The Drive, the Dream and DVC - A March 2011 Birthday Surprise TR(NEW 11/9 p. 32 END)

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Wow what great pictures you got on your last morning!

I just hate leaving Disney. It is such an awful feeling. I feel so bad for you right now after reading this even though your trip was months ago!!

Can't wait to see your souvenirs!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Leaving is tough! I don't like the sad feeling you have in your stomach. Excited to see what you brought home though!

 

[Monny2AE]

I giggled at your pictures of the bathroom! Disney is the only place I ever take pictures in the bathroom and DH thinks I'm crazy.

So sad for your last day but so happy you have plans for the next vacation!!!

 

[jenseib]

wow! That a long drive. So sad it's over. I can't wait to hear about your next trip though.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Why does it always have to end?
Those words just make me sad!!!

I must say that I'm looking forward to our few days at Jambo next June. Unless our little surprise messes with those dates...

 

[jenjolt]

Awww I'm sad to see this trip report end Sheree!! Although I'm super excited about the PTR for Europe!! What a fun trip that will be!!

AKL is just lovely! I can't wait to stay there!!!!!

 

[MeMom]

And with that we FINALLY got in the car and headed out. We left AKL about 11:05 a.m. and said "See ya real soon" to our happy place. I won't bore you with our travel time- but we had a lot of traffic and ended up stopping for the night around 10 p.m. (we were SOOOO tired) in Manchester TN. We arrived home the next day at 9 p.m.. We drove 3339.2 miles on that trip!!!!

We were pretty beat. But, not so tired and exhausted that I would forget to take pictures of all my souvenirs for my DIS buddies!! So I will still have a bit more to post - final thoughts and souvenir pictures!

Then it will be time to look ahead - to London and Paris!!!!

Noooo....don't go! Stay at AKL! How nice is it to have words like Zawadi and Boma in your daily vocabulary?!?!?

Over three thousand driving miles!

Can't wait to see souvenirs!

 

[brookelizabeth]

WE ARE GOING TO EUROPE!!!!!!!

I'm so excited for you!!! What a fantastic trip you are going to have!!!!!

I'm sad to see this TR come to an end, but I'm really looking forward to the Europe plans!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I promise, I will wrap this up soon. I got all distracted today because we went to Best Buy. Dam that 0% 18 months financing!!!

I am now posting from my new MacBook Pro!!!!!

We almost ended up with a new iPhone for DH too, but I convinced him this was enough. It's taking a while to set up some things with it, but it sure is COOL! We got a bit of a deal - for an apple- because they had recently come out with a newer version that has 2.4 gigahertz whatever and this one has 2.2. So they take it off the floor, put it in the back and sell it for about $100 less. Yup, that convinced me! HA! Actually it was the financing deal. I never seem to have an extra $1000 lying around, and this machine should last me longer than a PC laptop. Plus I'm going to use it for my Pampered Chef business, so I can write off a business expense!!

Now I've got to sell more PC stuff so I can pay that bill every month!
If any of you DISers are interested, PM me and I can give you my website.
Think Christmas shopping!

 

[jenseib]

How Awsome!!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

for you!!! yes,...pm your website to me,please!!! And i would love for Mike to get a Mac for our office!!! That would be amazing!! He reaaaaally needs one!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Wow what great pictures you got on your last morning!

I just hate leaving Disney. It is such an awful feeling. I feel so bad for you right now after reading this even though your trip was months ago!!

Can't wait to see your souvenirs!

Thanks - yeah, I even feel a little sad now, looking back at it. Especially since I won't be back for a while.
Souvenirs will be posted soon!

Leaving is tough! I don't like the sad feeling you have in your stomach. Excited to see what you brought home though!

It is so depressing to leave there! But we have some nice reminders!!

I giggled at your pictures of the bathroom! Disney is the only place I ever take pictures in the bathroom and DH thinks I'm crazy.

So sad for your last day but so happy you have plans for the next vacation!!!

Well, I wouldn't be a good DISer if I didn't report with pictures of everything, would I?? I've got DH and the kids trained now too!
I can't wait to start talking about our upcoming plans!!

wow! That a long drive. So sad it's over. I can't wait to hear about your next trip though.

Yeah, I think knowing that drive was ahead of me made it harder to get in the car and leave.
Next trip - I can't wait either! I need a PTR title and then I'll move on!

Why does it always have to end?
Those words just make me sad!!!

I must say that I'm looking forward to our few days at Jambo next June. Unless our little surprise messes with those dates...

Parting is such sweet sorrow, Disney! At least we know we'll be back. But at the time, we sure didn't know when.

Little surprise? Did I miss something??? Jambo is great - I'd still like to try Kidani sometime just to see how different it is. But we are point-poor now and want to get the cheapest we can.

Awww I'm sad to see this trip report end Sheree!! Although I'm super excited about the PTR for Europe!! What a fun trip that will be!!

AKL is just lovely! I can't wait to stay there!!!!!

Yeah - I have to get going on Europe planning - we still haven't booked our DLP hotel yet! It's weird that there isn't that long-term planning involved there as there is at WDW. I'm okay with that though.

AKL - how I love thee! I really never thought I would utter (type) those words!!! But I really feel relaxed and on vacation there.

Noooo....don't go! Stay at AKL! How nice is it to have words like Zawadi and Boma in your daily vocabulary?!?!?

Over three thousand driving miles!

Can't wait to see souvenirs!

I would have stayed a while longer if I could have!!! I'm convinced some of us could work Zawadi and Boma into our daily vocabulary here at home too!!!

I'm so excited for you!!! What a fantastic trip you are going to have!!!!!

I'm sad to see this TR come to an end, but I'm really looking forward to the Europe plans!

Oh, we can't wait - it seems like it's far away, but it's really about 4 months off!! I feel rather unorganized!

How Awsome!!!

It's pretty cool - I admit. I was holding off for a number of reasons, and just decided the he!! with it! Let's get it over with! Very spontaneous and impractical - So NOT me!!!


Um, I have a little bit of "other news". We are adding DVC points!!! I know - more spontanaeity!! It's just not my nature to do anything without debating, thinking, analyzing and worrying about it!! But, we spotted a 26 point contract at OKW! I like doing the small point ones because they are so affordable!! So if it goes through, we will own at Vero, AKL and OKW. I think in the future we'd like to add more points, but keep to those resorts. These points will help make our next WDW trip even better - we might be able to get a 1BR!!! I'll keep you posted on that!

Okay, I am going to wrap this thing up. I will post all the souvenir pictures and some final thoughts. I still don't have a PTR title yet, but plan to start one soon, and will post a link here. Stay tuned!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Congrats on the additional DVC points Sheree! DVC is in my ten year plan.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Congrats on the additional DVC points Sheree! DVC is in my ten year plan.

Thanks! It was going to be a 10 year plan, but it got accelerated!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Pins from the cruise!

iPhone cover

Sarah's autographed pillowcase

jewelry the girls got for their friends and themselves

Rum cakes!!

cruise ornament

gift from DVC on the cruise

Flower and Garden Festival magnet and pin

Resort pin

scrapbooking kit from cruise (I'll get to it someday!)

Baby ornament for a friend and my sorcerer mickey keychain (I don't have a car antenna so this is my substitute for a topper!)

a lovely selection from Basin - ahhhhh!

My Minnie mug (to match my Mickey one!)

magnets

Ornaments and magnet

bottle stoppers - these were gifts for my boss and court reporter. Next time I'm getting one for myself!

spices from that little spice/tea shop in DTD - gift for co-worker who filled in for me

really blurry - but it's a DVC exclusive pin

DVC stuff - can you tell this was our first DVC stay? We went a little nuts at the gift shop at OKW!!

jewelry from Zawadi - the animal print ones on the right are mine.

DDs' pins and necklaces

DH's hat

Monorail set - this will be circling my Disney Christmas tree in just a few weeks!

So that's what we brought home! I know we got a Tshirt on the Dream (that I slept in) and the girls got PJs and Paige got Minnie flip flops too. No pics of those, sorry.
Of course I saved every little scrap of paper from the cruise - the Personal Navigators, all that stuff. Plus lanyards - we got some from DVC and got the silver castaway club ones (again).
FINAL THOUGHTS:
This trip was one of those that when I got home, I just sat and thought - that was a WONDERFUL trip!! I don't remember much that was negative about it. (I might have to go back and read this!). I felt relaxed, had fun, we did all the things we wanted to do... I think that's why it was so hard to leave this time! It was one of our longer trips too.

Pop Century - It is a cute theme - and the food court and store were very nice - lots of selection. Our room was okay. I'm a bit of a spoiled deluxe resort girl now, but I'd stay there again. It was perfect for our one night before the cruise. You can't beat the rates either!

The Dream - it was a dream!!!! I loved this ship! I am hoping to be able to some day take a 7 day on the Fantasy! I'm a little sick of going to the Bahamas now, three times is plenty. So if I can go on the Fantasy, I'll get some new ports! Don't I sound snobby?! This ship is so beautiful, and they did just about everything right! I was impressed.

Saratoga Springs - Nice resort, but not my favorite. It's pretty spread out, very beautiful and relaxing and I liked their pool. I did not like the gift shop/CS combo. That was a little nuts. With all that space, why cram them into one area? The room was okay - the theme didn't really appeal to me much.

Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo - I LOVE THIS RESORT!!!! I don't care what anyone says about it being far away from parks. It is so beautiful and relaxing, and has so much to offer, it just doesn't matter. I really enjoyed the restaurants, Boma and the Mara (would still like to try Jiko) and the gift shop is one of the best on property. The theme is amazing!!!! The pool is great, the slide is perfect for my kids, the animals - nuf said... I liked our savannah view studio, but I'd love to try Kidani sometime and stay in a 1BR with 2 baths!!! I'd also like to try Sanaa - not sure the kids will enjoy it, but someday... I just felt so relaxed at this resort. It is so ironic - I didn't like it the first time I went there. Now it's one of our DVC homes!

The parks - We got to do a lot more at AK than we had in the past. I really enjoyed the trails more, and got to see the parade finally!

Epcot - crazy crowded, but so beautiful with Flower and Garden going on! Spring break might not be the best time to go there, but we enjoyed it.

MK - busy of course, but we managed to do all we wanted!!

And of course, our special day at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. I remember at first feeling like, "oh, this is so expensive!" after I ended up with a fancy package x 2, but OH MY GOSH! Seeing my two beautiful daughters being made into princesses before my eyes and seeing the looks on their faces, looks that lasted for two days, SO WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!! I have tears in my eyes just writing this! I loved how when we walked around people pointed at them, and smiled, and commented about the princesses and how beautiful... It made me see my girls in a different light. It was one of the most special things we've done at WDW. I hope that people can do this, even the less expensive versions, so their daughters can feel this way someday.

All in all, I'd give this trip a 9.5 out of 10. The deductions are small, and I always like to think there is room for an even better trip the next time!

Thank you all for reading along with me! I really appreciate it and it was so fun to relive the trip. Thank you all for your comments, tips, advice, etc. It's so nice to have such good friends here. The DIS has become a special thing/place to me and it's because of all of you!

Now I'm going to start planning my next trips. Yes, I said trips!! You all know about Europe. Well, next week, we are booking our October trip to WDW!!! It will be 11 months out, and we will book at AKL to start. We might try to move it to Boardwalk or Wilderness Lodge at the 7 month mark since we plan to go to Food and Wine and to MNSSHP! We will be there October 14 - 19 (roughly). We still don't officially know the school calendar for next year, but we usually get October break the third week (Thursday and Friday). So I'll do a PTR for Europe and as soon as I start I will post the link here and send out the Bat Signal (should I say Mickey signal?)

I've got to get some tickers going!

 

[jenseib]

how awesome you get to go to WDW too. I am so jealous!!!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I love your souvies and final thoughts!
You got some really great pins, and I remember our first DVC stay...
I'll just say I got a few things in that DVC gift shop too!

About those dates in OCT.,
We are looking at a couple for that month.
12th/17th or 26th/31st....

 

[MEK]

Great final thoughts.

Cute souvies. I have two of those soaps. Love all the DVC stuff.

Congrats on the small contract at OKW!

There was something else I wanted to say, but....DRAT.....I can't remember what.

Anyway - loved you TR. Can't wait to read all about Europe.

 

[MEK]

Oh Yeah - You are going to love your mac. Did you sign up for the 1 on 1 for a year? I think when I buy a new one I am going to do that, since I never really learned the one I have very well. I bought it used so its hard to watch videos or read about it cause it is older. But I love my mac and I will never go back to a PC. It does have some weird quirks like making sure you put stuff in the trash and then emptying. Troubleshooting can be a little weird, Enjoy!!!!!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I'm sad to see your TR end, I enjoy reading them!

I hope you start a PTR very soon!