Welcome To The Caribbean, Love ~ Updated 5-27 P52

[LegoMom3]

Yes. Except I have ADR angst all over again.



.....

Well *PHEW* girl!!!.....at least now I know you're still going at all!!!

[I was just a tad worried there...]

.

 

[TarzansKat]

Well *PHEW* girl!!!.....at least now I know you're still going at all!!!

[I was just a tad worried there...]

.

I am still going. I'll probably do an update when I get back from working out. I've got day 3 of my couch to 5K training to do!

 

[TarzansKat]

But in a good way.

Well, thank you for sticking with me through that trip angst. I really appreciate all the advice, warm thoughts, and general concern that everyone showed in their posts. It's nice to feel the support of my DIS friends, and I'm very blessed to have you all in my life.

After keeping you all on the edge of your seats, I just wanted to say that I am still going to Disney, but I am not going in February. I don't want to talk too much about the logistical things that happened that spurred this (I'll leave that for Tink's PTR) but suffice it to say that certain circumstances threw into sharp relief a simple fact.

I am not ready.

I had a long talk with Nana, in which she held back her wise counsel until I'd basically figured out how I felt on my own. It's wonderful to have her in my life, I feel very lucky that even though Mom is gone, Nana is still here. She's a blessing. She listens, she knows me, and we share a similar pain.

Honestly, I just need more time. In talking with Nana, talking about my lack of excitement, the feeling that I was pushing myself too hard, that I wasn't in love the with the plans really made me realize that I'm just not ready yet.

I'm not at a place where I can admit that it's okay to go without Mom.

Even though I thought that my first trip with Squirt would be just the four of us, I know d*** well that my mother would have shown up, unannounced, and surprised us. There was no way she would have missed Squirt's first trip to the World.

And no matter how many dreams I have about her riding on Pirates with me, and no matter how much I tell myself that her spirit will be with us, right now, it's not enough. It still hurts too much, it's still too fresh. I'm having a hard time of letting go of the fact that unlike my dream, she will not magically appear on my vacation.

And truly, it doesn't matter when I take the trip, that thought is still going to be in the back of my mind. I just think that going in February was trying too hard, trying so hard to make it different from anything I'd done with her, that it just didn't feel normal.

And I had an ideal trip in mind for Squirt's first vacation, and truthfully, it wasn't the Wilderness Lodge. It wasn't in the winter, it wasn't 6 days, it wasn't any of those things. And although I am sad that I will not be able to see Tink and LegoMom do their races and partake in a Casey's / Dole Whip / POTC DIS meet, I know that this is the right choice.

So what conclusion did we come to? What did I finally decide "feels" right?

May.

I have gone with my family and with Tink in May. May was one of my mother's favorite times of year to go to Disney. May and October. Oddly enough, my long term plan for Disney trips is May and October.

In trying so hard to be different, I ended up almost exactly the same.

Now, typically, Mom and Nana would go early in the month for Flower and Garden Festival.

We won't be doing that this year. Instead, we're going over Memorial Day Weekend and taking advantage of the long weekend. We've still got free dining and this way, Nemo will only miss two days of school, MJS two days of work. We're doing a 4 night, 5 day stay.

And the best part?

Nana's coming.

Again, another aspect to the trip that just feels right. I'm so excited that she's going to be there for Squirt's first trip. I'm so excited that I can share this with her, as all the time in the back of my mind, I'm thinking, who knows how much longer any of us have? It may sound morbid, but it's reality.

I love that it's going to be warm. I love that it's going to be May. I love that it's going to be a short trip, but just long enough. I love that we may be able to partake in Star Wars Weekends, if we're lucky...that would just tickle Nemo soooo much.

I love that I added the park hopper option to our tickets, that the Magic Kingdom is open until 11pm most nights and has EMH until 2am...maybe I can tuck everyone in and sneak out on my own, eh...

But most of all, I absolutely love where we're staying.

It's the perfect place for people who love pirates and Finding Nemo.

It's got a newly renovated pool that Nemo will go nuts over.

It's got beautiful sandy beaches that Squirt can play on and quiet pools in every village.

It's the place I've wanted to stay again ever since I stayed there with Tink.

It's the Caribbean Beach Resort.

I am so in love with this resort. I can't wait for Nemo and Squirt to see it. I can't wait to sip that first Pina CoLava. I can't wait to stroll around and feel all the ambience of pirates while staying in a room that's all about Finding Nemo.

Don't get me wrong, I'm excited to go to Disney World and partake in all the magic the parks has to offer...but I'm equally excited to stay at this resort and partake in all the amenities that it has to offer.

This is always what I envisioned for Squirt's first trip, and really, there's no better time to stay in a moderate resort with double beds then when my kids are still little enough to fit in the bed with us without a huge ruckus.

Nana has graciously offered the extra bed in her room to Nemo...but I think I might take her up on that offer instead.

At any rate, we have our heading. And I can honestly say that I'm excited about it.

For those of you who may not remember, my mother passed in April. By going in May, I'll have gone through the first year. Although I know that won't make the first time any easier, at least I'll have passed all those first milestones without her, and not be forcing myself so much. Squirt will also be ten months old, and it's possible that he'll be over his milk allergy by then, freeing me up to enjoy my dining options a bit more. (Nemo got over the allergy around nine months.)

Speaking of dining, that's a whole other ball of wax. I have to decide what ADRs are really good idea for us, and November 29th is the magic booking date. Plenty of time to obsess over what we should do.

In the mean time, I'm focused on my Couch to 5K program and making it through Thanksgiving without have a complete and utter meltdown.

So far, so good.

May.

It's nice to have something to look forward to.

 

[LegoMom3]

....

And I had an ideal trip in mind for Squirt's first vacation, and truthfully, it wasn't the Wilderness Lodge. It wasn't in the winter, it wasn't 6 days, it wasn't any of those things. And although I am sad that I will not be able to see Tink and LegoMom do their races and partake in a Casey's / Dole Whip / POTC DIS meet, I know that this is the right choice.

You know how the Air Force does their Missing Man formation?......Tink and I will do the "Missing Fry Formation". In your honor. If indeed you can consider that an "honor."

And the best part?

Nana's coming.

Now THAT is truly AWESOME!!

I love that I added the park hopper option to our tickets, that the Magic Kingdom is open until 11pm most nights and has EMH until 2am...maybe I can tuck everyone in and sneak out on my own, eh...

*ahem*.....In my best enabler voice: DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But most of all, I absolutely love where we're staying.

It's the perfect place for people who love pirates and Finding Nemo.

It's got a newly renovated pool that Nemo will go nuts over.

It's got beautiful sandy beaches that Squirt can play on and quiet pools in every village.

It's the place I've wanted to stay again ever since I stayed there with Tink.

It's the Caribbean Beach Resort.

I am so in love with this resort. I can't wait for Nemo and Squirt to see it. I can't wait to sip that first Pina CoLava. I can't wait to stroll around and feel all the ambience of pirates while staying in a room that's all about Finding Nemo.

Another "AWESOME!!!"

At any rate, we have our heading. And I can honestly say that I'm excited about it.

Then you know that it's the right thing. In every way.


.

 

[jenjolt]

YAY for MAY!!!! Glad you were able to come up with a trip that you are excited about and that you have made it a trip of dreams for Squirt's first trip!!!!

I'm thinking of you this week!! Lots of Hugs!!!

Can't wait to see what ADRs you decide on!!!!

 

[creativeamanda]

TK--Just what are your dates? Because I think your May trip may overlap my trip. Or we may be JUST missing each other.

 

[TarzansKat]

You know how the Air Force does their Missing Man formation?......Tink and I will do the "Missing Fry Formation". In your honor. If indeed you can consider that an "honor."

Actually, I have no idea what that is, but if you're willing to recreate in french fries, I'm truly honored.

Now THAT is truly AWESOME!!

I'm taking all the time I can get!!!

*ahem*.....In my best enabler voice: DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You know, I was totally joking when I initially wrote that, but now that I think about it, the idea has serious merit.

YAY for MAY!!!! Glad you were able to come up with a trip that you are excited about and that you have made it a trip of dreams for Squirt's first trip!!!!

I'm thinking of you this week!! Lots of Hugs!!!

Can't wait to see what ADRs you decide on!!!!

Thanks, Jen. I have until Nov. 29th to get my act together, that's my ADR booking date.

TK--Just what are your dates? Because I think your May trip may overlap my trip. Or we may be JUST missing each other.

Hey, hon. My dates are Saturday, May 28 to Wednesday, June 1. When are you going?

 

[LegoMom3]

Actually, I have no idea what that is, but if you're willing to recreate in french fries, I'm truly honored.

...

Here's an image of one:

You can see where there should be another plane. It's to honor a fallen comrade and is really one of the highest honors that can be given (ok now I'm feeling a tad sacrilegious for putting it into a fry context.....).

Now obviously you're not a "fallen" comrade, but you will be missing. And you will be missed. So we'll hold a fry off to the side, where you should be.

.

 

[creativeamanda]

Hmmm. . .mine are May 31-June 13.

But we won't get in til midnight on May 31. Kind of wondering if we can wave hey in passing. . .

 

[All7OfUs]

Have i really missed posting on this one, Kat?? REALLY!??



Ok, back to catch up and read- hopefully, by Monday, I'll be all caught up, Love.

 

[eandesmom]

I am such a DISfriend loser! Here you were going through major things (SAHM!) and trip to go or not to go drama and where was I? MIA.

Wow what a lot in the month that I apparently fell off the face of the earth.

Congrats on staying at home, it's an amazing gift that if you can give, you are all blessed for it.

And congrats too on not being afraid to admit it was too soon, make the change, listen to your heart. Your plans sound good. REALLY good.

And those jams are adorable.

Our tradition is that santa always brings new jams but I have to admit, I love the matching xmas eve new jams, we've done that too...and may have to again. It IS hard to find matching, heck it's even hard to find for 2 boys practically the same size (but who like different things) when santa looks!

Question is, where is YOUR pair?

 

[TarzansKat]

Here's an image of one:

You can see where there should be another plane. It's to honor a fallen comrade and is really one of the highest honors that can be given (ok now I'm feeling a tad sacrilegious for putting it into a fry context.....).

Now obviously you're not a "fallen" comrade, but you will be missing. And you will be missed. So we'll hold a fry off to the side, where you should be.

.

Ahh, I see. I would be honored.

Hmmm. . .mine are May 31-June 13.

But we won't get in til midnight on May 31. Kind of wondering if we can wave hey in passing. . .

Aw, bummer. I would loved to have met with you and had a ride on Pirates...maybe if I can get my act together super early on June 1, but I think our flight is going to end up being an early one.

Have i really missed posting on this one, Kat?? REALLY!??



Ok, back to catch up and read- hopefully, by Monday, I'll be all caught up, Love.

I'm almost positive you posted here...no?

I am such a DISfriend loser! Here you were going through major things (SAHM!) and trip to go or not to go drama and where was I? MIA.

You're not a loser! I'm totally behind on your trip report, so let's just call it mutual lack of participation.

Wow what a lot in the month that I apparently fell off the face of the earth.

Congrats on staying at home, it's an amazing gift that if you can give, you are all blessed for it.

Thanks. I'm really blessed to be able to stay home with my children.

And congrats too on not being afraid to admit it was too soon, make the change, listen to your heart. Your plans sound good. REALLY good.

I would hate to have gone and been putting on a brave face. That's really not fair to Nemo or Squirt.

And those jams are adorable.

Our tradition is that santa always brings new jams but I have to admit, I love the matching xmas eve new jams, we've done that too...and may have to again. It IS hard to find matching, heck it's even hard to find for 2 boys practically the same size (but who like different things) when santa looks!

That's cute too, that Santa brings them.

Question is, where is YOUR pair?

Ahh, yes. That's MJS' job. Sadly, though, I don't match, because I can't clue him in on the secret beforehand...although I must say that I say the cutest pair of Mickey jams for women on the Disney site. Perhaps a subtle hint...

TK - "Honey, look at these."

 

[Charleston Princess]

May, you say???

Over Memorial Day weekend???

With Free Dining???

You know...

That's when we are looking at going...

 

[TarzansKat]

May, you say???

Over Memorial Day weekend???

With Free Dining???

You know...

That's when we are looking at going...

Well, in that case...

Jackie, don't you remember how wonderful a resort Caribbean Beach is? Don't you want to take advantage of free dining so that you can enjoy all those yummy meals?

Don't you want to see the baby...hmmmmmmmm?

 

[Charleston Princess]

Well, in that case...

Jackie, don't you remember how wonderful a resort Caribbean Beach is? Don't you want to take advantage of free dining so that you can enjoy all those yummy meals?

Don't you want to see the baby...hmmmmmmmm?

When you put it like that...

I bet I will be booked before the end of the week.

After all, November 28 is the Magical ADR Day!



(And we would be there for a Star Wars Weekend. )

 

[TarzansKat]

When you put it like that...

I bet I will be booked before the end of the week.

After all, November 28 is the Magical ADR Day!

You may be booked, but how many times will you switch resorts? That's the real question. And I say it with love, hon. Seriously, where are you thinking of staying? Or do you not want to reveal in case you do a ptr?

(And we would be there for a Star Wars Weekend. )

My son will be over the moon if we can take advantage of that. The only ADR I'm totally settled on is on in DHS so we can try to at least do some of the Star Wars stuff.

 

[Charleston Princess]

You may be booked, but how many times will you switch resorts? That's the real question. And I say it with love, hon. Seriously, where are you thinking of staying? Or do you not want to reveal in case you do a ptr?

It's true. I have a problem settling on a resort. However, since it is Free Dining, I don't think I would be allowed to switch a ton of times and keep that. We were talking about either CSR or POR for a summer trip.

My son will be over the moon if we can take advantage of that. The only ADR I'm totally settled on is on in DHS so we can try to at least do some of the Star Wars stuff.

We want Brown Derby at DHS and are dying to ride the new Star Tours.

 

[creativeamanda]

You know what? I'll have to look at when we can leave on the 31st. It's the last teacher workday. I'll talk to the principal about it. It may be that I can leave around noon. That'll have us at Disney at about 8pm.

 

[TarzansKat]

It's true. I have a problem settling on a resort. However, since it is Free Dining, I don't think I would be allowed to switch a ton of times and keep that. We were talking about either CSR or POR for a summer trip.

Two resorts I've never stayed at! I wouldn't know how to choose, so I'm not help there.

We want Brown Derby at DHS and are dying to ride the new Star Tours.

Is Star Tours slated to reopen for those weekends?

You know what? I'll have to look at when we can leave on the 31st. It's the last teacher workday. I'll talk to the principal about it. It may be that I can leave around noon. That'll have us at Disney at about 8pm.

I would hate to trouble, but would also love to see you. Let me know how it works out.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Two resorts I've never stayed at! I wouldn't know how to choose, so I'm not help there.

We have stayed at both and it is still a hard decision. I would really like to stay at the Boardwalk but our finances are not going to let that even be an option. It would defeat the savings on Free Dining entirely.

Is Star Tours slated to reopen for those weekends?