They Tried To Make Me Go To Rehab, But I Said No No No! Updt 11/7: Solo no more Pg.27

[MeMom]

OKW (courtesy of some really nice folks over at the DVC board)

for 3 days, then transfer over to the


OMNI Orlando

for the rest of the trip.


I am 1000% definite about OKW, but iffy about the Omni. Why? Because the

has always intrigued me. I've never seen it in person. But I have "been there" through the kindness of my Dis friends on the TR and Resorts boards.

There's something about the themeing of it that calls to me. Last year, the POP was my first choice for our stay, but the discount code I got was only for Music, so I switched to Music (good choice too, see my old TR for proof).

So now I was in a dilemma -- do I stay at a luxury 4 star hotel with a gorgeous pool/lazy river complex, or do I stay in WDW at the fun and exciting POP Century?

I hope our pictures of Pop are some that you have enjoyed in the past. I definitely vote for Pop over something off-site!

Your little guys are such cuties!

 

[snowwhite325]

I am 1000% definite about OKW, but iffy about the Omni. Why? Because the

has always intrigued me. I've never seen it in person. But I have "been there" through the kindness of my Dis friends on the TR and Resorts boards.

There's something about the themeing of it that calls to me. Last year, the POP was my first choice for our stay, but the discount code I got was only for Music, so I switched to Music (good choice too, see my old TR for proof).

So now I was in a dilemma -- do I stay at a luxury 4 star hotel with a gorgeous pool/lazy river complex, or do I stay in WDW at the fun and exciting POP Century? (btw, the company would definitely reject paying for a deluxe, so that was out of the question....otherwise, I would have stayed at the GF! LOL!)

If I chose the POP, could I justify it to the boss? Hmmm...I could honestly tell her that it'll come out much cheaper for the company if I lodged outside of the conference hotel. Hmmm....And most importantly, where would I be happiest at?

I vote for Pop

 

[jake&samsmom]

I'm sure he'll be going to some exciting conference on wound care or something. Yummy.

I love it when I attempt a discussion about wounds with DH. His face looks something like this:

Can't wait to read more!! Loved your trip report and hope you will not only write this, but another trip report after!!
Love the statement about needing room for the trip home, so being happy about checking two suitcases! That is definately thinking ahead!!!

Howdy fellow Texan! Glad you made it here. I tried to buy two bigger suitcases (much larger than the ones we already own) but decided to return them, could not justify the expense since the older ones were still in good shape Bought a new carry-on though. I could not resist its lime green color! (picture to be posted later)

I hope our pictures of Pop are some that you have enjoyed in the past. I definitely vote for Pop over something off-site!

Your little guys are such cuties!

I spend countless hours ooohing and ahhhing over the Pop picture thread! Thanks for posting so many Pop pics, MeMom! And thanks for reading along

I vote for Pop

I've almost decided We'll see.....

 

[jake&samsmom]

So at this point, I am leaning towards the Pop, but have not made my final decision yet. DH votes for Pop, but I think my swimmer boys would be happier in the lazy river of the Omni. Hmmmm...but they might enjoy the Pop's hippy dippy pool better... LOL!

In any case I have ressies at both hotels, and I still have a few days to make a final decision. Thanks for everyone's input on this. And thanks again to Memom and the bunch at the Pop resort picture thread

 

[jake&samsmom]

Have you noticed that when someone posts their TR on the Dis, one of the very first posts will be about who is coming on the trip? Well, here is another wacky thing about this Disney journey-- it may turn out to be (gasp!) a solo trip!!

DH and the boys are 50-50 about coming with me!

Sadly, I am the only Disney addict in the family.

Don't get me wrong, the boys love Disney. They're just not in love like I am. We took 2 Disney trips last year (DL and WDW) they seem to want to explore other theme parks! (double gasp!)

DH says if he and the boys decide to go to Orlando, then they'll all fly on buddy passes care of Coair. Obviously, the DH and the boys are a "package deal", meaning if DH choses to stay in Houston, the boys stay with him. I couldn't well be attending a conference and babysitting two active boys, right?

In any case, I know those boys won't technically "stay" in Houston if I go solo. They've been going on and on about Sea World San Antonio for months now, so I'm almost positive they're going to be headed there! Also, there is another overseas trip scheduled at the end of the year, which most likely will only involve DH and the boys. So they're looking forward to that.

I have to get to work now, but let me leave y'all with a photo of the boys from last Christmas. I'll try to put photos of them in the PTR, since it may turn out to be just photos of me in the World for the TR!

Up next, the case for a solo trip.

 

[MomofCKJ]

Hooo Hoooo, a possible solo trip! How very exciting! I'm curious to see how this plays out! And I vote for Pop. The other I am sure is lovely and all but it isn't Disney and if you are going to Disney, well then go to Disney 24/7!

Allyson

 

[DisneyTiger]

I think I would be lonely if I were solo. Half of the magic to me is sharing it with people. But I'm totally for it if it's what you want to do. I guess it would be nice to get a few spa treatments and have some peace and quiet. Ok, no I may be convincing myself!

I vote for Pop also. I'll never stay offsite again. I want to be totally surrounded by the magic. No reality for me please.

 

[jake&samsmom]

Hooo Hoooo, a possible solo trip! How very exciting! I'm curious to see how this plays out! And I vote for Pop. The other I am sure is lovely and all but it isn't Disney and if you are going to Disney, well then go to Disney 24/7!

Allyson

Another Pop vote! The deadline's almost here. Gotta make that decision soon....

I think I would be lonely if I were solo. Half of the magic to me is sharing it with people.

That is the only thing I'm worried about. You have a good point. The thing is DH and the boys aren't making a decision on whether to go or not until the last minute! I think they're doing it on purpose in order to drive me

 

[jake&samsmom]

What will this day be like? I wonder.
What will my future be? I wonder.
It could be so exciting, to be out in the World -- to be free!
My heart should be wildly rejoicing, but what's the matter with me?

I've always longed for adventure, to do the things I've never dared.
Now here, I am facing adventure....then why am I so scared?


One of the things on my bucket list (you know, the list of things you want to do before you kick the bucket) is to do a solo WDW trip.

I know, my sister told me I was insane. For wasn't one of Walt's goals was to create an amusement park for families to enjoy together?

Perhaps it sounds selfish but for once, I want to do something entirely for myself. I want to experience a few days where its okay to be self-centered. As in doing things I want to do without having to negotiate and compromise with the rest of the family.

Please don't get me wrong. My family has a GREAT time together. But I do not think its asking too much for a few days of complete Disney freedom.

To not be responsible for anyone else -- and to follow my curiosity wherever it leads me.

To ride one ride as many times as I want, and watch shows that nobody else but I enjoy.

To be flexible enough to eat anywhere I want to without discussing it with others and ending up somewhere I'm not particularly fond of.

To not worry about disappointing anyone else but myself.


BUT, I do worry about feeling guilty leaving the boys behind. I worry about being lonely, and not being able to share "Disney moments" with the boys.

Oh I must stop these doubts, all these worries.
If I don't I just know I'll turn back.
I must dream of the things I am seeking....
I am seeking the courage I lack.

Then again, I know in my heart there will be many, many more WDW trips and moments to share with the boys in the years to come! (Do I see a DVC membership in the very, very near future? Stay tuned for the TR for the answer! )

A solo trip is not something for everyone, but only you yourself know if it is for you.

In my current situation, I will be happy either way -- solo or not. I leave it all in God's hands. (I just wish DH would hurry up and decide once and for all if they're coming with me or not! )

Someday I will do a solo WDW trip -- that I am certain of. I owe it to the Disney addict in me.

With each step I more certain, everything will turn out fine.
I have confidence -- the World can all be mine!

 

[jake&samsmom]

Here are my/our ADR's. I must warn y'all, I am a foodie!


Lunch at

where I'll be ordering the cheese soup and the filet mignon.



Dinner with the princesses at

this one's a solo thing! I hope to take pictures with my favorite Princess Ariel!


Then there's breakfast at

I love getting in the MK before rope drop, and the boys love the characters here, not to mention that the place itself is soooo beautiful!


Lunch will be served at

I'm ordering the chicken or eggplant parmigiana. Mmmmmm....


We'll be having dinner at

Love the character interaction/napkin twirling here, plus the prime rib was very good the last time we went.


Then there'll be one dinner here

I am ordering the steak kebobs or the rigatoni with sausage. Yummmm!


I also want to walk around the

perhaps get a snack here and there


Then I'm having a dinner at

another solo thing--none of the boys were interested in meeting Cinderella and her stepsisters, I know I am!


Another recommended lunch at

I'm getting the potstickers and the pork lettuce wraps.


I'm really looking forward to lunch at

I want to taste the eggrolls (I read that the chefs here took the most time in perfecting their eggrolls in contrast to all the other items on the menu) and then I'm ordering either the honey or sweet and sour chicken.


I want to do dinner at

because I love Pacific cuisine
Plus, I want to see Wishes from the Poly beach on a hammock (thanks, AGPrincess)


Then the last lunch will be at

I am ordering only appetizers here, but two of them -- the calamari and scallops. I read they are excellent!


If the boys come along on this trip, I also have breakfast at

because they adore the Little Einsteins!


And for DH, dinner at

we love to try new tastes! Plus I want to look around the AKL and take in the culture.


And I also want to bring the boys to

for dinner, I read the server interaction was superb (see timandlesley's TR)


Other meals will be CS at the parks and at the resort.

So, what do you think?


Up next, "I'll try everything at least once."

 

[snowwhite325]

All your dinning choices look great My mouth is watering right now

 

[CMG1]

Great selections! Our ADR lists are almost identical...just means you have great taste!!

 

[jake&samsmom]

All your dinning choices look great My mouth is watering right now

Thanks! I'll try to take pictures of everything I order. Yummm!

Great selections! Our ADR lists are almost identical...just means you have great taste!!

It takes one to know one, they say! Thanks for reading along!

 

[jake&samsmom]

In spite of (and perhaps because of) being park commandos, there are still many activities and places in the World that we haven't experienced.

One of my goals for this trip is to try new things that we skipped/didn't have a chance to do during our last visit.


Number one on the list would be

Like most women out here, I love to shop! My plan is to aquire some goodies from Once upon a Toy, World Of Disney, Lego World, The Disney Pin store and most importantly from:

When we went in October '07, it was unfortunately too cold for us to swim
So, number two on my list is to spend some time lazing around here

My boys are swimmers, and Jake is on the regional swim team. He clocks in a decent 25M breaststroke and has won plenty of blue ribbons this year. He's been swimming since he was 6 months old! Sam like to imitate Jake, but he is a big boy for his age, so I'm thinking he'll be good at football someday! Still, Sam is a fairly good floater, but needs to work harder on his strokes. We all are big swimming fans, and can't wait for the Beijing Olympics!


One of our favorite vacations involves going to the state park a few hours south of Houston and go camping! We enjoy huddling around a bonfire and toasting marshmallows. So, number three on our list is atttending Chip and Dale's Campfire sing-along here

We plan to watch the movie of the day, and after that, see Wishes and the EWP from the Fort Wilderness beachfront.


DH is an avid golfer, and Jake is a budding one. Their favorite course is the one at Lake Charles Louisiana at L'auberge duLac. Sam and I on the other hand prefer mini-golf. So, number four on the list is to play at

I think the idea of Santa's vacation spot as a theme is pretty brilliant!


Lastly, just because Pirates of the Caribbean is one of our most favorite movies of all time, I booked the boys on a

Pirate Adventure Cruise leaving from the Grand Floridian boat dock. The boys love treasure hunting. Plus, being a veteran of two "real" Caribbean cruises, I know they'll enjoy being on a boat trip around the Seven Seas Lagoon.


Btw, if I end up going solo, I most likely will still do everything on this list except for the Pirate Cruise (I would if I could, but they told me the the age limit was 12, I think )

 

[MomofCKJ]

I went to DTD for the first time last trip and it was a lot of fun! So many cool things!

So when will you know, like the day before or will you get a little more notice than that? If you are going solo I mean.

Allyson

 

[kathleen27]

A business trip to Disney sounds great!

I love southwest, they fly direct from the airport near us to Orlando.

I would love to take a solo trip to Disney someday.
And many more trips with the kiddos.
You'll have a great time either way, but the up in the air thing would drive me crazy too!

Your ADR's look great. Some of my favorites (Crystal Palace) and some I'd like to try!

 

[jake&samsmom]

I went to DTD for the first time last trip and it was a lot of fun! So many cool things!

So when will you know, like the day before or will you get a little more notice than that? If you are going solo I mean.

Allyson

Hi Allyson! DH said he already told his boss that he may be off next week...and he's talking like they are coming with me (he told me today to not start packing for the boys til Sunday..."So, what does that mean," I ask...he said, "just in case"....Arrrghhhh! It's so typical for Derrick to do that. Last month we went to Vegas for 4 days, and he only decided the day before that it was a go! So I frantically washed/packed the night before, and asked my Dis friends in the community board for Vegas tips....anyhoo, to make the long story short, we had a blast! btw, we did a split stay at the MGM then at the Bellagio, awesomeness! )

 

[jake&samsmom]

A business trip to Disney sounds great!

I love southwest, they fly direct from the airport near us to Orlando.

I would love to take a solo trip to Disney someday.
And many more trips with the kiddos.
You'll have a great time either way, but the up in the air thing would drive me crazy too!

Your ADR's look great. Some of my favorites (Crystal Palace) and some I'd like to try!

Thanks for sympathizing with me. I am currently planning/preparing for both a solo and a family trip to cover all bases!

 

[snowwhite325]

Just wanted to send you some pixie dust for your trip I hope you have a wonderful and safe trip

 

[Mickeypal1]

Hi! I can't wait to hear about your trip. I ran into you on the bus on the way to the Magic Kingdom! It was nice to meet you and I am going to read your last trip report.