Tryin' it out- a PTR

[amcjeep4life]

We are heading to WDW in September with like 4 million other people. However, I have to admit, we are not going for free dining. Although our dates are in the right area for it, we passed it up for other things. Mostly because this is a first trip, and we were looking for certain perks. But more on that later.

My DH and I are DINKs, if that term is even cool anymore. Does anyone remember what that stands for? Double income, NO KIDS! We do spend a lot of time with our nieces, currently aged 10 and 12. We have started spending more time with them in the last year, due to a schedule change, and the fact that they speak English now, as opposed to the butchered version of Swahili they spoke for the first 5 years. I know it sounds awful, but being firmly anti-kid, it was really hard to understand them. At one point, my sister-in-law told me I had just given the 3 year old permission to cut her 5 year old sister's hair. I thought she wanted ice cream. OOPS! I managed to catch the greased-pig-like child and intercept the planned hair-cutting. There were many incidents like this over the years, until they finally began speaking truly coherant English about 6 years old or so. Anyway, back to the original train of thought. Sorry, I apologize now to anyone who may actually read this, my train of thought is often de-railed. Often without any warning. Be prepared! So, spending time with the kids. We decided to start making short trips with them to show them more of the world. Their mom is a pretty good mom, but she works her butt off to pay for the basics, and doesn't have a lot left over. She is a single mom with 2 girls, she gets some help from their dad, but his job isn't great, so he doesn't really have a ton of money either. Anyway, I said to my DH one day, "wouldn't it be cool to take the girls someplace really awesome?" He said "Awesome like where?", and I said, "I don't know, how about Disney?", and he said, "OK." So, let's plan!

OOPS! look at the time. Gotta head out to work! I'll finish this up later. Unless no one reads it. Then I'll just let it fizzle out.

 

[praisehisname]

I'm interested! Please keep writing!

Denise

 

[carol/houston]

More Please!!

How wonderful to share this experience with your nieces....a trip they will never forget and you will experience it through a child's eyes....

 

[amcjeep4life]

Denise, I have read your PTR and almost died laughing when I read about your experiences. You will notice we are going to be down there at almost the same time! We are heading down 2 days after, and are still holding firm for AKL! Can't wait to see you there! I will have plenty of LGMHs around, so please look for us.

Carol/Houston, thanks for joining in too!

 

[amcjeep4life]

So, back to the planning. My husband and I are not WDW people. Or should I say, weren't WDW people. Now, I am firmly hooked, and can't wait to start planning our trip with our nephew, who's 3. My DH is eagerly awaiting going, but has graciously allowed me to do all the planning. Of course, I seem to hear him say to the girls "You will have so much fun, wait until you see where we are planning to stay and eat!" WE, what's with the WE? I looked it all up, and choose where we should eat, and what day to do what parks, and then showed it to him with the idea that he would put in his opinions. He says "Looks good to me" and walks away! And he says to the girls "WE PLANNED!?!?" I could do some serious bodily harm now. My only consolation is that if things go astray, the girls will blame him too. After all, WE planned!

Anyway, lket me tell you a bit about the cast:

Me- 37- As you may be able to tell from my name, I like AMCs and Jeeps. I am currently the proud owner of a 1973 AMC Javelin, and a 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (4 door). I also ride a 1993 Harley FLHS. We have 5 dogs, 2 cats, and a Ball Python. I work in the Animal Law Enforcement field, hence the herd of critters.
DH-37- He is the proud owner of a 1973 Dodge Charger (neither an AMC or a Jeep, ICK!), a 1978 Jeep CJ-7, and a 1995 Jeep Cherokee (his redeeming factors). He also rides a 1983 Harley FXRT. He is a mechanic, so is more than able to fix all the old cars and bikes we own.
DNiece1- 12- Getting too old too quick to really think the princesses are cool. When asked last year at Christmas where she wanted to go more than anyplace else, instantly replied "Disneyland! Or Hershey Park" Good kid, but can be a bit of a wiseacre. Wants to grow up to be a chef.
DNiece2- 10- Still thinks the princesses are cool, loves Tink! A bit of a scatterbrain, I think she has too much stuff going on in her little head to remember the important stuff, like her schoolwork. Loves soccer, and wants to grow up to be an Animal Control Officer like me. Brings a tear to my eye. I've never been anyone's idol before.

Anyway, there we are, for better or worse. There are days when I think to myself "What have we done!?!?!" But, I know they are good kids, and we have told them often enough that they are old enough to be sent back to the hotel and stay there alone if they cause any problems. They know I will do it too. I may be the cool Auntie right now, but I tend to enforce the rules more stringently than their own mother. It's good. All kids need boundaries.

Originally, this trip was meant to be a surprise for them. We spoke with their mom and dad to make sure it was OK that we planned this trip. It is their first trip, and some parents would be upset to miss it. However, my SIL is not a stupid woman and was more than willing to turn her kids over to us for the trip of a lifetime. Like she said "I can always look at the pictures!" So the next installment will be a bit about how my niece tricked her father into telling her about the trip, and maybe a bit about the plans for the trip! See ya later!

 

[amcjeep4life]

Although it doesn't seem that anyone is actually following this, I will continue on. Maybe I'll let my nieces read it after the trip. As it stands now, they only know they are going to WDW, but nothing about where we are staying or eating or anything really. I'm having a heck of a time getting them to say Disney WORLD rather than Disney LAND! These girls never figured they would see either until they were able to get there themselves. That's why I am currently holding the #1 position on the Coolest Aunt in the World List. Hoping to be there for awhile. Let's hope all goes well on that front, since we are scheduled to stay at AKL and from the 4 billion posts on the Resorts Threads, that may change.
In January, we started looking on the WDW website to dtermine where we wanted to stay. I showed the DH AKL, said "This is where we are staying." and he said "OK". He knows better than to argue. We were originally looking at a Deluxe room with bunkbeds. One day I went on line, and those rooms did not come up as a choice. That was the day I booked the trip. It was Feb. 2. I was told the deluxe rooms were being made over into DVC (didn't know what that was at the time!) and that they couldn't guarantee a bunkbed room! AARRGGHH!! I took what I could get, and said to the DH "It's official, we're going to Disney in Septemeber!" He said "OK." He knows better than to argue. We were given the dates to start making our ADRs (had to look that one up too, I told you, we weren't Disney people!) Now, I also want to mention here how important those ADRs are. I mentioned earlier that we weren't on free dining. We actually booked the Premium Package, mostly because it included some things that we really wanted, like preferred seating for Wishes and Illuminations, 3 TS meals daily, including signature meals and all character dining, Cirque du Soleil tickets, unlimited recreation activities, like sea-raycers, horseback riding, and mini-golf, and tours. We are also staying concierge level at the AKL, which may save our trip, since I understand they are not moving concierge guests. Anyways, since it has now been established that I have more dollars than sense, let's continue on. I have been working tons of overtime at work, which is why we have splurged on this trip. But more on that later. It's bedtime here. I need to be in to work at 6 am, more of that overtime I was just mentioning! Hope to see you later!

 

[praisehisname]

I'm still here and reading.... Wow--Platinum Plan! I can't wait to see your ADRs. You ARE going to post those, right???

Denise