The Great Pink Mickey Croc Tour..last pics 08/09, last words 08/15

[MAGICFOR2]

It started about 3 years ago when I was sharing my latest Disney stories with my DSIS - when she said her DH who doesn't like Disney agreed that they could take her DS and DD to Disney ONE TIME - which would I choose, DL or WDW? Of course I said, "give them the World!" My DSIS has never been to Disney, either, even though they lived 2 hours away from DL for 6 years!

That conversation became - "let's meet at the World (they live in OK) - to "guess what! we bought DVC - we have the room!" - to "let's pick a date!" - to" my DH isn't coming" - to "17 days! "

I can't believe we are now so close to leaving! I am a little afraid of starting a pre-trippie - alot of responsibility - look what happened to Blaynexox! But, my excitement has won out! I am committed to taking and posting pics, and sharing the fun of showing my DSIS and her kids the magic for the first time!

Let me introduce the cast - (I will make up nick names as I go along - I have been thinking about a title for a long time ):

Myself, 4? mother of two grown sons, grandma to two DGSs, "Aunt Tammie" to the children comming - so I will be AT (At least I'm not Auntie Em! )
DH - also 4? - he introduced me to Disney - lives to make me happy - alot of responsibility at work in the Air Guard - is okay as long as we get to go on vacation! He can imitate Grumpy pretty well when tired, so we will try to be sure he gets his naps - we'll call him Grumpy!
DSIS - my baby sis - 14 yrs younger - RN, great mom - working on her Masters - really needs a vacation! - We'll call her Alice in Wonderland!
DN - my 8 yr old nephew - bundle of fun - loves Star Wars - wants to be Luke Skywalker - stoked about SW weekends - we'll call him Jedi!
DNC? - my niece who will be 7 on June 2 (she is sure this trip is in honor of her birthday!) She loves the Disney Princesses, not sure which is her fav, but we are planning a surprise dinner at GF with Cinderella - so we'll call her Princess!

Now that you know us a little, I need to sign off - I will be back on Monday to start sharing some of our plans - and why the title?
I am crazy busy right now - between getting ready to quit my job the end of June - leaving town for a retreat this weekend - working out of town next weekend - keeping my own business growing - babysitting my DGS,2 and visiting my brand new DGS, 2 weeks. BUT I LOVE IT!!!!

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

[Debbie6221]

Sounds like fun Tammie!!!!!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Thanks, Debbie - I'm glad you're here!

 

[punkin413]

i saw your TR link while checking out the SSR thread and i decided to come along for the ride! we're renting SSR points next april (11 months... ), so i'll probably be reading every TR involving SSR from now til then so i can live vicariously through you guys! can't wait to hear more about your plans!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

i saw your TR link while checking out the SSR thread and i decided to come along for the ride! we're renting SSR points next april (11 months... ), so i'll probably be reading every TR involving SSR from now til then so i can live vicariously through you guys! can't wait to hear more about your plans!

Thanks for checkin in! I am nervous about writing, but I also love to "live vicariously" through the TRs, so I thought I would contribute - hope you enjoy. I promise to bring back pics!!!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I'm back! Now that you know the cast, I'll tell a little about how the planning went.

Planning for me, like most DISers, is almost as much fun as taking the vacation! We are probably mostly dreamers! So, I began with ordering the 2006 version of the Disney vacation planning video - one for me, one for DSIS. I told her to look at the resorts, pick the one that looked the most fun, and I would try to book the DVC villa - I didn't fully understand the "11 mo. rule."

One more thing to know - I am an official poster on the "worry wort and control freak" thread. So, not only do I love to plan, but I love to worry about my plans. Once my DSIS said she'd like VWL, I started worrying that I couldn't get in at 7 mos. So, I booked our "home" SSR at 11mos, thinking we could try to switch at 7mos, then worried that something would go wrong with the switch - "would you guys mind staying at SSR?"
"mind? It IS WDW!!! So, with that settled, I watched the DVC planning video about 50 times!

Now to the serious planning - I mean 5 months before it was time to book ADRS My wonderful DDIL brought me the spiral bound Passporter with the pockets and itineraries - I was ! I also bought "WDW With Kids" - read it and sent it to my DSIS. I sent rolling backpacks for Jedi and Princess - my DS picked up autograph books and park maps (Princess loves maps) while on his honeymoon - Merry Christmas! The kids loved their gifts, and began planning - a new generation of Disney planners is born!

Of course, with Dec. being our month to book ADRs, I was in full swing by then - I booked the DDP, and then carefully chose restaurants with healthier choices and more options for the kids. Knowing kids, they'll probably opt for mac and cheese anyway So, our ADRs looked like:

June 4th RFC in DTD
5th CGF at GF (By this time, I was getting pretty good at all of the acronyms for everything Disney!)
6th - SciFi at MGM, car of course
7th - HDD
8th - Breakfastsaurus at AK
9th - Teppanyaki - Epcot
10th - CP at MK

By this time, I was feeling quite accomplished - getting the hang of this MS stuff with DVC!

Oh!Oh! What do I see at the Dreams website? Teppanyaki closed for renovations - will we get to eat on Sat night? I booked Ohana - what if they don't like Hawaiin food? Oh good - "the kids will love it!"

Okay, the big question - WHY THE PINK CROCS??? At 90 days out, my DSIS, AIW, informed me that she found matching pink Mickey crocs for herself and Princess. "you should get some too, it will be fun!"

No, grumpy doesn't want any, Jedi neither - "I guess they can come anyway"

Now that you know the footwear question is answered, and we are going to be able to eat, I will sign off for now - next time:

Plane ressies and our ME is for the WRONG RESORT!!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I know I'm not as entertaining as UtahMama, but I hope people will enjoy reading about our trip once we get there. The planning stage seemed more interesting while I was planning then it sounds here

So - the plane ressies - Grumpy is insisting we go 1st class this time, as in the past, he being tall, gets his knees smashed by someone in front of him to leans their seat back against them. He refuses to take a clue from our DS, who is even taller and puts something in the seat brackets so it will not lean back. (If you are the passenger who couldn't lean back on your last trip to Orlando, sorry. I didn't teach him that trick )
Now the question is - DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH THAT COSTS???? Last time I checked, we weren't quite that wealthy So, with the help of our TA, I found a short flight from a town 90 miles away through SLC (Hi UtahMama ) - only 4 1/2 hours in the air total - and yes, it's an isle seat. He's okay with that - we can also spend the night at a local hotel and park our car there free while we are gone! More souvenier $$ for the grandbabies!!!

Next, I ordered from gardengrocer.com - breakfast items and bedtime snacks, coffee and water. I am surprised they don't have wine or beer to order - guess we'll have to get that at the resort. My DSIS and I have visions of lounging in the hot tub with our wine while DH babysits (don't tell him that - I am sure he will be "volunteering" )

 

[MAGICFOR2]

My previous post "sent" itself, so I guess I'll start here.

Where were we????

With all of the ADRs and ressies made, my DSIS and I started talking about what each child would love to do -
Princess has a Cindy costume, so we have to eat with her! When I found out that we have to be on the phone at 4am from here in the hopes of getting a table at the castle 6 months out, we decided that having dinner at GF with Cindy would be enough, and only one TC instead of two! We are keeping this a secret, which, according to my mother, has Princess a little upset. "everyone else gets to know everything and plan everything, and no one asked ME what I want to do!" I can't wait to surprise her!

Now, Jedi really, really wants to snorkel! He wants to be a scuba diver when he grows up. We tried to find a beach at the ocean where he could do so, but it didn't seem condusive to an 8 yr old first time snorkeler, so we decided on Typhoon Lagoon and the "shark reef." Princess wants to know if everyone HAS to swim with real sharks Alice assures her that she won't have to if she doesn't want to, but she should at least look at the situation before making a decision. I don't know if the sharks are under glass or not - we might be a little shocked, too!

4 weeks out, Jedi discovers it is SWW at MGM while were are there!!!! We have to meet the characters and get autographs!
Okay, we are game for that - I can just trade the park days around so we
are there on the weekend - Oh, Oh! What about our ADRs???? Now I know a resourceful DISer would call MS and get them switched, but Yikes! I just don't have time to be on hold! So, we'll do some half days at MK and MGM and make it work! After all, it IS a park hopper!

we have a Disney envelope in the mailbox!!! It's ME!!!! We are SO excited, but wait! Our bag tags and tickets say
OKW, not SSR What? How did that happen? I called DSIS, hers are correct! I called MS - she had quite a bit of trouble getting the computer to let her put SSR in - apparently it kept defaulting back to OKW Okay, after all my planning - 12 DAYS OUT AND STILL NO ME PACKAGE!! I have a feeling we will have to pick up our own bags and take them to the bus At this point, I am not going to let it steal our excitement!!!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! Grumpy bought me a really small camera for the trip!!! I didn't even know he heard me mention it to my DIL when my DGS (2 weeks) was born I need to add a really big memory chip to my list!

I keep thinking about the commercial with the little boy coming into his sister's room - "I'm too excited to sleep!" It is getting so close!

This weekend, Grumpy and I are going out of town for my work, and of course, catching the movie! My other DSIS is coming to town with her 4 girls, and we have a family fishing/picnic day planned for Monday!

I still have to plan a graduation party, plan a baby shower, purchase graduation gifts, purchase father's day cards, , pack, finish out my business month, and get all caught up at work. Whew! I'll be ready for a vacation!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

7 DAYS TO GO!!!

We are getting so excited! We have a week to go and so much yet to do!
Isn't it always like that? I got my clothes organized, though not packed - I am still in the process of putting my winter sweaters away and taking out my summer clothes, as it just got warm here.


I called Alice, who is just about ready - is very excited - we mentioned "Star Tours" and Jedi went nuts in the background!! He is sure he is going to meet Darth Vader!

Still no ME tags for us...guess I'll have to call MS again - we most likely will be picking up our own bags

I hope I am not writing just to myself - I already talk to myself enough

 

[punkin413]

yay......7 days!!! you're at the point where you can start saying, "this time next week i'll be doing.........at disney world!!!" i love that feeling!

 

[Debbie6221]

Maybe I shouldn't read this..you're getting me all nervous!!!!!


One week baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PittypatBR]

Hi, Tammie. Just wanted to say I hope you have as wonderful a time as we had earlier this month. My DGD loved dinner with Cinderella at 1900 PF. (See pics on my TR if you like.) DGS didn't mind, especially when Cindy came up close for a pic! One tip: we were there for SWW two years ago and it was MEGA crowded. Be sure to go early and see what you want to see. You will probably be glad for those split days. We were disappointed in the Jedi training. We waited for a long time to be right at the front so DGS could do it, then LOTS of kids jammed in front of him at the last minute, and they only picked the most vocal, jump up and down kids. He was very disappointed. So don't build that up too much to your nephew or he might be disappointed too.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

yay......7 days!!! you're at the point where you can start saying, "this time next week i'll be doing.........at disney world!!!" i love that feeling!

That's exactly what we sound like! Were you in our back seat today?

Maybe I shouldn't read this..you're getting me all nervous!!!!!


One week baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe it! Which day is your BDay?

Hi, Tammie. Just wanted to say I hope you have as wonderful a time as we had earlier this month. My DGD loved dinner with Cinderella at 1900 PF. (See pics on my TR if you like.) DGS didn't mind, especially when Cindy came up close for a pic! One tip: we were there for SWW two years ago and it was MEGA crowded. Be sure to go early and see what you want to see. You will probably be glad for those split days. We were disappointed in the Jedi training. We waited for a long time to be right at the front so DGS could do it, then LOTS of kids jammed in front of him at the last minute, and they only picked the most vocal, jump up and down kids. He was very disappointed. So don't build that up too much to your nephew or he might be disappointed too.

Thanks, Pittypat! I have been reading your TR - loved the Cindy pics
I will be sure to try to temper his excitement a little. Your DGS and DGD look alot like my niece and nephew! Wait 'til you see the pics!

 

[Debbie6221]

My actual birthday is June 4th and we have ADRs for CRT!!!!!!!!!! 4:20!!!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

My actual birthday is June 4th and we have ADRs for CRT!!!!!!!!!! 4:20!!!!

Awesome! Have a Wow! 3 DAYS!!!!!

I remember when you had no ticker - how things change

 

[VanniGirl]

Great start - have a wonderful time!

Looking forward to reading about the trip!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Great start - have a wonderful time!

Looking forward to reading about the trip!!

Thanks for reading, VanniGirl!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I always seem to do this - I somehow cram every possible moment up until we leave with activities - some necessary, some a last ditch effort of normalcy before we leave - so once again, I have not started packing, my other footwear besides the Pink Mickey Crocs is not decided - I bought another pair of crocs - too small, even though the pink ones are too big - I returned them and ordered another pair, which have had an unfortunate dryer accident, and now are 4 sizes too small - don't ask.

So, tomorrow I will be out trying to get the last items I need, like a larger memory chip, LGMHs, laminating materials, etc. I will try to find a pair of crocs I like - my DH broke down and ordered some Navy crocs after his Dad told him how comfortable they are - of course his didn't come in - I may find him a pair of size 13s, too!

I forgot to get a hair appt, pedicure or manicure - just too busy. Oh well, if you see me there, don't look at my hair or feet I did remember to go to the bank, however.

Today I ordered food for the grad party happening when we get back, and found someone to help me clean. That makes me feel better about coming back to more chaos.

Tomorrow I am shopping, calling clients, and having family over for dinner - not to mention or neighborhood yard sale, which I am going to put some FREE items out - I will have to pack on Sunday, and hope I haven't forgotten anything we are actually leaving town late sun afternoon - we fly out 90 min. from here at 6am, so we are going to spend the night and get free parking at the hotel.

Alice reports that she has motion sickness patches for Jedi - she is just about packed and has all of her Master's homework done - we almost have lift off!!!

I am off to bed, I think I have just about covered all of the details of my pre-trip, especially the UNDONE. I will be back with a TR and pics - hope you have a great week! Debbie is already on her way!!!!

 

[Debbie6221]

Bye!!! I'll be looking for ya!!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hello! We got back two nights ago, and I am still jet lagged! We have the hardest time coming West after a 3 hr time difference. I am almost ready for the grad party tomorrow, so thought I would start writing my TR and posting some pics!

You know how no matter how much you plan, something always happens at the last minute??? Well, this trip was like that, and I really almost lost it - in fact, I am learning about conversations I had before I left that I have no knowledge of

Twas the night before Disney, and all through the house, the chaos was building - you'd think there was no plan I made up my packing list, checking it twice, I'd shopped and stocked and made all of my calls - When what to my wondering ears should I hear, but my DS
calling to say that my DIL(8 mo. pregnant) had passed out in Walmart, and would I come and get my DGS as he has called 911 .

Okay - I can't write in poetry all day, I just couldn't help myself. I hurredly pressed send on the order I was putting in, got dressed and brushed my teeth - jumped in the car while calling DH - got to WAlmart - found my DS in the parking lot with DIL in his car - she had been unconcious for 5 min, and when she came to, she refused to go with the ENTs - her vitals were good, so they let her stay. She was still a little funny, so I called her doc, my DS took her to the hospital, and I took DGS home. So, my packing came to a standstill. I still had some errands to run, and I suddenly couldn't remember anything I was doing - in fact, I got lost on the way to the hospital to see my DIL later Well, it seems that after several hours and lots of tests, she was dehydrated and they think everything is fine - baby is fine, "go ahead and go on your trip."

Okay, so we have dinner plans with my other DS and DIL and her parents in Medford, so we are on a schedule, and DH wants to know how fast I can be ready - I felt so out of control that the only way I possibly got packed was because I had made a very detailed list. I usually am not so detailed - chalk it up to over-excitement, or to hanging out with my DIS friends on the worry wart thread, Anyway, I am really thankful for that list!

So, as we are driving away, my DH says, tickets? check. money? uh.....
As he drives down the street, I am frantically looking through every pocket of my carryon purse. No money We make a delivery, and then head back home to look for the money - needless to say, DH is not happy

After half an hour of looking through the last bag open, dumping out my purse, looking in the safe, under the bed.....I find it in a suitcase I don't remember opening - stuck between packages of popcorn I brought for the room "just in case." Don't ask

So, we are off - call DS and adjust our dinner time by half an hour - look in on DIL, who is still fine, and we're off! We had a very nice dinner, I got to hold my DGS, 4 wks, started to realize I was on vacation after my second glass of wine, and life was good!

Next: No Umbrella!