We're not having a baby so let's go to Disney World. May 2009 PTR. We're HOME.

[bertegirl]

With 16 days to go my parents bought a new van!

They are majorly upgrading from a Kia to a Dodge Grand Caravan. We are very very excited. Here is what they got but in blue.

The middle windows roll down

It has stow and go seating for lots of storage!

It also has sunshades that can go up and down on all the back windows.

It also has automatic doors, foot pedals that adjust so you don't move the seat, and heated seats! Too bad it's my parents and not mine

Only thing it doesn't have it a built in dvd player so we'll bring our portable one. My parents didn't want to spend an extra $3,000 on a dvd player, go figure

They pick it up tonight. I can't wait to see it in 2 weeks!

You will love it. We had that van in black...for a few months and then Jason couldn't get over the mini van thing. I work (almost done) for a car dealership....so we get a good discount. I really wish we could go back to the minivan now with me doing daycare. Enjoy the ride.

 

[chicagoshannon]

You will love it. We had that van in black...for a few months and then Jason couldn't get over the mini van thing. I work (almost done) for a car dealership....so we get a good discount. I really wish we could go back to the minivan now with me doing daycare. Enjoy the ride.

Glad to hear you liked it. We own a Ford Focus Wagon. I love it. I do wish we had a minivan at times but with just one kid the wagon is fine for us. My mom on the other had has no kids at home but still needs the minivan. So do Eric's parents. I'm not complaining though cause we get to ride in them for long trips!

 

[chicagoshannon]

12 days!! That means I only have 1 more Saturday, 1 more Sunday and 1 more Monday!!!!

I think I"ll work on my suitcase again today. Maybe I'll post some pictures. I need to remember to pack full bottles of shampoo ect. Those little bottles aren't going to cut it for 14 days!

I found a couple of restaurants yesterday on kidseatfree.com . Fazoli's, Lone Star, Golden Corral, and Rain Forest Cafe all have free kids days. IF we wanted we could have Monday, TUesday, Wednesday covered. Golden Corral is free everyday for anyone under 3.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Just went through the suitcase and took pictures. The camera ran out of juice though so I'll post those tomorrow.

Eric just tole me he wants me to pack the water pic. SERIOUSLY! That thing is NOT small. Good thing we're driving!

I need to get baby toothpaste and a small thing of shaving cream. I think I have everything else I need.

So in the van we'll have:
- a giant suitcase
- a little kids suitcase with our overnight stuff
- 2 computers
- dvd player
- the plastic bin carrier thingy with the books/toys/car activities in it
- diaper bag
- shoe bag
- stroller
- my purse
- small cooler with snacks/drinks
- camera bag that holds camcorder and my Nikon
- a bag for diapers/wipes
- my pillow (I always need to bring my pillow)
(and that's just what we're bringing, my parents need to fit their stuff in there too)

 

[my2disneyboys]

12 days!! That means I only have 1 more Saturday, 1 more Sunday and 1 more Monday!!!!

I think I"ll work on my suitcase again today. Maybe I'll post some pictures. I need to remember to pack full bottles of shampoo ect. Those little bottles aren't going to cut it for 14 days!

I found a couple of restaurants yesterday on kidseatfree.com . Fazoli's, Lone Star, Golden Corral, and Rain Forest Cafe all have free kids days. IF we wanted we could have Monday, TUesday, Wednesday covered. Golden Corral is free everyday for anyone under 3.

Your packing list sounds great- not too much. I think if I was driving it would be bad! (well you have seen/heard how much we are bringing and we are flying)

 

[chicagoshannon]

Your packing list sounds great- not too much. I think if I was driving it would be bad! (well you have seen/heard how much we are bringing and we are flying)

I'm dreading all the diapers. We're at a weird stage where we do diapers, pull-ups and night time diapers. PLUS we need those stupid swim diapers. We could get away with pull ups most of the time but if she poops in them it they don't really contain it like a diaper. I think the diapers will take up a good chunk of car space.

 

[my2disneyboys]

I'm dreading all the diapers. We're at a weird stage where we do diapers, pull-ups and night time diapers. PLUS we need those stupid swim diapers. We could get away with pull ups most of the time but if she poops in them it they don't really contain it like a diaper. I think the diapers will take up a good chunk of car space.

WOW- that is lots of diapers. Overnight, Owen is no longer a size 4 diaper- I need to get size 5 and I already placed my order with Garden Grocer- so now I need to call and have it changed. UGH
It will be SO much easier to travel when their are no diapers!!

 

[chicagoshannon]

WOW- that is lots of diapers. Overnight, Owen is no longer a size 4 diaper- I need to get size 5 and I already placed my order with Garden Grocer- so now I need to call and have it changed. UGH
It will be SO much easier to travel when their are no diapers!!

Yes diapers are annoying. I was trying to not really potty train her at all until after we were back but now I"m wishing I pushed the issue so diapers wouldn't be such a big deal. Some days we get by with 1-2 diapers/pull ups and others we use 4-5.

 

[chicagoshannon]

hmm where did my countdown ticker thing go??

Well before I go in search of it here is our Disney wardrobe.

the whole gang will be wearing these, boys in navy and girls in pink

Madeline, Eric and I will wear these

These are my other Disney shirts. Then I have some plain t-shirts too

Madeline's swimsuits and cover up

her dresses

her pj's

her outfits

The camera ran out of battery power before I could get her accessories and travel clothes.

 

[wlwilliams9]

All of the clothes are great! I just bought that Gymboree dress with the fish for Emily when I was at the outlet last Monday! It's so cute! I also got the fishy pony tail holders that match!

 

[my2disneyboys]

ADORABLE clothes!!!!!!!! I love the Aloha outfit- are you going to Ohana at all? That would be prefect!!!

The Giraffe shirt- is this for AK day?

So cute!

 

[chicagoshannon]

All of the clothes are great! I just bought that Gymboree dress with the fish for Emily when I was at the outlet last Monday! It's so cute! I also got the fishy pony tail holders that match!

I actually got that dress last summer on clearance. I like to shop ahead to get the best deals. I have the fishy barettes and matching flip flops and hat

ADORABLE clothes!!!!!!!! I love the Aloha outfit- are you going to Ohana at all? That would be prefect!!!

The Giraffe shirt- is this for AK day?

So cute!

No we're not going to Ohana at all. Madeline has a bunch of Hawaiian themed clothes for this summer. Gymboree had a really cute line last year and I bought a bunch of it.

The giraffe shirt is for AK day.

 

[disneymoon_0307]

I just found your Pre-Trip report and I'm loving it. Your daughter is beautiful. I am 8 months pregnant now and have already decided we are going to Disney Sep 2011. She'll be 2. So I'm using your trip as a guideline as to how a 2 year old will act...lol. Keep it coming and I love the pictures.

 

[chicagoshannon]

I just found your Pre-Trip report and I'm loving it. Your daughter is beautiful. I am 8 months pregnant now and have already decided we are going to Disney Sep 2011. She'll be 2. So I'm using your trip as a guideline as to how a 2 year old will act...lol. Keep it coming and I love the pictures.

and congrats on the baby! Glad you found me! I'm going to do my best to include a 2year old perspective in the trip report.

Tonight Madeline had Eric chasing her around the kitchen while singing Twinkle, Twinkle. She's got him wrapped around her little finger!

 

[chicagoshannon]

Not much to talk about today except 10 MORE DAYS!! I can now count the number of days on my hands. Tomorrow will be single DIGITS!!

Lets talk about next Friday's activities shall we. My parents should be here in the early afternoon. I plan to load up the van for the most part. THEN my mom and I are going to get pedicures!! I'll also paint M's toenails. On the way home I think we'll pick up some car snacks. We plan to leave around 4am Saturday morning!

Today Madeline has a doc appointment to check her ears to make sure the infection is gone. Then we're heading to the mall to get our free Disney gift (and maybe some other stuff ) I think we need to stop at Target too. Lets hope I can get out of there with just the cat food and litter!

 

[my2disneyboys]

Not much to talk about today except 10 MORE DAYS!! I can now count the number of days on my hands. Tomorrow will be single DIGITS!!

Lets talk about next Friday's activities shall we. My parents should be here in the early afternoon. I plan to load up the van for the most part. THEN my mom and I are going to get pedicures!! I'll also paint M's toenails. On the way home I think we'll pick up some car snacks. We plan to leave around 4am Saturday morning!

Today Madeline has a doc appointment to check her ears to make sure the infection is gone. Then we're heading to the mall to get our free Disney gift (and maybe some other stuff ) I think we need to stop at Target too. Lets hope I can get out of there with just the cat food and litter!

How long of a drive is it going to be? I know you had said you will stop one night. My husband and I both drove to Disney when we were kids and both stopped at South of the Border! Are you planning a stop there??? It is SO much fun reading all the signs- and you have to get your pic taken with Pedro. I don't think anyone can drive to Florida without getting there picture taken with Pedro!!!!!

Good luck at the Dr. appt- I hope the ears are all better!!

 

[chicagoshannon]

How long of a drive is it going to be? I know you had said you will stop one night. My husband and I both drove to Disney when we were kids and both stopped at South of the Border! Are you planning a stop there??? It is SO much fun reading all the signs- and you have to get your pic taken with Pedro. I don't think anyone can drive to Florida without getting there picture taken with Pedro!!!!!

Good luck at the Dr. appt- I hope the ears are all better!!

I think it's 19 hours total (but that doesn't include stops) South of the Border isn't on our way. I'd never even heard of South of the Border until I read someones trip report on here a couple of weeks ago. We do have plenty of adult places we could stop though.

 

[my2disneyboys]

I think it's 19 hours total (but that doesn't include stops) South of the Border isn't on our way. I'd never even heard of South of the Border until I read someones trip report on here a couple of weeks ago. We do have plenty of adult places we could stop though.

South of the Border is right on the border between North and South Carolina. So driving down the east coast it is usually the place where people stop while heading to Disney. As Wendy's daughter would say, "it's CHEEZY"
You pass millions of huge billiards that really do entertain you after driving in the car for the whole day!

 

[chicagoshannon]

I see. I think I'd prefer that to the "Open 24 hours GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS" signs we see. lol

Just got home from the Disney store. Managed to get out of there with only a few things. I got Little Mermaid flip flops and sun glasses (they were 2 for $6) and a Nemo baseball and WInnie the pooh and friends in a car. The free gift was a green water bottle.

 

[chicagoshannon]

I'm thinking about taking a trip to Disneyland next year. I already have another World trip planned for next Feb or early March because I'm getting the annual pass and now I'm thinking of going to the LAND. lol I've only been to Disneyland once when I was like 2 so I have basically no memory of it.

Here's the deal, my cousin is getting married in September. So we'll be flying ( I think it will be just me and Madeline along with my mom and maybe dad) to CA already. It will only be a 5 1/2 hour drive to Disneyland from there. Since we're flying all the way to CA we want to stay for a while. We hardly ever get there. I was there in 2004 and 2003 but before then it was 1997. I have no idea if we'll be able to pull it off but I'm thinking about.

So next year we will have a TON of vacations.
Feb/March- Disney World
April/May- Las Vegas
September- California

We will also be trying to sell our house next spring/summer. I think we've (or should I say I've) gone NUTS!