The Great Leap into Running and DVC Ownership.

[KatMark]

Looks like you and Kathy are needing flights around the same time. Are you both going to be there again the same time?

Nope, I'm missing Maryellen and Cynthia this trip.

 

[annmarieda]

Nope, I'm missing Maryellen and Cynthia this trip.

That is sad. At least you saw Cynthia recently and met with Mary Ellen on a trip in (was it?) June.

Someday... I just hope our paths will cross.. You got to meet Kira and it still is what helps her to not think all dis people are crazy.

 

[annmarieda]

Since we now have a solid start date... lets begin again.

Kira and Josh do not have their airfare yet, but they are set to arrive 1/9. Assuming they stick with this plan, I will somehow coerce one of them (probably Josh) to take us to the airport Wednesday morning.

My plan will be to be packed well before midnight on 1/7 (hey, a girl can have goals right? even if they may not be achievable ) We will need to to the airport by roughly 5am. This means leaving by 4am. Which means..... up by 3am. I guess it is practice for getting up for the half on 1/11?

Anyway, we are likely to have our standard breakfast at the airport which will consist of something like what I recently enjoyed when flying down last month.

Normally, we use Zoe's medical issues to preboard. Honestly, I am not sure if we will do this. She is doing much better since her last surgery in some ways. She is tube free So I no longer have to worry about someone bumping her with luggage or her getting snagged on something as we fight our way down the isle. She will still have her equipment though and being as close to the restroom as possible would still probably be nice. However, easy restroom access is nice for everyone, isn't it? So does it really justify the preboard status? She does still encounter a lot of spasms. In some ways, more than she use to. Maybe this justifies it? I am just not sure. I hate to seem as though I am taking advantage of the system.

In any case, once we are on we will be in flight for a while. We are not set to touch down in Milwaukee until 12:55pm.

We have quite the layover and so we will definitely have some lunch. I just hope there are some nice options.

At 3:50 we will be back on our way to Orlando and set to arrive at 7:35pm

I am toying with the idea of getting a car. I know that it could come in handy. I love to take DME though. I will be sure and let you all know if I decide to go the car route.

For now though, we will be traveling on DME to POR. I am hopeful that we can get there by 9pm. I also am hopeful that we will have each had a bit of a nap on the plane so that 9pm won't have us too tired and feeling a bit still like it is only 6pm. IF all the stars align and we get to POR at a descent time and we are all not too tired, after check in we will head to DTD where we will get some dinner. I also want to be able to allow Zoe and Alex to go to Goofy's Candy in order to each get a made to order treat.

If we are too tired, the plan will be to just grab something at the food court. Perhaps it will even be the sharing of a pizza.

 

[dizneeat]

Great planning, Ann!
I am looking forward to read if you can stick to your plan and be packed early.

As far as your pre-boarding goes (and I can tell you that families with kids usually pre-board here) I think that as long as Miss Zoe is not 100% healthy, she has a right to use the pre-boarding. If she still suffers from something she should be allowed in early so she can pick her seat close to the restroom.

Thanks for reminding me that we still need to book cars for both Paris and WDW. I know you are all fine with Disney Transport, but we love having our car. Then, on the other hand, we do go offsite and do some shopping, so I guess NO big help here.

I hope you get to your hotel early and can make it to DTD, Alex and Zoe would definitely love to start off their vacation with a nice treat.

 

[KatMark]

Ann the plans sound great. I've never used Milwaukee's airport, but I hear it is ver nice.

We love ME too but we are getting a rental car for December because the buses are so bad at the Epcot resorts. For our girls trip in May/June, we are using ME, BUT renting a car at one of the Disney resorts for our week stay.

 

[drlaurafsu]

Whoo hoo! Rooms booked and flights! I'm also staying at POR hopefully in the Mansions but not a Royal room.

Glad you had a good ToT run. I'll be updating soon...maybe this weekend. Need to post something before our next trip on Nov 8!!

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

How nice was it to have mom's car at WDW?

 

[annmarieda]

Great planning, Ann!
I am looking forward to read if you can stick to your plan and be packed early.

We will see, but... I am not sure I have EVER had a trip where I was ready to go before midnight. I hope I can pull it off this time.

As far as your pre-boarding goes (and I can tell you that families with kids usually pre-board here) I think that as long as Miss Zoe is not 100% healthy, she has a right to use the pre-boarding. If she still suffers from something she should be allowed in early so she can pick her seat close to the restroom.

Thanks for your kind supportive words with this. I am sensitive to the fact that Zoe may not outwardly appear disabled. She is bright and moves like any child her age. What she has is listed on the national list of rare disorder/diseases. So I just don't want to appear as taking advantage.

Thanks for reminding me that we still need to book cars for both Paris and WDW. I know you are all fine with Disney Transport, but we love having our car. Then, on the other hand, we do go offsite and do some shopping, so I guess NO big help here.

I am growing less fine with it. It works.. mostly. However getting to places other than the parks is challenging. AND I was a tad spoiled last month.

I hope you get to your hotel early and can make it to DTD, Alex and Zoe would definitely love to start off their vacation with a nice treat.

I hope so too, but I can't see us getting in before 9pm and really it is probably going to be closer to 10pm. I would love to be sure we will head to DTD, but the fact is it is probably more likely that we will just grab something to eat at the food court.

Ann the plans sound great. I've never used Milwaukee's airport, but I hear it is ver nice.

I have never been there either. With a 3 hour layover, I am sure we will become acquainted

.

We love ME too but we are getting a rental car for December because the buses are so bad at the Epcot resorts. For our girls trip in May/June, we are using ME, BUT renting a car at one of the Disney resorts for our week stay.

That is what I am looking at doing... perhaps renting one at on of the Disney resorts. Dolphin so far is the only one I know of that has that as an option?

Whoo hoo! Rooms booked and flights! I'm also staying at POR hopefully in the Mansions but not a Royal room.

Honestly, I would have been happy in the AB rooms too... or the Mansions... really, I am not all that picky. I even don't mind Pop. What tends to influence where I want to stay is A. price and B. what kind of trip it will be. (ie, will be be heading to the parks for more than we would be in the room or doing a lot of pool time? Do we want to be close to a park? These are factors)

Glad you had a good ToT run. I'll be updating soon...maybe this weekend. Need to post something before our next trip on Nov 8!!

Thanks! I am getting ahead of myself since we are no where near that part of the trip, but as I have discovered... RD events are my favorite. Was it my best race? Maybe not... but I still enjoyed myself.

November 8th is coming up quick!!

How nice was it to have mom's car at WDW?

It made me think I need one. Yes need one.

 

[KatMark]

The Car Center and DTD resorts have them too.

 

[annmarieda]

The Car Center and DTD resorts have them too.

Thanks!

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

Thanks for your kind supportive words with this. I am sensitive to the fact that Zoe may not outwardly appear disabled. She is bright and moves like any child her age. What she has is listed on the national list of rare disorder/diseases. So I just don't want to appear as taking advantage.


I am growing less fine with it. It works.. mostly. However getting to places other than the parks is challenging. AND I was a tad spoiled last month.


It made me think I need one. Yes need one.

I think Ann doesn't want it to look like she has a big lie hole (which she doesn't AT ALL) since Zoe is so bright and almost never lets her med issues get to her!

I bet you were spoiled! You even texted that you missed with when you bused back to the expo!

I think you do to. I mean you can either wait in line for ME, wait for the bus to load, wait for possibly other people to get dropped off, check in, and then still wait hours for your luggage. OR you could wait and get your luggage, get in a small line and get your rental car, check in, get into your room WITH your luggage already, and then chose to go to DTD in your car that is literally like 3 minutes away without waiting for a bus there and back or stay in the room and do a CS at the hotel and unpack right away! (I know... a lot of run on sentences. )

 

[annmarieda]

I think Ann doesn't want it to look like she has a big lie hole (which she doesn't AT ALL) since Zoe is so bright and almost never lets her med issues get to her!

That is so sweet of you to say...both in regards to my lack of a lie hole and in how Zoe copes.

I bet you were spoiled! You even texted that you missed with when you bused back to the expo!

I think you do to. I mean you can either wait in line for ME, wait for the bus to load, wait for possibly other people to get dropped off, check in, and then still wait hours for your luggage. OR you could wait and get your luggage, get in a small line and get your rental car, check in, get into your room WITH your luggage already, and then chose to go to DTD in your car that is literally like 3 minutes away without waiting for a bus there and back or stay in the room and do a CS at the hotel and unpack right away! (I know... a lot of run on sentences. )

I was spoiled!!! I think had I not been, I wouldn't be considering it for January... but

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

That is so sweet of you to say...both in regards to my lack of a lie hole and in how Zoe copes.



I was spoiled!!! I think had I not been, I wouldn't be considering it for January... but

We know how your lie hole works under pressure! I'm still dying over that night!

Well she does handle it all VERY well!

I mean thinking back on it all. We really did use the car a good bit. Saved a lot of back and forth especially to like Boma, the Expo, DTD, the Boardwalk .

 

[swwake]

This makes me want to plan a Disney trip. Nothing in the works....

 

[annmarieda]

This makes me want to plan a Disney trip. Nothing in the works....

Disney trips are fun to plan if for no other reason to dream... even if those hopes and dreams fall through or change.

I am very excited about this family trip. It will be the first time I have ever traveled with Josh. It will be the first time since 2008 that Steve and Kira have traveled together.

My fall 2014 trip I am looking forward to because it will be just Steve and I. (but maybe there will be some time with another couple that hopefully will be coming down at the same time)

Even though I am super excited about both these trips... the trip I just took will always remain special to me. I think girls trips are important. You just have to find people that you are compatible with. For me that means people who I won't drive bonkers.... but for others it means people who don't drive them bonkers. I don't think either is a wrong way to go about it. The end goal is the same... to not have anyone go crazy on the trip.

My next trip will then be in 2015 for the phm. Having DVC now makes my budget so much nicer. Depending on availability of course as well as how I like the BWV next fall, my plan will be to stay in either BWV or BCV. Not sure who is staying with me... but I know I will be there!


So...point to all this is I have three trips I am hoping/planning for. Maybe they all work out perfect... maybe they don't. It could be that only the one I am currently booked for works out. I figure it doesn't hurt to hope and plan. I guess I am just a dreamer at heart. Not to mention... I always like to see that ticker!

 

[drlaurafsu]

Planning is fun. We are always planning our vacations 1-2 years out simply because we have to travel to South America every couple of years. So planning out the vacation time is very important.

Pop is my new favorite of the budget resorts...but I love POR. One of these days I'll go back to deluxe (we used to do that in grad school when my xBF's dad worked on property) with DS. But right now its quantity over quality for our trips.

 

[eandesmom]

10 nights is a good time. We have done 11 before and it was a tad much. 9 is a good amount. For the phm... we did just 6. It really wasn't quite enough.

I'm a big fan of 12...with the travel days factored in, it's really more like 10. But that lets us do things like a cruise or Universal in there. This trip is 9 but with the red eye, we will really get all 9 nights and with flight times, 10 days. Once I did 7, with evening travel out and early am back so really...we felt like it was a 6 night...6 day trip and never made the time adjustment. Never again!

I am hoping she likes it. She is a tad anti princess these days.

It's more royal than "princessy" I think. Just lovely, how could she not?

I notice a lot of odd routes on both SW and Alaska this time. If I wanted to use points on Alaska...I had 3 options for the way down. Two were that odd...leave in the evening and get to San Fran then have a layover till the next morning. Strange.

Yeah, I don't know what I"m going to do in May based on this. Some wacky options.

I need to do that! It is coming up quick. I was considering the Winter Pineapple Classic... but then I might not do that one since the registration fee is $50..and that adds up quick if I had each of us go. Plus that one is an obstacle course. But a long sleeve tech tee along with a Hawaiian luau? Sounds like maybe not such a bad deal then....

Not into the obstacle course part but the tee and luau sound good! We get soup and bread on sunday, and a ls tech tee.

Since we now have a solid start date... lets begin again.

Kira and Josh do not have their airfare yet, but they are set to arrive 1/9. Assuming they stick with this plan, I will somehow coerce one of them (probably Josh) to take us to the airport Wednesday morning.

My plan will be to be packed well before midnight on 1/7 (hey, a girl can have goals right? even if they may not be achievable ) We will need to to the airport by roughly 5am. This means leaving by 4am. Which means..... up by 3am. I guess it is practice for getting up for the half on 1/11?

Why bother going to bed

Anyway, we are likely to have our standard breakfast at the airport which will consist of something like what I recently enjoyed when flying down last month.

If I am up that late, and then that early with packing and leaving, I'll skip the pre-flight coffee in hopes of some napping.

Normally, we use Zoe's medical issues to preboard. Honestly, I am not sure if we will do this. She is doing much better since her last surgery in some ways. She is tube free So I no longer have to worry about someone bumping her with luggage or her getting snagged on something as we fight our way down the isle. She will still have her equipment though and being as close to the restroom as possible would still probably be nice. However, easy restroom access is nice for everyone, isn't it? So does it really justify the preboard status? She does still encounter a lot of spasms. In some ways, more than she use to. Maybe this justifies it? I am just not sure. I hate to seem as though I am taking advantage of the system.

that is not taking advantage of the system, it is WHY the system exists, whether the issues are visible or not. I think you should pre-board.

I am toying with the idea of getting a car. I know that it could come in handy. I love to take DME though. I will be sure and let you all know if I decide to go the car route.

For now though, we will be traveling on DME to POR. I am hopeful that we can get there by 9pm. I also am hopeful that we will have each had a bit of a nap on the plane so that 9pm won't have us too tired and feeling a bit still like it is only 6pm. IF all the stars align and we get to POR at a descent time and we are all not too tired, after check in we will head to DTD where we will get some dinner. I also want to be able to allow Zoe and Alex to go to Goofy's Candy in order to each get a made to order treat.

If we are too tired, the plan will be to just grab something at the food court. Perhaps it will even be the sharing of a pizza.

I'd check to see how late food is open factoring in the time to get to POR and then to DTD after check in, you might be cutting it really close.

 

[annmarieda]

Planning is fun. We are always planning our vacations 1-2 years out simply because we have to travel to South America every couple of years. So planning out the vacation time is very important.

Pop is my new favorite of the budget resorts...but I love POR. One of these days I'll go back to deluxe (we used to do that in grad school when my xBF's dad worked on property) with DS. But right now its quantity over quality for our trips.

Pop is my favorite of the values too. I guess AoA is pretty nice too. I have no problem really staying either place...especially if going for quantity over quality Steve is a bit more picky than I am though...so it is good that we got the DVC that will allow us to stay in places where he can kick back and read his kindle.

I'm a big fan of 12...with the travel days factored in, it's really more like 10. But that lets us do things like a cruise or Universal in there. This trip is 9 but with the red eye, we will really get all 9 nights and with flight times, 10 days. Once I did 7, with evening travel out and early am back so really...we felt like it was a 6 night...6 day trip and never made the time adjustment. Never again!

From this side of the country, even a 7 night trip is too short. Just like you said... those travel days suck up a huge chunk. I envy those on the east coast who can fly down for just a long weekend. Kinda like we can for DLR... but... DLR isn't quite as fun

It's more royal than "princessy" I think. Just lovely, how could she not?

I think she will. An added benefit of the royal rooms is they aren't "too far" out. I am not a fan of HUGE resorts. They tend to make me feel overwhelmed. (you read my recent TR post yes?) Maybe that is why I don't mind Pop so much because nothing seems to far from the main building.

Yeah, I don't know what I"m going to do in May based on this. Some wacky options.

What is up with that? United has some good options... but I don't care for them.

Not into the obstacle course part but the tee and luau sound good! We get soup and bread on sunday, and a ls tech tee.

I have yet to do an obstacle course. I did the color run and that was as adventurous as I have got. I have heard that you can opt out of the obstacles... like go around. However, I relish the idea of being the silly old woman who can't climb over the wall...and opts out.... or better yet the silly old woman who can't climb over the wall and attempts and then get stuck.

Yeah... I may skip it.

Why bother going to bed

I have wondered that myself... but really if I get a few hours I am mostly good. Another hour or maybe even two during the flight and I don't feel to bad by the time we arrive. Steve on the other hand... he pretty much stays up the entire time...then is shot for the next couple days.

If I am up that late, and then that early with packing and leaving, I'll skip the pre-flight coffee in hopes of some napping.

That may explain why Steve never sleeps on the plane. Mark my words... he will get some ginormous- throw as many shots into a cup that makes it nearly like battery acid- drink

that is not taking advantage of the system, it is WHY the system exists, whether the issues are visible or not. I think you should pre-board.

I probably will. It is good to get all of your feed back here though... I mean..after all... she doesn't limp or look ill. She will likely hop and skip her way down to the plane. The reasons in the past I had her preboard had to do with her tube (didn't want it to get bumped or snagged) and to get close to a bathroom so we don't have to lug her supplies through the plane. Being closer allows us to be a little more discreet...and I guess that is still a valid concern.

I'd check to see how late food is open factoring in the time to get to POR and then to DTD after check in, you might be cutting it really close.

I am thinking we might be cutting it close too. I am sure we will get to POR early enough to grab something in the food court since it is open till 11pm. DTD though... how late are places like WGP open?

 

[annmarieda]

So purchases are important for a trip, yes? Now... I can't give too much away. But lets just say that a lot of pre trip purchases are going to be in the bags/luggage department after last months trip.

When down last month I drooled over the new vera bradley bags. I was very close to purchasing one when I got word that leSportsac was having a sale on their "its a small world" collection.

So I and one of the gals that I traveled with last month got matching bags.


This will be perfect for me to carry in the parks. I don't plan to carry Zoe's supplies since I got her a backpack while I was in WDW last month. So she can have her own bag to tend to. hmm... I should post a picture of that too, eh?

 

[KatMark]

So purchases are important for a trip, yes? Now... I can't give too much away. But lets just say that a lot of pre trip purchases are going to be in the bags/luggage department after last months trip.

When down last month I drooled over the new vera bradley bags. I was very close to purchasing one when I got word that leSportsac was having a sale on their "its a small world" collection.

So I and one of the gals that I traveled with last month got matching bags.


This will be perfect for me to carry in the parks. I don't plan to carry Zoe's supplies since I got her a backpack while I was in WDW last month. So she can have her own bag to tend to. hmm... I should post a picture of that too, eh?

Despite the fact that I do not like that ride, that is really a very cute bag.