The 30 day PTR: UPDATE: We are on our way!!

[Planning fanatic mom]

The Family is headed to WDW in just 30 days!!! Clearly this PTR won't last long. I thought it would be neat to share and receive some insight into the last few weeks before our trip.

The Cast of Characters, boy, are we characters.
ME: Teacher of 6th graders, Lover of Books, Professional Planner
DH: Teacher of English (Seniors), Lover of Naps, Oustanding Cook
DD 16: Sophomore in HS, Lover of Basketball, Intimidatingly Tall
DD 13: 8th Grader, Lover of Peace, Remarkable Wit

This pic was taken by us while waiting for FOTLK in 07. It was in the shade in front of a fan, and we weren't moving. We set the camera on a bench and squeezed together.

To this day, this pic is a favorite of mine.

Up next:: The Hallman's History at WDW

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

OK, Here's the deal. Our trips in a nut shell.

1. DH went to Disney in 1982 with our HS show choir. (It cracks my daughters up that he was in show choir. )
He says that he doesn't remember much, and the only pics we have are of him singing on the Tomorrowland Stage.

2. DH and I went to WDW in 1986 together. We were in college at the time. We went to MK one day, Epcot another day, and Wet and Wild. I remember seeing all of the characters at different countries. Pluto in Mexico, Minnie in China, Goofy in UK, and so on. Other than that, not much else.

3. OUR HONEYMOON!! AAWWW!!! Yes, we had been dating since HS and got married in 1990. We stayed in what was called The Walt Disney World Villas. They are now OKW. We had a wonderful time. I remember Living with the Land and thinking it was dumb. (Now I think it is neat. I guess that is what 19 years will do for you.) We ate at Fulton's Crab House and 50's Prime Time Cafe and loved them both.

4. 1997: We lived in Charleston SC and were moving back to PA. We had 2 little girls and decided that we should take them while we still lived so close. We were still Air Force, so we stayed at Shades of Green. We went to MK and MGM (Yes, MGM at the time). I remember DD 13's face when she say Minnie for the first time. (She was 19 months old then) I remember DD 16 meeting Mickey. (She was 5)

5. 2006: We flew down for 7 days and stayed at POP. We were so excited. I had bought the UG and had a touring plan. DH lost his wallet at Epcot. Got it back without the money. We did not give up and had a great trip.

6. 2007: DH decided that we would go back the following year. We were game. This time we drove. Another year to plan and we stayed at POR. We also added Sea World to this trip. LOVED IT!!

Here's one of my favorite pics from 07.

Which brings us to 2009. More in the next post.

How did we get here? Why the year in between? What comes next?

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

After our trip in 2007, we all wanted to go back in 2008. However, many family and friends couldn't understand why we would want to go back. We caved to the pressure and didn't plan a trip. We did get a chance to stay in a condo at Myrtle Beach and had a great time. But we all knew we would go back to WDW.

Once the prices came out last summer, I started planning. My DD 16 really wanted her own bed, so we decided ASMu suites. My SIL had stayed at ASMu and really liked it. We decided we would go for 6 days, 7 days.

THEN!!!! the 4/3 deal came out. In Nov. I called WDW to see what they could do for me. They said that the deal did not pertain to the suites. (If anyone knows why this is, could you please tell me.)
So, the very nice lady on the phone told me we could stay at POR. We had already stayed there. We liked it, but we wanted to try another resort. Then she mentioned..... Wait for it.....

WL. Well, I was hooked. Ever since we ate at WCC in 2007, we wanted to stay here. Yes, I know that DD16 will not get her own bed. (She is too tall for the bunkbeds) She didn't mind as long as we could stay at WL. We had to add a night. It still cost less then the suites.

We are very excited. We will have a woods view room, and I have requested a North side view: 4th or 5th floor. I'm hoping to see Wishes from the balcony.

Up next: ADRS

 

[cjackearl]

Yea, you started a PTR! Your daughters have gorgeous smiles. I like the picture of your family @ AK also. You all look so happy and relaxed. Can't wait to hear more!

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

Yea, you started a PTR! Your daughters have gorgeous smiles. I like the picture of your family @ AK also. You all look so happy and relaxed. Can't wait to hear more!

Thanks for reading. 4 weeks from today we will be at WDW

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Oh YAY!! I can't wait to hear about all your plans!

It's so nice to put a face to your name! The picture of your girls with Pocahontas is very cute...I love it!

Can you believe it's only 4 weeks away?? WOOOO-HOOOO!!!!!!!

I'm in and looking forward to more!

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

Ok, well for those of you who don't remember, just as the 180 day mark to make ADRs for June was appoaching in Dec., WDW changed all the ADRs to 90 days. I had all of my places, times, and such ready in Nov. Then I found out that I had to wait until March. I was so bummed.

I waited a very long 3 months to make my ADRs. I was able to get all that I wanted after a tense 37 minutes.

Here they are!! I've marked the new places. I'll take any food recommendations.

Tues. June 16: WCC 6:30
Wed. 17: Tony's Town Square: 12:15 (NEW)
Thurs. 18: 50's Prime Time Cafe
Fri. 19: Coral Reef: (NEW)
Sat. 20: O'Hana (NEW)
Sun. 21: CHef Mickey's (NEW) Father's Day
Mon. 22: Cape May Cafe (NEW)

As you can see some old and some new.

I am most worried about O'Hana because of the picky eaters in the family. (One of them would be me)

Oh, year first time on the dining plan. I hope that I know what I am doing.

Next up! pics of lots of new things for this trip.

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

Oh YAY!! I can't wait to hear about all your plans!

It's so nice to put a face to your name! The picture of your girls with Pocahontas is very cute...I love it!

Can you believe it's only 4 weeks away?? WOOOO-HOOOO!!!!!!!

I'm in and looking forward to more!

Thanks for joining in. We seem to be a small group. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

 

[cjackearl]

Hello! Your ADRs look good, although you'll be eating at Cape May the day we check out of the BC.

We're doing the DDP for the first time also. I think we'll both do just fine.

 

[topdog]

Yay! Now you know I am not going to miss this TR.

I am going to watch this like a hawk!!!

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

Yay! Now you know I am not going to miss this TR.

I am going to watch this like a hawk!!!

Oh, No. Pressure!!! One disclaimer. DH is our photographer. Good news, this trip we have a nice new camera. No idea what kind.

Thanks for joining me on this wild adventure.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Your ADRs look good. I've only eaten at 'Ohana and Coral Reef, so I can't offer much on the others. I did eat at PTC on my honeymoon in 1992, but that's been a LONG time!

WCC and ChefMickey's are 2 I'd really like to try so I look forward to your reviews on those.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Oh..the DDP. It's very easy to use and most of the CMs are very helpful. Just keep track of the credits you have used and check the bottom of your receipts to be sure it all checks out. Be ready with your order....drink, entree, dessert....at the CS places, that really helps. When you order snacks, just be sure to say you are using the snack plan...they always ask, but it's helpful to let them know off the top. You'll be FINE!!

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

Here are some various pics of the planning process;

Here is our chain from 45 days out.

This was my mother's day present. My old luggage we from 1990 and didn't have wheels.

Here are my lovely maps from Disney!! I can't even imagine using them.

Her is my binder and travel docs. The pillows in the background were made by both DDs in their 8th grade F&CS classes. They have to make a practice pillow before they can make their big pillows. Of course, they thought of mom.

Last but not least. Today is 24 days from our arrival at WL. We actually leave 2 days before, but I count until we arrive at our magical place. Here is the chain again. Like momofthreeboys, I have a cool fact on each link. Thanks Missy!!

Up next! Surveys and touring plans!!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Oh good! I'm so glad you used the trivia idea! Are the girls enjoying the questions??

Love the new luggage! YAY!

Those maps really are beautiful, but impractical to actually use at the parks. I'm still trying to come up with some creative way to display or use them. I'll let you know if anything strikes me!

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

Oh good! I'm so glad you used the trivia idea! Are the girls enjoying the questions??

Love the new luggage! YAY!

Those maps really are beautiful, but impractical to actually use at the parks. I'm still trying to come up with some creative way to display or use them. I'll let you know if anything strikes me!

My links are more facts. The trivia questions will come with the jeopardy game I made for the drive down. They just don't know it yet.

I would love an idea to display the maps. I was surprised that they came back to back.

 

[cjackearl]

I was surprised that the maps were double sided, also. They are awfully pretty.

Your binder looks much more organized than mine. Reordering mine is on tonight's agenda, right along with popcorn and a movie.

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

In 2006 I planned everything with little input from the family. The girls really couldn't remember anything specific, and DH didn't really want to go, so he kept saying, "I don't care." They loved the trip, and we went back the next year.

Now that the girls had specific things that they liked and didn't like, I decided to create a survey. I listed all of the attractions, and they could choose between 3 categories. 1. Must not be missed 2. Yes, if there is time 3. NO, please don't make me do this again.
They were not allowed to share thoughts, and they had to be honest. If it was anyone's Not to be missed, it made the touring plan. If 2 or more people had it on their Yes category, then it made the touring plan. I then used the UG touring plans and created our family's plan. This worked great in 2007, so we decided to do it again this year.

Here is the order of the parks;
Tues 16: AK
Wed. 17: MK
Thurs. 18: DHS
Fri. 19: Epcot: Future World
Sat. 20: MK
Sun. 21: AK
Mon. 22: Epcot: World Showcase
Tues. 23: DHS

This is where we start each day, this is not necessarily where we finish the day. We always take a break, and after the break, we reevaluate where to go.

I wasn't going to go into details about the plans unless someone wants me to. My plans are geared towards my family. I'm not sure it would be helpful to anyone else.

Up Next: Driving down.

 

[cjackearl]

I'm not sure how I missed this update. I like your idea of a family meeting and planning your agenda together.

Looks like our days overlap some. We'll be @ MK on Wed. and Tues. will be either DHS or AK. Also Fri. we'll be @ Epcot rope drop. Let's keep our eyes peeled.

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

I'm not sure how I missed this update. I like your idea of a family meeting and planning your agenda together.

Looks like our days overlap some. We'll be @ MK on Wed. and Tues. will be either DHS or AK. Also Fri. we'll be @ Epcot rope drop. Let's keep our eyes peeled.

Your beautiful red-headed daughters should be easy to spot. You can look for a tall teenage girl. We will be the family playing the handheld Yahtzee game.

20 Days!!!!