Here's my own feeble attempt at a trip report. I've never done one before, so please be kind, gentle readers!
Cast: Beth (me: 40, planner, fretter, trip #9)
Dh: Mark (trip #5, a great big wonderful kid, always up for a lark)
DS: N. (trip #5, pre teen, and determined to do every ride he was too afraid of on his last trip)
DD: A. (trip #4, 7yo, so totally psyched)
Our last trip to WDW was in July 2000, and originally we planned to return to WDW in 2003 (we'd promised A. that we'd celebrate her 8th birthday there) but when we started planning, and got the rates for airfare, tix & hotel, we knew we could go this year for much less $ than we could next (or at least we convinced ourselves that this was true). Besides, my hubby believes that we should embrace life NOW, don't put it off; live life to the fullest. Ok, so maybe the savings goal hasn't quite been met...we can do it! So in April, 2002 we begin making plans for our August 3 - 10, 2002 trip. SW offered their Friends Fly Free deal, so we scooped up 4 plane tix (forgetting for the moment that I am always terrified to fly), and begin making arrangements.
The biggest decision was Beach Club or Polynesian? We've always stayed at the Polynesian, so something new would be nice. On the other hand, there is something comforting about familiarity, so the Poly looks good. We first make our ressies at the Polynesian, then we change them to the Beach Club, then about a month after that, we change back to the Polynesian (what must the people at reservations be thinking of us?!). No matter, we then weigh the pros & cons of concierge over and over and over. We make the ressies with a standard room, debate it, and finally decide to keep a standard...after all, can we possibly eat & drink the difference in cost between the standard & the concierge in only 7 days? Remember, we have a hungry pre teen son going through major growth spurts. We decide to stick with the standard room...for now.
We download tons of clip art from the web, cut them out and paste them to a water jug onto which we attach a label that reads: WDW 2002 or Bust! and we begin pouring all our pocket change and extra cash into. I start skipping my Dunkin Donuts coffee (ok, so I did go through some withdrawals...it was worth it), A. decides to contribute to the fund by pulling out all her loose teeth and putting her tooth fairy $ to the WDW fund. N. calls Grammy & Papa to see if he can earn extra $ by doing chores around their house, and M. starts putting in some OT at work. We decide to use the bucket 'o bucks towards souvenirs & a special dinner out.
The kids make a countdown chain, but honestly, the novelty of pulling off rings only lasted about a month...after that, A. started counting the days on the calendar. We cannot believe how quickly the months passed, and the WDW trip was soon here!!
About a month before the trip, I go into panic mode about the flight...now, understand that I'm not just afraid to fly, I'm positively phobic about it. I've tried medication in the past, but don't like it and I don't drink in flight. A friend recommended a product called "Rescue Remedy", an herbal concoction available in health food stores, and its ok. I recommend it to anyone suffering mild anxiety. I'd have had to drink the whole bottle to calm down. And remember, this is a MONTH before the trip...we haven't even headed to the airport. M. begins to ply me with wine everytime I begin to whine.
I make arrangements with Tiffany Towncar to pick us up at the airport; begin lurking all the Disney themed message boards, including AOL's and this one (this one is my all time favorite! Thank you a million times to everyone who has provided good ideas, suggestions, and inspiration).
OK, the plans have been made, the fretting has begun (was I right to change back to the Polynesian? would concierge have been better? should we have decided to drive?). My gosh, do I need a vacation!!
Finally, August 3rd arrives, and we're off!
Cast: Beth (me: 40, planner, fretter, trip #9)
Dh: Mark (trip #5, a great big wonderful kid, always up for a lark)
DS: N. (trip #5, pre teen, and determined to do every ride he was too afraid of on his last trip)
DD: A. (trip #4, 7yo, so totally psyched)
Our last trip to WDW was in July 2000, and originally we planned to return to WDW in 2003 (we'd promised A. that we'd celebrate her 8th birthday there) but when we started planning, and got the rates for airfare, tix & hotel, we knew we could go this year for much less $ than we could next (or at least we convinced ourselves that this was true). Besides, my hubby believes that we should embrace life NOW, don't put it off; live life to the fullest. Ok, so maybe the savings goal hasn't quite been met...we can do it! So in April, 2002 we begin making plans for our August 3 - 10, 2002 trip. SW offered their Friends Fly Free deal, so we scooped up 4 plane tix (forgetting for the moment that I am always terrified to fly), and begin making arrangements.
The biggest decision was Beach Club or Polynesian? We've always stayed at the Polynesian, so something new would be nice. On the other hand, there is something comforting about familiarity, so the Poly looks good. We first make our ressies at the Polynesian, then we change them to the Beach Club, then about a month after that, we change back to the Polynesian (what must the people at reservations be thinking of us?!). No matter, we then weigh the pros & cons of concierge over and over and over. We make the ressies with a standard room, debate it, and finally decide to keep a standard...after all, can we possibly eat & drink the difference in cost between the standard & the concierge in only 7 days? Remember, we have a hungry pre teen son going through major growth spurts. We decide to stick with the standard room...for now.
We download tons of clip art from the web, cut them out and paste them to a water jug onto which we attach a label that reads: WDW 2002 or Bust! and we begin pouring all our pocket change and extra cash into. I start skipping my Dunkin Donuts coffee (ok, so I did go through some withdrawals...it was worth it), A. decides to contribute to the fund by pulling out all her loose teeth and putting her tooth fairy $ to the WDW fund. N. calls Grammy & Papa to see if he can earn extra $ by doing chores around their house, and M. starts putting in some OT at work. We decide to use the bucket 'o bucks towards souvenirs & a special dinner out.
The kids make a countdown chain, but honestly, the novelty of pulling off rings only lasted about a month...after that, A. started counting the days on the calendar. We cannot believe how quickly the months passed, and the WDW trip was soon here!!
About a month before the trip, I go into panic mode about the flight...now, understand that I'm not just afraid to fly, I'm positively phobic about it. I've tried medication in the past, but don't like it and I don't drink in flight. A friend recommended a product called "Rescue Remedy", an herbal concoction available in health food stores, and its ok. I recommend it to anyone suffering mild anxiety. I'd have had to drink the whole bottle to calm down. And remember, this is a MONTH before the trip...we haven't even headed to the airport. M. begins to ply me with wine everytime I begin to whine.
I make arrangements with Tiffany Towncar to pick us up at the airport; begin lurking all the Disney themed message boards, including AOL's and this one (this one is my all time favorite! Thank you a million times to everyone who has provided good ideas, suggestions, and inspiration).
OK, the plans have been made, the fretting has begun (was I right to change back to the Polynesian? would concierge have been better? should we have decided to drive?). My gosh, do I need a vacation!!
Finally, August 3rd arrives, and we're off!
