Welcome home to Zip A dee doo dah days!!! Updated 7/10 The Plan!

[WLfamily]

What are you thinking for next year? We're thining November/December 2011! I really want to see the decorations in the parks and resorts. But that will be a LONG wait until our next trip!

Julie, you need to go when I go so we can share a photopass again!

 

[flipflopmom]

What are you thinking for next year? We're thining November/December 2011! I really want to see the decorations in the parks and resorts. But that will be a LONG wait until our next trip!

This is really up in the air. Probably late June again. I really want to go in October for the 30 year celebration, but I can't take Anna Kat out of school for a week, she'd get too far behind. I'd like to go at Christmas, but that's a wild time, too!

Tayrn, I'm finally here!! I have just read your entire tr from beginning to end. It was wonderful! I'm sooo glad you had such a great trip! That Sophie is Brad made over! And Ana Kathryn looks just like you. Totally agree with your review of WC, I felt the same way last summer. It was just "too much" of everything. Those tables are small enough for four people then you add the food, and extra ketchup bottles just have no business there! We've agreed that we won't be doing that one again...of course Krista just doesn't understand why not. It's a mommy thing.
The experience you had at Crystal Palace was the same problem we had last year at Tusker House. I made a late adr and they didn't get us in until about half an hour after that when they were changing over from breakfast to lunch. We felt sooo rushed.
I think you hit the nail on the head about Epcot just being too hot in the middle of the day. That may be why we don't care for that park, we've only been during the daytime and can't seem to get out of there fast enough. I think we've decided to try out Beach Club next summer so maybe being next door we can spend some nightime hours there and learn to like it a little bit.
That surprise ending you had for the girls was FABULOUS! What a great way to end a Disney vacation! You done good girl!
Now when next year are you planning on going? We're looking at June 29 ~ July 5 roughly.

Thank you - where is the bowing smilie??????? I was pleased with myself. Try Epcot at night, it's much cooler, well, for Disney. I am trying to decide if we'll go the week before you guys are planning to go, or the week before. I'd like to be there for the 4th, Brad's not so sure. I agree that Sophie is Brad with hair, not so sure that AK looks like me. Sometimes I think so, and then sometimes I think she's gorgeous!

Glad you guys could hop on! I want to stay at Beach Club or Boardwalk for at least PART of the trip next year, with most at BLT. I need to decide, b/c it won't be long until I need to make my reservations!!!!!

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Fabulous update. It was an amazing surprises for your daugther, another day and eating at CRT. The girls must have loved the surprised when they got the castle. I'm sad its the end of your trip b/c I love your report and want to read more.

 

[flipflopmom]

Fabulous update. It was an amazing surprises for your daugther, another day and eating at CRT. The girls must have loved the surprised when they got the castle. I'm sad its the end of your trip b/c I love your report and want to read more.

Thanks! I have a few more things to share, so it's not quite over yet!

 

[flipflopmom]

So, after my mega shopping trip, I took the purchases back to the room. It's 9:30, so it's time for those creatures to stir!

Got the girls dressed, and gave out breakfasts from the bakery. DH and I had dessert from WCC we didn't eat the night before.

I loved this blanket!

DH got ready, and we packed up the little bit we had brought in for the night. As we were doing that, we showed the girls the castle. I thought Sophie was going to cry. She kept saying "I wanted that and wanted that, and you got it. Thank you Mommy. Thank you Daddy. You are the best mommy in the whole world. You are the best Daddy in the whole world." and hugging us. It was worth it, even if it never got touched, just for that reaction. Anna Kat started out upset that it was a "toy" and then saw what it would do. They started talking about how and where they would set it up, and who would be who! This kept them going while we finished loading. Even though we just had brought a little bit, we had purchases, which I packed in the new luggage, and some bags, so another call to bell services, and a run to the store in CR for change for a $20 to tip. We got the car loaded, swept the room, and cried.

It was sooo hard to get all the stuff in the car.

We were packed in like sardines, and that doesn't even show all the stuff at our feet!

Up next: the funny trip home!

 

[flipflopmom]

So DH plugs in the address for home, and starts off. I take one last picture of Space Mountain:

But didn't get a goodbye castle picture. So... we are supposed to get on 4 to leave. I KNEW something was up when the sign that pointed to 4 was not the direction we took.

Next thing I know, we're heading past the CM parking lot, the Disney University, and several condo communities. Uh honey? Where is the Garmin taking us? "I dunno. I'm just following it." You didn't check it?? "No, just following."

Turns out, we're on a toll road. You gotta be kidding. I drag out the baggalini, and the m&m tube with quarters and pennies for pressed pennies. Thank goodness I had it!

Well, it's close to noon by the time we get out of Orlando. We get near the Daytona Speedway, and the girls are hungry. Sophie is almost asleep, so we decided to do a McD run for a quick lunch, so they can crash.

Something in those preservatives! We drove in and out of storms. The girls watched Toy Story 1 &2, Princess and the Frog, Mary Poppins, still no naps. We stopped at rest stops for bathroom breaks, to let them run... still no nap. I napped, a lot! I had a killer headache, probably from leaving, but they didn't sleep. They wrote with their new WDW pens. They colored in their new coloring books. DD played with her IPOD. They watched Alice in Wonderland. Still no nap! HOWEVER, they were sooooo veryy good. We were simply amazed. No fighting. No crying. No "Are we almost home?". It was heaven!

At a gas station where we filled up, we got Subway for dinner. Settled in. The princesses finally fell asleep around 10:30-11:00, and we got home at 11:30. We started bringing stuff in the house, and I let our Chihuahua that a friend had been pet sitting for us out. I had to start laundry right away, as DH had no shorts to wear to work the next day. After we got everything out of the car, I woke Anna Kathryn up and told her to go to bed. The next day, she asked me who took her to bed. DH went to bed, and got settled, since he has a CPAP machine, I didn't want to take Sophie upstairs until he had finished getting that set back up. She didn't move. I came back downstairs, did another load of laundry, put the first load in to dry. I was so wired after sleeping most of the day, and it was close to 2 when I went to bed!

 

[WLfamily]

Leaving is the hardest part of Disney. The next hardest is waiting till the next trip, but at least when you get adjusted to being back in the *real world* the planning process is what keeps us going.
That Sophie is just tooooo sweet! I wanna squeeze her! Anna K is waaayyy too much like my little Drama Diva, I totally get her!
I hope so much our times next year cross a little so we can get together. I don't have a very open window with Brad playing high school football now, it looks like the last week of June and first week of July is all he has off for the next four years. That's why we decided to start going to Disney every year starting next summer. Time passes too fast and then they're gone.

 

[flipflopmom]

While I was unpacking, crying, and thinking, and writing this report, I came up with a list of regrets. I thought I'd share!

1. I really wish I had let DH rest more, and the girls have more pool time. Maybe as we keep having yearly trips, we'll be able to do that more.

2. I wish I hadn't eaten so much. It took a week for my stomach to settle back in, and who knows how long it will take me to lose the weight.

3. I wish I had run at least once. I really regret not taking an early morning run to the castle. My hamstrings just ached constantly, probably from pushing chunk Sophie around, especially on all those ramps!

4. I wish Anna Kat and I could have ridden EE at least 1 more time.

5. I wish I had made an effort with photopass. DH said he wanted to take a year off, and not be photopass stalkers this year. We only ended up with one family shot, in front of the tree at night at AK. NO FAMILY CASTLE PICTURES?

6. I wish I had bought a castle photo frame, and a second Mickey lantern to match my first one!

7. Wish I had taken more pictures and written things down as they happened, especially funny stuff that Sophie said! BUT.. last year I said I wanted to spend more time in the moment instead of trying to take so many pictures, so go figure!

8. Wish I had not taken quite so much stuff. But you never know, right?

9. I started to say that I wish we hadn't used so many points for a MK view at BLT, but I do know now, and I would have wanted it for next year, so at least I got that over with!

10. Wish I had taken the time on check out day to walk over to MK and watch the Welcome Show from outside the gates!

11. Wish I had packed DH more underwear, instead of having to wash them out in the sink and dry them with a hair dryer when he realized he was out!

I just asked the family, and # 1 was what DH said, and #4 was what Anna Kat said, so I am thinking I was right on!

 

[flipflopmom]

Leaving is the hardest part of Disney. The next hardest is waiting till the next trip, but at least when you get adjusted to being back in the *real world* the planning process is what keeps us going.
That Sophie is just tooooo sweet! I wanna squeeze her! Anna K is waaayyy too much like my little Drama Diva, I totally get her!
I hope so much our times next year cross a little so we can get together. I don't have a very open window with Brad playing high school football now, it looks like the last week of June and first week of July is all he has off for the next four years. That's why we decided to start going to Disney every year starting next summer. Time passes too fast and then they're gone.

That could be great! You guys should look into DVC.

That's what Dh and I talked about. After losing Daddy, I realized all I had left was memories. I want to make them with the girls as long as possible!

 

[WLfamily]

1. I really wish I had let DH rest more, and the girls have more pool time. Maybe as we keep having yearly trips, we'll be able to do that more.

I think that also comes with the age of your children. Our first trip Krista was 3 and Brad was 6, we felt the need to be in the parks more than at the pool or resort. The second trip Krista was 7 and Brad was 11, they *chose* to spend more time at the pool and I let them. This last trip Krista was 10 and Brad was 14, they pretty much controlled our every move. But I will say they made very wise choices and I came home with fewer regrets because I knew we did what *they* wanted to do and that's what it's all about. We all felt much more relaxed after this last trip. It will come in time, don't worry.



5. I wish I had made an effort with photopass. DH said he wanted to take a year off, and not be photopass stalkers this year. We only ended up with one family shot, in front of the tree at night at AK. NO FAMILY CASTLE PICTURES?

I so get this one. You do end up feeling like a stalker with the photopass, but in the end its sooo worth it. Now you know *not* to skip it again. At least you got one family pic and a lesson learned.

6. I wish I had bought a castle photo frame, and a second Mickey lantern to match my first one!

Call Disney merchandising and get that matching lantern girl! If you wait a year they may be gone! Grab a castle photo frame while your at it!

7. Wish I had taken more pictures and written things down as they happened, especially funny stuff that Sophie said! BUT.. last year I said I wanted to spend more time in the moment instead of trying to take so many pictures, so go figure!

That's a tough one I always struggle with and have no solution for you. It must be our mommy guilt.

8. Wish I had not taken quite so much stuff. But you never know, right?

You can never be *over prepared*.

 

[flipflopmom]

Just wanted to add that we didn't get AS much use out of the mugs as I thought we might. We had taken a case of water, and a 12 pack of ginger ale. We think there is nothing like ginger ale if your tummy is upset, and combining rides and DxDP, well, I thought we might need it. When we would get back to the room, we all just wanted the water. I did grab some unsweetened tea a couple of times, some sprite for the girls, and coke for DH. We took them to the pool with us a few times, too. I got coffee a couple of mornings, but it was fairly nasty.

 

[Lisa29]

Had already read your 2010 dining report. Then read the 09 dining, then 09 TR then this one!! Really loved them all.

Going back to your 09 TR, I wanted to cry at your girls looking at the castle and waving - it is such a brilliant picture!

Disappointed now that I am all caught up

Lisa

 

[flipflopmom]

Had already read your 2010 dining report. Then read the 09 dining, then 09 TR then this one!! Really loved them all.

Going back to your 09 TR, I wanted to cry at your girls looking at the castle and waving - it is such a brilliant picture!

Disappointed now that I am all caught up

Lisa

Thank you so much Lisa! I did have that one made into a 8x10. Sometimes, in my mind, they are waving hello, others, goodbye, depending on my emotional state! But they were waving goodbye in the picture. I hate that we didn't do one this year! So glad you are enjoying the reviews!

 

[flipflopmom]

I've been wanting to add this to my TR, and a few other things that I hope I will get to during the week before I consider it done.

I wanted to address the importance, for our family, of having a plan!

I think for that one week, we are all so focused on having a good time, and we ALL make a concentrated effort to do that. I am so very thankful and blessed to have a totally on board DH. Mind you, he'll never be as obsessed as I am. BUT he is wonderful to be excited, to stick with the plan, to not complain. As HOT and MUGGY and TIRED as we all were, we never argued. NEVER. NO ugly words or looks, which honestly CAN happen at home sometimes. He is sooooo good to say "What's up next?" "What else do you want to do?" Knowing how much he wanted to be done with the morning park by noon for a pool break, and yet he was so considerate to make sure we accomplished everything that everyone wanted to was just amazing. I have to stop and remember that as a teacher, I have summer vacation. He gets 2 weeks a year, and this is the only big vacation we take. Other days are spread out here and there, with a half week trip to HHI over New Year's.
I love the way he is getting the magic, he takes pride in being a Disney family, enjoys sharing the magic with our girls. He likes knowing which line on Pirates is shorter, where to stand in the HM stretching room, etc. He likes talking to the CM's. He gets teary eyed. It kinda makes me fall in love all over again!

The only time he gets frustrated is if we DON'T have a plan and start aimlessly wandering. If it is wandering with a purpose, he's game and understanding. Examples: "I want to see Devine" "I want to check out the drummers in AK" "I want to wander and look around this area, we haven't been here before". "Let's spend time in Toon Town" He's all good. BUT, he doesn't enjoy the extra time if we don't know what's up. Often, we would have accomplished a lot, and I would say "let's see what the line for HM (or POTC, or Carousel, etc) is like on our way to X or on our way out." No problems there. I prep EVERYONE on the plan as we are waiting for rope drop or we are at breakfast "Fantasyland, then ToonTown" "Safari, KRR FP's, then EE", "TT, Soarin FP's" etc. As we are waiting in lines, we talk about what's up next, if anyone needs water or potty breaks, how the rest of the morning or evening will go, etc. We do stop if there is something on the way, like the drum area, a character we haven't met, etc, so not totally commando, but having an order that we want to do things helps the flow of the day!

Even the girls are better at WDW. There were a couple of time when DD2 had a meltdown, the Kim Possible mission, a bit at Boma, and a few "I don't want to sit in my strollers" on the monorail. She claimed the little section on the far end as hers, and there was an occasional time when Anna Kat would be there, but she is 3, didn't get enough sleep, and that is all to be expected. But never anything we couldn't calm and get back under control. She did great waiting in the lines, other than wanting to be held often, which I did for the sake of happiness of everyone!

Anna Kat has ADHD. I don't know if I've shared that before. Her ADHD meds make her more suceptible to motion sickness, so she doesn't take them at WDW. That could potentially be a train wreck, with all the emotions and stimulus there, but she does GREAT!!!!! She comes up with clever ways to pass the time in line, goes along with WHATEVER we say, with that one exception of RNRC. I understood that. It would be like someone telling me after a year of waiting - no trip to the castle, it just doesn't work. She had a few cases of 10 yr. old drama diva attitude and mouth, but less than in one day at home. I think knowing the plan helps her, too!

I have to say, I am very proud and blessed. I hope my family's love of WDW continues for many years! I was worried that this year wouldn't be as wonderful as last, as we did SOOO many things and had lots of pixie dust sprinkled on us, but it was great. That's another thing, I love the tradition of recognizing pixie dust we got last year. If a monorail or bus pulls up as we get to the stop, someone will say "pixie dust". When we got to the Tiana line and it was short, DH said "pixie dust". If we happen to walk by a line and it's short "pixie dust". Getting into a theatre to see a show as a walk in "pixie dust", a smiling CM saying good morning "I love Disney World".

I know it sounds a little golden, but that's truly how our trips are. For one week, we are the perfect family.

 

[katiebelle21]

What a great trip! I loved your reading your report!

When I reached 50lbs lost, my Mom surprised me with a card. It said "Here is the money Daddy promised you, it's from him. We're both proud of you." I had totally forgotten that Daddy had said he would give me $100 if I lost 50 pounds. So I decided then and there I would buy a watch at WDW with the money. I wore Daddy's watch for him while he was in the hospital before he died, and for about a month afterwards. It reminded me that time would go on. So a watch had a very sentimental meaning for me. We stopped one afternoon, sent the girls to the arcade, and DH and I went watch shopping. I had picked out two, but one was a lot more expensive. It's a citizen eco-drive, gold and silver bracelet watch, rectangle face with a small Mickey. It's beautiful. Dh told me to get it, it was nicer and would last longer, and he would pay for the rest. He really wanted me to have this for a lifetime.

*I like a little Mickey decor, so I got 4 placemats for when we eat outside that have really cool colors! There was also a great white Mickey lantern that I had lusted over all week, with stained glass behind it, candle in the middle. Now I wish I had bought two, it looks great on my mantle!
*I grabbed a little post it note set of each park for my desk at school. It will make those bad days a work a little brighter!

What a great way to remember your dad. I have a ring that my grandma gave me, and I love wearing it every day. I feel like she's always with me.

The lantern sounds so pretty! I am adding that and the post-its to my shopping list!

I wanted to address the importance, for our family, of having a plan!

I think for that one week, we are all so focused on having a good time, and we ALL make a concentrated effort to do that. I am so very thankful and blessed to have a totally on board DH. Mind you, he'll never be as obsessed as I am. BUT he is wonderful to be excited, to stick with the plan, to not complain. As HOT and MUGGY and TIRED as we all were, we never argued. NEVER. NO ugly words or looks, which honestly CAN happen at home sometimes. He is sooooo good to say "What's up next?" "What else do you want to do?" Knowing how much he wanted to be done with the morning park by noon for a pool break, and yet he was so considerate to make sure we accomplished everything that everyone wanted to was just amazing. I have to stop and remember that as a teacher, I have summer vacation. He gets 2 weeks a year, and this is the only big vacation we take. Other days are spread out here and there, with a half week trip to HHI over New Year's.
I love the way he is getting the magic, he takes pride in being a Disney family, enjoys sharing the magic with our girls. He likes knowing which line on Pirates is shorter, where to stand in the HM stretching room, etc. He likes talking to the CM's. He gets teary eyed. It kinda makes me fall in love all over again!

Your DH sounds like such a nice guy!

 

[dallastxcpa]

Okay, so part of the bargain for us to buy DVC was that DH would get 2 Ohana dinners each trip. It is his favorite restaurant EVER, and has been much anticipating it all year long!

It made me think of a song that is very special to DH and I, and it really brings home WHY we want to go to Disney every year. People think we are crazy, but we really get to bond and be together, and makes us closer when we get home. We are away from the rat race, and in the middle of the magic.

I'm going to copy and paste the lyrics, so I'll add the copyright. The song is called Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman.

She spins and she sways
To whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here wearing
The weight of the world on my shoulders

It's been a long day
And there's still work to do
She's pulling at me
Saying "Dad, I need you

There's a ball at the castle
And I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone...

She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says, "Dad, the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

She will be gone

Well, she came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowing and telling us all they had planned
She says, "Dad, the wedding's still six months away
But I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone


These Cinderella lyrics are property of their owners. The Cinderella lyrics are used only for educational purposes. © 2010 Smart Lyrics. All rights reserved.

I had never heard the song until someone sang it at church, and when I asked him about it, he told me the artist, and that shortly after it was released one of the daughters, age 5, that inspired and he wrote it for was killed in a car accident. We never know how much time we'll have with those we love, and once they are gone, all we have is memories. WDW is our way of making those memories for our girls, and us, to have for forever.

Thanks for indulging me in that. Watching DH play with the girls tonight, when he usually says he's tired, and writing about their dance made me think of it, and I hope it speaks to someone that reads this!

Ohhhh, how true your words ring.

I love the song you quoted and your post brought tears to my eyes.

Three years ago my Dad was killed in an industrial accident. He was still young and had a lot of good years but no more. So thank you DVC. The year he died I took my Mom and 11 other members to OKW in a grand villa. Last year we took Mom to HHI. This year we are staying at AKV Jambo.

Our plan for the future is to spend a week at Aulani.

 

[shelbys mommy]

I am finally all caught up! What wonderful surprises you had for the girls! And once we made a game plan & stuck to it, our trip turned out much easier for us! That is a must do next time, instead of leaving it all on me, DH now wants to be involved in the planning!

 

[mermaid764]

I just read your TR from start to finish and loved every minute of it!

I'm so sorry to hear about your father, he sounds like an amazing man.

Your trip sounded amazing and I love the girls matching outfits...too cute!

What precious memories you guys made to carry with you forever..and I'm not off to check our your dining review

 

[ksl5f123]

I think your words about having a plan are SO true!!! We had never had one before our trip last month and it made such a difference!

It is wonderful that your whole family enjoys Disney. Our family is like that too. It is just such a wonderful place to escape!

 

[flipflopmom]

What a great trip! I loved your reading your report!

What a great way to remember your dad. I have a ring that my grandma gave me, and I love wearing it every day. I feel like she's always with me.

The lantern sounds so pretty! I am adding that and the post-its to my shopping list!

Your DH sounds like such a nice guy!

Thanks on all accounts! Jewelry is not something I am normally overly concerned about, but I think when it comes to things to remember loved ones by, it is so special. Your ring sounds really special, also! My DH knows how much Disney means to the whole family, and really tries hard while we are there, he is a pretty great guy!

Ohhhh, how true your words ring.
I love the song you quoted and your post brought tears to my eyes.
Three years ago my Dad was killed in an industrial accident. He was still young and had a lot of good years but no more. So thank you DVC. The year he died I took my Mom and 11 other members to OKW in a grand villa. Last year we took Mom to HHI. This year we are staying at AKV Jambo.
Our plan for the future is to spend a week at Aulani.

I would love to stay at Aulani someday! I don't know if DH will ever make the trip over, he hates airplanes! However, we do love HHI, and we just trying to come up with a long weekend we could get there. So sorry that you lost your Dad, it's tough!

I am finally all caught up! What wonderful surprises you had for the girls! And once we made a game plan & stuck to it, our trip turned out much easier for us! That is a must do next time, instead of leaving it all on me, DH now wants to be involved in the planning!

It is so much easier than trying to argue over what to do next! DH did more of the planning this year, since he had last year under his belt. It was helpful! Glad your DH is wanting to help, it makes a big difference!

I just read your TR from start to finish and loved every minute of it!
I'm so sorry to hear about your father, he sounds like an amazing man.
Your trip sounded amazing and I love the girls matching outfits...too cute!
What precious memories you guys made to carry with you forever..and I'm not off to check our your dining review

Thanks! The dresses came from Etsy, great place to get super cute Disney dresses really inexpensively! They made their Mickey tye-die shirts at Hilton Head. I learned the hard way that once someone you love is gone, all you have are memories, and we want the girls to have a lot of them!

I think your words about having a plan are SO true!!! We had never had one before our trip last month and it made such a difference! It is wonderful that your whole family enjoys Disney. Our family is like that too. It is just such a wonderful place to escape!

We love to Es-cape, a la Dory! The plan is not to take the magic of being in a moment away, but just so we don't waste time arguing over what to do next!!! Glad your family gets the magic, too!


Thanks everyone for reading!