The Better-late-than-never Pre-trip Report!

[a little bird]

Well, I'd say I've lurked on these boards for about a year, and almost never post anything! I've finally gotten to the point where I just can't contain my excitement, because we're going to WDW...

in less than two days!!!!

There's pretty much nothing left to buy, pack, or deal with. So here I am, with the A/C blasting (it's going to be in the high 90's here today) and hours and hours on my hands. What better way to spend it than posting on the DIS?

To start with, Our Cast:

Me, Age 31. New York City elementary school science teacher on summer break, single mom, foodie, plant person, all-around quirky woman, and super-planner for this trip.

DM, Age 63. Professional baker and cake decorator, hasn't taken a vacation in 15+ years, forced by me to order first in any restaurant because she will always order what I order, calls herself an "old bag" but is nothing of the sort.

DD, Age 5. Super verbal, inquisitive, loves sushi, tofu, decaf coffee and other foods most kids wouldn't touch with a 1000 foot pole, first trip to WDW.

We are scheduled to fly out of EWR (Newark Airport) Wednesday morning at 11:15 on Jet Blue. We've never flown them before and are pretty excited. My mother took it upon herself to call a car service to come pick us up in a towncar at her apartment (around the corner from ours) so we could have a decent ride to the airport. Sounds great! Well, she told the driver to get us at 6:30 a.m. The airport is maybe 15-20 minutes away. We'll be having a nice, relaxing breakfast at TGIFriday's in the terminal, then watching Disney movies on the iPod.

Next up: Where we're staying (and why it's kind a magical for me!), and where we're going to be stuffing our faces!

 

[a little bird]

Where we're staying:

Yep, we are AKL refugees! I had wanted to stay at AKL ever since I had heard of its existence years ago. When I booked this trip last August, that was the only place I even considered staying. We were all excited for AKL until....

THE CALL.

Actually, in my case, the email. My wonderful travel agent from Dreams Unlimited emailed me with the spiel, construction, blah, blah, need to move, blah, blah, blah, SSR, blah. I jumped at the chance without so much as the tiniest of second thoughts. Why, you ask? The first reason is that I would get almost $1200 back. Can't argue with that...World Showcase shops here I come! The second reason SSR sounded great to me is that I was born and raised in the "real" Saratoga Springs, New York. I love it there, and wish I still lived there. It's truly a wonderful place, really magical in its own way.

So, I'll really be "going home" again! Even my mother is just tickled pink at the thought!

We have heard that they even sell Peppermint Pigs there. These are a tradition in Saratoga, one I haven't gotten the chance to participate in since I moved away from home. Basically, it is a giant candy pig, that comes with a little red velvet bag and a tiny hammer. You put the pig in the bag, and everyone present takes a swipe at it with the hammer, and makes a wish. We used to do it every holiday season. I can't wait!

Next: Why loose clothing will be essential--our ADR's and other eating plans!