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

[NurseW2Kiddies]

You are going to have loads of fun. Long trips with lots of breaks are the best. You feel as if you are actually ON VACATION!!! As if! Sometimes unheard of at Disney. Your daughter is adorable! Maybe your husband will be so delighted with her reaction on her FIRST TRIP that he will Beg you to take him back with you... Anxiously awaiting more PTR!
Sorry to hear about your IVF....

 

[chicagoshannon]

You are going to have loads of fun. Long trips with lots of breaks are the best. You feel as if you are actually ON VACATION!!! As if! Sometimes unheard of at Disney. Your daughter is adorable! Maybe your husband will be so delighted with her reaction on her FIRST TRIP that he will Beg you to take him back with you... Anxiously awaiting more PTR!
Sorry to hear about your IVF....

Thanks. I'm hoping he loves it so much but I"m not holding my breath. It will be much more planned this time. When we went on our honeymoon he was in charge and pretty much nothing was planned except our carriage ride and citricos dinner. We played everything else by ear. Maybe I'll do a mini TR on that trip too.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Ok I think we made our final decision on tickets.

We're still going to get the 10 day park hopper with WPF&M for DH. I'm going to order the 7 day non expiring park hopper WFF&M. We're getting our tickets through Undercover Tourist. I will use one day from my ticket and then upgrade to an annual pass. This will save $39 on the annual pass. We will also save $25 on Eric's pass. With both passes ( including the upgrade) we will be under $800 for our passes.

I'm going to upgrade to the regular annual pass. We decided that the day we go to Downtown Disney to shop, Eric will go over to Disney Quest and hang out there. Maybe my dad will join him too I'm not sure. The day we go to Typhoon Lagoon we'll just purchase a one day pass for me.

Now I'm just going to wait til Monday to order the passes.


This afternoon I ordered this bag for our cameras.

http://www.ebags.com/lowepro/slingshot_100_aw/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=70478

It should fit my camera and camcorder and hopefully a couple of other little things. It already shipped.

Tomorrow I'm going to my parents and will hopefully find our old photo albums so I can do a retro trip report. Stay tuned for 11 people in T-shirts with HERSHEY on the front.

 

[debbieandroo]

Loving your PTR!

And the hours I spent thinking about my bag and shoes - I'm glad to be in good company. Like your bag choices so far. Don't you just love ebags? I can browse through there all day [and have on occasion].

About shoes, I've loved my Keens - a little pricey but very comfortable and a good cross between shoe and sandal, my feet don't get so hot.

I know what you mean about your camera....I bought mine late last summer. When it arrived [I had gotten it online], I just stared at it - had no idea what to do with it, at all. When I took it to WDW, I got some okay shots but not nearly as nice as I would have liked. A couple of weeks ago, I enrolled in an online photography class - maybe that will improve my pictures.

In case you're interested in doing the same, I found my class through our local university's continuing ed courses - the class lasts around six weeks.

 

[chicagoshannon]

OOh an online photography class. That sounds right up my alley. I think I"ll have to check it out and QUICK. I haven't found the book I bought yet. I searched high and low for it on Friday.

Ok I'm back from my parents and I found some pictures. I didn't exactly find the ones I was looking for but I think I have 2-3 trips worth of pics. They're pretty random so I might just show them to you all and not really report on them. I need to take pictures of them this afternoon since I don't know how to use my scanner. I'll update later tonight or tomorrow.

 

[chicagoshannon]

The year was 1985. I was 7 and in 2nd grade. My parents used to take us out of school the first 2 weeks in September to go to Disney every other year. We always camped at Fort Wilderness in our tent. We had air mattresses and a black and white tv with an antenna. It was fabulous. I believe this was the year that my parents decided we needed to get a food tent thingy. The raccoons had gotten into our food one too many times. We spent a lot of time at the campgroud. We'd go to the Campfire with Chip and Dale every night. We also spent time at River Country and Discovery Island. Unfortunately I couldn't find any pictures from those 2 places.

There were only 2 parks at this time, Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. People didn't ask what park you were going to when you said Disney World. It was understood that you meant Magic Kingdom. There were no such things as ADR's. The Horseshoe Review was still at the Magic Kingdom and there was no Splash Mountain. 20,000 leagues was one of my favorite rides. We also enjoyed the Sky Ride.

Without further ado here are some pictures. There were no character handlers and we just jumped in when it was our "turn"

That's me and my sister. I'm the older one.

I believe all of the characters hung around Main Street and Fantasy Land at this time. There was no Toon Town.

Here's me and my sister (dad is holding her up) in the stockades in Liberty Square. This was probably right before our nap in the Hall of Presidents. I don't think I saw that show fully until our Honeymoon.

That's all I could find of the Magic Kingdom from that trip. I did find these 2 pictures and the more I think about it the more I think these might have been from Discovery Island. Although I don't remember Discovery Island having cement so maybe it was Sea World?

EPCOT was fun. I don't think Living Seas was open yet. There was always a HUGE line for Living with the Land and Kitchen Cabaret was in it's prime. I mean who doesn't love dancing and singing food? Journey into Imagination still had the Dreamfinder and was so much fun! Dreamfinder used to come out with figment (puppet) and visit with everyone. Universe of Energy was fun- well at least the first few minutes with the dinosaurs. The rest of it was another nap for us. Horizons and World of Motion were really fun. We loved picking our future in Horizons! The odyssey was still a restaurant and there were flamingo's around the grounds. My mom loved visiting the countries- but I think there were 2 less back then. Here are a few pictures:

Minnie- most likely in Japan.

This was in the upstairs area after Imagination. They had a blue screen and they picked kids to do whatever there. We have video of this somewhere too.

This was our absolute favorite thing to do. My mom says we spent hours here playing in the jumping fountains outside imagination. I remember it fondly!

I also wanted to add that I was 7 and my sister was 4. We did NOT have a stroller and we did just fine using our legs.

This concludes our trip down 1985 memory lane.

Next up 1987- our last September trip.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Quick trip update: I ordered our video camera last night. We decided to go with the Sony Handicam hard drive one. I can't wait to get it! I still need to order an extra battery for it but wanted to see how long the one that comes with it will last first.

The camera bag I posted a few posts back should be coming today.

I went shopping with my mom this weekend and I now have all the clothes I need. I discovered a new favorite store, Eddie Bauer outlet. I used to get a lot of stuff from Old Navy but their quality has gone down the tubes and you need 3 t-shirts to make one non see through one. I have some of their ribbed turtlenecks and they're falling apart at the seems. So I think I'm done shopping there.

So the only thing left to buy is a swimsuit ( I only have 1 at the moment) and the park tickets.

I need to decide if I want to get Madeline an autograph book or not and then decide if I want to just get one in the park or order from ebay.

I found my photography book AND a FREE tutorial site. I went through the site last night and learned SO much! I think I have enough knowledge now to take halfway decent pictures. I'm very excited!

 

[chicagoshannon]

Seems I've lost my readers but I'll continue on anyway.

1987 was our last September trip. I think my parents decided that I was getting too old to take out of school for 2 weeks right off the bat.

This trip was off to a bad start. We drove down, like always, and somewhere in Florida between West Palm Beach (we always stopped there to visit my great aunt) and Fort Wilderness my parents decided to pull off to the side of the road so we could go to the beach. NOT a good idea. We were gone all of 30 minutes and when we came back to the minivan there was glass all over and the window was gone. Someone had broken in and stolen the rented video camera (that had my dad's evidence of the HUGE fish my dad caught while deep sea fishing the day before) and my parents wallet and purse. Yes they left everything in the car. Luckily my sister and I's kid purses were still there with our spending money they had given us before we left. I can't remember how much it was but I'm sure it was somewhere between $40 and $60 combined. So they had enough money to get gas along the way. BUT no one had a drivers license or any form of ID. My parents always got Travelers checks and carried very little cash on vacation.

So my parents cleaned off the glass and I think had called the police somehow or maybe they just happened to drive by . After filing the report we were on our way. A while later we were pulling into Fort Wilderness. This is where the Disney magic comes in. My parents had NOTHING. Seriously they could have turned us away easily. They didn't they let us stay there and let my parents use the phone to call my grandparents and get their CC numbers so they could call the company and cancel them. They called the CC company and the thief had already racked up quite the bill! They then called the bank and were able to get the travelers checks canceled and reissued.

We could then proceed with vacation. I will never forget the relief on my mom's face when we realized that our kid purses were still there with some cash. I was also very anxious anytime we were in the van for the rest of the trip. I remember getting car sick quite a few times from anxiety.

The next day we made it to the Magic Kingdom. Here's some evidence.

Well those are all the pictures I found from that trip. Not sure where the rest are.

I'm sure we had fun. I'm also sure we went to River Country and Discovery Island again as well as Sea World probably.

 

[WDWRocksMySocks]

That is so scary! I can't believe someone broke into your van and stole your parents stuff -- thank goodness for your little purses. I can't imagine how awful that must've felt. I'm glad it all worked out okay for you guys.

Love seeing the vintage pictures!

 

[tiggersam00]

I am loving the old school WDW pics!! I have so many of the same pics, (I bet alot of us do lol) . I love seeing WDW as t was when I was a kid, my dad took pics of me of the carousel when I was little and my grandma still has them up in her living room.
You have done a lot of planning/packing getting ready so far, I am sure you will have a great trip!
Cant wait to hear more of your plans

 

[Jenjulia]

I found you!

I'm so excited to read all the details of your trip and I'll be waiting unpatiently to see all the great pictures you take. Speaking of pictures, the vintage Disney pictures are really cool. I can't wait to build memories for my kids like your parents have built for you.

M is adorable as Alice in Wonderland!! So cute! Have you looked on ebay for the movie? I want the kids to watch it before we go too. I love that movie and the book.

Have you looked at the Land's End swimsuits? They are a little spendy but thick and very good quality for the money. You can "try" on the swimsuits on their website using the virtual model thingie.

Looking forward to reading more of your planning!

 

[chicagoshannon]

That is so scary! I can't believe someone broke into your van and stole your parents stuff -- thank goodness for your little purses. I can't imagine how awful that must've felt. I'm glad it all worked out okay for you guys.

Love seeing the vintage pictures!

Yes it was pretty scary. My dad is still upset about not having the video of the fish he caught. I love the old pictures too. I just wish I could have found more last weekend. I kept asking my mom why they werent' in albums and she just kept saying she was so busy with work. I admit she is very busy with work BUT I'm sure she's had time over the last 20 years.

Thanks for reading and posting!

I am loving the old school WDW pics!! I have so many of the same pics, (I bet alot of us do lol) . I love seeing WDW as t was when I was a kid, my dad took pics of me of the carousel when I was little and my grandma still has them up in her living room.
You have done a lot of planning/packing getting ready so far, I am sure you will have a great trip!
Cant wait to hear more of your plans

yep I'm a major planner. I just subscribed to Ridemax so we'll see if I go with their plans or not. So far they've given me weird suggestions so we'll see. Those carousel pictures must be so neat to look at! Thanks for reading and posting!

I found you!

I'm so excited to read all the details of your trip and I'll be waiting unpatiently to see all the great pictures you take. Speaking of pictures, the vintage Disney pictures are really cool. I can't wait to build memories for my kids like your parents have built for you.

M is adorable as Alice in Wonderland!! So cute! Have you looked on ebay for the movie? I want the kids to watch it before we go too. I love that movie and the book.

Have you looked at the Land's End swimsuits? They are a little spendy but thick and very good quality for the money. You can "try" on the swimsuits on their website using the virtual model thingie.

Looking forward to reading more of your planning!

I found a swimsuit at JCPenney and my mom ordered it for me for my birthday. My dad actually had a bunch of Disney movies from Japan. LOL He has Alice, Cinderella, and Lady and the Tramp with some others. So I think while I was shopping with Mom on Saturday M was "watching" the videos. Eric says she watched about 5 minutes and then went off to play.

 

[chicagoshannon]

I just looked at Ultimate Guide's recommended park days again and they changed them. A couple of weeks ago they had Sunday the 10th as AK best park. Now it's DS. SO now I'm hoping to change everything. I have Eric calling dining again to see if we can get in to Crystal Palace on Friday May 8th for breakfast. IF that happens the schedule will look like this:

May 3rd- arrive late afternoon and check into condo- get groceries and swim
May 4th- MK at rope drop- tackle Fantasy land first then probably some thrill rides
May 5th- off day- shopping maybe or water park
May 6th- Epcot
May 7th- off day- water park and/or shopping
May 8th- Magic Kingdom with Crystal Palace for breakfast- this will be an early done day most likely
May 9th- Off day probably Gatorland
May 10th- DHS- closes at 7pm probably no nap
May 11th- off day
May 12th- Animal Kingdom
May 13th- Epcot with behind the seeds tour and mostly World Showcase
May 14th- off day
May 15th- leave

I'm pretty sure I"m going to cancel 50's Prime Time for our DHS day. I don't think I"m going to feel like eating pot roast for lunch when it's 80 degrees out.

 

[Reese'smom]

Hey! I'm reading! I recognize you from GF (I'm Say72 over there)! Glad to know there are other multiple message board people! We're taking Reese to Disney in Sept. so I cant wait to hear how your trip goes!

 

[ckdsnynt]

I'm joining in! Madeline is so adorable!! How exciting -- her first trip to WDW. I can't wait to have kids and take them for the first time.

Oh, and I LOVE stopping at the Florida Welcome Center too! The free juice and all those brochures...what's not to love?!

Look forward to hearing more!

Ah, the Florida Welcome Center! That brings back such memories. When DD30 and DS35 were each 3 years old, we made their first trip to WDW and drove each time. Of course we stopped at the Welcome Center and drank the free orange juice. The kids loved this!

 

[ckdsnynt]

OOh an online photography class. That sounds right up my alley. I think I"ll have to check it out and QUICK. I haven't found the book I bought yet. I searched high and low for it on Friday.

Ok I'm back from my parents and I found some pictures. I didn't exactly find the ones I was looking for but I think I have 2-3 trips worth of pics. They're pretty random so I might just show them to you all and not really report on them. I need to take pictures of them this afternoon since I don't know how to use my scanner. I'll update later tonight or tomorrow.

Have you tried to order a replacement book on line from Nikon?

 

[ckdsnynt]

Quick trip update: I ordered our video camera last night. We decided to go with the Sony Handicam hard drive one. I can't wait to get it! I still need to order an extra battery for it but wanted to see how long the one that comes with it will last first.

The camera bag I posted a few posts back should be coming today.

I went shopping with my mom this weekend and I now have all the clothes I need. I discovered a new favorite store, Eddie Bauer outlet. I used to get a lot of stuff from Old Navy but their quality has gone down the tubes and you need 3 t-shirts to make one non see through one. I have some of their ribbed turtlenecks and they're falling apart at the seems. So I think I'm done shopping there.

So the only thing left to buy is a swimsuit ( I only have 1 at the moment) and the park tickets.

I need to decide if I want to get Madeline an autograph book or not and then decide if I want to just get one in the park or order from ebay.

I found my photography book AND a FREE tutorial site. I went through the site last night and learned SO much! I think I have enough knowledge now to take halfway decent pictures. I'm very excited!

Hey, I'm still reading! Enjoyning all of it. I have the sonyhandy cam and olvoe it. I am so not techno-savy but I can use this one very easily.
I concur with Old Navy quality. I buy some stuff for my DIL but I look it over very carefully to make sure the quality is good enough. T-shirts are a no-no. Too thin! Then you wash them and there's nothing left!

Good luck with the cameras.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Hey! I'm reading! I recognize you from GF (I'm Say72 over there)! Glad to know there are other multiple message board people! We're taking Reese to Disney in Sept. so I cant wait to hear how your trip goes!

Oh you'll have so much fun! I gave up GF for lent so won't be on there til after Easter. lol

Hey, I'm still reading! Enjoyning all of it. I have the sonyhandy cam and olvoe it. I am so not techno-savy but I can use this one very easily.
I concur with Old Navy quality. I buy some stuff for my DIL but I look it over very carefully to make sure the quality is good enough. T-shirts are a no-no. Too thin! Then you wash them and there's nothing left!

Good luck with the cameras.

That's good to hear. The camcorder is supposed to come tomorrow. I'm very excited! How long does you battery last?

 

[chicagoshannon]

I'm going to just put pictures up here. It will be a mix of a couple of trips. My grandparents are with us on these trips. They used to winter in Florida and we stayed with them in their itsy, bitsy trailor. The first couple of years we stayed with them the whole time. Then for the next couple we brought our tent along, after that we rented our own trailor and a couple of times we even stayed at Dixie Landings for a couple of days (my grandparents came too) The days we stayed at the hotel were NOT park days. My dad's theory was that we were not going to spend all the money on the resort to just sleep there. So we enjoyed the pool and took the boat to DTD and just roamed around. It was really fun.

Anyway, back to my grandparents trailer. It had a couch that folded down to a bed (my grandparents slept here) a table that folded down (my parents slept here) and an upper bunk, that we lovingly refer to as the coffin. My sister and I slept up there. You basically couldn't turn over once you were in. Once we were in my grandpa would put the ladder across the opening to lock us in so we wouldn't fall out. It was awful!

My grandparents owned a 2 wheel bike and a giant 3 wheel bike. We had fun riding those along the dirt paths of the trailer park. On Christmas Eve the community building always had decorate your own cookies and at night Santa would come (played by my great uncle, 3 of my grandpa's brothers also wintered in the park). Then Santa would give us each a present. After that we would walk around the park and look at the decorations on all the trailers.

In all the Christmases we went down there I only really remember one time when it was really cold (and it snowed!). We were always able to use the pool (even on the trip that it snowed).

Without further ado some pictures:

my sister is almost the same size as Donald. lol

We're such nerds! I have a side ponytail and a fanny pack. My sister has on a weird hat.

I believe that's my sister and grandma in the teacups.

this is from toon town before it was toon town

this is a couple of trips later.

A picture of Nancy Kerrigan at MGM. lol

The first couple of years we always made sure to watch the Christmas parade. Back then they'd show it live as long as the weather was nice. They prerecorded it just in case it was raining or something that day. We were never on camera but it was fun to hope we were.

 

[exwdwcm]

i am subscribed! I am a fertility "expert" too- by no choice of our own...... We spent a year doing clomid, IUIs and follistim. Finally resorted to IVF as well and were blessed with a baby boy. I'll be keeping you guys in my thoughts and prayers. I know what a tough journey it is. But ONLY the strong survive it- you are obviously a super strong woman!!!!

Anyways, it looks like a fabulous trip and it isn't that far away!! i can't wait to read more.

too funny- my two sisters and I also loved those same fountains by JII! We have pics of playing with the 'dancing water' as kids and then as teens and now as adults!