Tasty Planning Time with ZeBrook! A 2 for 1 PTR - 12/24 - All our bags are packed

[SoonerGirl]

Looks good! I think hitting the parks in the morning and then letting the afternoon play itself out is a great idea. We are planning on doing the same after the first few days of our trip. The only thing that I can see as being a problem is trying to make Spectro on NYE - I'm afraid the park will close to capacity well before the parade time.....

 

[jessily]

Your plans look great!

I loved reading your email to the family. I've planned trips with family and groups of friends before... I try to master that 'giving them enough information, but not so much that they tune out or figure out just exactly how Disney nuts I am' email On one failed attempt, I had friends arriving in Orlando before me.... explained Magical Express to them, sent them all our hotel confirmation info with exact instructions for getting to the resort and checking in. They called me upon landing at MCO and asked what hotel we were staying at and what the cheapest way to get there was

Sounds like you're planning a great trip for your family They're going to have a blast seeing everything with Henry!

 

[PopArtGal]

Did the family reply?

 

[IluvXU]

I think your plans look fantastic. and doable. and most importantly not overwhelming!

You are going to have such a fantastic time... can't wait to read all about it. A Christmas Break trip is a dream of mine... someday!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Osborne lights start at dusk so around 6ish I would guess? That's what I'm planning on. Plan looks great Brook!

 

[shebaxric]

The plans look wonderful Brook! You are going to enjoy this time of year at WDW so much! It's my favorite time to go, I just love the atmosphere.

I can't believe the times for the EMH!! That is crazy! But, I know there will definitely be people there, taking it all in!

Have the family fallen in with the plan?

 

[brookelizabeth]

Yeah, I try not to be either, but sometimes I just can't tear myself away from the glowiness!

Yes I do have a CC debt ticker! I told you about the No Buy thread yesterday, it is really helping me! You told me a wee bit about your CC debt story, (but I love hearing your stories if you want to tell me more!) I am just glad you had a great ending! As I am sure I will too! I should be out of the bulk of my cc debt by summer of next year!

I SO understand! I have been up until 1:00 am lately. I just can't rip myself away since I always am so far behind. I have taken the last 2 days and gotten pretty much caught up, now I just have to catch up on MY reports.

My CC story...
Joe had a bunch of debt, and I had some that we both brought into the marriage. That, along with some frivolous spending together equaled about $22,000 in JUST credit card debt.

We took a Dave Ramsey course and while we have had a few trip ups here and there, we are now CREDIT CARD DEBT FREE! We used to pay $600 a month JUST for credit card bills!!!!! $600! We still have a medical bill, the house, DVC (ya, technically we should haven't had bought this...but....!), and a student loan - but that is IT. It is incredible freedom! I am glad we pushed through that time and lived tightly - it taught us a lot and the end result is fantastic. I never ever would have been able to quit my job if we were still in that rut.

We do have a Disney Visa that we put trip related things on - then we pay it off right away. It currently is looking very ugly with all the plane tickets for the entire family on it. BUT, I know they have the money to pay us, so it's not really bad at all.

WOO HOO! This trip has totally snuck up on us!

Your to do lists seem very managable. Everything is going to go smoothly I am sure.

It really has! I started freaking out a few days ago about how much there is to do, but I've accomplished a lot lately, so I'm feeling a bit better about it now.

WOOHOO next month!!!!!!!!!!

WOW...the airfare issues were stressing me out just reading about them, so I can only imagine how they felt for you, glad to hear that they are resolved!! You've got some great plans with New Orleans, glad you get to spend some time there to check things out, the hotel looks beautiful!!!

Your lists look great...love the 838 trips to Target, how true is that?!! LOL!!

Ugh, the airfare ordeal was horrible. If it's our money, it's one thing-we can deal-but this is my in-laws money! And they kept saying "We trust you..." eelkalkjdlakjlkd I'm so glad it's over and we got decent rates.

I'm so glad your airfare drama is over and everything is all set! That has to be a huge load off your mind.

You arrive on the 26th, we are going home on the 27th - we'll have to see if we can work it out so that we can meet up for a minute to say hi!

I was just thinking about that yesterday when I saw you and widg talking about it on her PTR! That would be GREAT! We have no plans for the 26th-we'll be pooped from traveling Im sure, the 27th will be Epcot in the morning, and free time in the afternoon/evening. What are your plans?

Hmmm...

Henry as always looks "eatupable"...

I too love your fro but except for the fact that my hair is longer and redder...that's pretty close to how it looks first thing in the morning...

Your hotel in NO looks so pretty...WOW---what a great trip you have coming up...

"Eatupable" I like that!

about your red morning fro! I have naturally curly hair as well---not quite as tight curls as yours, but it can be quite a site in the morning!

I'm so excited about our trip! It's kinda surreal to me still that we are doing this...!

So I'm a little late finding your PTR but I'm here!

Your New Year's Trip sounds so awesome!! I love that it's not gonna be a typical trip, ya know? The date night and the Candlelight processional, and the side trip to New Orleans. Great fun!! I'm so jealous that you're going to get to go to New Orleans in the winter time. We were in Baton Rouge in August and contemplated making a dip down to Nawlins and just couldn't fathom it in that heat and humidity!! Can't wait to see pics of that part of your trip, as well as all the great pics from Kidani!! So excited that you're trip is NEXT month!!!

Glad you found me here!!! I'm so happy to see you back on the DIS more, your TR always made me laugh so much, you are such a great writer!

I'm looking forward to our trip, New Orleans has me a tad nervous since I have never been there and my family is basically trusting me to plan them the vacation....I haven't a clue what to do with that yet! But, I'll figure it out....just gotta do some research. And yep, I'll bring back LOTS of pictures!!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Love the 7 Mondays. I am so excited about your AKV stay.... what room accomodations do you have again-- a two or one bedroom? We are planning to a point buster two bedroom in 2011 or 12, so I want to know what it is like.


I laughed out loud at the 838 trips to Target.... I just try to stay out.... but might be tempted to check the clearance Halloween again...

We are doing a 2 bedroom at AKV - I'll be sure to take a lot of pictures and report back on how the room worked out for us. There are 5 adults and 1 toddler. My Mom randomly emailed me yesterday telling me she wants to come to Disney with us, I would LOVE it if she came on this trip, and so would my MIL (they get along very well)...so perhaps 6 adults. We'll see!

Our Target already cleared out the Halloween stuff! I was gone for a few days at my cousin's house, come back and GONE. It only got up to 75% off I think. I was hoping for 90%!

Aww, Henry looked so cute in his Halloween costume. I am betting my cousin's son wore something very similar to that since he loves Cars so much.

Glad the airline issues are all resolved! And yay for NEXT MONTH!

Thank you!! It was a really fun costume, Henry was so proud to show off his "cars" on it.

Claire does that. I couldn't beleive it. We had several of those stupid suckers and she was picking them over Reeses and Snickers. She must not be related to me. LOL!

Henry is a doll in that costume (as are you ). And he left the hot on too. he must've really liked it. maybe you can take the outfit along to Disney and have it wear it a day and get more use out of it.

Today I gave Henry the option of a sucker or M&Ms - he chose the sucker! Kids and their suckers!

He looooooves that hat. He wears it around the house all the time! It has McQueen, so it's a keeper. That's a great idea to bring the costume to Disney World! He could wear it to DHS when he gets to meet McQueen and Mater again Very, very good idea-thank you!!!

The Harvest party looked like fun. I loved your 'fro'. 'Apple pie' is very cute.

Your ADRs look good. Glad you got all you flights taken care of without too much bleeding out of the wallet.

Pssst, we're going to WDW next month!

Thank you!! I'm so happy to have the ADRs and the flights done - those were the biggest deals. I did want a GF Tea for my MIL and SIL and I, but completely forgot about it at the time...all well! Next trip!

Can you believe our trips are so close?!??!

Henry looks adorable in his halloween costume!!

I LOVE the apple pie costumes!! Too cute!!

I'm glad your everything worked out for the trip! It's coming up so close and so fast!

Thank you!! It's coming so quickly, I have to get the countdown calendar ready SOON!

Yay for next month!!!

Thank goodness you were able to get tickets home from New Orleans for your family and the in-laws! What a relief! Plus, you get an extra day in NOLA! Woo hoo! I don't remember what everyone has said about things to do, but I do hope you will head to Cafe du Monde for cafe au laits and beignets! That was one of my fondest memories of our trip there. Also, try and ride the streetcar from the French Quarter to the Garden District! That was a lot of fun as well!

We debated on the extra day - Joe had to take another day off work, but his bosses were totally cool with it. I'm VERY glad we have a whole extra day - who knows when we will get back there?

Streetcar from the French Quarter to the Garden District...putting that in my "notes" document, thank you CP!

Maybe a lime green one would be better for NYE.

Holiday months seem to fly by at school, so it will be time to start packing December Disney bags before you know it!

Oh man...a lime green fro! What a sight that would be!

I am half tempted to pull out the luggage NOW to start packing....

The plans sound great!

And woohoo for 1 month!

Thank you! Things are finally starting to fall into place with all the plans!

I played the airline game too. It's so, so frustrating! We finally bought ours a couple weeks ago and I breathed a HUGE sigh of relief. That's a biggie on the list. Congrats for getting a pretty good deal! 27 days for us so I really need to move on the countdown calendar. LOL!

The airline ordeal can be so stressful! I wish rates would just stay consistent, why do they have to change sooooo much?

27 days (now even less!) That will just fly right by I'm sure with all the holiday stuff starting up!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Henry looks like he had a lot of fun at the Harvest Party. Did he actually eat the apple or give up and go back to candy?

Glad you finally got the flights straightend out...that is big time stressful.

I don't know what you are paying for hotel in NOLA, but we stayed at the Hotel St. Marie for our honeymoon way back in 2002. It was about a block and a half off Burbon Street, but you never heard any noise from there. It seems like they are always having specials. Not sure where the wedding is, but it may be worth a look:
http://www.hotelstmarie.com/

Can't wait to hear about that part of the trip. I really hope we can get back there sometime soon.

No, he ate the apple. He reallyyyyyy wanted it too - he loves apples! I try to treat them to him like they are special, so he will always want them.

THANK YOU for the hotel link! I will check it out! We are paying $169 a night right now. Joe thinks that is outrageous (yet, he'll pay $300 a night at Disney ) - I'm fine with it, considering the City and the time of year, I think it's a good rate! But, if we can do cheaper, that's always better.

I'll be sure to come back with a gazillion pictures. I'm very into architecture, so the buildings down there will fascinate me, as well as the people and the culture. I'm excited about the FOOD too!

I might steal your costume idea next year. We're not big costume people, so I like it!!

go for it! We aren't big costume people either...I think if we had time to pre-plan for it all, we might get into it, but it never happens, so something like this is easy and fun. Did you hear about the costume on tv show "The Office" where the guy went as Facebook? He just wrote "BOOK" on his face. We had so many people ask us that night if we saw that episode of The Office.

Looking forward to the updates!

I've got MORE too!

I just wanted to pop on and say hello!! I'll be there the same time as your family -- and I'll probably see you at the NYE fireworks with MeMom and crew, right? That should be a good time!

I'll go back and read more but just wanted to say hi!

YES! Awesome!!!!! I look forward to meeting you!!!!

I'm coming over to your PTR too. I'm nervous about the planning and want to glean any ideas/suggestions off other DISers.

Hey Brook!

Wow! Things really are coming together!

Oh my goodness, just wait until you see Kidani... its gorgeous! Henry is going to love, love, love it!!


Kathy

Yes, they are finallyyyyy coming together. Slowly but surely. I need like 8 straight days to devote to it all, then I'll feel better and more solid on all the details. Gotta sneak in some planning time whenever Henry is content playing by himself or napping instead!

I can't wait to stay at Kidani! From our brief visit in September, I just LOVED it. Soooo pretty. I keep dreaming of the rooms

Looks like a wonderful plan! I see that you are doing lots of rope drops! I guess that's a necessity during the holidays... I think you have planned enough park time to get to know everything for a bit and enough down time to just enjoy being there. Sounds great to me!

Yes, this non-RD family is planning on hitting all the RDs! My MIL is an early riser, so she'll get us moving hopefully by making the coffee and making some noise around the room.

I hope we have a good balance. I know my MIL and FIL aren't too into rides, they will enjoy the shows/attractions a lot though. And FIL will be on a scooter, so it will be slow going. But, they literally have not taken a vacation in 15 years. And the last one was a camping trip to northern Minnesota. It barely counts! They are looking forward to just being there, in a nice hotel, with their kids.

Looks good! I think hitting the parks in the morning and then letting the afternoon play itself out is a great idea. We are planning on doing the same after the first few days of our trip. The only thing that I can see as being a problem is trying to make Spectro on NYE - I'm afraid the park will close to capacity well before the parade time.....

I am thinking that too on NYE. I highly doubt we'll even try...I can see us all just hanging around playing cards and enjoying the resort that day rather than pushing our way through crowds. After talking with the family some yesterday, we *might* hit Epcot for a bit...but who knows.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Your plans look great!

I loved reading your email to the family. I've planned trips with family and groups of friends before... I try to master that 'giving them enough information, but not so much that they tune out or figure out just exactly how Disney nuts I am' email On one failed attempt, I had friends arriving in Orlando before me.... explained Magical Express to them, sent them all our hotel confirmation info with exact instructions for getting to the resort and checking in. They called me upon landing at MCO and asked what hotel we were staying at and what the cheapest way to get there was

Sounds like you're planning a great trip for your family They're going to have a blast seeing everything with Henry!

My last email to the family was PAGES long. I got so excited while typing! I had to go back and just bold the important stuff. My MIL wrote me back, laughing, and told me my excitement was wonderful and contagious. She's such a great woman!

That is funny (I'm sure not at the time though!) about your friends. I know our first trip everything was a bit overwhelming, so too much information just got us confused. I'm trying to take that approach with the in-laws....trying....

Did the family reply?

Yep!
MIL had a bunch of questions about the flight...because she, nor FIL have EVER flown. This will be their first flight! I want them to get wings.

Looks like they aren't going to check luggage, so no worries on the bags for ME - and they are having my other SIL drive them to the airport, so we will probably just meet at the airport rather than the Park N Fly, which should work great.

Since they have never flown, they aren't sure how tired they will be, but as she always says-we are free to go (along with my SIL) and they would be more than happy to stay back and watch Henry. I think they are really looking forward to several straight days with that little guy.

I think your plans look fantastic. and doable. and most importantly not overwhelming!

You are going to have such a fantastic time... can't wait to read all about it. A Christmas Break trip is a dream of mine... someday!

I am really trying to be loose and flexible with the plans since it will surely be sooooo busy and we'll be a large, slow moving group with a scooter and a toddler. I am glad the plans don't look too overwhelming!

Osborne lights start at dusk so around 6ish I would guess? That's what I'm planning on. Plan looks great Brook!

Ah, good to know! Somewhere I read that once it starts, the "flip the switch" time will easily be found on the DIS, but good to know it's usually around 6. I can start to work plans around that a bit. I'm SO excited to see them!!!

The plans look wonderful Brook! You are going to enjoy this time of year at WDW so much! It's my favorite time to go, I just love the atmosphere.

I can't believe the times for the EMH!! That is crazy! But, I know there will definitely be people there, taking it all in!

Have the family fallen in with the plan?

I know it! MK closes at 3 am and opens again at 8 am! It's very weird planning a trip like this - almost every day is MK EMH!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Not trip related, but I have to share...

A couple weeks ago, Henry and I hit up a local thrift store - I had never been in there, and found a TREASURE of a store! Tons of random stuff, and it was cheaaaaaaap. The most expensive thing I saw was a green chair for $4.00.

On our way out, I noticed a pile of books laying on a push cart that one of the employees was putting away. And right on top was this:

"Is this for sale?"

"Yes, it is"

"How much is it?"

"All books are 25 cents."

'Nuff said.



What a cooooool book!!!!! It was printed in 1985 (that is pre DHS, right?). Here are some pictures that don't do it justice (sorry if you read this and some the pictures are sideways, I'm working on correcting that!). There are some truly beautiful photographs in this book. And I love seeing pictures of things that no longer exist at WDW - any of you remember some of these things?

A canoe ride to Tom Sawyer island

The StarJets (pre-Astro Orbiter?)

The Jungle Cruise. Looks SO different now with all the overgrown vegetation.

Hmmm....this themeing looks a tad familiar, no?

Love this pic.

That is Crystal Palace. Back then there was a violin, accordion and bass player instead of Pooh and friends! Must have been signature dining by the way people are dressed?

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

A paddle boat ride past the CR!

CR - I thought it was cool how they had a pool out on the lake - it's changed so much since then!

I wish they had these guys in Germany!

And I wish I had a robot to do my vacuuming. This is from Innoventions.

An artist sketch of the ride pre-Nemo...what was it called again?

And now I finally understand why our Figment lovers miss the old Journey into Imagination, this looks really great!:

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Oh my gosh!!! What a find for sure. I bet you were just giddy to get that extra special book in such great shape! What neat pictures!!

 

[pmama]

Score! Very neat pictures. Thanks for sharing.

 

[SoonerGirl]

I was just thinking about that yesterday when I saw you and widg talking about it on her PTR! That would be GREAT! We have no plans for the 26th-we'll be pooped from traveling Im sure, the 27th will be Epcot in the morning, and free time in the afternoon/evening. What are your plans?

The night of the 26th we'll be at the Contemporary, we've got a dinner ADR @ The Wave and then a Wishes Cruise! The 27th is doable though I think! We have a breakfast ressie at Kona Cafe and then the rest of the day is open until we have to head back to the resort for our ME bus (about mid-afternoon). I had originally thought that we would head to MK after our breakfast, but TGM says to AVOID the MK on that day, so we really don't have set plans; Epcot or DHS were penciled in as possiblities. We could definitely make it Epcot!

Great find on that book! Thanks for sharing.

 

[wdwgirl03]

OMG, that is an awesome book! 1985 was a good year because that's when I was born. LOL! And you are right, it is pre-MGM/DHS. It opened in 1989.

The pre-Nemo pavilion was just called The Living Seas. I can't remember what the original ride was called, if anything. Somewhere we've got an old stack of park maps (we meant to throw them away but they're still lying around somewhere ) so I'll have to see if we have one with The Living Seas. All I remember was that I was kinda bummed when they took it out. It was so cool seeing all the fish! I LOVED the original JII. It was SOOOOOOO awesome! A bit of trivia: I shared this in my August TR but the Dream Machine in those last couple of pictures is now in Mouse Gear!

 

[PopArtGal]

Awesome book!

You're lucky!

 

[wickesy]

The ride pre-Nemo was the Seacabs at Seabase Alpha.

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Shut the front door! I had no idea this PTR was going on! (I mean I knew about the recently passed trip, but I didn't realize it was now a twofer!) I got some catchin up! I just saw the post on the WDW book. That's AWESOME! Best quarter ever spent!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

That book is too cool!!! Love all the old pics!

 

[jordanyosh]

ahhh 1985..what a great year....

great pix.