THREE for the Price of One -Farewell to a PTR, for now!

[jenjolt]

YAY for getting your Ohana ressie!! THAT IS AWESOME!!!!! WOOT WOOT!!

Really enjoyed reading about your itinerary!! Teppan Edo sounds yummy!

 

[stayhomemom77]

Thanks Gelly!!

Your success inspired me to try again and low and behold...

we got a ressie for Ohana for Jan 3rd for 7:10 pm.

This time we are going to order kid's meals off menu straight away and should be able to eat and then wander down to the beach to watch wishes or head back to MK for them in plenty of time.

Congrats on your good fortune and thanks for passing it on to ME!!

 

[Dugette]

Yea for 'Ohana! And, yum, another visit to Teppan Edo too!

 

[praisehisname]

I got what I wanted. A late showing of CP with Rose and Crown at 5:15pm for a party of 5.

Woo hoo!

I just got 'Ohana!!!

Yay!!! That is awesome news!!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

This:

Heck to the Mickey Mouse Yea!!!!!!!!

and this:

After all, I'm flexible.


Get it... Elastigirl joke.

made me !!! You are hilarious!

Yippee for Ohana! And double-score on getting to watch Wishes on the beach and then to dinner. Your plans at Epcot sound wonderful as well! We have yet to try Teppan Edo, but it's on "The List"!

 

[gellybean]

Congrats on Ohana!

Thanks!

Wooo Hooo on the Ohana reservation!! You have inspired me to check for Le Cellier again.

Always double and triple and millionple check!

YAY for getting your Ohana ressie!! THAT IS AWESOME!!!!! WOOT WOOT!!

Really enjoyed reading about your itinerary!! Teppan Edo sounds yummy!

Teppan Edo really surprised me! I didn't think it would be anything special but it was really good!!

YAY for Ohana!

Thanks Gelly!!

Your success inspired me to try again and low and behold...

we got a ressie for Ohana for Jan 3rd for 7:10 pm.

This time we are going to order kid's meals off menu straight away and should be able to eat and then wander down to the beach to watch wishes or head back to MK for them in plenty of time.

Congrats on your good fortune and thanks for passing it on to ME!!

Glad it worked out for you!!! WOO HOO! Sounds like y'all have a great plan for avoiding the meltdowns from last trip!

Yea for 'Ohana! And, yum, another visit to Teppan Edo too!

Double YUM!

Woo hoo!




Yay!!! That is awesome news!!!

WOOT WOOT!!

I thought it was pretty awesome news myself! So excited!

This:


and this:



made me !!! You are hilarious!

Yippee for Ohana! And double-score on getting to watch Wishes on the beach and then to dinner. Your plans at Epcot sound wonderful as well! We have yet to try Teppan Edo, but it's on "The List"!

Glad you got a chuckle out of my craziness!

SCOREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

I'm glad Teppan Edo is on the list. I can't remember.... have you guys done Ohana for dinner? I'm sure I've read it at some point but it's all muddled in my noodle!

 

[gellybean]

December 16th Day 3 -

We're going to assume that Edna flew in the night before. Though honestly, I don't know that our plans will be all that different with or without her.

This day is gonna be a fly by the seat of our pants day.... kinda.

It's the only day that's green for DHS the whole time we're there. So most likely we'll be spending most of our day there.

We'll be grabbing breakfast at Starring Rolls. LOVE that little place!

Gotta get a FP for TSM. If not more than one throughout the day.

Gotta ride GMR because it's tradition.

Gotta check out the shops more this trip.

Gotta hit up One Man's Dream and Voyage of the Little Mermaid.

Gotta ride ToT MY FAVORITE!!! with Edna or by myself, unless I can convince Dash to ride it again. He's swears he won't.

Gotta ride RnRC. With Edna or by myself. Dash again... questionable.

Gotta see the Osbourne Lights! CANNOT WAIT!!!!

And that's probably about it. LOL Sounds like not a lot on here but I'm sure it'll take all day!


We'll probably ride things multiple times and do a lot of streetmosphere soakage.

We have ZERO ADRs this day. We'll do CS's and snack a bunch and just wing it.

DHS closes at 8pm. We'll leave after Osboure lights viewing and then head back to WL.

We do have the option to hop to Epcot this day but it will depend on how quickly we get through the things we want to cover at DHS!

Dinner will either be a room service - pizza - or something yummy from Roaring Forks!


December 17th Day 4 -

Magic Kingdom day!

We have an ADR at Crystal Palace for 8:05am!

Can't wait to try me some French Toast Puffy thingies!

This is a first for us and I had to promise my sister and mom that we'd cancel it if we aren't feeling it! I'm hoping and praying that with a fairly early night the night before that we'll be bright eyed and ready to go. I'm not worried about Dash or Edna. They'll still be on school schedule still. It's mom and Jack Jack I worry about not getting enough rest!

So hoping and praying we make our early ADR breakfast. I soooooo want to walk down a nearly empty Mainstreet USA!

After breakfast, we'll make dashes for FPs and ride IASW if we didn't get to it arrival night.


I really just want to soak it all in this day, and ride as many things as possible so it it's nutso during our VMCP we can just relax and enjoy ourselves and not worry that we missed a ride.

Rides on our to do list :
IASW, BTMRR, HM, CoP, TTA, Buzz, Monters Inc, PoC, Jungle Cruise, Magic Carpets, Philharmagic, Splash depending on how cold it is and go from there.

Magic Kingdom closes at 7pm for a VMCP so we'll most likely head over to DTD this night and eat at WPE! YUM! And get our shop on!! (which probably means Mom and I won't do DTD on Day 2...)



Day 5 and 6 coming up!!

 

[Dugette]

December plans are looking good! I just now realized that we will be leaving the same day that you're arriving (12/14)! Our ME buses will probably pass each other!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Days 3 & 4 sound great! You are going to be so amazed by the Osborne Lights - they are spectacular!

And, french toast puffs - yummmmm!

 

[gellybean]

According to my countdown widget on my phone,


we are 99 days away today from our Christmas trip!!!!!!

Double digit dancing!!!








Will be back soon for day 5 and 6 plans! Saved the best for last!

 

[stayhomemom77]

Hooray for the double digits!! (I had to type digits three times before I got the spelling right...good thing I know how to spell stoopid!! )

I think your itinerary sounds great so far and it's making me feel like I'd better step up my game. I have several plans made but haven't updated them on my PTR as of yet because I am still tinkering with it.

But you're so together (at least on the surface ) so STOP IT, you're making me look bad!!



Can't wait to hear more!!

 

[gellybean]

We're tossing around the idea of adding extra days to our January couple trip.

My mom's AP is still valid and her friend that she went with last May can't go back this Spring. So she'd really like to get another trip in.


And technically Jack Jack will still be under 3 so we can still all fit in a regular room.


And it's a 3 day weekend so Dash will already have some time off from school.


So I had the brilliant idea of seeing if Mom would be willing to fly just her and the boys and meet us in Florida on Sunday, after Mr. I and I have our 4 nights just the two of us.


I didn't really think she'd go for it, thinking she would think flying with just her and the boys would be too difficult.

She jumped at it!





So we're in the process of working through the logistics to see if this can work and at how much more financial commitment!

I love the idea of having half a trip just Mr. I and I and then still having time there with my babies! We'd actually be there for their birthday!

Will keep y'all posted on the details as they develop!

Mr. I's mom might join us too! Who knows! The whole family may end up there before it's over with!

I will do my best to get Day 5 and 6 plans up for our Christmas trip tomorrow!

 

[praisehisname]

This trip just keeps growing! I hope it works financially and you all can do it!

 

[jenjolt]

I just love adding days to Disney trips!!! I'm going to have to go back and see when your January dates are again, so many different trips means so much fun, but I get all the dates jumbled in my head LOL!!!!!

Love the fact you'll get some alone time with DH at Disney, you will have a very romantical time!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Ooooh! That would be VERY fun! You'd have the nice getaway time and then family time - sounds likes a wonderful trip!!!! I hope it all works out.

I'm glad Teppan Edo is on the list. I can't remember.... have you guys done Ohana for dinner? I'm sure I've read it at some point but it's all muddled in my noodle!

Yep, we did in 2008. I ate myself sick, literally. It was so good I couldn't stop. I completely regretted eating THAT much later that night but seriously, soooooooooo good. I am thinking breakfast for our next trip, and we'll do dinner there again for SURE.

 

[stayhomemom77]

Geezemcrow!!

You are the queen of Disney trips. Good thing you post so often so we can learn your all your tips and tricks!!

 

[gellybean]

Okie dokie.

So with much discussion and running of the numbers and playing with airfare and looking at TGM, we've decided to leave the January trip alone.





I know.

But the boys will have just been in December. And I was struggling with the idea of Dash missing days for two trips, even though it wouldn't be anymore days than he's missed in the past, for some reason two separate trips hit my guilty button.

And mom I think would have been fine with getting the boys there by herself, but the more she thought of it, the more she stressed over it. Which I was kinda expecting. Just thankful she stressed over it sooner than later and nothing was booked yet!

I think it'll be good for the trip to JUST be about Mr. I and I and not switch roles in the middle of the trip. I'm sure all you parents can relate! It'll be a relaxing couple trip and then we'll come home refreshed and ready to tackle the joys of parenthood again!

Mr. I and I looked at adding another night just the two of us to make it a five night trip but because of the way things fall, the airfare would be 140 dollars more to return on Monday instead of Sunday not to mention the additional night would be holiday rate at BWI.

So we are leaving it alone.

I know.... shocking. Me... gellybean... not changing anything.


The good news is we've made all our ADRs and plans and are very very happy with our choices.

BUT first... we need to finish our plans for Christmas!


I'm relieved to tell y'all that Edna has booked her flight down there officially. Finally. She still hasn't gotten her time off approved yet but better to have A flight than NO flight. Worse case she can try to move it around if necessary. The difference in her flying out Wednesday to Thursday morning even was INSANE. I'm talking 70 -100 dollars more for the one way fare.

As of now she's flying down Wednesday night, arriving to MCO after 11pm.



Now finally our last two days of Christmas plans. I am soooooooooooooo stinking excited. I think I planned/saved the best for last.


December 18th Day 5 -

This is another Epcot day. I can't get me enough Epcot time.

We most likely will not hop any this day, but if we do it'll be over to DHS.

We will do our best to make rope drop and hightail it to Soarin' for FPs.
Jack Jack was 38 3/4 inches tall at his well baby visit middle of September. I'm hoping and praying that he's 40 inches by our December trip. Would love for him to get to ride some more rides this trip and not have to baby swap!

We'll probably grab breakfast at SS while waiting for our FP window to open or whatever. May have had breakfast in the room from Roarin Forks. Edna likes to get up earlier than everyone and go get breakfast for everybody while we're all getting ready. Works for me.

We'll hit up Living with the Land, Spaceship Earth and Test Track again since this will be Edna's only day in Epcot. But most likely we'll spend the majority of our time in WS.

We have a 5:15pm reservation for

This was Edna's request for her birthday celebratory dinner. She stated that it felt the most Christmas-y to her and I get it. A Dickens Christmas kinda. We'll enjoy a hearty dinner of who knows what but definitely finished off with this baby for me

Then we have priority seating for the 8:15pm

Random little factoid about me. My degree is in Criminology. I am a huge criminology buff. So it's not surprising that one of my favorite shows is Criminal Minds. And Hotch, played by Thomas Gibson is a favorite character. And guess who is narrating !?

Thomas Gibson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Color me happy!


We will try to make it over to the priority seating area for Illuminations but it's gonna be cutting it close. Has anyone done the last CP and made Illuminations? How close is the priority spot for Illuminations to the American Pavilion?

We will most likely break for an afternoon nap at some point since this is gonna be a long day. Mom may take Jack Jack back by herself or we may all go or we may just leave Edna in the park by herself since she has less days in the parks than we do.

Who knows! Brilliance of what I like to call 'casual planning'.


December 19th, Day 6 -

Our final park day. *SIGH*

But what an awesome one it's gonna be!

We are gonna try to sleep in, some. Not too too late but late enough to hopefully not need naps this afternoon.

We are heading to

I know I know. I've said on more than one occasion it's my least favorite park, blah blah.

But it's not all about me.

Edna's starting to dig around on Allears and DIS finally as the trip is getting closer and has heard of the "new" restaurant at AK.



We will hit AK, head straight to Asia, get FPs for EE, catch Nemo (a first for me), soak up the atmosphere, take a ton of pictures, try to time it so that we can catch

(MY favorite thing at AK!!)
I think Jack Jack will really enjoy this too! I know Dash will! We missed the last showing of the day the last time we went to AK.


Either after or during all of that, we have a 1:30pm lunch date with a Yak and a Yeti.

I'm looking forward to this. I've never eaten there, so she didn't have to ask me twice. I can't wait to try

DROOL! I'm gonna have a hard time deciding on an entree here! I'm debating on two kids meals v. one adult meal for the boys. They love saucy ricey goodness with various meat products thrown in.

I am going to cancel our Teppan Edo ADR that mom and I had planned for our Epcot day. I don't really want to do both a Japanese and an Asian restaurant in one trip.

As far as the rest of AK, I don't even think we'll venture over to Africa or Dinoland.

It'll depend on how well we time everything else, how crowded it is and how early we got there etc. And if it's a priority to Edna or Mom to ride the safari.

I'd like to catch the parade at 3:30pm

and then we'll head out.

I'm thinking Magic Kingdom next.

The only way this won't happen is if a) we have some cranky people on our hands that are in need of a nap and I don't just mean Jack Jack or b) if there's something we're dying to do elsewhere for just a few hours.

BUT we have to be at MK for

by 7pm! I'd like to be there a little early but if I'm just gonna have to leave and re-enter at 7pm then maybe I should rethink how early I wanna be.

It might be nice to hop back over to DHS and ride ToT again or Epcot and ride SE again. It might be nice to head back to the Lodge and soak up the lobby. Who knows!

I am looking forward to MVMCP more than anything I think. Soooooooooooooooooooo excited! I can't wait for hot chocolate and a Christmas parade and fake snow!

We'll boat back over to Wilderness Lodge when the party is over and tuck ourselves into bed with visions of Disney Christmas dancing in our heads!


December 20th, Day 7 -

Departure Day!

Our flights don't leave until 2 something so we'll have time to take our time packing up, grab a breakfast. We may try to walk in to WCC or we'll just hit up Roarin' Forks. We'll have to catch ME by 11 ish.

Our flights are crazy getting home. Ok not as crazy as they could be but crazy enough. We have to fly through Nashville and have a 2.5 hr layover there.

I think it's kinda cool. I've never been to Tennessee. I think a layover at the Nashville airport will be fun. My boys love airports and planes anyway. It was the only return flight left when I went to book mom's ticket using her Rapid Rewards credit. I actually had the boys and I booked on the non-stop flight and had to change our return flights after I realized it was the only one Mom could take home. I booked Edna's return flight months ago so she'd be on the same flight as us home.

I'm hoping to find some Tennessee BBQ in the airport!!

We'll get into Austin around 8:10pm. I doubt mom will make the hour and half drive to her home that night. We'll head home and crash, stay long enough to do laundry the next day and then most likely head to mom's house for Christmas sooner than later. I think we'll all be happy to have Christmas to look forward to to help with the post Disney bubble.



Whew! That concludes our Christmas trip plans!


Next up -

Two adults in Disney World for 4 nights, 5 days? Whatever will we do?!

 

[gellybean]

December plans are looking good! I just now realized that we will be leaving the same day that you're arriving (12/14)! Our ME buses will probably pass each other!

I'm very excited about our December plans!! Maybe we will pass each other! What time is y'all's ME departing?

Days 3 & 4 sound great! You are going to be so amazed by the Osborne Lights - they are spectacular!

And, french toast puffs - yummmmm!

I can't wait to see the lights. I've actually thought about the possibility of hopping back over there Friday night if the lights are just so awesome that we need to see them again. Gonna be a hard choice between DTD and Osbourne Lights again. Maybe both? Who knows!

French toast puffs sound yummmmmmmmmmmo!

Hooray for the double digits!! (I had to type digits three times before I got the spelling right...good thing I know how to spell stoopid!! )

I think your itinerary sounds great so far and it's making me feel like I'd better step up my game. I have several plans made but haven't updated them on my PTR as of yet because I am still tinkering with it.

But you're so together (at least on the surface ) so STOP IT, you're making me look bad!!



Can't wait to hear more!!

I'm so glad you can spell stoopid. I was beginning to worry about you.
Your game is stepping up just fine!! I'm loving your Jan plans. Still hate that we're gonna miss each other in January!

I'm not together. Really. My secret is to always have a plan so I sound like I know what I'm doing. And then just throw it all in the trash when we arrive.

Ok not really. We generally stay on plan. But it is a lot of fun to go rogue occasionally.

This trip just keeps growing! I hope it works financially and you all can do it!

I think it would have been a lot of fun, but I'm having to learn that I can't cram too much in one trip. That there will be other trips and to take each trip for what it is. Like last trip with just one park day. I was stressing we weren't doing more but honestly it ended up being a great trip, just the way it was!

I just love adding days to Disney trips!!! I'm going to have to go back and see when your January dates are again, so many different trips means so much fun, but I get all the dates jumbled in my head LOL!!!!!

Love the fact you'll get some alone time with DH at Disney, you will have a very romantical time!

I love 'romantical' !

Ooooh! That would be VERY fun! You'd have the nice getaway time and then family time - sounds likes a wonderful trip!!!! I hope it all works out.

I'm honestly ok that it didn't. I was leaning that way too after running through the logistics of it all. I think it'll work out better this way. And then maybe we can take a spring break or summer trip again.

Yep, we did in 2008. I ate myself sick, literally. It was so good I couldn't stop. I completely regretted eating THAT much later that night but seriously, soooooooooo good. I am thinking breakfast for our next trip, and we'll do dinner there again for SURE.

I remember reading that!!!! I doubt we'd ever do breakfast there. We aren't big stich fans in our house. And it's too hard for me to pass the dinner over!

Geezemcrow!!

You are the queen of Disney trips. Good thing you post so often so we can learn your all your tips and tricks!!

Ok... is geezemcrow a Canananananadian thing or a you thing?

I need to post MORE often. I'm letting life get in the way of my DISing. How could I let such a thing happen?!

 

[jenjolt]

Love your Christmas plans!! Disney is magical and beautiful at Christmas time!!!! You guys are going to have a blast!!

YAY for Thomas Gibson narrating...WOWzer I have loved him since his Darma and Greg days!!!!

Well even though you decided not to add days you and your DH are still going to have an amazing time!!! Couples only trips are amazing...if I could convince mine to go to Disney I bet it would be FANTASTIC...but I pick my battles LOL!!

 

[stayhomemom77]

Go rogue...I like that. There's a fair amount of that in our trips too. For example my last PTR was full of my "finding a balance between eating properly and enjoying the vacation food theory" but it all went out the window by day four. At least I made it to day four!!

As for geezmcrow...that's just me making fun of a movie. I can't remember which one but something we've seen has that expression. Wait, I got it!! It's Mr Deeds with Adam Sandler. I thought it was funny, so...it got incorporated into my lingo. I do that a lot. Half my expressions are me teasing or making fun of other people...even decades later. Hmmm...what does that say about me??

I think you're right to keep the January trip just about the two of you. I mean, I would have considered having the kids come too just like you did, but in the end I think it's best to leave it the way it is. Even in Disney you are allowed to focus on just the two of you.

Yesterday, DH told me that our next Disney trip better be to Disneyland. He doesn't care if it's Paris or Anaheim but he wants a bit of a change. So, after this trip is done, I get to plan a Mediterranean cruise and after THAT a trip to Disneyland.

Are ya jealous yet??