THE DISNEADS ARE HEADED TO WDW! Update 5/21...We're outta here!

[schdp]

I hope to catch Spectro and Wishes one last time before we say goodbye to WDW. I get really emotional when leaving, so I want it to be the perfect end to the perfect vacation. I would like to be eating my dole whip on the bridge while watching Wishes for the last time (and wiping those tears!).

I know just how you feel on this one!!! Every stinkin time! The last time we booked late flight so we had the morning in the AK park, and I still felt it... Guess that is why we go back!

 

[sneadae]

Ok, now that I am "reading" all the details...we were in WDW last June as well, at OKW...then DD2 and I were in WDW during TS Fay, mid August with all the rain..had the best times at MK though...we must have went through 4 ponchos and then I splurged on the pink Mickey rain jacket at Emporium
I get those "l@@ks" when non Disney people find out DD2 will have her 5th trip to Disney next mth...but your little ones!!!!! I love it!

Oh, wow, yeah we were there almost the same times! Fay was so annoying while we were there, but we can laugh about it now. Our last two trips to WDW were cold (during mid August for Fay and then again in Nov) and so we are hoping for hot hot hot in May when we go! We also bought nice rain jackets while we were there. They've gotten a lot of use.

Hi! Loving your PTR! My family and I will be at SSR during the same time! Wish I was going on the cruise afterwards, though! One day!

Thanks for reading along! Maybe we could have a mini meet-up at the pool one afternoon!

I know just how you feel on this one!!! Every stinkin time! The last time we booked late flight so we had the morning in the AK park, and I still felt it... Guess that is why we go back!

We are true Disney crazies! Sometimes I wonder..."What's wrong with me?" I just can't help it.

Okay, now, quick, let's talk CJ into DVC.

 

[MRNsMommy]

Thanks for reading along! Maybe we could have a mini meet-up at the pool one afternoon!

Absolutely! I'd love to meet another DISer! My kids are actually the same age as yours...but I have two girls...DD4 and DD1! DD1 won't be joining us on this trip, though. We go to WDW on an average of every other year, and I'm already planning to go back in Dec. 2010, so DH and I figured we'd give DD4 one more trip with our undivided attention...plus, DD1 still takes two naps a day, so I thought that might cut into our Disney time! haha!
I'm sure my DD4 would love to meet your DS4, though!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Hi DisneyBride'03! Welcome to our crazy trip report. Thanks for answering my questions about the cruise on the Disney Wonder in the private message. Your answers helped me tremendously

And yes, we have snow here in Ohio too. Just flurries, but still snow. We had beautiful weather last week.

Glad you found our PTR!

Thanks for the welcome!! I am glad I found your PTR as well! I have never done one before...and I dont even usually visit this thread too much...but I saw your dates..and thought , this would be fun to read! I have a CJ and will be there around the same time!

I am hoping the crowds are reasonable and its not too humid! Just changed resorts again yesterday and moved some ADR's around and added CP...I still fine tune the plans to the last minute!
Did you mention DVC?!
Well...my DH finally decided....we will always have some sort of addt'l mthly payment, whether its an auto loan payment or some kind of loan....but with a DVC purchase...(we financed some)...that mthly payment is a guarantee that all your vacations in the future are pre-paid at TODAY's prices!
Points will not increase...the dollar amt per point to purchase will though!
Its not for everyone...but for those with little ones, and you know you will be visiting Disney on vacations....
We have added up what we WOULD have paid for our trips since 07.(accomodations, inc our 3 night WOnder cruise)..close to $13K! But we didnt cause we have DVC...

Sorry...didnt mean to hijack your thread

 

[sneadae]

Time for an update! Whew...things are getting a little crazy around here. Spring break is over - BOO - and we are on the fast track to summer vacation. I couldn't be more ready. We have 5.5 weeks until my dance school's spring dance recital, and planning is in full swing, and I feel like my head is spinning!!!

The next few weeks are hectic, and then it's time to start getting ready for the trip. This weekend is Easter and we will be spending it together as a family. Next weekend, we have picture day at the dance studio. It is my least favorite day of the year. But, brings me one step closer to summer vacation! Then, the following weekend, my dancers have their final competition of the season. It will be a long 3 days, but it will be the last one, which means, once again, one step closer to summer break! After that, I have 2 "free weekends" where I will spend the majority of both weeks/weekends preparing for my vacation. This includes, but is not limited to, SHOPPING...SHOPPING...and more SHOPPING. Oh, and packing. CJ said to me this morning as he was getting up for his day..."We need to go on a shopping spree before our WDW trip." You got it. Not a problem on my end.

Today, I figured out that we will be getting our cabin assignments for the cruise portion of our trip around April 23. I think they assign them 35 days in advance. Lots of people on the DIS are reporting that they booked Category 12 Guarantee, but they are receiving upgrades of Category 9 and 10. Keeping my fingers crossed that this will happen for us.

And, where are our Magic Express luggage tags??? Shouldn't we have them by now? Waiting patiently....

Nothing has changed with our trip. We are sticking to the same plans. Haven't modified ressies or anything. I am a big chicken when it comes to that. Wanna hear my issue? I am afraid to call to confirm my dining reservations, because I am afraid that the CM will mess something up. I'd rather arrive the day of the ressie with my confirmation in hand and deal with issues then, than to take a chance with calling WDW Dining and get a CM who messes up my perfectly placed dining reservations. I know, I am pitiful.

Up next - Let's talk about the cruise!!

 

[sneadae]

Absolutely! I'd love to meet another DISer! My kids are actually the same age as yours...but I have two girls...DD4 and DD1! DD1 won't be joining us on this trip, though. We go to WDW on an average of every other year, and I'm already planning to go back in Dec. 2010, so DH and I figured we'd give DD4 one more trip with our undivided attention...plus, DD1 still takes two naps a day, so I thought that might cut into our Disney time! haha!
I'm sure my DD4 would love to meet your DS4, though!

I have to admit that I have never met a DISer. I've never had the opportunity! Sooo, let's do it! We plan on being at the pool each day anyway, so we'll make a plan as we get closer (5 more weeks...yay!!).

My little guy will love hanging with your DD. He'd enjoy having a friend to play with I'm sure.

Did you request a certain part of the resort? We requested Grandstand. We love being near the first bus stop.

Thanks for the welcome!! I am glad I found your PTR as well! I have never done one before...and I dont even usually visit this thread too much...but I saw your dates..and thought , this would be fun to read! I have a CJ and will be there around the same time!

I am hoping the crowds are reasonable and its not too humid! Just changed resorts again yesterday and moved some ADR's around and added CP...I still fine tune the plans to the last minute!
Did you mention DVC?!
Well...my DH finally decided....we will always have some sort of addt'l mthly payment, whether its an auto loan payment or some kind of loan....but with a DVC purchase...(we financed some)...that mthly payment is a guarantee that all your vacations in the future are pre-paid at TODAY's prices!
Points will not increase...the dollar amt per point to purchase will though!
Its not for everyone...but for those with little ones, and you know you will be visiting Disney on vacations....
We have added up what we WOULD have paid for our trips since 07.(accomodations, inc our 3 night WOnder cruise)..close to $13K! But we didnt cause we have DVC...

Sorry...didnt mean to hijack your thread

Wow, with that sales pitch, you should definitely work on doing that DVC/realtor thing!! Actually, I completely get the whole DVC thing...wanna hear something funny? Last year, CJ asked me if we could join DVC. I said no, not a wise move for us right now. This year, I asked CJ if we could join DVC. He said no, not a wise move for us right now. Sadly, both of us have wanted to join, but at different times, so we are still not on the same page. Someday.... NOTE TO CJ: READ HER COMMENTS LOUD AND CLEAR PLEASE!!!

 

[sneadae]

Oh my gosh! I almost forgot to share with you guys...our bathroom remodel is nearly finished! The construction part is done...now just need to decorate. We are doing an Animal Kingdom Lodge theme. Anyone have any suggestions for artwork or shower curtains? I haven't seen anything I love. I am thinking red or burgandy and orange...nice bright colors. I'm attaching a couple pictures of it.

before paint..

after paint - although you can't see the paint

Vanity

And here's a few more random pics...

Me with my dad on the cars when I was little

And here's an old shot of the castle

Enjoy the pics! I will update again tomorrow!

 

[MRNsMommy]

I have to admit that I have never met a DISer. I've never had the opportunity! Sooo, let's do it! We plan on being at the pool each day anyway, so we'll make a plan as we get closer (5 more weeks...yay!!).

My little guy will love hanging with your DD. He'd enjoy having a friend to play with I'm sure.

Did you request a certain part of the resort? We requested Grandstand. We love being near the first bus stop.

I agree...we should definitely meet up! And, like y'all, we will be hanging by the pool each day, too...so, it shouldn't be too hard to do!
Not sure about if we made a request or not...we're actually going with another family who are DVCers. If I had to guess, though, I'm sure they requested Grandstand as well...that's where we stayed with them last time.

 

[Disnead]

Wow, with that sales pitch, you should definitely work on doing that DVC/realtor thing!! Actually, I completely get the whole DVC thing...wanna hear something funny? Last year, CJ asked me if we could join DVC. I said no, not a wise move for us right now. This year, I asked CJ if we could join DVC. He said no, not a wise move for us right now. Sadly, both of us have wanted to join, but at different times, so we are still not on the same page. Someday.... NOTE TO CJ: READ HER COMMENTS LOUD AND CLEAR PLEASE!!!

You know if it weren't for you...we'd have 200 or so BLT points right now . It's not that I dont want to join...I would love to join! I've just been listening to Dave Ramsey lately and I'm a bit brainwashed at the moment. I keep hearing all these people calling up with no Mortgage payments! How nice would that be?

Anyway. All in good time my dear! I don't know if I can resist resale on SSR in the mid $60/pt. much longer.

 

[sneadae]

I agree...we should definitely meet up! And, like y'all, we will be hanging by the pool each day, too...so, it shouldn't be too hard to do!
Not sure about if we made a request or not...we're actually going with another family who are DVCers. If I had to guess, though, I'm sure they requested Grandstand as well...that's where we stayed with them last time.

Sounds great! Looking forward to it!

You know if it weren't for you...we'd have 200 or so BLT points right now . It's not that I dont want to join...I would love to join! I've just been listening to Dave Ramsey lately and I'm a bit brainwashed at the moment. I keep hearing all these people calling up with no Mortgage payments! How nice would that be?

Anyway. All in good time my dear! I don't know if I can resist resale on SSR in the mid $60/pt. much longer.

Yes, I agree no mortgage would be really nice. And I do have a feeling that if we join DVC we will spend a lot more money on trips to and from FL/Annual Passes, etc. That scares me right now.

 

[sneadae]

Sorry I didn't update yesterday. I was exhausted last night when I got home from work and CJ was snoring loudly on the couch next to me, so I opted to wait until this morning to update the PTR.

Is anyone else totally freaked out by the crowd posts they are reading on the Theme Park board? I can't believe the crowds right now!! We had those types of crowds during Thanksgiving, and ended up being sooooo ready to leave at the end of the trip. We will be there over Memorial Day, and I am worried that Memorial Day will be like it is now. Someone convice me that it's gonna be okay!! I'm even considering changing our Memorial Day plans. We are supposed to be at Epcot that day...maybe I should make it our pool day?? I just don't want to end up in a sea of people again. We've been in May over Memorial Day before and I can't remember it being that busy, but with all these Disney promotions going on, I can't help but wonder how much busier it will be. CJ thinks I am totally over reacting. Who, me???

So, who wants to talk about the cruise???

As I mentioned before, we leave for our cruise portion on Thursday May 28. I'd really like to arrive at the port around lunchtime, but realistically that probably won't happen. We will be driving a rental car that we will pick up on Wednesday, so it will take some time to drive ourselves there, return the car, and get to the ship. I think the best plan will be for CJ to drop me and the kids off at the port, and then join us after he returns the rental and takes the shuttle in. It just seems easier. Anyone have any experience with this?

We've cruised alot before. In fact, we have gone on a cruise every year since we were married, except for last year when we had our little A. We felt like she was just too little yet. We typically cruise RCCL or Carnival, and we always enjoy it. We ALWAYS board early, around 11 or so, and we head straight to the food!! Little CJ loves cruising and calls the cruise "the big boat." Usually, my parents cruise with us. We have only done one cruise without my parents, and that was the one we took before we had kids, so we've never cruised without them since we've had kiddos. This could very well be our first and last cruise without them, because they do help alot with the kids. So, we'll see how it goes!

We also opted to get passports for the kids. We have passports, and they did not, but went ahead and got them because we know we will be cruising several times in the next few years. It only took about 5 weeks to get their passports back. Not bad!

So, we get on the ship, we head directly to the food, then to our room if it's ready. I really really really want to do the sail away party because I saw a clip on YouTube of it and it looks like so much fun for the kids! So, most likely, we'll take a short rest in our room (briefly), then head up to the top for the party!

Our family currently has late dining, and I'm not sure how that will work, because 8:00 seems really late for my little people to eat. They can stay up that late, no problem, but they may have to eat a pre-dinner...

The first night we have scheduled Little A for the nursery and we'll be taking Connor to the Kids area. I think we scheduled it from 9:00 - 11:00. CJ and I want to explore the ship and take it all in! But, we've vowed to be flexible with all of this, so if we don't feel up to it, then we'll all hit the sack and be ready for the next morning. This cruise is most definitely about the kids, so we're gonna do everything the kiddos want to do.


Up next....Nassau plans! Stay tuned!

Well, we're off to do something fun this afternoon! I will try to post another update over the weekend, but we have a busy one planned, so it might not happen. We did an Easter egg hunt...here's some photos of our kiddos enjoying the Easter egg hunt!

And Little CJ working on his bike riding skills

Happy Easter to everyone!! Have a great weekend!!

 

[sneadae]

I just realized that....


THIS IS MY 200th POST!!


Just wanted to share that with you all!

 

[MRNsMommy]

Is anyone else totally freaked out by the crowd posts they are reading on the Theme Park board? I can't believe the crowds right now!! We had those types of crowds during Thanksgiving, and ended up being sooooo ready to leave at the end of the trip. We will be there over Memorial Day, and I am worried that Memorial Day will be like it is now. Someone convice me that it's gonna be okay!! I'm even considering changing our Memorial Day plans. We are supposed to be at Epcot that day...maybe I should make it our pool day?? I just don't want to end up in a sea of people again. We've been in May over Memorial Day before and I can't remember it being that busy, but with all these Disney promotions going on, I can't help but wonder how much busier it will be. CJ thinks I am totally over reacting. Who, me???

I'm freaking out a bit about the crowds, too...but, hopefully, it'll slow down after Memorial Day. We expected it to be crowded that day, so we've opted to spend the day at DTD and at the pools...we may also venture outside of the property and go to the outlet malls!

I just realized that....


THIS IS MY 200th POST!!


Just wanted to share that with you all!

 

[sneadae]

A quick update for tonight

Well, Easter weekend was uneventful. Let's see...on Friday we had dinner at a nearby Mexican restaurant. Yumm! Then, we came home and colored Easter eggs. I bought this "tie dye" easter egg kit. I thought the eggs looked cool on the package. Well, when we tried it...it didn't quite look like the photo. In fact, they didn't look tie dye at all!!! But, we had fun doing it. Here are our eggs:

Then, on Saturday we did some spring cleaning. CJ and I sent the kiddos with the grandparents to an Easter party, where they loaded up on sugar and sweets. Meanwhile, CJ and I cleaned our house from top to bottom. He did some work on the outside, and I did some work on the inside. It was a great team effort!! I love having a clean house. I'm afraid the the house will be an absolute mess between now and our vacation, because with recital coming up, there is very little time for extra work

Saturday evening brought MAJOR excitement to the Disnead home.........we got our vanity license plates in the mail!!!! Anyone wanna guess what they say??????

Wait for it.....

Wait for it........

DIS FANS

It was truly the highlight of the weekend!!

Moving on......

Sunday, we woke up to a very excited 4 year old shouting about the EASTER BUNNY! The easter bunny had, infact, visited us while we were sleeping.

We somehow peeled ourselves out of bed, enjoyed the opening of the easter baskets, and then went to the early church service. Then, on a whim, we went to breakfast as a family. We NEVER go to breakfast, so this was a fun little treat. Then we went and visited the grandparents. Little A had her easter dress on, and Little CJ was simply excited due to all the sugar and Easter things going on. Here are the kiddos on Easter:

When we got home, we had a little easter egg hunt! The kids LOVED this, and they had so much fun. Much different searching for Easter eggs when its just two kids, vs. 100's...ya know?

We enjoyed a nice family easter dinner and relaxed the rest of the night.

THEN, I HAD A BRILLIANT IDEA!!

Coming up next...my brilliant idea!! And, more news about the cruise... What will we do at our Nassau stop?? Stay tuned!!!

 

[MRNsMommy]

Looks like y'all had a nice Easter! I agree about the egg hunt...we always do one or two big hunts in the community, but we always do one with just the family kids...which is always so much fun and less hectic!

Can't wait to hear what your brilliant idea is!

 

[sneadae]

What a fun and exciting week it has been!

So, I did indeed have a brilliant idea. As I said before, CJ and I were doing some spring cleaning. It all started with an old big screen TV that has taken up residency in my dining room. I can't remember my dining room when it didn't have the big screen tv stored in there. I was about sick of seeing it, and we no longer use it since we have a new flat screen. So I wanted to get rid of it. But that wasn't all! I don't know about you all, but I have a ton of junk laying around this house...so I thought...hmmmm...I'll have a garage sale! But wait! No....it's still to cold for that, at least around here it is. So I thought, and thought, and thought some more. How can I get rid of junk AND make some money?

Then my brilliant idea hit me. I should take pictures of all the things I want to sell, and post them on Craigslist! Now, I know for many of you, that's really not such a brilliant idea. But for me, when it comes to making money, I am a business woman and all I could see was dollar signs $$$$$$ when I thought about it!!

So I started running around the house with my new iPhone, snapping photos of everything I wanted to sell/get rid of. At the end of the day, I think I ended up posting about 6 items total. Wanna hear the total amount of money I made in 48 hours???

almost $400

Which is nearly enough to pay for our dining plan when we check into DVC.

But I'm not done! I have a whole bunch of things that still need to be sold. So, guess what I am doing this weekend??

Seriously, it's a great way to make some fast cash. People will buy ANYTHING on Craigslist. It's great!

Moving on.....................

On Tuesday, I got quite a surprise when I walked out to the mailbox, opened it up, and found this......

Getting your ME package makes everything real, ya know??

Let's talk more about the cruise. See, I have been reading the cruise board everyday and I am feeling so overwhelmed by all the things to see and do. I think I have overplanned for every other aspect of this trip, so when it comes to the cruise part, I am feeling lazy and just want to go with the flow once we are on board. Is this wrong?? Why am I feeling like I am gonna miss out on something?? I suppose I just need to accept the fact that we will absolutely NOT get to see and do everything on this cruise. I look at the daily agendas and think - MY GOODNESS!! There's so much to do!! Not to mention, the sun, and the pool, and the music, and just being in the caribbean! Thats really all I need

We've been to Nassau a million times. There are many reasons why I do not enjoy Nassau. Here are the top 5 reasons I don't really want to get off the ship:

5. The port is WAY WAY WAY too busy. Why do they allow 5+ ships into this tiny area??

4. Some of the locals seem shady. Not ALL of the people, I'm sure. But some that we encountered the last time we were there...well...let's just say we did not feel comfortable visiting. The last time we were there, we were mistreated by a citizen of Nassau...who happened to drive a taxi cab. Then, we were nearly pickpocketed by locals while swimming at the beach. We only had one kid then....not sure I feel comfortable with 2 kiddos.

3. The straw market. Need I say more?? YUCK. I'm sorry if there are straw market fans out there, and I truly do not mean to offend you. But, do me a favor and google "Nassau Straw Market" That should paint you a picture. I don't want to be anywhere near that place.

2. No decent excursions for our family. Little A is not yet 2, Little CJ is 4, so there's not too much offered for us. I would love to go snorkeling, but that won't work unless we leave the kids on the ship.

1. There's so much to see and do on the SHIP...right?? Will we have the whole ship to ourselves? Or do most people choose to stay on the ship too? Anyway, the endless activities on the ship is the #1 reason I do not want to get off in Nassau.

So, if we do get off, it won't be for long...maybe to take a picture or two and get back on. The DISNEAD's will enjoy the Disney Wonder while everyone else is at port. Hurray!!!

Time is ticking away! Our vacation will be here before we know it

So here's a question for you all....We currently have two reservations for our Hollywood Studios day: we have a Fantasmic Dining Package ressie at MM, and we have a Chef Mickey's dinner ressie. We need to choose which one we want to cancel soon. Does anybody have any thoughts on this? I don't have a strong desire to do the F! dinner package, but CJ does. I'd personally rather hit Chef Mickeys for dinner. Who's done the F! package at MM....is it worth eating early and devoting nearly a half day to getting into F!?

Patiently waiting to hear from everyone

 

[schdp]

Nice work on making some money from stuff just lying around!

On the dining, I would go with Mama's. We really like to eat there when at the studios, not a must do, but good. Not sure I would do the package seating as it puts you low and to the right of the stage. Depending on how many Fantasmic shows there are that night I'd do the second show and site 1/3 up form the bottom and a little to the right or left of center. But it is always a good backup to have when CJ is running late!

Are you not caring to see Fantasmic or have you not seen it? The show is a must see for us. Chef Mickey's is good but I'm sure you have been there before

 

[sneadae]

Nice work on making some money from stuff just lying around!

On the dining, I would go with Mama's. We really like to eat there when at the studios, not a must do, but good. Not sure I would do the package seating as it puts you low and to the right of the stage. Depending on how many Fantasmic shows there are that night I'd do the second show and site 1/3 up form the bottom and a little to the right or left of center. But it is always a good backup to have when CJ is running late!

Are you not caring to see Fantasmic or have you not seen it? The show is a must see for us. Chef Mickey's is good but I'm sure you have been there before

My biggest concern is being at HS all day. With our 3:45 ressie for MM, it gives us no time to take a break. And if we do the package, then we are pretty much locked in there all day. Our kiddos will be wiped.

And...nobody hate me for this....but I did not enjoy F! the last time I saw it. To be honest, we had REALLY bad seats and were with a large group (my dancers were there last year and Disney organized this whole dinner/Fantasmic thing and we were way up at the top, not even in the stadium seating). So maybe I will like it better if I actually had decent seats.

So maybe the answer is that we cancel our package and just book a later time for dinner at MM (if possible). That way we can take a break in the middle of the day, but still eat at MM and see F!. Another concern: how hard will it be for us to get it to F!??? Will we have to stand in line for 2+ hours?

 

[MRNsMommy]

That's awesome that you've earned a little extra money on Craigslist! I do a lot of ebaying...I need to give Craigslist a try.
I've actually never seen F! Planning on seeing it on our next trip, so I'm not much help in that area! Hopefully, you will enjoy it more this time around!

 

[schdp]

We try 30 minutes, but 45 minutes to an 1 hour because of the crowds for when you are going. We didn't see it until a few years ago, now it is one of the MUST do! CJ told me about your seats last time, that would make a huge difference.

Just listened to the Fantasmic! music on mouseworld radio...