We just got back and we'll be going back!- Pre-Trip Report UPDATE 10/15

[caralyn817]

Welcome on our adventure! As you read in the title, we did just get back from a short weekend away and we will be returning back.

It wasn't official until the day before we left for this last trip. Here's a little background info of how our upcoming trip came to be. My parents are DVC owners. The most recent was this past weekend. We originally were booked to stay at the Old Key West, which was the only thing available at the time we booked. We booked our stay there but also requested to be waitlisted for Beach Club. Well, Tinkerbell sprinkled some of her pixie dust on us, because a month before leaving for our trip the waitlist came through and we were staying at Beach Club. I absolutely LOVE their pool. So about the same time that we found out we got Beach Club, my parents made plans to go to North Carolina to visit my dad's sister in October. DH and I can't get a whole week off of work at this time since we are both teachers, however, we did have a long weekend off for the end of October. My mom offered to allow us to use some of her points to go away for that weekend. So the planning began, only problem was that at that time there was nothing available. AND I mean NOTHING! I tried every DVC Resort possible. EVERYTHING WAS BOOKED! Which doesn't really surprise me to much because we're going the last weekend of Mickey's Not So Scary and Food and Wine will be going on at the same time. Well, I took the chance and waitlisted for a Studio at Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House with a Savanna View. Well, the Disney Gods must really be looking down on us since the waitlist came through right before leaving for this past trip.

We will be leaving in 51 days for a long weekend stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Now onto our colorful cast:

There is Bayleigh. Our very energetic 2 year old. She loves dancing, swimming, coloring, and animals. Hence, she LOVES Animal Kingdom and any zoo. Right now, she LOVES, LOVES, LOVES Lion King. Her favorite ride from this last trip was Dumbo. We rode it 6 times in one day and she put up quite a fight when we had to leave.

I love this picture. Doesn't she look deep in thought?

I'm Cara. I am the planner of the group. I am also an Elementary Reading Teacher. I teach Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade reading each day. And No, I do not teach all 3 grades at the same time. I love my job. I am also a bargain hunter and crafter. I love making hairbows and making things for my classroom, which I sell both as a side business to make extra money for our trips. I will gladly share with you all pictures if you like.

Then, there is my DH, Brett. He is a Math teacher. I'm so happy that he is into it because it helps me out when it comes to doing my books for my business records. Ha! He is going back to school to be an Administrator. Personally, I couldn't do it, but I give him major props for taking on the endeavor. Before meeting me he had only been to Disney 2 times in his lifetime, now he has become a Secret Disney-aholic. Sometimes, he knows about things before I do.

He no longer has the facial hair.

Usually, we would have 2 more to our cast (Grammy and Papa) but they won't be joining us on this trip but they will be there in Disney spirit.

So, that's the cast that will be going on this adventure. Feel free to come out of lurkdom and chat with me. This is my first time writing a Trip Report and want to get to know all my readers.

 

[caralyn817]

What's been going on

 

[MeMom]

Bayleigh's Dumbo is Bella's Carrousel. She can never get enough! Round and round and round and round........

AKL is a great resort! Of course, they are all great to us. Being the Animal Kingdom lovers that we are, it is nice to have a five minute ride to that park.

I look forward to your pictures, because when we come home from the October trip, we won't be back until spring. Without a holiday trip, I'll be craving pictures from everyone who goes any time from November to February.

I don't check pre-trips much - just because of the time factor, but I will check in periodically to see what's new. Have fun with your planning!

 

[caralyn817]

I've been super busy and haven't had much time to post any updates lately. I can't believe that we leave in 11 days.

Since my last post a lot has happened, my cousin who was 42 passed away after a long battle with brain tumors. When she was diagnosed over a year and a half ago, she was only given 1 month to live. She was a fighter and provided that. Her children miss her greatly and the whole family has been embracing them during this time. Her oldest started college in August and didn't want to go because of everything that was going on with her mom. We all convinced her that her mom wouldn't want her not to go as she worked so hard to achieve this. Her youngest is still in high school. She is in a better place now with no pain, but is greatly missed.

On a different note, I have some exciting news. On Thursday, I will be going in for an interview for a new position within my charter school's company. I was contacted last weekend by the principal of another school (who actually used to be a teacher at my school) for a curriculum position there. She contacted my prinicpal to make sure that it was okay with her to contact me. This position involves me writing curriculum for the school along with working with the teachers in their classroms and modeling instruction for them. If I get the position, I would be making double the amount I currently make. This would be great especially with the way the economy is right now. So, please send Pixie Dust and Dis love my way this week as I prepare for the interview and during the interview.

Also last weekend, we went to the Pumpkin Patch. Leaving in a big city it's very hard to find these sort of places to go. Here are some pictures from our adventure.
On the hayride

Looking for gators in the canals.

We actually saw one gator and an otter. I couldn't get good pictures of them, since I was on the other side of the hayride.

Pumpkin Patch

Off to find the perfect one

Is this it?

How about this one?

Nope, maybe this one?

Found it!

Mommy had to keep me away from the mud.

Cheese!

I just thought I share a little of what is going on with us lately. I'm going to begin packing this week, as I am getting very excited. Here is our plan as of now.

Oct. 25th- Leave at 6am for Orlando. Check in at AKL Jambo house around 9am (depending on traffic). We are hoping that our room will be ready so we can put everything down. Either way, we plan on heading to Hollywood Studios since B hasn't been there. We will then come back to the hotel for pool time and then dinner at Boma.

Oct. 26th- Animal Kingdom EMH baby! Pool time and naps, then heading to Epcot for the Food and Wine Festival.

Oct. 27th- Magic Kingdom. We are hoping to be able to experience the new Fantasyland as several people who were recently up there have been able to. I read that they will only be opening it up for cast members at that time but fingers crossed. Pool and naps, then possibly Epcot again for Food and Wine.

Oct. 28th- Head home. Boo!

Don't we all just wish we could stay longer!