We Need Us Some Vacay Magic!! Our February Trip Back to the World

[Sabrina90744]

Hello everyone! This is my first PTR, I needed something to keep me from making anymore changes to our ressie, adrs, etc. I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about. Anyhow here are the details of our trip.


The Cast:

Me: Sabrina (33) Pooh-sized, Disney loving single momma. I am the estimator for a civil engineering and surveying firm. I’m just your typical ocd disboards planner. I make a spreadsheet for just about every aspect of our trip.

Nene: DS (11)

My boy absolutely loves everything about Disney, except thrill rides. He did ride Expedition Everest with me on our second trip and vowed to never ride again. He is really looking forward to Toy Story Mania and checking out TRex Restaurant.

Lysie Girl: DD

(9 going on 18) She is my Little Diva, the girly girl I never was. Loves Disney. But is really into Nick Jonas right now. She is a little more adventurous than her brother and wants to try out Expedition this year.

Here are my kids from our first trip, when they were only 6 and 8

Our dates are February 4 - 14 at POP Century Resort. My kids love POP Century . This is our fourth trip. We have gone every February since 2006.

This is the trip that might not have been. On Cinco de Mayo (May 5) of this year my momma was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer. Against my moms wishes I immediately canceled our yearly summer vacation and had told the kids WDW would probably not happen in February 09. They were sad but understood completely. Well last month, I was going with my mom for her weekly poison and doc appointment and her wonderful doctor at City of Hope tells her that her tumor, that started at 7 x 5, can’t even be felt anymore! She has 3 more treatments of chemo and should be having surgery right around Christmas. Chemo is scheduled to start again right after we get back from Disney.

As soon as we got home from that chemo treatment that day I called Disney reservations and booked us. I had planned on surprising the kids at Christmas but I am terrible at keeping secrets. I spilled the beans that evening , yup I kept the secret a total of 2 hours and that’s only because the kids were in school.

Next up.. ADRS and waiting for those codes..

 

[Pryncesa]

The Cast:

Me: Sabrina (33) Pooh-sized, Disney loving single momma. I am the estimator for a civil engineering and surveying firm. I’m just your typical ocd disboards planner. I make a spreadsheet for just about every aspect of our trip.

Me too! Well, except for the 33 and job parts. I'm 35.

Nene: DS (11)

Very Handsome young man!

Lysie Girl: DD

(9 going on 18)

Very pretty!!

Well last month, I was going with my mom for her weekly poison and doc appointment and her wonderful doctor at City of Hope tells her that her tumor, that started at 7 x 5, can’t even be felt anymore!

Awesome news!!!


What a cute set of youngsters you have! I have two sons. Can't wait to hear about the rest of your planning! We went in February for the first time this year, and it was great. Would love to go at that time of year again.

 

[Sabrina90744]

Me too! Well, except for the 33 and job parts. I'm 35. .

Yay thanks for reading!!!

Very pretty!!. Very Handsome young man! .[/

Thanks so much

What a cute set of youngsters you have! I have two sons. Can't wait to hear about the rest of your planning! We went in February for the first time this year, and it was great. Would love to go at that time of year again.

We have only gone in February, but really want to go when they have all the holiday decorations up. Maybe next year.

Thanks so much for reading.. hope I dont bore you to much!

 

[Sabrina90744]

Codes, codes codes… I really don’t know what to do about the darn codes. I have been waiting since Thursday for a general public code to come out. I reserved the AP rate of 815 at POP Preferred, with Park Hoppers for the kids and an AP for me it would be about 50 cheaper than the rack rate. If a code is releaseed I will check then and see what is the better deal. Alls I know that if Disney doesn’t release those codes soon I am going to go loony from lack of sleep. Its not fun getting up at 4 a.m. everyday!


ADRs - This time around we decided to skip the dining plan. We have used it the last three trips. This past trip Nene was considered a Disney adult so I paid the adult rate for him and he never once ordered off of the adult menu. We have only made a few ADRs for this trip.

Another option I am considering is the quick service plan. I had $600 budgeted for snacks and counter service meals, the quick service plan would cost me $590, so I am thinking of going that route, but will make that decision later. The Disney CM told me she would be able to add that to my AP rate later, but would be switched to a package.


We have ADR’s at Chef Mickeys Breakfast, Ohana Dinner, Whispering Canyon Café Dinner, Trex (will make the reservation in January) and our traditional last day breakfast with Lilo & Stitch. We might also do Play n Dine at Hollywood N Vine breakfast. We really enjoyed the breakfast there this past trip. Other than those ADR’s we will be doing a lot of counter service. Anyways enough about food, I swear I gain weight just thinking about food.


I'm off to stalk the codes threads to see if that darn code comes out today. I need to start thinking about airfare, I usually purchase the week after new year, but might do it a little earlier this year.

 

[GeminiAngel]

Subbing.

 

[Sabrina90744]

Thanks for subbing!! Did you see there is supposed to be this great deal out tomorrow!

 

[GeminiAngel]

So glad to read about your Mom making great progress!!!!
That's the real Christmas present!!

Your kids are so cute!! the Italian in me just wants to pinch those cheeks.
What night are you going to Ohana? remember our dates overlap.

 

[Sabrina90744]

So glad to read about your Mom making great progress!!!!
That's the real Christmas present!!

Your kids are so cute!! the Italian in me just wants to pinch those cheeks.
What night are you going to Ohana? remember our dates overlap.

It is great news! I had no idea it would shrink like that! It is the best Christmas present ever

We are at Ohana on Monday the 9Th!!

 

[GeminiAngel]

It is great news! I had no idea it would shrink like that! It is the best Christmas present ever

We are at Ohana on Monday the 9Th!!

Arrgh!!! missed ya by one night Sunday 8th for us!!

 

[Sabrina90744]

Itinerary..

So as of now this is the plan, I am sure it will change a few times before our vacay..


Wednesday February 4 - Arrive at POP around 6:00 p.m. Kids will probably swim and we'll just grab a pizza for dinner. Will get to bed fairly early.

Thursday February 5 - Epcot day. Hope to make rope drop. Test track is a must for us, Soarin if there are decent fast pass times. We can ride it here at home anytime so really not a biggie for us. We plan on Counter Servicing around the World this day. Back to POP for a swim and we will come back for Illuminations.

Friday February 6 - Magic Kingdom. We'll try for rope drop, but doubt we'll make it . No real plan we pretty much go with the flow. We have 10:30 Chef Mickeys ressie. If we make rope drop, we will head back to POP after eating. If we don't we will hit Chef Mickeys first thing, then spend the rest of the evening at MK.

Saturday February 7 - Animal Kingdom - We have never made rope drop here and probably wont this day either . We usually arrive around 10:00 and will hit the first Nemo show. Then head over to the safari fast pass if necessary. Lion King show, DD might try Expedition, but we will wait and see because I am not to sure about leaving DS alone. Kali River Rapids, bird show, then Dinoland. We did the trails the first three trips and kids have decided to skip it this go around.

Sunday February 8 - HS Studios This is DS favorite park. Must do's here are Toy Story Mania, Indiana Jones, Star Tours, Lights Motor Action, VOTLM and Beauty & Beast. We will skip Fantasmic this day and head to Downtown Disney for dinner at TRex Cafe.

Monday February 9 - I have this scheduled for BB if the weather is nice, if not it will be spent just relaxing and then Ohana for Dinner at 7:40

Tuesday February 10 - HS Finish what we didn't get to and hit the favorites again. Stay for Fantasmic this evening

Wednesday February 11 - MK day No real touring plan. Counter Service meals this day.

Thursday February 12 - This day hopefully we will be heading to Kennedy Space Center for the Space Shuttle Launch. If it is cancelled we will head to Epcot.

Friday February 13 - AK - Finish up what we didn't get to, see Nemo one more time, hit the favorites again. Head back to POP before closing for rest. Then dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe

Saturday February 14 - Last Day Head to the POLY for our traditional last breakfast with Lilo & Stitch. We have done this every year and the kids want to continue this tradition. If time allows we will head to the kids favorite park.

I'll get better touring plans once we get a little closer. Really dont have a lot of time at Epcot and I am thinking of canceling WCCafe on 13Th and heading back to Epcot for the evening for EMH, but will make that decision later.

We made a countdown calendar, kids had a blast doing that together..

 

[Sabrina90744]

Arrgh!!! missed ya by one night Sunday 8th for us!!

We'll have to compare our other dates see if anything else matches up

 

[GeminiAngel]

Itinerary..

So as of now this is the plan, I am sure it will change a few times before our vacay..


Wednesday February 4 - Arrive at POP around 6:00 p.m. Kids will probably swim and we'll just grab a pizza for dinner. Will get to bed fairly early.

Thursday February 5 - Epcot day. Hope to make rope drop. Test track is a must for us, Soarin if there are decent fast pass times. We can ride it here at home anytime so really not a biggie for us. We plan on Counter Servicing around the World this day. Back to POP for a swim and we will come back for Illuminations.

Friday February 6 - Magic Kingdom. We'll try for rope drop, but doubt we'll make it . No real plan we pretty much go with the flow. We have 10:30 Chef Mickeys ressie. If we make rope drop, we will head back to POP after eating. If we don't we will hit Chef Mickeys first thing, then spend the rest of the evening at MK.

Saturday February 7 - Animal Kingdom - We have never made rope drop here and probably wont this day either . We usually arrive around 10:00 and will hit the first Nemo show. Then head over to the safari fast pass if necessary. Lion King show, DD might try Expedition, but we will wait and see because I am not to sure about leaving DS alone. Kali River Rapids, bird show, then Dinoland. We did the trails the first three trips and kids have decided to skip it this go around.

Sunday February 8 - HS Studios This is DS favorite park. Must do's here are Toy Story Mania, Indiana Jones, Star Tours, Lights Motor Action, VOTLM and Beauty & Beast. We will skip Fantasmic this day and head to Downtown Disney for dinner at TRex Cafe.

Monday February 9 - I have this scheduled for BB if the weather is nice, if not it will be spent just relaxing and then Ohana for Dinner at 7:40

Tuesday February 10 - HS Finish what we didn't get to and hit the favorites again. Stay for Fantasmic this evening

Wednesday February 11 - MK day No real touring plan. Counter Service meals this day.

Thursday February 12 - This day hopefully we will be heading to Kennedy Space Center for the Space Shuttle Launch. If it is cancelled we will head to Epcot.

Friday February 13 - AK - Finish up what we didn't get to, see Nemo one more time, hit the favorites again. Head back to POP before closing for rest. Then dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe

Saturday February 14 - Last Day Head to the POLY for our traditional last breakfast with Lilo & Stitch. We have done this every year and the kids want to continue this tradition. If time allows we will head to the kids favorite park.

I'll get better touring plans once we get a little closer. Really dont have a lot of time at Epcot and I am thinking of canceling WCCafe on 13Th and heading back to Epcot for the evening for EMH, but will make that decision later.

We made a countdown calendar, kids had a blast doing that together..

LOVE your plans!!!

Thursday 5th, afternoon - we will be in World showcase, dinner at Biergarten.
Friday 6th - MK all day dinner at Crystal Palace
Saturday 7th - AK all Day, dinner at Fulton's Crab House, DTD.
Sunday 8th - DHS All Day, dinner at OHana.
Wonder how many times we will pass each other!!!

 

[Sabrina90744]

LOVE your plans!!!

Thursday 5th, afternoon - we will be in World showcase, dinner at Biergarten.
Friday 6th - MK all day dinner at Crystal Palace
Saturday 7th - AK all Day, dinner at Fulton's Crab House, DTD.
Sunday 8th - DHS All Day, dinner at OHana.
Wonder how many times we will pass each other!!!

Its bound to happen at least once... You'll have to post a pic up of you on your PTR so I know who to keep my eye out for!

 

[Sabrina90744]

After a week of waking up at 4:00 a.m. to look for codes, I finally scored!! It took everything I had not to upgrade to WL, that was the plan after last years trip, but with mom getting sick and not working I had to take on a lot of her bills so, I have to stay on budget (below if at all possible) and really am just happy to be going.

Anyways I think I got a great deal.. I kept everything the same, 10 days POP Preferred and 10 Day Park Hoppers. $2,039, with the new code I'm at $1,655 with a difference of $384 plus the $200 gift card. On top of that it's only costing me $755 out of pocket, I have paid $800 with earnings from sunshine rewards and should get another 100 by December 21.

 

[GeminiAngel]

Great score!!! and great restraint!!!
I scored today too!!! from Caribbean Beach to a studio at Old Key West.

 

[Sabrina90744]

Great score!!! and great restraint!!!
I scored today too!!! from Caribbean Beach to a studio at Old Key West.

I read, yay you!! I can't wait to hear all about Old Key West!

 

[Sabrina90744]

Well I've got the ADRs ready, I applied the code, so the ressie is all set. Airfare, I am watching and if the rates go down significantly in the next few weeks I will go ahead and book, but after watching the rates the last three years, I noticed that the week after New Years the rates really go low and will go ahead and book then for sure. Alls I know, right now the cheapest I've been able to find is $1,200.


For now, I have some shopping to do. This is really the hard part for me this year. Normally I go out and buy new clothes for all of us. But this is the budget trip, so I am going to try and stick to the plan. Did I mention I am a cash only person. I got myself into a pretty fix in my early 20's but managed to pay everything down and closed all but one, which hasn't been used in forever ! Anyways getting off track, so heres my list of stuff we absolutely need.


Crocs for all of us. After last years mini-heat wave when all of our feet swelled and none of our shoes felt comfortable, I am most def getting us some crocs. Disney crocs Black for DS, Minnie Janes for DD and not sure what I'll get yet, probably capri's or Athens. I'm a flip flop kinda girl.

Park bags for me and DD. I was looking at this Vera Bradley hipster for me http://www.verabradley.com/Site/Store/ProductDetail.aspx?dept=7&sku=10447:13. Not to sure how much fits in there though. I have used the Baggalinni for previous trips, now that sucker fits tons of stuff! And was considering the mini hipster for DD or maybe even a hipster for her in a different print. Then again, I might just use the baggalinni again this year and get DD a new one.

Memory card and camera case for DDs camera. I bought her the cutest camera for her bday a pink Sony Cybershot but she needs another memory card and a decent case.

As for clothes, I am not buying the kids any clothes besides the normal clothes I buy them at Christmas. I usually get them 6 or 7 outfits each Christmas, because I'm tightning my belt this year that is going down to 4 each.

Toiletries, now I am not one to go out and buy all new toiletries for our trip, I take what I have at home and just about everything gets tossed when I am packing for our return. Hey where those shampoos, lotions and conditioners fit on the way to Disney, I can squeeze in a few more souvenirs on the way home.

Well I'm off to stalk the Black Friday boards and see what deals are coming.. 85 days from today, the kids will be swimming in the Hippy Dippy Pool and I'll be knocking back a beer or two..

 

[Sarilas]

You're kids are beautiful! And I totally get the need for a trip when dealing with what your family is going through. I lost my Mom to cancer in 2007 and this will be our first big vacation (in '09) since then. VERY much needed change in scenery!

 

[Sabrina90744]

You're kids are beautiful! And I totally get the need for a trip when dealing with what your family is going through. I lost my Mom to cancer in 2007 and this will be our first big vacation (in '09) since then. VERY much needed change in scenery!

Thanks! So sorry about your mom. I hope your big vacay is magical!

 

[Sarilas]

It better be after all the planning that's gone into it! LOL