The Princess is Going Back to Her Kingdom...TWICE!

[princess_momma]

Hello DisTown!! I just couldn't take it anymore...I needed to start a PTR! This will actually be a two-for-one ptr and I hope you stick around for both!

Here is my Disney background:

In September 2009, I took my parents and 10 month old son, Landon, to Disney World for the first time. We stayed at Pop Century with deluxe dining and an amazing time!

In August 2010, Landon and I went to Disney with my best friends, who are his godparents. We stayed in Pop again, though I was on the regular dining plan that time. That was probably my best trip to date. It is so fun going there with your best friends! I highly recommend it.

In June 2011, Landon I went to Disney with my Dis-friends (xoktenox and lauren_elizabeth). This time, our resort was Old Key West. LOVE that resort. That trip was so relaxed and laid back and I loved every minute of it!

If you notice the trend, I had been going yearly with less than a year between trips. I needed my fix. I took my son 3 times before he turned 3!

And then life got crazy. Some things were really amazing (like falling in love). Some were really awful (like getting laid off). But my biggest saddness was that I couldn't go to Disney. It was painful. I couldn't even Dis for a long time because it made me sad but then I realized I needed that fix. So I started lurking for a long time and eventually started posting again.

So I'll start with the job stuff. I got laid off in January. It has been so hard finding something new! Sadly, with no job, I definitely could not afford a trip to my favorite place. Last month, I did get hired on at our local Disney Store. It is pure bliss. I LOVE IT. I am also looking for a full-time job so if you guys could send prayers and pixie dust my way, that'd be great. (I have a second interview with this one company soon, and that's the one I REALLY want. Then I also have a third interview with another company that I only want if the first doesn't work out.) Things are definitely looking up on that front though.

The great news is that in my little Dis-break, I have fallen in love. His name is Garret and you'll meet him later. It is thanks to his family that we are going on the first trip! You see, his dad lives in Florida and wants to get all his kids and their families together in February 2013. So we all will be flying down there for...A DISNEY CRUISE!! And then a week in Disney! I AM SO EXCITED!! And then Garret and I are also planning on a trip next November/December. (Or maybe October )

Trip #1
This trip will take place in February of 2013 and will include Garret's dad, Garret's brother and sister-in-law plus their 3 sons, Garret's sister and her son, then Garret, Landon and I. So 11 of us total! We will be going on a 7-night cruise on THE FANTASY! I think the majority of the group will go back home after that, but Garret, Landon and I will stick around for an extra week for Disney World fun!

Trip #2
This trip will be sometime at the end of last year. It may be anytime from October to December, and will either be an adults-only trip or include me, Garret and Landon. Basically, it's really up in the air, but it is FOR SURE happening. You will see that pieced together better as it gets closer.

Get to meet me and my boys in the next post!

Chapter Links:
The Main Cast!
East or West?!
YAY! A Fun Addition to Our February Trip!
Timeline for Next 5-ish Month
Real Life Expenses...blah!

 

[princess_momma]

So now, I'd like to introduce you guys to the main cast!

First off, I'm Princess Kimmy! I'm 22 years old and the one who is OBSESSED with Disney. I love everything Disney. From princesses to Pixar to ESPN to Marvel. No joke. I love it all.

Here are some fun facts about me:

1. I love the Tower of Terror more than ANYONE. I'm serious. And it loves me back. I'll probably write up a whole post devoted to it soon.
2. I love the Denver Broncos and I play fantasy football. It's so fun! I also play on a competitive flag football team. We won the championship last season.
3. My favorite princesses are Belle and Rapunzel, and my favorite all-around characters are Sulley and Wreck-It Ralph. (YES, it's not even out yet and I already love him.)
4. I can clap really, REALLY loud. It helped Kristen (xoktenox), her soon-to-be husband and I be the loudest table in an entire, full Hoop-Dee-Doo show.
5. One of the few things I love that is NOT owned by Disney is Game of Thrones. If I have any readers out there who have actually read all 5 books, tell me and you will make my day. But if anyone just watches it, let me know too! LOVE IT.

Next up, we have the man of my dreams...Garret! Or as Landon likes to call him, "my prince-friend". We met watching football at the house of a mutual friend. Our first date was a Jason Aldean concert and we have been in love pretty much ever since! When it's right, it's right! He went to Disney a time or two as a child, but it's obvious that he didn't do it the RIGHT way. Can't wait to teach him!

Garret's Fun Facts:
1. He's played baseball his whole life and one time I was helping him clean some stuff from his old room and found a baseball with Mickey on it. Talk about my perfect match!
2. He was also on a hockey team coached by Patrick Roy. (I'm hoping more readers than jenny_105 are impressed by this, because I'm already told her. )
3. He likes the Backstreet Boys. WHAT A KEEPER!!
4. He is a huge fan of all our hometeams - Denver Broncos, Colorado Rockies, Colorado Avalanche, Denver Nuggets.
5. He is 6'6". You will see our size difference in our pictures.

(That last pic is Laser Tag, which we did for my 22nd birthday. SO FUN!)

And finally, we have my sweet prince, Landon! He is 3 years old and has been to Disney 3 times so far. He'll be 4 in November and he is so wonderful! I have raised him right on Disney and he always talks about going. Sometimes when he is about to throw a fit, I'll have him "fix his attitude" and he is supposed to just start smiling and being happy again and lately he's started going "Disney World!" and pointing to the pictures on our wall to fix his attitude. Apparently that's what makes him happy!

Landon's Fun Facts:
1. His baseball swing or throwing of any kind is hit or miss, which is to be expected at his age. What's surprising is how incredible his golf swing is! He is incredibly advanced at that.
2. I took him to the Disney Store and he was asked who his favorite was. The CM thought they would get a character, but his answer was "Peyton Manning". I love my son!
3. His real favorite would probably be Iron Man. But he loves pretty much all the "boy" characters - Buzz, Woody, Lightning, Mater, Jake, etc.
4. He LOVES animals. Sometimes too much. Think Elmira from Looney Toons. He's always got to pet them and squeeze them and all that.
5. He can fall asleep anywhere. He has fallen asleep at restaurants, on rides, even at his first Broncos game. It's quite the talent!

I hope you guys stick around to embark on this exciting journey with us!

 

[mermaid764]

I'm here Kimmy!

I followed along on both of your last TR's and was sad that you never got a chance to finish them, but I was was super excited to see you had a new PTR!

How exciting that you have not one, but two trips in the near future and holy moly has Landon grown from your last TR, but just as cute as ever!

Good luck with the job interviews and i'm looking forward to hearing all about your new trips

 

[reyasmommy]

First of all I have to say is .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

GOOOOOO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!

​

​

​

Your son is adorable. I'm so happy that you found someone that will/does share the same love for Disney as you! I'm so thankful that my husband does. Luckily we discovered Disney together. Our first visit to Disney was together when we just started dating and we've been hooked ever since . I'm so jelous that you have two trips in the works and you get to go on a 7 day cruise! I'm sure it's going to be heaven on earth.! I can't wait to hear about it... Do you get a good discount by working at the Disney store?

Do you work at the Disney Store in Park Meadows? You look really familiar. I was there for opening day..... what a Mad house! We waited for hours to see Mickey and Minnie. We were nuts I think.

Anyway ....... I can't wait to hear more about your plans...
​

 

[princess_momma]

I'm here Kimmy!

I followed along on both of your last TR's and was sad that you never got a chance to finish them, but I was was super excited to see you had a new PTR!

How exciting that you have not one, but two trips in the near future and holy moly has Landon grown from your last TR, but just as cute as ever!

Good luck with the job interviews and i'm looking forward to hearing all about your new trips

Hi!! Thanks for joining along again! I will probably do, at the very least, trip highlights from those! I was really sad that I didn't finish those. Especially because I did ask for both to be reopened to multiple mod's and no one ever got back. SAD! But I will finish this and you will get stories from those trips!

Landon is growing so fast! He is like up to my sternum! I'm like HOW IS HE SO BIG AT 3?! Crazy!

I will keep you updated on my job search too! Thanks!

First of all I have to say is .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

GOOOOOO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!

​

​

​

Your son is adorable. I'm so happy that you found someone that will/does share the same love for Disney as you! I'm so thankful that my husband does. Luckily we discovered Disney together. Our first visit to Disney was together when we just started dating and we've been hooked ever since . I'm so jelous that you have two trips in the works and you get to go on a 7 day cruise! I'm sure it's going to be heaven on earth.! I can't wait to hear about it... Do you get a good discount by working at the Disney store?

Do you work at the Disney Store in Park Meadows? You look really familiar. I was there for opening day..... what a Mad house! We waited for hours to see Mickey and Minnie. We were nuts I think.

Anyway ....... I can't wait to hear more about your plans...
​

YES! GO BRONCOS!! So excited another Broncos fan found me!! Cannot wait for our season to start!! We are so close!

I'm not 100% sure Garret loves Disney as much as me, but I believe I can convert him! It's going to be so amazing! I NEED two trips in the works since I skipped going this year! Gotta make up for lost time! And a cruise! He told me a while ago that his dad was thinking of taking everyone on one and I FREAKED OUT. Like literally jumping up and down. He told me then I wasn't allowed to get TOO excited yet because it might not happen. I told him if his dad teased me with this and then took it away, it might be unforgiveable. Luckily though, it IS for sure happening! And I do get GREAT Disney discounts. That is why we aren't "officially" booked yet-I have to wait until a certain time to use the discounts. But it IS happening!

We did go to the Disney Store opening at Park Meadows! That was nuts. We didn't meet any characters, I just wanted to see the store! Did you see the CM's ask for a volunteer who knew the dance from FotLK and did that to "Hakuna Matata"? Because that was me! Maybe that's where you saw me? I don't work at that one, I work at the Aurora one. It's so great!! I love my job!

 

[RoyalMom]

Hi!!!

what a cute bunch, especially that Landon!!!!

I am a big fan of GOT, too (books AND show) -- FINALLY finished the latest installment

Have fun planning your next trip, it sounds like it is going to be AMAZING!!

 

[princess_momma]

We will FOR SURE be embarking on the Disney Fantasy for 7 nights in February. But which itinerary should we do? Our choices are:

Western Caribbean Cruise - Itinerary B
Day Port
1 Port Canaveral, Florida
2 At Sea
3 Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
4 Costa Maya, Mexico
5 Cozumel, Mexico
6 At Sea
7 Castaway Cay
8 Port Canaveral, Florida

Eastern Caribbean Cruise - Itinerary B
Day Port
1 Port Canaveral, Florida
2 At Sea
3 At Sea
4 St. Thomas/St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
5 San Juan, Puerto Rico
6 At Sea
7 Castaway Cay
8 Port Canaveral, Florida

I have no idea which one to pick! We don't need fun, exhilarating excursions because we will all be sticking together and we have 5 children who will be 5 years old or younger. One of whom will still be an infant. Does anyone know if one has better beaches or something?

As for after the cruise, I had originally thought that everyone would be staying and priced it out so that us, Garret's dad, and Garret's sister's family were at Pop Century. (3 people per room there) Then I was going to put his brother's family at the Art of Animation because that'd be a better fit for their party of 5. I was going to request a Finding Nemo building for them and for us over at Pop, somewhere in the 60's. I figured we would still be pretty close, just a stroll across the bridge away.

But now it looks like maybe only Garret and I (and Landon) will be staying after the cruise! But I don't even know how long that would be in Orlando. His dad lives in another part of Florida, and I think he wants to take us there too! I'm trying not to be too sad about that since I get two trips next year!

 

[princess_momma]

Hi!!!

what a cute bunch, especially that Landon!!!!

I am a big fan of GOT, too (books AND show) -- FINALLY finished the latest installment

Have fun planning your next trip, it sounds like it is going to be AMAZING!!

Thanks for joining!!

YAY!! Another GOT fan!!!!!!!!! I am so excited. I will be PM-ing you when I have more time to discuss, if that's okay! I love meeting other fans! It's so hard having no more books and not knowing when the next one is. And having to wait until next spring for the show! Oh man!

I love planning!! I already have a restaurant spreadsheet for our trip at the END of next year. Though I'm sure it'll change about a million times before then!

 

[marDgreen88]

Hey Kimmy! I am IN! I'm so excited for you that you get to go back to Disney TWICE next year after the rough year you had. You'll be in my prayers for your job!!!

Can I just say, Landon is such a cutie, the girls are gonna love him! (Maybe they already do. Hahah!)

I think it's awesome that you went on a DIS trip last year (and with Lauren-she's awesome)! This is why I just LOVE these boards! I'm so glad you're back in full force around here and I will be so excited to hear about all your plans!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Hey Kimmy! I can hardly believe how much Landon has grown since the last trip report I read. He's not a baby anymore.

 

[princess_momma]

Hey Kimmy! I am IN! I'm so excited for you that you get to go back to Disney TWICE next year after the rough year you had. You'll be in my prayers for your job!!!

Can I just say, Landon is such a cutie, the girls are gonna love him! (Maybe they already do. Hahah!)

I think it's awesome that you went on a DIS trip last year (and with Lauren-she's awesome)! This is why I just LOVE these boards! I'm so glad you're back in full force around here and I will be so excited to hear about all your plans!

Oh my goodness, I cannot wait to be going TWICE next year! This year has been crazy and I have such Disney withdrawals...I really need to get back!!

Thank you! Landon can be quite the little ladies man! One time we were actually at Chef Mickey's and no other family had boys, they all had a ton of girls and they were all gushing over him! It was adorable!

The DisBoards are awesome! I had so much fun staying with Lauren! Kristen is great too, I just love those girls! It's nice having people who "get it" with you! I love being back on the boards!!

Hey Kimmy! I can hardly believe how much Landon has grown since the last trip report I read. He's not a baby anymore.

I know, he is growing like a weed! So crazy!! Thanks for being here!!

 

[princess_momma]

Last night, I was talking to Garret and he's agreed to do a PhotoPass Photo Shoot when we go!

I am especially excited about this because:
-a lot of our pictures together are self-portraits, which are hard when there is over a foot in height difference
-the only professional pics of Landon ever taken I didn't love, and I had to pick and choose 3 and then lose the rest forever...getting them ALL on a CD is such a great bonus!

So the locations you can do this at are:
-The Grand Floridian
-The Polynesian
-The Beach Club
-The Wilderness Lodge
-The Animal Kingdom Lodge

I'm leaning towards the Poly! But they would really all be great. So for now, I'm going to stick with having it at the Poly unless I see some great pics elsewhere that change my mind! SO EXCITED!!

 

[reyasmommy]

I'd go for the POLY as well.... I got married there and the pictures turned out amazing. So beautiful!

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

So, we're texting each other and what did I see when I log on to the DIS? YOUR NEW PRE TRIP REPORT!!!

I'm so excited to hear about your Disney Cruise... and of course your trip next fall/winter! WOO HOO!

Now I want to start a PTR for December. Especially after you helped me work out the plans for our arrival day and night!

 

[marDgreen88]

The DisBoards are awesome! I had so much fun staying with Lauren! Kristen is great too, I just love those girls! It's nice having people who "get it" with you! I love being back on the boards!!

Aww, I'm sure she is! I've never 'met' her yet hahaha.

Now I want to start a PTR for December. Especially after you helped me work out the plans for our arrival day and night!

YES PLEASE!

 

[MiaBella05]

joining in

 

[princess_momma]

I'd go for the POLY as well.... I got married there and the pictures turned out amazing. So beautiful!

I am 92% sure it'll be there! I think that would also really help capture the tropical theme of that trip. I love, LOVE the GF & BC, but I really feel like it would almost look too...IDK, picture perfect, catalog, posh, etc.? It just wouldn't feel us as much either.

So, we're texting each other and what did I see when I log on to the DIS? YOUR NEW PRE TRIP REPORT!!!

I'm so excited to hear about your Disney Cruise... and of course your trip next fall/winter! WOO HOO!

Now I want to start a PTR for December. Especially after you helped me work out the plans for our arrival day and night!

YAY! So glad you are here, Lauren!

You really should start a PTR! I know we have so much fun discussing all our thoughts/ideas for our upcoming trips, and it's really fun getting the Dis to join along too!! I just love talking about trips!!

Aww, I'm sure she is! I've never 'met' her yet hahaha.

It is so fun meeting Dis-Friends! I hope we all get to meet each other one day!

joining in

Congrats on your pregnancy AND that you are going to WDW so soon!

 

[princess_momma]

First of all...just wanted to make sure you guys saw this:

OH MAN! I am soooooooooo excited. Monsters, Inc. is my favorite! Sulley is the best, I picked him for my favorite character that goes on my name tag!

I saw the back-to-back TS 1&2 when they were re-released in 3D. I've seen every newly released movie, but no other re-releases besides TS! Just didn't work out with the Lion King or Beauty & The Beast, sadly. I'm REALLY hoping for Finding Nemo! (Especially since I want to give Landon Finding Nemo stuff for the cruise!) BUT I NEED to go see Monsters, Inc. in 3D. NEED. (And don't even get me started on how excited I am for Monsters University. OMG. DYING. I have been waiting for that movie for YEARS. No joke. YEARS.)

Also, I just learned that Photopass doesn't do resort photo shoots anymore! It's Disney Fine Arts Photography, but they still have the 20 minute sessions with all shots on a disc. However, they have fewer locations now. Now it's only GF, BC and the Poly! I think I'll just stick with the Poly!

 

[klacey1]

Hey, Kimmy!! So excited you started a PTR! I totally remember you writing that Garrett's hockey coach was Patrick Roy on Jenny's PTR and I freaked out! I'm a huge Rangers fan, but my brother has been an Avs fan since birth (have no idea why, since we grew up/both still live in the NYC suburbs ) and his fav player of all time is ROY! He was sooo jealous when I told him!
The cruise, either itinerary, sounds great. Honestly though, after a week with that many other people, you'll be glad the others dropped out of a week of Disney! You'll be craving alone time with your guys!
I think the Poly will be perfect for your photoshoot-- I wish I could convince Zach to do one!
Ahhh, I LOVE Monster's Inc! I saw both the Lion King and BATB in 3D and honestly didn't care about the 3D, it was more about seeing them on the big screen. I feel the same about Monster's Inc-- cannot wait!

 

[marDgreen88]

I'm so excited for all the 3D releases of movies. I always see them! Finding Nemo on Friday!!! Monsters Inc will be amazing in 3D too!!

Dang girl, any of those three locations would be amazing! They're all so beautiful.