HAVE to have it next weekend since DH will be off and can help. After that we get into school starting! Yikes!


On the trip planning front, we're still waiting on the tournament schedule to come out so we can finalize our ADRs for the last half of the trip. I did call and switch us to the Poly, but some of the reviews I've read lately are a little scary, and I'm a little concerned. I really want this trip to be perfect for my mom.

And I'm really hoping a room only discount comes out soon. I'd love to save some money!

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

Oh no!!! Poor Reily!!! Hope she feels better soon! That had to hurt!


I can not believe how quickly the summer is going! When do your kids go back? Devon goes back Sept 8th! So I pretty much have to get everything situated for him to start the school year before we leave for Disney on the 12th b/c by the time we gat back it will be too close!

I'm sure you will all have a wonderful time staying at the POLY! I feel like all I been reading are negative comments on all the resorts!

 

[laashley]

We are going October 17-24 as well and have planned pretty much the same park days. I used touringplans as well, now there is a crowd calendar for each park per day. If you haven't checked it out already that is. I wish we could stay at the poly! We are staying at POR because of the price, with this being our 2nd trip this year. Really looking forward to MNSSHP, we have tickets for the 21st. Just under 3 months to go!!

Hope your DD's hand is feeling better. Good to know it wasn't broken. Ouch!

 

[Chelley00]

When do your kids go back? Devon goes back Sept 8th! !

Are you kidding? My first one goes back August 12th!!! I feel like we miss half the summer, but we do get out the end of May, first of June.

I wish we could stay at the poly! We are staying at POR because of the price,

I would not be staying at the Poly if my mom wasn't paying for half the room! We wanted to stay at CSR, but it's booked


80 days!

R's hand is healing nicely. Still a little sore and still really bruised, but she's moving it just fine. She's currently at my ILs house getting spoiled and getting some "boy free" time

Still waiting on that stupid schedule from the tournament. I talked with SIL today and she's going as nuts as I am waiting on it. Blech, I hate planning limbo!

She is a huge Harry Potter fan, and they really want to try and take some time to go to WWOHP at Universal. We enjoyed Universal when we went in 08 and I really really want to go see the new Harry Potter stuff, but I'm not sure if I want to spend an additional $300+ for my family to go spend a day, especially since my budget is blown on staying at the Poly for my mom Now, if we get a room discount anytime soon (cross your fingers) then we might be able to swing it.

SIL also measured my nephew and he's only 38 1/2 inches, so he won't be riding any "big" rides this year. This is okay, because my mom hates heights and won't ride. Hopefully we'll have the bigger stuff out of the way before he gets there with us, and we can focus on the "baby" rides with him, but it not, I'm sure my mom will be okay waiting with him so my kids and I can ride.

I got DS and DN's autograph books and bags. I need to take a picture of them...they turned out so cute. I also bought a small pin lot on ebay so that DS and DN would have a couple to start out if they want since DD has a ton. Now to decide to get a memoriesbybetsy basket or do baskets on my own.

So, here's my to-do list for now:

1. Schedule from ATA from brother, finalize ADRs for last half of trip
2. Think about gift baskets
3. Halloween costumes for MNSSHP.
4. Loosely plan days
5. Order MNSSHP tickets
6. Tip envelopes (DD loved giving these to our servers, and she got a great response)
7. Research Poly and which longhouse to request
8. Make Epcot passport for DS since DD has one from last trip she didn't use?
9. Research and book hotels for drive back
10. Find and update packing list
11. Figure out when/how to tell the kids about the trip

Reminders for farther out:
1. Oil change, tire check etc
2. Teachers letters
3. Fill out Passporter pockets
4. Schedule for DH and older DS while I'm gone

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

Are you kidding? My first one goes back August 12th!!! I feel like we miss half the summer, but we do get out the end of May, first of June.

Oh my goodness that is like 2 weeks away!!! That is nuts!!! That is the day we leave for Disney actually. Devon didn't get out of school this year till June 18th!

 

[DrMomof3]

I am so excited that you found me here!!!! I need to get caught up on your trip.

Amanda