"We're skippin' skool and going to DISNEY!" - A last minute PTR

[Four*Peas]

That's right, I said it. We're skipping school and going to DISNEY WORLD!

I wasn't even going to do a TR, which is why this is so late notice. We are leaving on SATURDAY (1/22) and staying at POP for 1 full week. We've been planning this trip since September. I've stayed away from The Dis because we've been so busy...but this week I've been reading any time I get a second.

I hope someone will join me...and I'm not sitting here talking to myself.

Here's who's going!

DH (Jim) & Me (Elizabeth)

Ariel

Woody

Jim grew up going to WDW. His parents first took him in 1971 when it opened. The proceeded to visit several times a year well into his 20s. Sad to say, he's not addicted and really doesn't "get" why I get my rocks on at the World.

I've been a handful of times and always want to plan the next trip. DH and I have taken 3 trips to the world together. This will be the 4th! I enjoy the magic and the "throw back" feel of WDW. I can also completely surrender during my time there and appreciate what a money suck WDW is.

Ariel is a super sassy and fun kindergartener. She loves flowers, dancing, singing, princesses and Disney movies. Her first favorite princess was Ariel, hence her name. Presently, her favorites are Rapunzel and Tiana. She is missing a bit of school for our trip but is VERY excited about the journal I've created for her. The kid loves homework! She is looking forward to riding Tower of Terror and The Haunted Mansion.

Woody is a funloving and funny 2 year old (almost 3). He loves all things Toy Story and is even starting to quote the movies! He is also missing a bit of school for our trip, but I hardly think he'll notice. He is most looking forward to meeting his friends Jesse, Woody & Buzz!

We will also be joined by:

Papa - My dad. Loves his grandkids and enjoys every moment with them. He could take or leave Disney. He took me when I was 7 years old and I *think* that might be the only time he's been.

Grandma - My stepmom. She also loves her grandkids and enjoys spoiling them tremendously. She hasn't been to WDW since 1980 and had no idea all that it had to offer!

Up Next: How this magical vacation came to be!

 

[Four*Peas]

When we got back from our last trip in February of 2009, Jim told me that I needed to put the breaks on DIS and everything that it takes to plan a trip. I guess he got sick of me talking about it.

After talking about it for nearly a year and a half he finally relented and told me that I could plan a trip. Afterall, this is the last few months that Woody will still be free to eat, stay and play. Ariel is in Kindy and doesn't have a very big work load. This may also be the last time we can take them out of school. Gotta take advantage of that.

In September, we lucked up and found free dining and managed to get a great price on a 6 day package. I spent an hour on the phone and got 6 ADRs as well as our room reservations. We were practically ready to roll!

We'd decided that we would drive. Sure, it's 9 hours from our house...but we could do it...right? Luckily Grandma talked us out of it. We found a great deal on plane tickets and bought those in October.

In November Papa and Grandma asked if they could join our "party" for a few days. We happily said YES! They are great travel companions and enjoy babysitting! We were promised one night away from the kids or heck, even a day if we'd like! YES! YES! YES!

We waited and waited and waited to tell the kids. We told them on Christmas morning and it was SO exciting! Ariel jumped around like a crazy person while Woody just said "wooo whoo!" Ariel later cried when Grandma told her she was going with us!

Up Next: Where are we eating?!

 

[kittylady1972]

How exciting! The kids will LOVE Pop Century! I know my 8yo (at the time) got a big kick out of it in June of 2008!

 

[Four*Peas]

As I mentioned, when I booked our original reservations, I made our ADRs. They included Cinderella's Royal Table, 'Ohana, 50's Prime Time Cafe, Tusker House Breakfast, Crystal Palace Breakfast, Akershus and Tony's Town Square.

I thought, "wow, I don't have a single thing to do! I should try to rearrange and re-do our entire trip and ADR schedule."

I've spent ages and ages making new reservations, changing the times, cancelling old reservations and basically making myself thoroughly nuts. I haven't even bothered to tell Papa, Grandma and Jim. They'll just roll their eyes and act like I'm crazy (even though they will enjoy the fruits of my labor.)

So here I am, 3 days before we leave and I'm still looking at ADRs.

Here's what happened...

Cancelled CRT (we've been there before and the food was eh, epecially for 2 TS)

Got nervous about 'Ohana and decided to do Kona instead. We'd had a terrible exp at Kona before but the food was great...because Grandma and Papa can be rather...fussy...we changed. Decided that Ohana was fine for us but risky to impress them.

Changed the Tusker House Breakfast to the Preferred Seating Lunch for Finding Nemo...then changed back because I decided that picky picky (read: dd and ds) would never eat that food. So a basic breakfast was a much better choice.

Changed Tony's Town Tavern to Crystal Palace. I decided that even though it's a character dining experience that the food seemed to get better reviews and was the perfect "first night" meal with the grandparents.

Changed Akershus from breakfast to dinner and back to breakfast. The dinner looked pretty "eh" for what our family usually eats.

So here's the round up...
Crystal Palace Dinner
Kona Cafe Dinner
Akershus Princess Breakfast
San Angel Inn Dinner with DH (he LOVES Mexico - the country, LOL so I think he'll like this surprise)
Crystal Palace Breakfast (one of our favorites)
50's Prime Time Cafe (one of our favorites)
1900 Park Fare Dinner

Up Next: Ok, we're going to WDW but what are we doing?!

 

[lamb616]

Just subscribing. I'll be back later to read!

(IMP)

 

[lamb616]

When we got back from our last trip in February of 2009, Jim told me that I needed to put the breaks on DIS and everything that it takes to plan a trip. I guess he got sick of me talking about it.

Boo!

After talking about it for nearly a year and a half he finally relented and told me that I could plan a trip. Afterall, this is the last few months that Woody will still be free to eat, stay and play. Ariel is in Kindy and doesn't have a very big work load.

Or else he's like my DH and just did it to shut you up, lol.

 

[Marshay]

Hi! I'm joining in too!

I have a Kindergartener and almost 2 year old (both girls) and it'll be fun following your TR.

Sorry to hear about hubby's lack of interest in planning & Disney but maybe this trip will grow on him a little more -- your kids are just perfect ages for Disney.

We are considering late Jan 2012 for our vacation next year, so I'll also be actively following to see how crowded it really is...how many tour groups...how cold, what to wear, etc.

We travel with my parents to WDW about every other trip. It is great!

Have fun!