Because this is a "two-fer" (two trips in one) I will only be reporting on the WDW portion of the trip here.
Last spring it came to my attention that we, as a family, had not had a vacation, except camping, ever. Not one. I had gone on a short cruise with my husband but not with the kids. Gene, my husband and I, started chatting about what to do. It became apparent pretty quickly that a cruise would be the easiest and have the child care stress covered. So a cruise it was. Now who should go? Hmm
We are a family of 6. My husband Gene, 37, my eldest son Gene-Gene 8, Steven 6, Hernie-Roo 2 and Little JJ 1. I was NOT about to haul my babies on a cruise and spend all that money for little guys who would not remember the trip and the oldest two deserve something special.
The older boys are adopted because I was told by four doctors I could not have children. Thank goodness they told us that because we got our boys! I was thrilled with our family, as was Gene but then a miracle happened and we got pregnant twice in two years. Did I mention I am 41? That means I had one of those suckers over 40. I don't suggest it.
I had the babies but it was hard. They came early and almost too early so there was a lot of bed-rest and hospital time (8 weeks, no that was not a typo) and those older two boys were champs. Not angels mind you but pretty darn good. They made me lunch and took care of me when I could not get out of bed and I can never thank them enough.
So we are taking the older two and not the babies! YIPPEE! Yes I admit it a week without diapers sounds like heaven to me.
Now Gene suggests we add a night at Disneyworld but one night? Even for a short trip I want two. So two it is. Yes just two nights. You would think a short side trip to DisneyWorld would not entail the planning stratagies of a General invading a small country but that's where you would be wrong. Let's just say that at a Disney Call Center somewhere in Utah there is a photo of me with a red line through it and "Do not take any more changes from this woman" beneath in blood. I changed hotels no less than 5 times, restaurants 10+ times and the general itinerary more than that.
We settled on a park double quick. The Magic Kingdom. This is what my children equate with the land of the Mouse so this was the destination of choice. Our planned trip now looks like this.
Hotel: Port Orleans Riverside (Sister in law is coming along and they allow 5 in a room).
Food:
Boma: Dinner
Crystal Palace Breakfast (character meal)
Liberty Tree Tavern: Dinner (character meal)
Boaghtwrights: Breakfast
The Crystal Palace is going to be the highlight of the trip. Steven was born addicted to Cocaine and Alcohol. He is a fantastic kid that works hard to overcome his disabilities, which still haunt him and always will. He is just a winning little guy who loves Winnie the Pooh and is sweet and wonderful. He wants breakfast with Pooh but Mom lied and told him there was no Pooh breakfast and no all you can eat buffets (Steven is a foodie and now he is becoming a food snob thanks to the Food Network, his favorite channel). When Steven walks into the Crystal Palace and sees Pooh and Tigger and Eyeore and then sees that it is all you can eat... Well I cry every time I think about it. He knows there is an amazing surprise waiting for him at WDW but everyone, even the 8 year old, has kept the secret.
So I am starting to pull clothes to go. As the summer clothes go away for the winter I am pulling out trip clothes. I am working on clothing for me and Gene as well. I am more excited than the kids are.
Now all I need is a touring plan and we are good to go.
Last spring it came to my attention that we, as a family, had not had a vacation, except camping, ever. Not one. I had gone on a short cruise with my husband but not with the kids. Gene, my husband and I, started chatting about what to do. It became apparent pretty quickly that a cruise would be the easiest and have the child care stress covered. So a cruise it was. Now who should go? Hmm
We are a family of 6. My husband Gene, 37, my eldest son Gene-Gene 8, Steven 6, Hernie-Roo 2 and Little JJ 1. I was NOT about to haul my babies on a cruise and spend all that money for little guys who would not remember the trip and the oldest two deserve something special.
The older boys are adopted because I was told by four doctors I could not have children. Thank goodness they told us that because we got our boys! I was thrilled with our family, as was Gene but then a miracle happened and we got pregnant twice in two years. Did I mention I am 41? That means I had one of those suckers over 40. I don't suggest it.
I had the babies but it was hard. They came early and almost too early so there was a lot of bed-rest and hospital time (8 weeks, no that was not a typo) and those older two boys were champs. Not angels mind you but pretty darn good. They made me lunch and took care of me when I could not get out of bed and I can never thank them enough.
So we are taking the older two and not the babies! YIPPEE! Yes I admit it a week without diapers sounds like heaven to me.
Now Gene suggests we add a night at Disneyworld but one night? Even for a short trip I want two. So two it is. Yes just two nights. You would think a short side trip to DisneyWorld would not entail the planning stratagies of a General invading a small country but that's where you would be wrong. Let's just say that at a Disney Call Center somewhere in Utah there is a photo of me with a red line through it and "Do not take any more changes from this woman" beneath in blood. I changed hotels no less than 5 times, restaurants 10+ times and the general itinerary more than that.
We settled on a park double quick. The Magic Kingdom. This is what my children equate with the land of the Mouse so this was the destination of choice. Our planned trip now looks like this.
Hotel: Port Orleans Riverside (Sister in law is coming along and they allow 5 in a room).
Food:
Boma: Dinner
Crystal Palace Breakfast (character meal)
Liberty Tree Tavern: Dinner (character meal)
Boaghtwrights: Breakfast
The Crystal Palace is going to be the highlight of the trip. Steven was born addicted to Cocaine and Alcohol. He is a fantastic kid that works hard to overcome his disabilities, which still haunt him and always will. He is just a winning little guy who loves Winnie the Pooh and is sweet and wonderful. He wants breakfast with Pooh but Mom lied and told him there was no Pooh breakfast and no all you can eat buffets (Steven is a foodie and now he is becoming a food snob thanks to the Food Network, his favorite channel). When Steven walks into the Crystal Palace and sees Pooh and Tigger and Eyeore and then sees that it is all you can eat... Well I cry every time I think about it. He knows there is an amazing surprise waiting for him at WDW but everyone, even the 8 year old, has kept the secret.
So I am starting to pull clothes to go. As the summer clothes go away for the winter I am pulling out trip clothes. I am working on clothing for me and Gene as well. I am more excited than the kids are.
Now all I need is a touring plan and we are good to go.
