The One Where They're Actually Going To WDW!!! TWO MORE SLEEPS!!! 9/30/08

[dis75ney]

Chapter One: Introduction

Hi! My name is Stacy, and I have finally decided to try my hand at this trip-report thingie! I have to thank Mr. Fauntleroy and Mr. Yosh for inspiring me to get on this pre-trip/trip/baby report bandwagon...thanks! If you haven’t already, you should go check out their reports. Just come back here, okay?

And now, without further ado, the cast!

Me: Stacy (Tigger)

(I'm the one on the right...)

Age: 32 (this makes me sad...)
Occupation: Benefits Coordinator, part-time nursing student, Mommy
Likes: WDW (duh!), Guitar Hero, Tom Hanks *sigh*, my iPod, pain medications (as of late – darn broken wrist!), Chicago Bears, anything 1980s related
Dislikes: Not being in WDW, snow/ice, heights, mayonnaise , creepy crawly slimy things (thanks for reminding me, Natepoo!)
Favorite Disney character: Tigger , Stitch , Figment
Previous WDW Trips: 3. 1983-ish (offsite with parents), 1990 (offsite with high school choir tour), and 2000 (Caribbean Beach)


DH: Dean (Goofy)

Ain't I a lucky girl???

Age: A recent 37 (this makes me laugh...mainly at Goofy)
Occupation: Computer programmer, Daddy
Likes: Legos, Star Wars, Lego Star Wars, computers, pianos/organs, math, reasoning how unhealthy foods can in fact be healthy
Dislikes: Hearing his DW chatter on about WDW trip planning, cold temperatures, being awake, hearing his DW scream obscenities at the TV during Bears games
Favorite Disney character: Goofy , Genie
Previous WDW Trips: 1. 2000 (Caribbean Beach)


DS: Nathan (Natepoo)

"How YOU doin'?" (I expect to see a lot of this when Natepoo meets the Princesses - he has a thing for blondes)

Age: 7 going on 30
Occupation: Full time student, full time monkey
Likes: Video games, swinging from the bars on his bunk bed, Transformers, counting down the days until our WDW trip, Chicago Bears
Dislikes: Anything green and edible, going to bed, waking up early
Favorite Disney character: Donald (“Because when he gets angry, he just quacks! And he doesn’t wear pants! That’s funny!”)
Previous WDW Trips: 1. 2000 (In utero)

Some general info about the cast: Formed by Tigger and Goofy in 1998. Natepoo joined the cast in 2000. We have two supporting cast members, Linny and Snoopy.

Linny is the brown and white pig, and Snoopy is the black and white pig (how appropeaux). We all belong to our local community theater and have been in two shows as a family (in one show, we actually played a family!). Goofy and I are also part of our church’s worship team.

It’s a small cast, after all...

I got you singing it, didn’t I??? YAY ME!!! Oh, wait...now I’m singing it, too!!! That wasn’t supposed to happen!!! *Grabs iPod and desperately hits shuffle...ah, the soothing sounds of Tommy Tutone*

Speaking of cheese, I’d like to share some memories from my past WDW trips...mainly for filler material...

1983: It was summer. And HOT!!! Morocco was the newest pavilion in the World Showcase. Riding on the Skyway. That’s about it. (Hey, I was only seven! What do you expect me to remember?)

1990: Spring-ish. Singing with my high school choir in Downtown Disney, which didn’t really exist. Getting VIP treatment at the Wonders of Life pavilion because my mom worked for the sponsoring company. Getting snickers and laughs as we walked through WDW while wearing our 70s-era choir costumes. Providing No-Doze to several choir members who made a bet to stay awake the entire four days (they were all out by day two). DHS only had two rides open...Backstage Tour and the Great Movie ride.

2000: Winter. Florida was in the middle of a cold snap. Temps ranged from 40s at night to upper 60s during the day. Me actually walking around in short sleeves while Goofy searched high and low for a sweatshirt to keep him warm (remember, he doesn’t like cold temperatures). Getting upgraded to first class on our flight to Florida and not realizing it until we were halfway there. Goofy memorizing the monorail speech in both English and Spanish. Goofy reciting the monorail speech for several weeks after we got back. Gorillas scaring the stupid kid who pounded on the glass after the cast member said “Don’t pound on the glass!” Goofy having to stand in the corner at 50s Prime Time...I think it was because he was caught with his elbows on the table...

I am going to search my basement this weekend and see if I can’t dig up some pics from the 2000 trip. Until then...

Up next: Chapter Two: “Make up your mind!!!”

 

[randy4au]

Love the photos of you guys (especially Dean's...LOL)! I've had four guinea pigs during my liftime (only one at a time), and they are awesome! Linny reminds me of my first one (Ben), and Snoopy reminds me of my last one (Mike).

I'm on the worship team at my church. My wife used to be but took a leave of absence after our second son was born a year ago. Hopefully, she'll rejoin the team eventually.

Our other son will turn 7 next month (so we have something else in common).

 

[dreamer17555]

Count me in!

-Becca-

 

[dis75ney]

Love the photos of you guys (especially Dean's...LOL)! I've had four guinea pigs during my liftime (only one at a time), and they are awesome! Linny reminds me of my first one (Ben), and Snoopy reminds me of my last one (Mike).

I'm on the worship team at my church. My wife used to be but took a leave of absence after our second son was born a year ago. Hopefully, she'll rejoin the team eventually.

Our other son will turn 7 next month (so we have something else in common).

Ain't Dean a keeper??? I have other good blackmail photos I'll have to post here sometime...

I love being on the worship team...there's just such an awesome comradery betweeen everyone that was seriously lacking at other churches.

Aren't kids fun at this age??? Of course, they're fun at any age, but as my mom likes to say, "They're becoming like real people now!"

 

[dis75ney]

Count me in!

-Becca-

Yay! Another reader!!!

 

[randy4au]

Aren't kids fun at this age??? Of course, they're fun at any age, but as my mom likes to say, "They're becoming like real people now!"

Yes, 6-7 years old is a fun age. They act like grown ups one minute and toddlers the next.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

im here, coming back later to read it...way to go randy on helping out a disser in distress

 

[dis75ney]

im here, coming back later to read it...way to go randy on helping out a disser in distress

More readers for me to corrupt...oh boy!!!

I will attempt to write another post tonight, but Natepoo just came down with a nasty stomach virus and we both may end up spending the night getting better acquainted with the porcelain throne...poor thing...if not tonight, then definitely tomorrow. I need the happy thoughts after the NIU tragedy. I was in Biology class last night and spent the first 20 minutes scouting out places to hide in case someone came through the front or back doors brandishing weapons. We shouldn't have to be scared to go to school...it's one of the few places we should expect to be safe!!! I guess this is one of those things I will never understand...

76 days and counting until I'm back in my happy place...can't come soon enough!!!

 

[randy4au]

More readers for me to corrupt...oh boy!!!

I will attempt to write another post tonight, but Natepoo just came down with a nasty stomach virus and we both may end up spending the night getting better acquainted with the porcelain throne...poor thing...if not tonight, then definitely tomorrow. I need the happy thoughts after the NIU tragedy. I was in Biology class last night and spent the first 20 minutes scouting out places to hide in case someone came through the front or back doors brandishing weapons. We shouldn't have to be scared to go to school...it's one of the few places we should expect to be safe!!! I guess this is one of those things I will never understand...

76 days and counting until I'm back in my happy place...can't come soon enough!!!

Sorry to hear about Natepoo. A stomach virus is NEVER fun. And I was both saddened and outraged to hear of yet another shooting on a college campus. I'm in grad school, and I feel less and less safe with each report I hear. Then again, are we really safe anywhere? We've heard of people going "postal" in the workplace for years, and then there have been shootings in malls within the last year. God help us!

 

[dis75ney]

God help us!

Amen to that!!!

 

[dis75ney]

OK, I had a nice chapter going, and then the Disboards kicked me out before I could post it!!!

I'll have to re-write the whole darn thing, but I've learned my lesson for next time...type out in Word first, then copy and paste the text...

And Goofy wonders why I hate computers...

 

[Hedy]

Can't wait to hear more.

 

[randy4au]

OK, I had a nice chapter going, and then the Disboards kicked me out before I could post it!!!

I'll have to re-write the whole darn thing, but I've learned my lesson for next time...type out in Word first, then copy and paste the text...

And Goofy wonders why I hate computers...

I feel your pain. That has happened to me many times in the past on other forums. Even if I'm typing a simple reply, I copy it before posting it, and when I'm typing a long message, I type it in Notepad (to avoid the formatting that Word adds to the text such as line breaks) then copy and paste it to the forum.

 

[dis75ney]

OK, so I had this freakin' AWESOME chapter going, and then the DISboards went and logged me out for no apparent reason!!! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR...

But, since I'm currently downstairs waiting for my son to fall asleep (he hasn't puked up his saltines and Gatorade! Woo hoo!!!), I have time to try and remember the awesomeness that was my next chapter. So here goes...

CHAPTER TWO: MAKE UP YOUR MIND!!!

This phrase will be uttered quite a bit throughout this report by the entire cast. Well, Linny and Snoopy don't say it...not in English, anyway...but I'm sure in their little cavie minds they're thinking, "I wish they'd make up their minds!" Translation: "Squeak squeak!"

I will be keeping a running tab of how many times someone in the cast uses the phrase "Make up your mind!" It's fun, and I'm on painkillers. I can do whatever I want. So there!!!

So, Goofy and I have finally decided that we can afford to go to Disney with Natepoo out of the womb this time! Life has a funny way of saying, "You ain't going to Disney until I say you're ready!" Although life was pretty obvious with us...Goofy was out of work for about three years before finally finding a job in his field of computer programming. Goofy's been at his job for about a year now, and we finally feel like we can afford to take the vacation we haven't had in five years! So, yay us!

We sit down with the Unofficial Guide and the Passporter while having dinner at Culver's one night back in November. After I attempt to explain to Goofy why a salad covered with croutons, cheese, bacon bits, and Ranch dressing is, in fact, NOT healthy (remember, this is one of his likes!),we start discussing dates...

I'm shooting for late January/early February. This was when we went the last time, and I thought it was a wonderful time of the year to go. Cool weather, low crowds, value season...

Goofy: "But I want to go swimming this year..." *Insert puppy dog eyes here*

I have to explain that the last time we went to WDW, Florida was in the middle of a cold snap like the one a few weeks ago. Perfect weather for me, but it's been theorized amongst my family that the stork switched my parents' actual child with a polar bear. Goofy, however, is a wuss and will complain about the cold when it's 80 degrees outside. I digress...

Me: "OK..."
Goofy: "Besides, we should go in the summer."
Me: "Are you freakin' insane?!?!?!" (This phrase is also used frequently in our home. I like to switch it up with "Are you on crack?!?!?!?!?")
Goofy: "What's wrong with summer?"
Me: "Gee,let me think. It's hotter than Hades..."
Goofy:
Me: "People are packed in there like friggin' sardines..."
Goofy: "Oh, come on. Disney World is 47 square miles! (I must say, I was rather impressed with this retainment of WDW knowledge. Usually Goofy can't remember what he ate for dinner the previous day. I guess WDW knowledge is more important than food!)"
Goofy (cont'd): "Surely there'd be enough room..."
Me: (wiping the tears that are streaming down my face) "You're funny, dear...real funny."
Goofy: "It can't be THAT crowded!"
Me: "Hey, honey, remember when we went to the Taste of Chicago when I was eight months pregnant and had to scream that I was in labor in order to get the crowd moving?" *That's another good story - you don't mess with a pregnant woman who needs to find a bathroom!
Goofy: "Yeah?"
Me: "Imagine 47 square miles of THAT."
*Insert Jeopardy theme here*
Goofy: "So what are our other options?"

We discuss while consuming mass quantities of Butterburgers (mmmmmm)...

Goofy: "Well, you decide when we should go. I trust your judgement. Just as long as I can go swimming this time."

Man's got a one track mind.

So I do my research like a good little Diser, and decide a couple of weeks later that we should go in May...

Goofy: "May! That means we'd have to take Natepoo out of school!"
Me: "Good one, Einstein." I really do love my husband!!! Besides, he can also dish it out with the best of them...
Goofy: "But we can't take Natepoo out of school!"
Me: "Well, make up your mind, then! Are you going to help me pick a date or what?"

MUYM Count: 1

Goofy: "Why May?"
Me: "Well, you want to go swimming, I don't want to go when it's too hot, and crowds are manageable in May..."
Goofy: "But Natepoo..."
Me: "...will be fine missing a week of school."
Goofy: "But what about his perfect attendance?"
I simply stare at Goofy.
Goofy: "What?"
Me: "Perfect attendance? Dear, that was ruined when his eardrum burst back in November and I had to take him to the ER."
Goofy: "Oh..."
Me: "And it'll be cheaper than going there in the summer..."
Goofy: "Really? Oh, OK. May it is!"

So I've gotten approval from Natepoo's first grade teacher and we are set on that front. She's even going to make a special appearance on the day that Natepoo gives his trip presentation, as she will be on maternity leave when Natepoo is gone. I guess she REALLY wants to hear about the trip!

Now, the next big question:

Drive or fly?

I am a big proponent of road trips. I love being able to see the scenery of this great nation from ground level. Plus, heights and I don't mix. I will make concessions in regards to flying - for example, I flew from Chicago to California in October last year. I was quite proud of myself for not going completely ballistic. I first thought that we should fly to Orlando...shorter trip, Natepoo's first airplane ride...

Then I looked at the airfare. And had to be resucitated at my desk. HOW MUCH??? That's more than my car payment!!! And multiply that by three???

Me: "We're driving to Disney World."

Goofy: "Make up your mind, already!"

MUYM Count: 2

Me: "Airfare is freakin' ridiculous!"
Goofy: "How ridiculous?"

Helpful hint - CPR classes really DO pay off!

Goofy: "We're driving down."

Yay! I get my way again!

So, our small cast will be leaving earlier than the buttcrack of dawn on Friday, May 2, and will be spending the night at either Chattanooga TN, Atlanta GA, or Cocoa Beach FL...

Goofy: "Make up your mind!"

MUYM Count: 3

Me: "Huh?"
Goofy: "How can we stay in all three of those places at once?"

* As you may have noticed, Goofy seems to have some selective memory issues and missed the word "either" in the previous sentence *

Me: *sigh* "OK, honey, we head to Chattanooga. If we're tired, we can stop there and cancel Atlanta and Cocoa Beach. If we are okay driving, we head to Atlanta and cancel Chattanooga. If we get to Atlanta and decide we need to rest, we spend the night in Atlanta and cancel Cocoa Beach. If we are good to go..."
Goofy:
Me:
Goofy: "...then we can cancel Atlanta and drive down to Cocoa Beach?"
Me: "Very good!"
Goofy:

...arriving at our resort on May 3rd. We will be leaving my favorite place in the world on May 11th, staying at the Chattanooga Choo Choo overnight (we're keeping this part of the trip a surprise for Natepoo - we'll be sleeping in an actual train car!) and returning to the land of frozen tundra and never-ending road construction on May 12th, at which point severe post-Disney depression will sink in, causing me to fail all my final exams that week...

No, wait...that was one of my nightmares. The failing of finals, anyway...

Up Next: The Great Hotel Debate...and possibly ADR info...we'll see how tired I am...

 

[dis75ney]

Sorry about the delay in getting a new post up...my bout with the stomach flu is finally over. Just in time for tests in each of my three classes!!!

I have a test to take tonight, and then biology lab tomorrow night, so hopefully Friday night I'll be able to take a brain break and post a nice little piece of frivolity here on the boards. My brain needs a rest!

 

[stagemomx3]

we'll be sleeping in an actual train car!)

Great update, and sleeping in an actual train car should ease the pain of leaving DW a little!

 

[dis75ney]

Great update, and sleeping in an actual train car should ease the pain of leaving DW a little!

Yay! I'm up to two pages!!!

It's the little things that keep me going...

 

[ssmerdel]

I am on board. I am enjoying your pre-trip report so far.

I cannot wait to read more. I am starting my pre-trip report this weekend. (Hopefully)

 

[dis75ney]

OK, I'm not ready yet to write Chapter 3 of my pre-trip saga (hopefully tomorrow night!), but I'm so excited I have to insert an update before I move on to the Great Hotel Debate...

Random Update #1: "You May Now Bow Down Before The Queen Of Discounts!"

It's been said by my family that if you ever want something for WAY cheaper than the MSRP, call me. My parents are still shaking their heads as to how I managed to buy a 30gb iPod from Best Buy for $40 (they haven't heard of the wonder that is the Thank You network). Just don't ask me to haggle on car prices, though. My dad's the king at that.

Moving on...

Thanks to the wonderful Disers on these boards , I read that the Disney Visa discount was going to be opening up for the general public today. I warned Goofy last night over dinner at Culvers (we really should own stock in that place) that if he heard me singing Disney tunes at 6am, I would be on hold with Disney trying to save money.

I ended up taking pity on Goofy and called Disney after dropping Natepoo off at before-school care. I spent the next 20 minutes on hold singing along to the wonderful hold music while driving to work (ask me how I got my Bluetooth from Best Buy for $20!). If only hold music was like Disney's on every phone line...one can dream...

I finally speak to a wonderful cast member named Bob. I ask him about the discount code, and he works his Disney magic to save us $600 on our package!

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I also have him:
1. Add a birthday notation to our reservation (we'll be celebrating Natepoo's birthday a little early while on vacation) and...
2. Confirm that we do have a refrigerator added to our room for no charge (yes, we're staying at a value resort, and Goofy is diabetic, so because the fridge is for medical purposes, it's free!!!).

Bob confirms that Goofy and my anniversary is also noted on the reservation (we're celebrating our anniversary several weeks after the fact due to Goofy's performances for a local theater group falling the week before through the week after our actual anniversary).

Bob assures me that the updates will be available on the web within a few hours.

I try to call Goofy, but there's no answer. So I run to the vending machine for my early morning dose of caffiene. Goofy calls as I'm entering my little 6x6 sanctuary of cubedom. I answer the phone as follows:

Me: "You may now bow down before the Queen of Discounts!"

Thankfully, as one of the more senior members on staff, I was upgraded to a phone with caller ID...

Goofy: "No way!"
Me: "Tee hee!"
Goofy: "How much did you save?"
Me: "About $600"
Goofy: "How do you DO that?"

Goofy is also amazed at my discounting/sales shopping ability...

Me: "If I tell you, I'd have to kill you. I'd prefer not to kill you. You're handy to have around the house."
Goofy: "Because I get rid of creepy crawlies for you?"
Me: "Exactly." *sigh* I really do love that man...

So we now have more room in the WDW slush fund! I now do the Meeposian dance of joy!!!


I'm showing my age, aren't I? I can't help it - I loved Perfect Strangers!

Up Next: The Great Hotel Debate (I Promise!)

 

[Hedy]

Now, how to fuzzy WDW math that $600.....