The Peterson Family WDW Invasion 2009 PTR

[MadilynnsMomma]

MadilynnsMomma, I am so puzzled at how much stuff I hear people can get packed into their suitcases! Maybe it is because I am a fluffy type woman and my clothes take up more space but there is no way I can pack a little something for ever possibility of weather for 2 weeks! On the other hand.... I do pack my DD's clothes in the same suitcase and her clothes are getting bigger too. Maybe it is time she graduated to her own suitcase. I have just been trying to keep it to a minimum as to how many items we have to lug through the airport. What the heck! What's one more item, right? I like the idea of bringing an empty suitcase. Still, how do all of you manage to keep under the weight limits?

As for weather and what to pack.... having never been to WDW I can't really speak for there but we have been to DL when it was 107 AND to the other extreme of needing coats and gloves. I think it is easier to pack for cooler weather and then just buy some t-shirts if it's too hot. The year it was so hot we had a gift shop at our hotel and I managed to pick up $5 California t-shirts.

Honestly, I don't know how I managed to get it all in to one, although I may be lying, a little. I have one rolling piece of luggage that is the maximum allowed size for carry-on bags that has two days worth of clothes for the three of us. I have the worst luck with luggage and will feel much better knowing that I have at least two days of clothes to live with if anything goes awry. Also, DD has her cute as can be rolling Princess luggage that has her princess dress, too many pairs of shoes & light-up accessories in it! But, now that I am all packed... I forgot to load up the diapers, maybe they'll go in the diaper bag carry on!

 

[lovesdumbo]

lovesdumbo, I have heard of a lot of people who love POP. If we ever end up staying onsite I will certainly have to check it out since I hear more about it than anywhere else. Jetfree? free bags? May have to check into that next time too.

Pop is a lot of fun! I've only been at relatively low crowd times but this time Saturday night is sold out so it will be interesting to see what I think of it when it is so full.

I've been pretty happy with Jet Blue too. The seats are very roomy & comfy and they have TV's and some pretty good snacks too-blue potato chips.

I still don't have the tree up. It is too heavy for me to carry up from the basement and DH hasn't been feel well so he hasn't been up for it. I did get all the Christmas decoration out-got the nativity set up, the Christmas photos out, and my Santa collection set up on the mantel. Hoping DH will be about to get the tree up today.

My little one-DD-6 years old-is sick. She had a fever last Sunday and seemed to be pretty well over it by Wednesday. Now the fever is back and she has this nasty non stop cough. Our pediatrician has Sunday office hours so we have to get her seen. I hate to leave her when she's sick.

I'm still not packed and I have to go to work for a few hours either today or in the morning. Our flight is at 4pm tomorrow.

 

[mariezp]

D&D, I hope I don't disappoint you too bad if I don't make it in front of the camera. Who they decide to have for entertainment is going to make a lot of difference as to if I commit myself to 4 hours of perfectly good park time. In other words, if it's Miley.... don't count on seeing me on your tv. If you don't see me you can always point at someone random and the family will never know the difference!
I am pretty excited too! Up at 7:00 this morning cause I can't sleep. DS is excited about meeting his friends and has turned it over to me to call their mom and work out the details. I have none. My primary focus has been elsewhere and now I have got to come up with just how to work them into the plans.
Hmmmm, I am not sure I have got any connections I can use to help us out with perfect weather. You better be sure to pack your long johns just in case!
How are your plans coming along?

Ah-ha! I knew there had to be a catch! MadilynnsMomma, you are still better at packing than I am. I know I should divide our clothes just in case our luggage gets misplaced but I have not managed yet to try that. I'd be happy with any method just so long as I get it all in there! I remember those diaper packing days! They sure take up a lot of space too.


I remembered a conversation I had from Thanksgiving that I wanted to share with everyone. The subject came up that we we planning our trip to WDW. My DH's niece has been before so right away she started offering her advice on what we needed to do. Her first tidbit was that we just could not miss Universal. First off, this is our first ever trip to WDW so MY plan is to see just the Disney parks on this trip. Second, I love Disney and all things related but just a glance at Universal and I am not all that impressed. I am sure it is fine but just not my cup of tee, in part because I do not like the theming of some of the rides. My answer to her was that we would be going only to the Disney parks seemed to puzzle her so she continued trying to convince me by telling me how fabulous the Spiderman ride was...yada, yada, yada. My next response was that we are not really much into thrill rides but were more interested in atmosphere. Her response...."Interesting."

Well, I find it "interesting" that so many people assume when you go to the parks it is all about the rides. I just wonder how many of my fellow Disney lovers would understand and perhaps even feel the same as the response I was able to give. To me, Disney parks are about rides AND when I say atmosphere it covers so much more! I believe perhaps it is the magic. Some people find it and some just don't.

 

[mariezp]

lovesdumbo, I must have just missed you. Probably posting at the same time.
I hope POP is not too crowded. Maybe you will get lucky. Perhaps it is only full because they are only booking partially in order to not have to keep on as much staff. That is what I have read about the dining situation. Maybe it could pertain to lodging too?
So far we tend to stick with American. DH is the flying expert so they are his choice. I just make the reservations. Blue chips, huh? Never knew there was such a thing.
Your Christmas decorating seems to be coming along quite well. Wonder why when it comes to the part that a DH has to do it always takes the longest to get done? I HATE having to ask my DH to do anything. If at all possible I find a way to do it myself. Good luck getting that tree up from the basement.
I hope everyone gets feeling better before and you manage to avoid those germs! Have a safe and wonderful trip!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

I could go to Disney and not ride a single ride and still come back with amazing stories that we will all remember forever, I am on your side of that debate! Disney is about atmosphere and magic!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Hi!!!! Only 3 more days!!!!! I agree...love the atmosphere...but when our littlest is big enough to go on the rides at Universal, we will be making a stop for the DH and oldest.

 

[DL55]

Have to admit we go for the rides. So we usually go to Universal for a couple days of our visit. But I think my DH is becoming an old fuddy duddy, didn't want to ride the Hulk a second time. Also have to admit Spiderman is an amazing ride. But it's your vacation you can go where you want to and ride what you want. Don't worry ..be happy..

 

[D&DDisney]

D&D, I hope I don't disappoint you too bad if I don't make it in front of the camera. Who they decide to have for entertainment is going to make a lot of difference as to if I commit myself to 4 hours of perfectly good park time. In other words, if it's Miley.... don't count on seeing me on your tv. If you don't see me you can always point at someone random and the family will never know the difference!
.
Hmmmm, I am not sure I have got any connections I can use to help us out with perfect weather. You better be sure to pack your long johns just in case!
How are your plans coming along?

You are too funny!!!

Long johns????? Girlfriend, I live in WI so any weather over 50 degrees is short wearning weather. I put on the LJs when temps go below 0.

Only 3 more days!!!!

 

[lovesdumbo]

lovesdumbo, I must have just missed you. Probably posting at the same time.
I hope POP is not too crowded. Maybe you will get lucky. Perhaps it is only full because they are only booking partially in order to not have to keep on as much staff. That is what I have read about the dining situation. Maybe it could pertain to lodging too?
So far we tend to stick with American. DH is the flying expert so they are his choice. I just make the reservations. Blue chips, huh? Never knew there was such a thing.
Your Christmas decorating seems to be coming along quite well. Wonder why when it comes to the part that a DH has to do it always takes the longest to get done? I HATE having to ask my DH to do anything. If at all possible I find a way to do it myself. Good luck getting that tree up from the basement.
I hope everyone gets feeling better before and you manage to avoid those germs! Have a safe and wonderful trip!

No tree.

I spent the day in the ER with my 6 year old DD-not going on this trip. Poor kid has a touch of pneumonia and an ear infection-she never complained about that. A few nebulizer treatments and a script for an antibiotic and were finally home. She's looking so much better already. I hate to leave her sick but DH (a stay at home Dad) will take good care of her!

OK...now I really have to go pack!!!!!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

OK...now I really have to go pack!!!!!

You leave tomorrow, right?

 

[lovesdumbo]

You leave tomorrow, right?

Our flight is at 4pm. I should leave the house about 12:30. My checked bags are packed so I just have to do the carry ons. I think I'll make it! I'll be ready for a vacation buy the time I get there!!!!

 

[mariezp]

MadilynnsMomma, we must be kindred spirits. I do love the rides but I could still enjoy the park even if I did not ride anything. I knew someone around here would understand. (besides Sherry!)

LOVEMY3KIDDOS, you are probably right. When my DD gets a little older we will probably do more big rides. I am not looking too forward to that cause I enjoy all the mild stuff. I'm a big chicken!

DL55, I did not mean to sound like I was knocking Universal cause I know a lot of people enjoy it. Nothing wrong with that! Maybe we need to plan a trip in the park at the same time. That way when all my bunch gets old enough for the thrill rides I can send them with you and your DH and I can ride the old fuddy duddy rides!

D&D, I guess I wasn't thinking geographically when I suggested your long johns. I can see why you might enjoy that 50s weather!
Believe me I know about that 3 days! DD is keeping me on my toes asking every few hours. Has your bunch started doing that yet?

lovesdumbo, you poor thing!!! That's is all you need just a little more stress while you are getting ready, right? I hope your DD is feeling better and recovers lickety split so she can have a good time instead of being sick. Here's hoping you get in a little rest before tomorrow. I have a feeling I will be like you and still packing at the last minute.

So all these months I have been planning, right? Well, within the past week DS has finally decided to get it in gear and make some more solid plans with his friends. Lordy, how I hate planning around other people... especially when I had just about everything all worked out. Looks like we will spend one day with them either at our house or theirs and one day with at least the teenagers in the park. I am going to try to talk the whole family into coming to the park with us. They also have a DD almost the same age as my DD so she would really love it which only leaves mom and dad so they might as well come too. I have canceled our Pirates & Pals Voyage so I can try to bribe them by offering to pay for their tickets. (DH also said that he did not want to get on a boat anyway and has promised me we will stay late one night in the park just to watch the fireworks.) So tomorrow I am supposed to call "Mrs. N" and work out the details.
I am annoyed that I have already purchased a 10 day pass for DS's friend who will not be going after all. I called to see if I could apply it towards additional tickets but was told no. Someone on the Dis did suggest that I might get lucky and get a CM who was feeling sympathetic who might let me but no guarantee. If their whole family goes I will need 6 more tickets. It seems to me that it would be a simple thing to put that $242 towards the $474 of one day tickets. Guess I won't be counting on it but I will sure be hoping and praying for a kind hearted CM! Otherwise, I guess I save the ticket for another year or so and apply it towards an annual pass.
Aside from that I did eliminate a few ADRs ad work on my itinerary today. Tomorrow I am hoping it is a big day for packing. Guess it just depends on how many interruptions I have all day!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Good luck getting everything done!! I hope you try again and get that price adjustment!!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

Good luck with that price adjustment!

 

[DL55]

Good luck with the price adjustment.
You can knock Universal if you want..I'm not related. I just like fast rides and I like Disney rides. I don't care for wooden roller coasters as much.. too rough. I guess I'm getting too old also.

 

[D&DDisney]

I really hope they give you that price adjustment. You are so generous to pay for a friend's ticket in the first place. Wow!

Only 2 more days!!!
I want to wish everyone who is leaving soon a wonderful trip!

 

[mariezp]

I am going to have to make this fairly quick but wanted to pop in and say....

We are leaving for the airport in 2 hours!

It seems so surreal that our vacation has finally gotten here. I think I have everything packed, travel info gathered, boarding passes are printed and I even found my camera manual at the last minute. Gotta get everyone ready, drop the dog off at the kennel and then we will be outta here! Here in Texas there is actually snow on the ground. How is that for a crazy send off?

Oh yeah, one last little tidbit. I did get confirmation that we will have house guests for one night and then the entire family of DS's friends will be going with us the next morning to the park with us for one day. We are all very excited about that. It is going to be so much fun but even more than that we will be getting to take them for their first trip ever to WDW. Just a little more magic to throw into our trip.

I want to say thanks to everyone who has been following along with me and let you know that I will be back in 2 weeks with details and photos galore! God bless everyone and talk to you when we get back!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

Oh Marie! It's here! It's FINALLY here!!! Safe travels!!! Tell Mickey I'll see him soon!!!

 

[Sherry E]

Marie! I can't wait - you will be home from WDW in 4 days!!!! (OF course, I don't expect you to start on the TR for a while after that) I just can't believe that the trip is winding down after all this planning for months and months and months. I imagine that you all have been having a spectacular time, and I assume the kids especially love it. My guess on the overall opinions of your family will be that DL as a lone park is much better than MK, but that AK and Epcot are outstanding (I just have a feeling that you, in particular, will love Epcot). WDW may end up being the family's yearly destination now and poor little DLR may be a distant memory!! Actually, I have two other friends who have either already gone to WDW this holiday season or are about to go in the next few weeks, and neither one of them is staying at a WDW hotel. They and their respective families opted to save money and stay elsewhere. So you are not alone in the choice to stay offsite.

 

[D&DDisney]

Hope you're having a good time Marie!!!!
See you in 4 days!