The Boys are Staying Home & They're Not Upset-UPDATED 11/11 TO ADD CORN MAZE STORY :)

[desparatelydisney]

Okay....I have never done a trip report before, much less a PRE-TRIP report, but after reading so many I thought I'd give it a shot.

So sit back and grab the ....hopefully you will get as excited as I am because.....

DH just agreed to let me take DD for MVMCP; the boys are staying home & they're not upset!!

....I should add that the boys (8 & 3) aren't upset because I also promised to take a boys trip to Star Wars Weekends (...has anyone else realized this means I get 2 trips!!!!).

 

[desparatelydisney]

First a few facts:

1. My name is Mary-Margaret & I'm a Disneyaholic!!

2. Now that I have gotten that out...a little history:

My Disney vacationing started normally enough...trips to the World when I was 6 and again when I was 12. Then, when I was 19, I spent a summer in the College Program with Parks Horticulture. So far, so good. Next trip, honeymoon (CBR). A few years later, another little short trip because my parents had an Orlando timeshare and invited us down, tickets included. Then a big break. Had three kids, woke up one morning and said....we need to go to Disney World!! DS was 5, DD 23 months & DS 10 months....that is when the craziness started.

3. Trips in the last 3 years...

June 2006 - WL & BC
New Year's Eve 2006 - WL
April 2008 w/ Pirate & Princess Party - YC & WL
May 2009 - BCV & VWL
And now......Dec 09 - GF

4. I should also add that my friends have gotten so tired of hearing me talk about Disney that they suggested I become a Disney Travel Agent Well, they were joking but it started something....last October I joined a wonderful agency (which shall remain nameless) and I am now a home based travel agent specializing is Disney vacations! I have the greatest part time job in the world - I get to help others plan It's kind of like being an alcoholic bartender

next....Meet the Cast & Crew

 

[desparatelydisney]

Cast & Crew

Cast Member #1 - Me

That's me in May at Goofy's Beach Club Breakfast with DS 3.

As you already know, I'm a part-time TA. I also own and manage a forestry contracting business with my husband and, as of 3 weeks ago, homeschool our children. We live in northeastern NC, about 12 hours from WDW.

Cast Member #2 - DH 5, aka "The Princess"

That's her!! My and her father's . This picture was taken on Mother's Day with Sleeping Beauty at Akershus. Her first trip to the World was for her 2nd birthday...this will be her 5th trip! Not bad for a little girl who lives 12 hours from WDW!!

And last, but not least, our supporting cast/crew outside of Coral Reef....

The little man & The Princess you have already met...we also have DS 8 (aka "The Star Wars Junkie" - note Jedi Mickey applique on shirt) and my wonderful DH who puts up with the rest of us and spoils us whenever possible.

Next...Setting the Scene (or how I got to do this)

 

[desparatelydisney]

Setting the Scene

I have been wanting to go to MVMCP ever since we went to the Pirate and Princess Party and had a blast. We went down for New Year's Eve in 06 with the crazy idea that the week following Jan 1st wouldn't be crowded, so I have seen it decorated for the holidays but it soooo crowded I couldn't enjoy it.

Last year, we actually booked a 3-day trip for the whole family to go to MVMCP but we had a deal....if we landed a good job before we went we could go. Well, no good jobs came, so I had to cancel the trip. Like a said, we were just down at Mother's Day and had a wonderful trip...so it's been about 100 days when I start to get the itch again. I know that DH will never agree to go down during our busy season (December to April) and I know that going once a year is pushing it for him. Also, I know that the boys will be hurt if I go with DD and leave them at home. Plus, I don't think I want to drive 12 hours by myself.

That's when it hits me.....we could take the train! I have never taken the train but I have clients who have. So here's the skinny...we will board the train at 7:30pm and arrive in Orlando at 10:30 the next morning....and it will only cost us $150 roundtrip, total!!

That decided, now I can go ask DH....he says "if you have the money go" . Now, the hard part....convincing the 8 year old that it's okay.

Response 1 - "that's fine, but we (the boys) have to go as soon as you get off the train"
Sorry, buddy, can't do that!!

Response 2 - "you have to take 3 trips so we can each go by ourselves"
No - girl trip & boy trip

Response 3 - "okay, I get a trip by myself and you take the other 2 together"
That won't work, DS (3) loves Test Track & Soarin, DD says they are "terrifying" and DS (3) thinks the Princesses are "boring"

Repsonse 4 - "hey no fair, you are getting to go everytime"
Sorry, life isn't fair

Response 5 - "okay, Mommy, that's fine but you have to promise we can go during Star Wars Weekends"
Mission accomplished!!!


Next - Permission Granted, Now where do we stay...

 

[reyasmommy]

OH YAY!!!! HOW FUN!!!!

a mother/daughter trip would be awesome!! I'd love to do that someday with my little girl!

Have fun! Hope the little boys aren't too mad at you!?!

 

[desparatelydisney]

OH YAY!!!! HOW FUN!!!!

a mother/daughter trip would be awesome!! I'd love to do that someday with my little girl!

Have fun! Hope the little boys aren't too mad at you!?!

I have "dreamed" about this for so long. Everytime a parent/child duo goes I think...wow, what an efficient package...nobody else to please, you can move fast, no inter-sibling fussing!! I am soooooo excited. DD said "Mommy this will be the most girl time we've ever had"

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

I'm joining in! My mom is taking me for my college graduation in December. Except it's almost the other way around because I'm trying to make her like Disney. I think we're going to do the MVMCP like you, so I'm excited to see what other plans you have in mind!

 

[desparatelydisney]

I'm joining in! My mom is taking me for my college graduation in December. Except it's almost the other way around because I'm trying to make her like Disney. I think we're going to do the MVMCP like you, so I'm excited to see what other plans you have in mind!

Welcome Aboard! And I LOVE your dining reviews.....especially the drink pictures . Tonight, I'm gonna try to get up how I decided where to stay.

 

[MagicMomentsMom]

Just hopped on your trip report! Another NC gal here too, except we're in the Western part of the state. What fun a mommy and daughter trip, she's such a cutie! And WOW lucky you getting to be a TA for the best place on earth! Can't wait to hear more.

Veronica

 

[desparatelydisney]

Just hopped on your trip report! Another NC gal here too, except we're in the Western part of the state. What fun a mommy and daughter trip, she's such a cutie! And WOW lucky you getting to be a TA for the best place on earth! Can't wait to hear more.

Veronica

Welcome aboard, Veronica. We are headed to Asheville the first weekend in Oct. I can't wait!! I love living near the coast but I love the mtns too

 

[desparatelydisney]

Location, Location, Location

Okay, so I have "permission" from the boss (DS 8)....now where do we stay.

My first thought is that we should stay at POR. We can take the boat to DTD, which DD loves, it's moderately priced, and clients are always asking me about it. I keep telling myself we need to branch out so that I can stay at as many resorts as possible to give first-hand info to clients.

But of course, my mind wanders back to my first love, WL, and how wonderful it is decorated for the holidays. And, WL has the boat to the MK which sure would be more relaxing than the bus when we finish with the party late at night. And, I think I would feel safer walking from the boat dock into the lodge and then to our room by ourselves at midnight than I would walking from the bus stop to our room at POR. I've never liked external hall hotels even though my dad that spent nearly all of his 30s in a hotel room continually tells me that statistically they are much safer than an internal hall hotel. What to do, what to do....





Then it hits me....if I'm really concerned about getting to and from the park as quickly as possible and I'm really concerned about trying new hotels then I SIMPLY MUST stay at a monorail resort. There is no help for it; I have to -sometimes we just have to make the hard choices in life and do things that are for the best even when we don't want to

So....that leaves CR, POLY & GF as my only choices.

Knowing that GF will cost the most, I check CR first - the polar opposite of the WL. The only thing available there is Garden Wing and a club level suite for $1,000/night . I figure that if I'm going to stay CR, I might as well stay in the tower and I certainly don't have $1,000/night to spend for just me and DD. So...CR is out.


Next up, POLY. We ate at O'hana last trip and DH said he might like to stay at the POLY next time so I have a good shot of getting a POLY family trip down the road....moving on along.....


That only leaves GF. What can I do, it's not my fault!
Seriously, though. I can't think of anyplace more suited to a mommy/daughter trip-

1. There is no place "girlier" (is that a word) than the Grand!

2. DH has only moderate interest in staying there.

3. DD's two favorite parks are MK & EPCOT - both monorail parks

4. DD will go over the gingerbread house.

5. DD will the decor and furniture in the rooms - she is a total southern belle, even at the tender age of 5.

6. He-ll-o, Cinderella eats there!!!!

7. We can have "a real tea party" - not the one with "Seepin Booty" just the regular afternoon tea.

8. There are Garden View rooms available!!!


Ya Hooooo! We have a reservation!! Grand Floridian here we come!!


Next up....We are going to MVMCP, but what else should we do....

 

[disneyaddicted]

Hi my name is Ty, Congrats on getting your mom/daughter trip. It sounds like so much fun. I have been in Dec before, I went to MVMCP, it is wonderful, I made sure to drink enough free hot chocolate and eat as many free cookies to totally compensate for the extra cost of the party ticket. The shows were great and the parade was so much fun.
I am going this Dec. as well, 3-11 and taking my mother for her very first trip ever. We will probably skip MVMCP though.

I look forward to reading more of your plans.

girls rule!!!!

 

[desparatelydisney]

Hi my name is Ty, Congrats on getting your mom/daughter trip. It sounds like so much fun. I have been in Dec before, I went to MVMCP, it is wonderful, I made sure to drink enough free hot chocolate and eat as many free cookies to totally compensate for the extra cost of the party ticket. The shows were great and the parade was so much fun.
I am going this Dec. as well, 3-11 and taking my mother for her very first trip ever. We will probably skip MVMCP though.

I look forward to reading more of your plans.

girls rule!!!!

Hi, Ty. I'll have to check your PTR out. This is a first for me, so I hope I don't bore you too badly

 

[desparatelydisney]

OOPS - I Never Told You When We Are Going

It would probably help to let you know when we decided to take this trip, huh?!

Well, as of this year, we are homeschooling DS (8) and DD (5). We started the first Monday in August just so that we could have December off to enjoy the holidays. We will finish our 3rd six weeks on Friday, December 4.

I looked at the parties on December 6th, 10th & 11th. Availability for the 6th was really tight. Looking at the 10th & 11th, I settled on the 10th because of crowd calendars and a belief that a weeknight party would be less crowded than one on a Friday night. Let's hope I'm right. If not, it will be okay...my little girl and I will be in the Magic Kingdom and the 2 of us will be a highly mobile, and flexible, unit. I hereby promise that you won't hear one single complaint out of me....even if it rains.

So....we are leaving on the train at 7:30pm, Wed., Dec 9 and returning home at 10:30am, Sat., Dec 12. We wiil be gone for 3 nights total - 2 on the train and 1 at the GF.

Now...back to those other plans...

 

[desparatelydisney]

What to Do, What to Do

Our schedule:

Wednesday
Morning & Afternoon - pack & answer the question "when are we leaving for Disney World" approximately one google times
Evening - 5pm leave fortrain station, board train, plan out what rides DD definitely wants to do, sleep

Thursday
Morning - Wake up on train, eat, get to Orlando at 10:30, take transfer to GF, check-in (hopefully by 11:30/12). I have been told not to be surprised if the train runs late.
Afternoon - hang out at the pool, hopefully get in to room a little early, have afternoon tea in the tea room, head out to MVMCP
Evening - MVMCP (what else )

Friday
Morning & Afternoon - Sleep a little late, not too much, have a character meal of DD's choice, spend time at EPCOT & MK
Evening - say goodbye to WDW , transfer back to train station, board train, sleep

Saturday
Morning - Wake up on train, eat, get in to station at 10:30am, hopefully be home by lunch - 2 tired but very happy girls

That's all for now....but I need some advice. Has anybody booked a town car from Amtrak to WDW before? I'm going to call WDW CRO tomorrow and find out how much it is thru Disney. Should I (1) book thru Disney, (2) plan to get a cab, or (3) book a transfer with a private company separately?

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

I'm glad you liked my reviews! We will be there at the same time and both on mother/daughter trips! I'm also hoping to do MVMCP on the 10th! I have never taken Amtrak so I can't help you with your dilemma. Maybe the transportation board has an answer for you?

 

[ammeador2]

I am very envious! I would love a mother daugter trip and I would LOVE to stay at the Grand Floridian. If I did a mother daughter trip I would also have to do a mother son trip! Hmm..maybe I should think really hard about this one! Think I can get my hubby to go for it in the future! You have the wheels turning now and steam may shoot out of my ears! haha...

I look forward to hearing more about your trip. We are going in October and we are doing the MNSSHP our next trip will be in December so we can do the Christmas party.

 

[Swmr359]

What to Do, What to Do[/SIZEThat's all for now....but I need some advice. Has anybody booked a town car from Amtrak to WDW before? I'm going to call WDW CRO tomorrow and find out how much it is thru Disney. Should I (1) book thru Disney, (2) plan to get a cab, or (3) book a transfer with a private company separately?

My mom and I took Amtrack from DC to Kissimee last October. We called Disney ahead of time and they gave us the number of a cab company. I can dig up the number if you like. I'm not sure what the fare was though, I got the impression from my mom that it was resonable. On the way back we took a towncar, becuase it was parked right outside the hotel. The driver was very nice and chated the whole way to the station, my mom may have his card still I can ask if you would like his number

How are you riding down? We stayed in the deluxe(?) sleeper on the way down, and in a regular sleeper on the way back; both were very nice. We had a wake-up call, newspaper delivery, food and drink were included. I can also post pictures of the rooms if you are interested.

~Maggie

 

[desparatelydisney]

My mom and I took Amtrack from DC to Kissimee last October. We called Disney ahead of time and they gave us the number of a cab company. I can dig up the number if you like. I'm not sure what the fare was though, I got the impression from my mom that it was resonable. On the way back we took a towncar, becuase it was parked right outside the hotel. The driver was very nice and chated the whole way to the station, my mom may have his card still I can ask if you would like his number

How are you riding down? We stayed in the deluxe(?) sleeper on the way down, and in a regular sleeper on the way back; both were very nice. We had a wake-up call, newspaper delivery, food and drink were included. I can also post pictures of the rooms if you are interested.

~Maggie

Hi Maggie,

Thanks so much for your input. I haven't completely decided, but since we are used to riding in the car for 12 hours to get there we we will mostly be traveling in the dark, I am leaning heavily towards just getting us seats. It will triple the cost to get a roomette/sleeper. I would love to see your pictures and get your thoughts though, as I haven't purchased our tickets yet.

Also, thanks for the info about the transfers. Do you remember about how long it took you to get from the station to the hotel? And do you remember why you chose Kissimee instead of Orlando? One last question....how early did you need to be at the train station?

Sorry to hit you with a million questions! TIA!!

Mary-Margaret

 

[desparatelydisney]

If I did a mother daughter trip I would also have to do a mother son trip! Hmm..maybe I should think really hard about this one! Think I can get my hubby to go for it in the future! You have the wheels turning now and steam may shoot out of my ears! haha...

Mother/Daughter in December and then Mother/Sons in May/June for Stars Wars Weekends

Not sure how I got everybody to agree to this but I'm complaining!!!