Tears, Pixie Dust, Obsessive Planning & A LOT of Gift Cards: Our DREAM Vacation!

[lelei]

Last year, I took my first trip to Disney as an adult, single mom. The trip was great due to the wonderful things I read here on the forums. From dining reservations to itineraries, I honestly learned everything I needed to know for an awesome trip from these forums. My DS is autistic, and quite honestly reading the experiences on these boards is what really gave me the courage to take both kids so far from home by myself. To say I am grateful for finding Disboards is truly an understatement!

This year our trip is a bit different. Yes, I am a year older, but that is not the difference! My longtime boyfriend has finally drank the Koolaid and decided to join in on our madness! I am actually planning a trip for 4 for the first time since I divorced 10 years ago, and that alone is incredibly exciting for me.

I’ve enjoyed reading other trip reports, and I am hoping I can get some helpful advice by posting mine.

Our trip has changed drastically since I first booked the bounceback deal last October while we were at POFQ. Originally, we were only going back for 6 days at the end of August and staying at POFQ again. That changed, changed, and then changed again, each time for the better! Somehow we ended up with 11 nights at Wilderness Lodge!

The story of how we got there is quite entertaining and involves impossible budget woes, an “interesting” side job and ultimately many trips to Sam’s Club and A LOT of gift cards!

Next up, our introductions!

 

[lelei]

First, I am a 30 year old network engineer who tries to get as far away from computers as possible on the weekends and on vacations. I am a huge Donald Duck fan and a huge Eeyore plan. I will be turning *gasp* 31 on our trip this year and have decided that this trip is completely in my honor! It has nothing to do with cheap airfare or falling in the free dining window, it is all about ME!! (tries to stifle laughter)

Then, my DBF is a 34 year old programmer who will be turning 35 two days before we leave. He is the sweetest, kindest man ever and I am extremely lucky to have him. But, for some odd reason, he has yet to develop the same aversion to technology that I have! His favorite characters are Robin Hood and Fox from Fox & the Hound. (He really likes dogs!)

My DS is 14 and is high functioning autistic. We have never treated him like he is disabled, he is just “Mike” to us, a bit quirky but we all love him. He has a strange fascination with rollercoasters and has decided that one day he is going to take over Disney, go against all the rules and create a Rated “R” Disney film! I think this is the epitome of evil in his mind. Yes, we are strange but we have a lot of fun together! His favorite characters are Robin Hood and Stitch.

My DD is 11 and, like me, deals with ADD. As you can imagine, we are a lot of fun to be around- oh hey is that a squirrel over there?? Joking aside, my DD is one of the most fun, outgoing people I have ever met, which is a bit strange since I am typically pretty quiet and reserved. No comments on where she got that from! Her favorite character is Stitch and she still enjoys princesses as well.

As you can tell we are a pretty unique bunch, but we honestly do enjoy each other’s company and have a lot of fun together.