The Trip that wasn't supposed to be...and you mean Grandparents can't go???

[melser13]

So... way back on March 29th after debating and debating and debating about booking this trip, we decided to go ahead and book, but we were 90% not going. We just couldn't pass up the offer of the buy 4/get 3 deal. We haven't been to Disney since July 2007 and were really, really, really itching to get back...except our life was/is in chaos.

Our house, in Ohio, was on the dreaded market for 7 months...at least 10 showings a month, 1 offer that fell through, and alot of 2nd showings. This is no easy task with 2 kids under the age of 5, plus I am driving an hour to work everyday. As time went on, we decided we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE our neighbors and our neighborhood and if we don't sell, than Disney is a GREAT consilation prize.

So...1 more month went by and we decided...let's just pull it off the market. Why lose money, move from where we love, AND forfeit a trip to WDW??? So not us.

Now we are set on going and had to share the news with those who love to go with us, but aren't allowed this trip. You see this is the FIRST, and I mean FIRST vacation that just the four of us will go on. It has NEVER, EVER happened before no matter where we go. We don't mind (free babysitting) but would like to have the family time. Ou kids usually gravitate to grandparents (spoilers) and thus we are along for the ride. This time, we want to BE the ride. My mom called me selfish, but seriously...they were all there for each kids first trip and haircut... so I believe a deserve a break!

Now we are on cloud nine...waiting in excitment but we haven't told the kids and it is now the end of May, but I don't want to deal with HOW MANY DAYS!

Then the panick begins... I have to make ADR's and I have passed the 90 day mark...Oh no! See we are headed there July 26 - Aug 2 (over my wonderful 30th Bday!) Yes, I am a disney freak if I want to spend my 30th bday getting wild with my 5 and 3 year old at Disney!

Hope I didn't bore anyone...this is my first attempt and so many of you are so engaging to read!!!

 

[Maddie2]

First of all, GOOD FOR YOU!!! Yes, every family needs some "just us" time without the Gmas and Gpas, etc. As wonderful as extended family is, you do just need family bonding time within your little unit. We are a family of 4 as well and that although we have "just us" time day in and day out, we do need that "just the 4 of us" time on vacation to connect on another level.

Sounds like your home-selling experience was interesting. We sold our first house when our kids were 3 yrs and 3 months old ... NOT a fun activity. Keeping the house in showing condition is not an easy thing to do with little ones. I'm sure having the stress of all of that behind you is wonderful ... and in the process you discovered great neighbors. Congratulations! AND, you gained a vacation. Life couldn't be better, could it?

I hope you have all of your ADR's set as I see you are leaving next week! Early Happy Birthday to you!!! Lucky you to be there on your birthday! Will you be getting in free on your birthday - or choosing the other option (which I'm not even sure what it is). Yippee for you!!!

Have a wonderful time!! Can't wait to read your TR when you get back!!

 

[melser13]

First, I didn't introduce who we are... Our family of four includes:

DH: Matt, age 30. Took his first trip to Disney with me in 1998 while in college and is now approaching his 9th trip (I think)

Me: Mel, almost 30. I have been to Disney too many times to count... and I think every trip has its fantastic moments you just have to let those moments find you and not search for them!

DS5: Bryce, 5. This is his 3rd trip to Disney (4th if you count while I was preggo with him) Loves Buzz, Woody, Power Rangers, pirates, and most recently Star Wars. He can't wait to ride ToT.

DD3: Carmella, 3. you will hear her called Mella. She is our She loves everything do with the princesses and can name them all!

I will post pics later when I work on figuring this out.

Knowing that in order to get certain ADR's you have to try right away. I panicked when I realized this trip was going to happen... There were only 2 on our NEED list... CRT Princess Breakfast and Teppan Edo (my fav for my Bday) I thought CRT would be IMPOSSIBLE, but I decided to try anyways.
Wou;dn't you know, after 15 minutes on the phone I got exactly what I wanted...

7/30 CRT @ 8:15am
7/28 Teppan Edo @ 7:20pm

Then I sat back, relaxed and forgot about planning until July! (The end of the school year does it for me) That's when I went to Online ADR...booking anything and everything I could so we could decide later. My DH thinks I am nuts.

So why start this PreTR now??? Because I am losing my mind in the final details and this is better than stressing

Really, I will work on the pics... just have to figure this out!!!

 

[melser13]

First of all, GOOD FOR YOU!!! Yes, every family needs some "just us" time without the Gmas and Gpas, etc. As wonderful as extended family is, you do just need family bonding time within your little unit. We are a family of 4 as well and that although we have "just us" time day in and day out, we do need that "just the 4 of us" time on vacation to connect on another level.

Thanks! It is amazing how much grief we have gotten and how many times people have tried to figure out our plans and plan things for us! It's been interesting to say the least!


I have gotten most of the ADR's that we want...but we are going low key this time to try to relax and enjoy disney at the same time! Thus we picked CBR for the beach theme too! (best of both worlds!)

 

[melser13]

So, being that we leave Friday for our LONG, LONG, LONG drive with a 5 and a 3 year old, I am taking a time out from packing to note our current ADRs:

So far we scheduled:
26th
H&V for dinner
or Plaza Restaurant for dinner
(depends on where we are at)

27th
SciFi for lunch

28th
Tusker House B-Day Breakfast and my DS favorite characters
Teppan Edo B-Day Dinner (My FAV)

29th
Nothing

30th
CRT - for my
Kids Nite Out for my kids while DH and I go to...
Rose and Crown or LeCellier
Followed by Jelly Rolls...are FAVE

31st
Whispering Canyon Cafe with my aunt/uncle who live in FL

1st
NOthing

2nd
Cape May Cafe Breakfast before the long drive home!


Not the most exciting trip, but hey that's our scheduled plan,and at least we are going to the Happiest Place on Earth (that we know of!)

Now, back to packing and organizing (my least fav things to do!)