We're Happier than a Tornado in a Trailer Park/UPDATE--Makin a list, checkin it twice

[creativeamanda]

Well, as I predicted, the bff are fine. After talking to the family, they are also fine. Thanks, guys. Maybe I'm PMSing on top of everything else. I will say, though, I'm ready to go!

 

[Smileybug]

Only 25 more days.

 

[PADISFAM]

I'm sorry you cried Amanda, it's tough though trying to make everyone happy & not hurt anyone's feeling & STILL put your own family first..........we might just be long lost twins..............

 

[creativeamanda]

I'm sorry you cried Amanda, it's tough though trying to make everyone happy & not hurt anyone's feeling & STILL put your own family first..........we might just be long lost twins..............

Thanks! I think we've already decided we were long lost twins, though.

On an aside note, the family kind of understands. We've had a conversation about it and no hard feelings. That makes me feel better about it.

 

[creativeamanda]

Yep, that's right! 20 days left and we will be in Florida with the Mouse who Started it All!

So, I wanted the kids to try out their park looks. How are they pulling it all off?
Sweetie, no happy about having her picture taken. . .

Big ole boy with a chessey grin. . .

Boo knows she's cute. . .

We've also been shopping for gifts for our BFF's daughter. She turned 6 last month, but as usual, we are behind. She loves Jasmine, so we got her a couple of Jasmine shirts, some charms for her Crocs, and a few Disney Dollars for the parks. THey are staying at the same resort as us and I was wondering about the possibilities of POR holding it for them for checkin at the desk. Would they? Does anyone know? Here is her little stash. . .

We also stopped at the Disney store to use my $25 off coupon yesterday and picked up a few things.

Some shirts for the kids. . .

Finished big ole boy's costume. ..

A few driving buddies. . .

Now, all we need to do is finish packing and go! 20 Days won't come soon enough!

 

[creativeamanda]

I don't care what my ticker says. I have 16 days left. It's 6:00 and Tuesday, October 7, 2008, is thankfully over. (Have I ever told you all how I hate Tuesdays?)

ANYWHO. . .I thought it was time to get into the whole itinerary overview thingie and breakdown our days. So, I thought first I'd do the itinerary overview. Now, I must let you all know, this is close to the itinerary I sent that was "too stringent" and I'd missed scheduling bathroom breaks over. I won't put in the times, except for meals, as I think it's best no one knows exactly where we will be. . .

So. . .Here goes. . .

Brief Disney Itinerary

Friday, October 24, 2008
Drive to
Check into Quality Inn/Settle Down
Sleep

Saturday, October 25, 2008 (Magic Kingdom Day)
Check out
Drive to McD's in DTD--breakfast
Drive to Port Orleans Riverside/Check in
Take bus to Magic Kingdom
Tour Magic Kingdom
11:30--Lunch at Crystal Palace
Rest in Room
Return to MK
4:15--Dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern
Tour Magic Kingdom/DISMeet with a friend
Sleep


Sunday, October 26, 2008 (Hollywood Studios Day)
Drive to DHS
8:20 Breakfast at Hollywood and Vine
Tour DHS
Return to hotel room/Lunch at POR
5:30: Dinner Hollywood Brown Derby
8:30 Fantasmic
Tour DHS EMH

Monday, October 27, 2008 (Epcot with BFF)
8:00--Guys' Breakfast at Cape May Cafe
9:50--Girls’ Breakfast in Norway
Tour World Showcase
Travel to POR to rest
7:40--Dinner at Coral Reef

Tuesday, October 28, 2008 (EPCOT with family; MNSSHP)
Breakfast at POR
Tour Epcot AM EMH
11:35--Lunch at Le Cellier
Return to POR
Get Ready for Halloween Party
Bus to Magic Kingdom
MNSSHP

Wednesday, October 29, 2008 (Animal Kingdom)
Get Ready, Pack Car
Drive to Animal Kingdom Lodge
7:30--Breakfast at Boma with family
Travel to Animal Kingdom
Tour Animal Kingdom
Drive to Downtown Disney
Tour Downtown Disney
Leave Disney World by 5:00pm
Drive home (arrive home by 1-2am)

Notice, sadly, we have cancelled the reservations for Narcoossee's. Unfortunately, the 4th day of my request for leave was denied without a doctor's note, and I understand. So, we are going to have to drive home that night. Of course, the problem is going to run into driving in Orlando on a Wednesday at 5:00pm. I think if we leave around 4:30-4:45, we may be Okay, though. Otherwise, it can't be worse than DC traffic at 5pm. Can it?

It's going to feel like a short trip, but this morning, all I could think of is waking up in Disney in 17 days. Being completely packed by next weekend (except for dh, who will procrastinate to the last minute). Looking through pictures of our 2007 trip. Which leads me to a little run through memory lane. . .if ya'll don't mind.

Boo, all scared of the Genie, while the other two are very happy. Big ole boy is fine to be with Aladdin, but I'm sure he'd rather be with Jasmine.

My bil said he had the hots for Alice, until he heard her. She "talked too much".

By this time, Boo is all charactered out. Big ole boy and Sweetie are perfectly happy with Aurora. Boo would rather she be the center of attention.

Woa! Bruce ate my kids!

The most beautiful place in America. . .imo

Still not tired of the corny jokes.

Yes, they are in a stroller.

Better that (stroller) than this. . .

Leaving Disney World. Boo and her cousin don't want to go.

Crystal Palace. . .

They did not want to go home. This is when we promised them we'd go back. I'm looking for a similar reaction in 22 days so I can book the 2009 trip. . .

My favorite picture of them all. . .

 

[creativeamanda]

Traveling Lightly. . .or at least we hope to be. In 2007 when we went to the World, we had a 2003 Ford Explorer to take us there. Now, the Explorer did not have third row seats. It had the driver and passenger. That was it. But it had loads and loads of cargo space. The only unfortunate thing about the Focus is that it has little space. But I can carry more in my Focus than most people can flying (without additional charges) and I remind everyone this: I get 40mpg highway mileage.

So, it will be with a light heart and free mind that I finally turn off the office cell phone at about 12:30pm on Friday, October 24, 2008, and begin the 500 or so mile drive to Orlando.

We will leave South Carolina by 2:00pm after eating a nourishing meal from Burger King and head towards the Credit Union to transfer our vacation savings balance to our checking account. Yet again, I remind all of my readers. . .NO CREDIT CARD usage for our family. No way, Jose!

We should leave the Credit Union by 3:00 pm. Since this is in Florence, which is one of the lesser expensive gas cities in South Carolina along I-95, we'll top off the tank and drive.

By the time we get to Savannah, it will be dinner time. This meal will probably be Cracker Barrel or something of the sorts. I have noticed from triptik on AAA that gas seems to be an awesome price south of Savannah (around $2.80), so hopefully we will top off the tank before continuing on our way.

We should arrive in Orlando between 10:30 and 11:00pm. The kids will understandably be already asleep when we get to the hotel. We'll get a good nights' sleep before we take on the World the next day.

So there you have it: our travel day.

 

[LegoMom3]

I can't believe how close it's getting for you!! I also love reading about your NC/SC stops and such....brings back good memories!


.

 

[creativeamanda]

I can't believe how close it's getting for you!! I also love reading about your NC/SC stops and such....brings back good memories!


.

Aw, thanks, Legomom! We are so excited about going!

 

[creativeamanda]

Well, we now have 5 days until our trip and we have just a few loose ends to tie this week:

1. Sweetie needs a refill on her inhaler

2. DS needs a haircut. BADLY.

3. I need to get my contact lenses and all of the stuff that goes with it. I got my first set yesterday.

4. I need to take some movies back to Blockbuster

5. I have to check the weather

6. I need to finish cleaning my house (more like fall cleaning of the house). So far, I've cleaned the kitchen, my bedroom, and the bathrooms

7. I need to clean out the car and wash it thoroughly

 

[Seewhatimesdone]

Haha, I need to take some movies back to Blockbuster too. Thanks for reminding me!

 

[creativeamanda]

Haha, I need to take some movies back to Blockbuster too. Thanks for reminding me!

As much as I'd love to buy Indiana Jones, I don't want to pay full price for one that's been used from Blockbuster.

 

[PADISFAM]

Amanda I'm soooo excited your updates are great very organized

Drive safely & hope to see you on the 28th (we will have the very decked out stroller )

 

[creativeamanda]

Amanda I'm soooo excited your updates are great very organized

Drive safely & hope to see you on the 28th (we will have the very decked out stroller )

All right! You've seen pics of us and you've seen our costumes! I'll have a blue SwissArmy backpack and a lanyard on with my username. Also, my kids have a code word that no one else knows. Don't be offended if they don't talk to you first. Whoever talks to them is supposed to know the code word.

 

[creativeamanda]

My things to do list is getting shorter and shorter!!!!!

Well, we now have 5 days until our trip and we have just a few loose ends to tie this week:

1. Sweetie needs a refill on her inhaler CHECK

2. DS needs a haircut. BADLY. CHECK

3. I need to get my contact lenses and all of the stuff that goes with it. I got my first set yesterday. CHECK

4. I need to take some movies back to Blockbuster will do Wednesday

5. I have to check the weather CHECKED DAILY

6. I need to finish cleaning my house (more like fall cleaning of the house). So far, I've cleaned the kitchen, my bedroom, and the bathrooms CHECK

7. I need to clean out the car and wash it thoroughly

 

[creativeamanda]

This will be my last post before we leave for Disney World. Hope all of you have enjoyed my PTR. Hopefully, you will also enjoy the coming trip report. Thanks so much, all of you on the DIS for making planning so fun! The bags are packed and waiting by the back door. Tonight, I'll go home, wash the last load of dirty clothes, clean the kitchen, wash the car, and pack the car. We'll be all ready to drive off tomorrow afternoon after work!

Thanks again for all of your support. See all of you on October 30.

 

[mjaure]

This will be my last post before we leave for Disney World. Hope all of you have enjoyed my PTR. Hopefully, you will also enjoy the coming trip report. Thanks so much, all of you on the DIS for making planning so fun! The bags are packed and waiting by the back door. Tonight, I'll go home, wash the last load of dirty clothes, clean the kitchen, wash the car, and pack the car. We'll be all ready to drive off tomorrow afternoon after work!

Thanks again for all of your support. See all of you on October 30.

Have a safe trip! We are also leaving tomorrow afternoon but we will be stopping overnight at a hotel on SC/GA border. Drive safely, I believe it's supposed to be raining!

--Mary