The $10,000 vacation - a where or where has my budget gone!!!!

[jen2207]

I feel a little bit like I walked into an AA meeting....

me: Hi, my name is Jen, and I'm addicted to the DIS boards.
DIS: Hi Jen

Here is my pre-trip report:

Cast:
me: 34, for another couple of days at least.... ahem, <nervous cough> SAHM for past 2 years. I'll go back to work, ummmm someday???

DH: also 34, and 6 days younger than me. And yes, he does love to rub that in particularly around "milestone" birthdays. Engineer by trade - which you would think would make him a planner.... but nooooooo. that's ok, I hate to give up the control!

DS: 8, loves baseball, all things sports related actually, and pokemon - which I HATE! Refuses to eat veggies - unless you count french fries??

DD: 5, under influence of older brother, loves all things that he likes. Won't wear a dress, has perfect ringlet blonde curls, but refuses to let me do anything to her hair. (Absolutely NO trips to Bippityboppity boutique in her future!) But is our cheerleader no the less, gets excited for everything!

DD: 2, my punkin'! So far she's my girlie girl - loves purses and makeup - yes, at 2 I know....... alas - making all the mistakes with her that I swore I would never do! (pacifiers, security blankies, candy, you name it!)

Supporting cast:
DM (DGM to kiddos): the youngest 75 yr old I have ever known! Up for anything - but will help with taking baby back to room for naps too.

DMIL: 50-ish

DFIL: 50-ish

We've travelled with in laws before - always good to have another set of hands with the kids! Actually, we take them with us on almost every trip we go on as a family. Sometimes I find myself complaining about it - just wanting a bit more "special" time with just our immediate family - but when we actually with them, I never seem to feel that way. And I always invite them along!! But it is an in-law type of relationship for me..... so stay tuned there may be some drama to unfold......

Ok, there's 8 of us. We booked a 2 BR condo at SSR to us, kids and my mom, and a seperate studio for the in-laws. Date 9/20-9/27/08 - during FREE dining - TA convinced us into upgrade to deluxe dining - that may be the start of the budgetary decline.

Next up: ADRs......

 

[siestakeys04]

Hey great start can't wait to read more

 

[bettyann29]

Woohoo.. You have a big clan like us on our upcoming trip.. There are 9 of us..

Looking forward to hearing more..

 

[MomofCKJ]

Signing on! In laws, drama, sounds like a good read!

Allyson

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Are you all going to travel in a big group everyday? Are you going to make the grandparents all sign a waiver that you are in charge of all things disney? Can't wait to find out.

 

[jen2207]

Are you all going to travel in a big group everyday? Are you going to make the grandparents all sign a waiver that you are in charge of all things disney? Can't wait to find out.

Good point, I actually haven't thought that out yet...... I set our ADRs for mostly breakfast and dinner TS - thinking that we could all start together and end together and we'll see what happens in between!

 

[jen2207]

Now that we have the dates set, 9/20-27th I started reading all I could on the DIS boards and got advice from all my Disney-knowledgable friends.

I should preface this with the fact that I haven't been to WDW since 1978 - yes - pre-epcot even! So everything will be new to me. My mom, who is traveling with us, hasn't been back since that trip either. And really who's fault is that??? Hers - how could you deny the adorable child, that I'm sure I was , chances to go to Disney more than once????

When I was little, my grandma lived in Clearwater, FL and we would drive down from Wisconsin every year to visit her around April. Now I didn't realize this at the time, but we would literally drive right past Disney and not stop! We went one time, for one day. One day. It bears repeating, one day!!!!! I remember we drove over from Clearwater, spent the afternoon, drove back. Now I realize the WDW was not the sprawling multi-attraction parks that it is today - but even at 5 years old in 1978, I KNEW it was the place to be!

I have two memories about WDW from those early years - and both of them were lies told to me by my parents that I believed whole heartedly until I was well into my twenties. Ok, lies is a bit harsh - - - - big fibs, or convenient mis-truths.......

First, I remember asking my dad if we could go on the teacup ride and I vividly remember him saying, "oh no Jen, those are dangerous." The good hearted, all-believing, naive child that I was believed him. And believed for years, for decades even, that the teacups were a terribly dangerous ride. What good parent would put their child in such harms way?? What a terrible realization it was when watching a Disney commerical on TV, in my college dorm, I saw groups of happy families with small children spinning and laughing riding the teacups. It hit me like a ton of bricks - THOSE AREN'T DANGEROUS! He just didn't want to go on them! Hmmmmm - well now that I am a parent, I fully understand and appreciate the simplicity of this diversionary tactic - but at 23, I was crushed. Ok, not crushed, just got the feeling that I had been duped.

The second memory isn't so much about Disney itself - just the little lies that were told to keep me from going again. "Oh no Jen, we can't go to Disney this year - it is much too far to drive." (From Clearwater, mind you - maybe an hour and a half drive???) And what makes it worse is my mother's sister (my aunt and godmother) moved to Lake Wales when I was about 10. So we would stop at Aunt Kathy's and spend the first weekend or so of our vacation at her house - now literally we are footsteps away from Disney. Did we go??? Oh no, "the crowds would be too much." So we went to Sea World - which was fun, but let's be honest, it ain't no Disney.......

Oh well, time to make up for it now!

And I must say, that I love my parents dearly, and all this whining about poor lil' Jen and her Disney-phobic parents - is just good clean fun. My dad past away 2 years ago from cancer -but I'm thrilled to have my mom with us on this trip. She has more energy at 75 with my kids, than she did at 45 with me! And I can't wait to share these memories with my kids and her. And maybe to rub it in a little bit about how cute lil' Jen would have loved this too..... ok ok ok no more whining......

 

[jen2207]

Ok, here is what I have planned so far. I'm planning breakfasts at or near 8am, and dinner at or near 7pm. (Lunches - will do CS in parks) Since we have a bigger group I figured we'd at least start together, and end up together at dinner. With at least some of us splitting up to go back to hotel for naps in the afternoon...... note: I do have deluxe dining

Arrival day - should get to resort around 2pm. So maybe grab snack at hotel or DTD depending on time....
Dinner - Cindy's Royal Table at the Palace. (Was hoping to do Cindy breakfast - but we booked our trip way to late to get in on that!!)

Sunday
breakfast- 1900 Park Fare - GF - maybe make a MK day?? Ride monorail in??
dinner- Sci-fi Dine In - DHS

Monday
breakfast- Crystal Palace - MK (ressie 8am before rope drop)
dinner- Tutto Italia - EPCOT ** Can we see fireworks from here???

Tuesday
breakfast- Donald's safari - AKL - all day at AK
dinner- BOMA (early dinner) - Not planning a nap today - may be setting myself up for a 2 yr olds melt-down .......

Wednesday (maybe a lazy day/ recovery day?)
breakfast- Chef Mickey - 7:40am - YIKES this is early - trying to get a later time - we'll see..........
dinner- HDDR

Thursday- EPCOT day
lunch- Coral Reef
Dinner- Teppen Edo

Friday- DHS day
lunch- 50s Primetime Cafe
dinner- Aloha Luau

Saturday
breakfast- Akershus princess breakfast
flight leaves at 4pm, so have some time for lunch - recommendations????

OK, that's what I have planned for now. I've already made a few changes before today - took out Jojo Circus breakfast at Hollywood and Vine, and lunch at Garden Grill......

Things I'm thinking about trying to get in - MNSSHP and/or fireworks cruise/ boat rental.

Since I am basically a WDW virgin, what am I missing?? What should I add???? Your thoughts are welcomed!

 

[bettyann29]

Ok, here is what I have planned so far. I'm planning breakfasts at or near 8am, and dinner at or near 7pm. (Lunches - will do CS in parks) Since we have a bigger group I figured we'd at least start together, and end up together at dinner. With at least some of us splitting up to go back to hotel for naps in the afternoon...... note: I do have deluxe dining

Arrival day - should get to resort around 2pm. So maybe grab snack at hotel or DTD depending on time....
Dinner - Cindy's Royal Table at the Palace. (Was hoping to do Cindy breakfast - but we booked our trip way to late to get in on that!!)

Sunday
breakfast- 1900 Park Fare - GF - maybe make a MK day?? Ride monorail in??
dinner- Sci-fi Dine In - DHS

Monday
breakfast- Crystal Palace - MK (ressie 8am before rope drop)
dinner- Tutto Italia - EPCOT ** Can we see fireworks from here???

Tuesday
breakfast- Donald's safari - AKL - all day at AK
dinner- BOMA (early dinner) - Not planning a nap today - may be setting myself up for a 2 yr olds melt-down .......

Wednesday (maybe a lazy day/ recovery day?)
breakfast- Chef Mickey - 7:40am - YIKES this is early - trying to get a later time - we'll see..........
dinner- HDDR

Thursday- EPCOT day
lunch- Coral Reef
Dinner- Teppen Edo

Friday- DHS day
lunch- 50s Primetime Cafe
dinner- Aloha Luau

Saturday
breakfast- Akershus princess breakfast
flight leaves at 4pm, so have some time for lunch - recommendations????

OK, that's what I have planned for now. I've already made a few changes before today - took out Jojo Circus breakfast at Hollywood and Vine, and lunch at Garden Grill......

Things I'm thinking about trying to get in - MNSSHP and/or fireworks cruise/ boat rental.

Since I am basically a WDW virgin, what am I missing?? What should I add???? Your thoughts are welcomed!

Sounds like some good food choices..

We are heading to the world August 29 and we also have ADR for Chef Mickeys, although we are going for dinner there one night.. we also have a breakfast scheduled at Akershus and really looking forward to this as we've heard wonderful things about it and we havent done it before.. We are also going to Primetime 50's.. This is DD10's favorite place to eat and when I told her yesterday that yes, we are going again, her face lit up! she absolutely loves the servers there..

We arent doing Crystal Palace this time but have in past and the characters are great!

I do have to say that Hollywood and Vine and Garden Grill are good too as we've done both and have GardenGrill scheduled for our upcoming trip.. Love the mac and cheese

You have a few on your list that Id love to do and are on my To Do list for future visits.. Would love to hear how they went when you return!

Im enjoying reading your PTR.. Keep it coming!

 

[jen2207]

Sounds like some good food choices..

We are heading to the world August 29 and we also have ADR for Chef Mickeys, although we are going for dinner there one night.. we also have a breakfast scheduled at Akershus and really looking forward to this as we've heard wonderful things about it and we havent done it before.. We are also going to Primetime 50's.. This is DD10's favorite place to eat and when I told her yesterday that yes, we are going again, her face lit up! she absolutely loves the servers there..

We arent doing Crystal Palace this time but have in past and the characters are great!

I do have to say that Hollywood and Vine and Garden Grill are good too as we've done both and have GardenGrill scheduled for our upcoming trip.. Love the mac and cheese

You have a few on your list that Id love to do and are on my To Do list for future visits.. Would love to hear how they went when you return!

Im enjoying reading your PTR.. Keep it coming!

Thanks Bettyann! I'm having fun planning and reading other trip reports too - it's exciting and yet a bit overwheling at times too. I have to stop reading the DIS boards before bed - I get so excited I can't relax to sleep!!!

 

[jen2207]

I'm going to try to do a fireworks specialty cruise (fingers crossed that I can get a ressie!!) So if anyone has done one of these - what about ordering food - looks like you can order from one of the nearby resort restaurants..... anyone have any experience or recommedations????

 

[jen2207]

On a chance - I called today and got my kids booked on a Pirate cruise!! Whoo-hoo!!

For Wednesday morning, so I'm going to cancel my Chef Mickey's ressie at 7:40 - have that be a sleep in day for my baby (2yr) and Grandma, then me and DH will take the two older kids to Cape Mays for breakfast and then they get to do the Pirate cruise!! They are going to have a blast!

I wanted to get that scheduled for my ds since a lot of our other plans are a bit "princess-y". It's going to be a surprise - if I can keep my mouth shut!!! I'm so excited for them, I'll have to contain my excitement for here on the DIS!!!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

We're doing the pirate cruise too. The one at POR since that is where we are stayig. I've also got my kids booked into the Wonderland tea party. The boys aren't too pschyed about it-until I told them there was a chance for a food fight! But their sister doesn't want to do the tea alone. So she promises to be a good sport and go on the pirate cruise and they promised to go to the tea party.

I'm planning on making them t-shirts for both events. It all started with a one shirt (my daughter's name is Alix so the shirt has a picture of Alice on it but it reads "Alix in Wonderland") and now I've got to many to count.

 

[jen2207]

I'm planning on making them t-shirts for both events. It all started with a one shirt (my daughter's name is Alix so the shirt has a picture of Alice on it but it reads "Alix in Wonderland") and now I've got to many to count.

OMG how cute!!! I bought a bunch of tshirts at our local Disney Store - they are closing it. So I got them for about $4 a piece. I think they'll be so cute - all matchy-matchy. My DH thinks I'm going overbaord - what does he know!?!?!! But I didn't find Pirates tshirts...... so got my eyes out for those!!

 

[jen2207]

Since this is our first ever visit to WDW as a family - and the budget is already out the window......I'm trying to put in special surprises etc. during our trip for our family. First I got the pirate cruise for the two older kids. Today I got confirmation that we will have a diver at the Coral Reef hold up a sign for us that will say "Happy Birthday Emma!" (Ds turns 6 10/1 - 4 days after we get home)- and she'll get the personalized menu there too! Now, what picture should I use on that.... hmmmm.....

What else can I add? I think I'm going to order a get a gift basket with mickey ears etc. be delivered to our room on check in day - we'd buy them anyways - this will just be that much more special for the kids!

I'm keeping all of this a secret from the rest of the family - so I have to tell about here - or I'll burst!

I'm excited!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Who did you decide to get your gift basket with "ears" in it from? Anything else going in the basket? I keep thinking of getting a Pal Mickey. But then I think lugging it around the park in August would be well... hot and yucky.

We're doing the family magic tour. Have you looked into that? Or what about a family photo shoot at the GF?

 

[DISNEYJAZZ]

Looking forward t reading more... we were at disney in april and the grands are still talking about it daily .we had lunch at the royal table and it was wonderful { haven't gotten that far in my trip report yet though} we really loved coral reef also! i had the kids surprised { thier dada was surprised too! he had no idea why the special treatment ,show's ya us mil's are good for something...hehe} with the diver and menus,i sent thier halloween pix,minnie & tigger! perfect,they still can't figuure out how mickey and minnie knew they would be there and how'd they get the pix!..i told them it is the internet! they can just look online to see who's coming to the world! not had to explain how they got the pix yet! to them 'online' explained it all...th eownders of the www! i can't wait to read more of your plans!

 

[jen2207]

Who did you decide to get your gift basket with "ears" in it from? Anything else going in the basket? I keep thinking of getting a Pal Mickey. But then I think lugging it around the park in August would be well... hot and yucky.

We're doing the family magic tour. Have you looked into that? Or what about a family photo shoot at the GF?

I haven't picked everything yet for the basket - I'm thinking ears and autograph book - then I don't know what else?? Maybe My pal Mickey - kids would get a kick out of that! (Me too!!!) I think I'm going to use memoriesbybetsy.com or Peggyssweetsnmore.com

What is the family magic tour?? I haven't heard of that one yet!

The photo shoot is a good idea too - I'll have to check into that!

 

[jen2207]

Looking forward t reading more... we were at disney in april and the grands are still talking about it daily .we had lunch at the royal table and it was wonderful { haven't gotten that far in my trip report yet though} we really loved coral reef also! i had the kids surprised { thier dada was surprised too! he had no idea why the special treatment ,show's ya us mil's are good for something...hehe} with the diver and menus,i sent thier halloween pix,minnie & tigger! perfect,they still can't figuure out how mickey and minnie knew they would be there and how'd they get the pix!..i told them it is the internet! they can just look online to see who's coming to the world! not had to explain how they got the pix yet! to them 'online' explained it all...th eownders of the www! i can't wait to read more of your plans!

I LOVE to pull off something amazing that just charms my kids!!! I can't wait to hear what they come up with as to how they think happens. Funny story - - my ds lost a tooth this week and the tooth fairy forgot <ahem> to come!! I was mortified!!! I just forgot!! But the loving soul that he is, he came up with the idea that there were bad thunderstorms that night and she must not have been able to fly in the rain. And dd5 chimes in with, "oh yeah - like the bees in Bee Movie!!!" Whew - that was a close one!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Check out the description on allearsnet.com page

http://allears.net/btp/tours.htm

I've been following KristineN's live report and she just did a treasure hunt in the MK through gifts of a lifetime. Here is the link for that.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1841465&page=15

It's a bit out of my price range this trip but maybe....... It's all so tempting. I'm definatly booking the behind the scenes tour where you get to touch the penguins at Seaworld thanks to her report. My kids got so psyched when I told them about it. I'm thinking that touching a live penguin beats a Pal Mickey.