The "How Will I Survive Winter Without It" Trip That Might Be

[PoppyGirl]

It's becoming a habit. Really. I think this might be sort of bad news for me but I find myself once again planning a trip for winter in my attempt to give myself hope that the sun does indeed still exist and will shine again in Maryland....and I'm doing this without truly having a "yes you can go" from my beloved DH. *sigh* You would think he would know me by now.

So, this PTR is mostly (at least for now) about what lives in my Disney fantasy world. He's probably going to come around to my way of thinking because he does love me after all. And I did FINALLY do a family budget, building in "Disney fund" of course. He's been asking me for that for....let's just say a REALLY long time.

Here's the cast in this fantasy Disney "world" in my mind:

Me: PoppyGirl, 48. Full time mom, part time psychologist, cow milker, scrapbooker and scrapbook consultant, and recent world traveler as DS and I just returned from a 17 day trip to Africa. (more about that later). I fell in love with Disney the first time we went....on our "once in a life time" family trip. That was 2007. Yeah. Check my signature below and you'll see how THAT worked out. I've lost 34 lbs over the past few months. 10 more to go til my goal. I think celebrating at Disney would be a great idea. So I can eat my way around the world. I tend to plan my Disney vacations around where I want to eat..... Favorite Park: Epcot or Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom because I just can't decide!

DH: UdderMan, 58. Full time dad and dairy farmer. Good man. Hard worker. Mostly tolerates Disney for me but has a good time when we are there. Taking me on an anniversary trip for the first time in 15 years this November. WOOT! It's hard for dairy farmers to get away so any time he gets to go on a trip with us is slightly miraculous. Favorite park: whichever one has the most benches or shows. That man loves shows.

DS: DopeyDo, 12. Full on middle school boy. *sigh* Really do I need to say anything else? Super smart, loves music, concerts, roller coasters, video games, and bugging everyone--especially his little sister. Had the adventure of a lifetime in Africa this summer. Favorite park: Hollywood Studios because of Rockin' Roller Coaster.

DD: Princess Fickle Pickle, 9. Tends to change her mind about everything moment by moment....but is obsessed with anything French, loves all animals and living creatures (except her brother). Also super smart. Stayed home and helped daddy milk the cows during the big African adventure this summer. Favorite park: Epcot because she loves France.

DSS1: Dr. Dan, 30. Veterinarian in Texas. Recently bought a house for the first time...very serious girlfriend too! Do we hear wedding bells? DD hopes so!

DSS2: J, 26. Currently chasing his dreams in LA.

This trip started out as a plan between me and my BFF to take her DS (11) and my DD to WDW together. We have taken three WDW trips together in the past--one that was just her and I--SO. MUCH. FUN. And one when both of our sons were involved in a competition in Orlando...and we just couldn't go to Orlando without going to Disney. And then one that was sort of together when we each took out daughters on a "girls only" trip. All those trips were great! We've been trying to plan a another trip together again ever since. However...she isn't sure finances are going to work in her favor this year so she told me to go ahead and plan without her. DD and I have taken a mother-daughter trip together the last couple of years and have decided this is sort of a "must do" for us.

BFF: Hmm....I don't have a nickname for her. She's just my BFF. Forever!!

BFF's DS: 11. Yeah. I don't have a nickname for him either but he's adorable and sweet and funny.

The four of us (DD, me, BFF and her DS) ADORE Doctor Who.

In fact, I have to say that most of my addictions are the direct result of my friendship with BFF. Disney. Anything related to Disney. Doctor Who. I can't blame her for coffee but almost everything else!

DD and I on last year's trip:


Oh wait...here's a more serious one with our friend Mary.




And here's the family on our "Christmas Miracle Trip" in 2010:


Here's the big boys with us at DL:


And our family last November:


And here's BFF and her DD at her favorite place Boma!

Isn't she cute? I think she's adorable!

Finally, here's me with only 10 more lbs to lose:


Next up: My current dilemma!

 

[PoppyGirl]

I think I have our dates pretty much decided....last week of January into the first week of February 2013. I'm sort of waiting to see if any discounts are offered. According to the history I found on Mousesavers, most discounts for the early months in previous years would have already been released by now. I keep thinking I should call and see if there's a pin code attached to my name.

However, the BIG DILEMMA is where to stay. I'm vacillating between three resorts:

Art of Animation, Little Mermaid rooms
Port Orleans Riverside, Royal Rooms
Animal Kingdom Lodge, Pool View

I just cannot make up my mind.

AoA: brand new, really fun icons, cheapest and DD loves the photos of the rooms and thinks it would be fun, food court sounds pretty good, BUT smaller beds, no refrigerator, no hot tub and not a moderate...I like the privacy screen and slightly bigger rooms. And if BFF decides she can make it at the last minute, it would be crowded.

POR: love the rooms, love the resort--so relaxing and beautiful, option of taking the boat to DTD, has a hot tub so if it's cold we can still sort of use the pool BUT it's large and I have issues with having multiple bus stops

AKL: My favorite lodge of all and given my recent trip to Africa I'm planning on eating at Boma for both dinner and breakfast and at Jiko for dinner so it would be awesome to be there. Most expensive choice and furthest from the parks except AK. If BFF decides she can come it may be out of her price range....

What to do, what to do.......

 

[firecracker725]

I have one of those PTRs started too for a "strong maybe" trip, so I totally get it. Looking forward to hearing more of your plans!

 

[PoppyGirl]

I have one of those PTRs started too for a "strong maybe" trip, so I totally get it. Looking forward to hearing more of your plans!

to my PTR! And thank you so much for being my very first reader/responder!

I'll have to go over and check out your PTR as well.

 

[JessiMommy]

I think I have our dates pretty much decided....last week of January into the first week of February 2013. I'm sort of waiting to see if any discounts are offered. According to the history I found on Mousesavers, most discounts for the early months in previous years would have already been released by now. I keep thinking I should call and see if there's a pin code attached to my name.

However, the BIG DILEMMA is where to stay. I'm vacillating between three resorts:

Art of Animation, Little Mermaid rooms
Port Orleans Riverside, Royal Rooms
Animal Kingdom Lodge, Pool View

I just cannot make up my mind.

What to do, what to do.......

I was just recently able to start planning a second trip and that is the exact time frame we have chosen! Late January is great... crowd levels are so low! We went ahead and booked AOA Little Mermaid room. Want to check out the "newness". As far as discounts go, don't give up hope. I'm still waiting for November 2012 discounts to be released for a trip I'm taking then. Disney seems to be doing things differently this year with the way they are releasing and offering the discounts. I hope everything works out and you are able to make this trip official!!

 

[Alysa]

Ooo! Ooo! I am in on this trip report, love to hear from another Doctor Who fan!
I'd pick Port Orleans Riverside,it's a beautiful resort and you can always still go to eat there after a day at the Animal Kingdom. And staying with your friend is nice too. I imagine AofA would be crowded.

Looking forward to hearing more!

 

[PoppyGirl]

I was just recently able to start planning a second trip and that is the exact time frame we have chosen! Late January is great... crowd levels are so low! We went ahead and booked AOA Little Mermaid room. Want to check out the "newness". As far as discounts go, don't give up hope. I'm still waiting for November 2012 discounts to be released for a trip I'm taking then. Disney seems to be doing things differently this year with the way they are releasing and offering the discounts. I hope everything works out and you are able to make this trip official!!

Hi JessiMommy. Thanks for reading! I LOVE going in January/February. We've had really good success with going at that time of year. Once we went in June (DS, BFF, her son and me) and whew! It was H.O.T. BFF loves it then, but I like it a little cooler. I'm still up in the air about what resort to choose.....

Ooo! Ooo! I am in on this trip report, love to hear from another Doctor Who fan!
I'd pick Port Orleans Riverside,it's a beautiful resort and you can always still go to eat there after a day at the Animal Kingdom. And staying with your friend is nice too. I imagine AofA would be crowded.

Looking forward to hearing more!

Alysa, who is your favorite doctor?!?! DD likes Matt Smith best. I'm a big fan of David Tennant. I mean really....does it get any better than this?

DD and I keep fantasizing that they will make a Doctor Who attraction in the UK section at Epcot. I would probably just hang out there ALL the time if they did that!

 

[PoppyGirl]

I spent the last 2 mornings helping DH milk the cows....at 5:00am. It's actually quite relaxing. It gives me lots of time to think. I asked DH what he thinks about while he's milking. "Whatever I have to do next." Then at lunch I asked the kids what they think about when they are helping with milking. "How much longer? Are we almost done? How many more fillings?" (fillings is the number of times we fill up the barn stalls with cows. There are 12 milking stalls so if we have 120 cows, we have to fill the barn 10 times.) What do I think about while I'm milking? Random Disney Thoughts. Yesterday I was thinking about Tony's Town Square. I don't know why these things come to me..... I guess when my mind is free, it goes to things that make me feel relaxed. It makes DH very happy when I come to help him in the barn. (This is good for future Disney trip requests from me. )

Yesterday we had 2 new calves born. One was born early and so was out in the far away pasture. DH had to go and get her on the 4 wheeler. And then we had to get mama cow into the barn. Oh so much fun. It's not so bad when they've had calves before, but when it's their first one, they don't know what is going on and they fight you the whole way. Have you ever had to get out of the way of a crazed 1600 pound mama cow?

Today was the first day of school for the kids. Honestly, I tend to feel a little sad every year when they go back, but this year, ever since our return from Africa, there has been so much, shall we say "bickering", that I am totally enjoying the peace and quiet this morning. I didn't take a shower....I had a leisurely cup of coffee.....I watched Good Morning America.....I played with the kitties and the new bunnies....(oh yes...we got 2 new bunnies to join the dog, the goat, the cows, the cats, the barn kitties, the ducks and the rabbit we already had)....and I'm uploading photos to photobucket to share! AND..... this afternoon I think I might even watch a movie....that I like!

I've decided not to fight it.....DS is at that stage where he's either trying to appear "cool" or "totally not into this so I'll be goofy."

What's funny is that while we were in Africa, he was different. It was like all that adolescent "stuff" disappeared and he was so relaxed and open. I'll write and post about that trip soon.

 

[Alysa]

When I was very little I used to watch Tom Baker with my mum while she ironed. Good times. And later I had a slight crush on Peter Davison (actually I like them all!) but I do love David Tennant and miss him even though I think Matt Smith is doing a great job. The Eleventh Hour, The Doctor's Wife and Vincent and the Doctor episodes are some of my new favourites! Can't wait for the first!
My son is also a fan and we did all 11 doctors in gingerbread men this Christmas, with a tardis and K9 of course!

I wish they'd had David Tennant as part of the opening ceremonies.

By the way - your kids are gorgeous and I won't tell my daughter about the baby cows, kittens and bunnies or she'll want you to adopt her as well!

 

[PoppyGirl]

I'm not quite sure what has come over me the last few days....I just finished filling out two Disney travel agent applications and e-mailing another agency owner. One of my disboard friends has become at Disney travel agent and so she answered a lot of questions for me today and for some crazy reason I just took the plunge and filled out applications!! As if I have nothing else to do!!!

 

[dawnhaze]

I'm not quite sure what has come over me the last few days....I just finished filling out two Disney travel agent applications and e-mailing another agency owner. One of my disboard friends has become at Disney travel agent and so she answered a lot of questions for me today and for some crazy reason I just took the plunge and filled out applications!! As if I have nothing else to do!!!

I would love to hear more about this... Becoming a Disney travel agent would be pretty awesome. I considered going to a school with TA training at one point.

 

[firecracker725]

I would love to hear more about this... Becoming a Disney travel agent would be pretty awesome. I considered going to a school with TA training at one point.

Me too!

 

[PoppyGirl]

When I was very little I used to watch Tom Baker with my mum while she ironed. Good times. And later I had a slight crush on Peter Davison (actually I like them all!) but I do love David Tennant and miss him even though I think Matt Smith is doing a great job. The Eleventh Hour, The Doctor's Wife and Vincent and the Doctor episodes are some of my new favourites! Can't wait for the first!
My son is also a fan and we did all 11 doctors in gingerbread men this Christmas, with a tardis and K9 of course!

I wish they'd had David Tennant as part of the opening ceremonies.

By the way - your kids are gorgeous and I won't tell my daughter about the baby cows, kittens and bunnies or she'll want you to adopt her as well!

Bwahaha! I LOVE this!!!!!!! That is just awesome!!! Vincent and the Doctor is my all time favorite episode. I could watch that one over and over and over. I love that scene at the end when they take Vincent to the museum and let him hear what the curator says about him. Ahhhhh!!! Perfection!

Thank you for your kind words about my kids. Make sure your DD isn't around, reading over your shoulder because I'll be posting some photos of all the menagerie at some point..... Wait, how old is she? My daughter is begging me to adopt a sister for her.

 

[PoppyGirl]

I would love to hear more about this... Becoming a Disney travel agent would be pretty awesome. I considered going to a school with TA training at one point.

dawnhaze...thanks for reading and commenting!

Me too!

Well, I know about * that much so far! She advised me that I should first get hired by an agency who will then supply me with a code to enroll in the Disney College of Knowledge. It's an online course. I think after you complete that course then you can start actually booking trips for others. She also advised me not to go with any agency that requires me to pay to join their team. Apparently I would need to find my own clients and most people get paid a % of the commission the agency makes on each trip package or room booked. There are also training trips that you can do at WDW or on a cruise etc. She said there are days when she does nothing and days when she's working all day for her clients. So...that's pretty much all I know so far. I guess I'll keep you posted if I hear anything back from the applications/e-mails!

 

[PoppyGirl]

Top Ten Signs that I'm Probably About to Book A Disney Vacation (not necessarily in any particular order....)

1. I start calling BFF every day to talk about anything related to Disney
2. I begin volunteering to help DH milk the cows more often (softening him up for the big question)
3. I find myself spending massive amounts of time on the disboards catching up with everything I've missed since my last trip
4. I stay up until the wee hours of the morning trying out various package and room deals on the Disney website, checking prices and comparing...and looking at photos of all the resorts on allears
5. Winter approacheth....after fall of course....which is at the end of summer....so really this should read "summer endeth"
6. There are suddenly hidden Mickeys everywhere
7. I make mouse ears with the pancakes even when I'm just making them for me
8. I make ADR's....lots and lots of ADR's
9. DD gets a new bunny and I'm insisting on a Disney name for her (well, actually that could probably happen any time but it just so happens that it happened yesterday)
10. I spontaneously apply for jobs as a Disney travel agent, realizing unconsciously (do you like how I threw in that big psychological word there?) that since DH says I have to be a scrapbooking consultant to support my scrapbooking addiction, perhaps he would be more amenable to my taking more Disney trips if I was supporting my addiction with a Disney-related job

 

[15isto2]

Top Ten Signs that I'm Probably About to Book A Disney Vacation (not necessarily in any particular order....)

1. I start calling BFF every day to talk about anything related to Disney
2. I begin volunteering to help DH milk the cows more often (softening him up for the big question)
3. I find myself spending massive amounts of time on the disboards catching up with everything I've missed since my last trip
4. I stay up until the wee hours of the morning trying out various package and room deals on the Disney website, checking prices and comparing...and looking at photos of all the resorts on allears
5. Winter approacheth....after fall of course....which is at the end of summer....so really this should read "summer endeth"
6. There are suddenly hidden Mickeys everywhere
7. I make mouse ears with the pancakes even when I'm just making them for me
8. I make ADR's....lots and lots of ADR's
9. DD gets a new bunny and I'm insisting on a Disney name for her (well, actually that could probably happen any time but it just so happens that it happened yesterday)
10. I spontaneously apply for jobs as a Disney travel agent, realizing unconsciously (do you like how I threw in that big psychological word there?) that since DH says I have to be a scrapbooking consultant to support my scrapbooking addiction, perhaps he would be more amenable to my taking more Disney trips if I was supporting my addiction with a Disney-related job

Brilliant

 

[PoppyGirl]

Here's the latest addition to our family pet menagerie. She's 2 and a girl....although her current name is "Buddy." Don't ask.

What do you think? Suggestions? She's very sweet and very tame.

 

[JessiMommy]

I spent the last 2 mornings helping DH milk the cows....at 5:00am. It's actually quite relaxing. It gives me lots of time to think. I asked DH what he thinks about while he's milking. "Whatever I have to do next." Then at lunch I asked the kids what they think about when they are helping with milking. "How much longer? Are we almost done? How many more fillings?" (fillings is the number of times we fill up the barn stalls with cows. There are 12 milking stalls so if we have 120 cows, we have to fill the barn 10 times.) What do I think about while I'm milking? Random Disney Thoughts. Yesterday I was thinking about Tony's Town Square. I don't know why these things come to me..... I guess when my mind is free, it goes to things that make me feel relaxed. It makes DH very happy when I come to help him in the barn. (This is good for future Disney trip requests from me. )

Yesterday we had 2 new calves born. One was born early and so was out in the far away pasture. DH had to go and get her on the 4 wheeler. And then we had to get mama cow into the barn. Oh so much fun. It's not so bad when they've had calves before, but when it's their first one, they don't know what is going on and they fight you the whole way. Have you ever had to get out of the way of a crazed 1600 pound mama cow?


Today was the first day of school for the kids. Honestly, I tend to feel a little sad every year when they go back, but this year, ever since our return from Africa, there has been so much, shall we say "bickering", that I am totally enjoying the peace and quiet this morning. I didn't take a shower....I had a leisurely cup of coffee.....I watched Good Morning America.....I played with the kitties and the new bunnies....(oh yes...we got 2 new bunnies to join the dog, the goat, the cows, the cats, the barn kitties, the ducks and the rabbit we already had)....and I'm uploading photos to photobucket to share! AND..... this afternoon I think I might even watch a movie....that I like!

OH I want to come milk cows and carry baby calves back to the barn! I totally understand your "thinking"... my mind is always thinking Disney when I'm relaxed. Ha ha! Glad you had a nice relaxing morning. Sounds nice!

 

[Alysa]

Here's the latest addition to our family pet menagerie. She's 2 and a girl....although her current name is "Buddy." Don't ask.

What do you think? Suggestions? She's very sweet and very tame.

In Doctor Who Tegan says "Rabbits!" all the time so you could call her Tegan?

 

[PoppyGirl]

Going back to the real beginning of this "just call me maybe" trip......

Earlier this summer I was having one of those "I feel super neglected" days when BFF called me. (Always a good sign!) She had a September family trip booked but had decided that due to changes in her family (kids starting college and public high school) they weren't going to be able to go...but perhaps she could take her youngest and would I like to go with her and bring DD? BEST. PHONE CALL. EVER. (!!!!!) "Um....let me think about it...YES!" Even though I really hate going to WDW when it's super hot....it would have been great because I would be with BFF. Of course.

So we sort of started planning, and talking, and planning some more. The reservations were for 3 weeks following my return from Africa. But the closer it got to my trip to Africa, the more focused I was on that. One day BFF called me. She's a very wise woman. She was worried that when I got back from Africa I wouldn't be in any emotional shape to be heading to Disney 3 weeks later. I reluctantly agreed. And she was totally right. I was a bit of an emotional mess when we got back. Re-entry into American culture has not been easy. It was an amazing and wonderful trip, but extremely difficult, exhausting and challenging. I was so glad we had decided to postpone our Disney plans.

We both hate winter. Well, let's be honest. I don't hate it quite as much as she does. So we usually make it through dreary Maryland winters with a January/February trip to our happy sunny place. So this trip that might be started with a trip that could have been but wasn't.