We're taking the boys to see Hot Dog!

[smidgen21]

Hi! I'm Shawn, obsessed with all things Disney.

My boys love Hot Dog, aka (you know, the song on MM Clubhouse..Hot Dog Hot Dog Hot Diggity Dog??).

By day I'm an RN who works in outpatient surgery. By night, a fearsome Disser who reads TR's until the wee hours of the morning.

Before I get much further, let me introduce the cast of characters:

Me (32) It's been almost 15 years *gasp* since I've been to WDW (Senior trip). 1st visit Feb. 14, 1987 (day trip only)
DH (30) He's only been to Epcot. He went to FL with his dad for spring break when he was 16 and his dad took him to Epcot.
Matt (3) Loves all things Playhouse Disney, esp Hot Dog and Little Einsteins
Zach (1) Loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and his big brother

So our trip is coming up fast. I wasn't going to write a PTR, but I'm getting a little anxious about the trip (excitment) and I figure this would be a good outlet for my restless energy.

We leave in just under 3 weeks, on 2/20/09. We are from Michigan to the sunny South. I originally booked 4 nights at Pop Century, then reworked our trip to start in Orlando rather than end (we were originally going to see family in St. Augustine first). Well, we decided we might enjoy their company more if we were dreaming of running off in the middle of the night to get to WDW.

So I had to add another nights lodging. Alas, PC is booked on the 21st and since I booked my rooms on sale through Expedia for $72/night I could not bring myself to pay $135 to stay at another value for just one night (I would have loved to splurge on one night AKL or WL, but as much as I can't wait to get to PC I didn't want to downgrade after just one night at Disney, KWIM?). I didn't want my family spending the rest of our vacation thinking, wow, wish we were over there

So that gave me a chance to explore other hotels. I ended up booking Springhill suites (Lake Buena Vista) on Last Minute Travel dot com for $75 (going rate that night is $160 ) so once again, the budget minded traveler in me prevailed.

So our first night will be at the Springhill suites, then we are off to PC. After we see Hot Dog and if mommy has her way, a few it will be off to St. Augustine to see family. We are staying across from St. Augustine beach at the Regency Suites.

In addition to having our rooms all booked, we have 1 ADR for Chef Mickey's Breakfast on Monday morning. The rest of the mornings at PC will be breakfast in the room. Lunches will be CS and we'll have to see what
the boys are up to for dinner. On a good day we have trouble getting through a TS type restaurant at home. Let alone being exhausted from a days worth of touring.

I ordered our tickets through Undercover tourist today. It's starting to feel real. I wasn't going to buy PH but DH insisted. I don't think we'll need them, but I wanted to make DH feel like he was contributing a little to this trip planning (so far I've made all the ressie's and plans). I'm bribing him with a day trip to see a Tigers Baseball Spring Training game while we are there.

Well, that's all for now. I'm counting the days until we ditch our sub zero temps for a little warmth and sun.

 

[smidgen21]

let's see, what's new?

Our tickets arrived Friday! For now I've copied them for the Disney Binder and placed them in the fire safe. I told DH "Do not let me leave the driveway without them!"

And a big change. We changed our hotel ressies yesterday. We are no longer styaing onsite (cancelled Pop Century ressies). We felt the deal we got on LMT was great and it's a better room, so we're now spending all 5 nights at SpringHill Suites (Marriott Village). I've read great reviews and the thread on the budget board I started yesterday had some positive things to say in favor of switching.

So now I've done a little reading on getting around the World by car. The hotel offers a shuttle, but I'm thinking we will probably drive ourselves so we can have the convience of coming and going as we please. With two little ones I don't want to be on someone elses schedule. It looks like everything is very close, and SHS is a Disney Good Neighbor Hotel. DH saw the foodcourt at SHS and got excited LOL I was on Google Earth today looking around the World. I've got the basic lay of the land as far as where the parks are located. Now I'm studying each park. I've been to MK the most, so that one is pretty familiar. I spend a lot of time at Epcot last time and about 1/2 a day at HS. I've never been the AK so that will be new for all of us.

I think that's it for now. I think I killed an ink cartridge this morning. The poor thing didn't stop for about an hour. I printed our TGM touring plans, tip sheets from The Mouse for Less, Secrets from the Dis and my notes that I've collected for the last 6 months. Tomorrow I will 3 hole punch it all and put it in my binder.

 

[jenjolt]

Thought I would stop on by!! How exciting your trip is so close!! I cant' wait to hear all about it, you are going to write a Trip Report right!!

Well I hope you and your family have the best time and I can't wait to read more about your trip!!!!

BTW I loved driving on property it was the best thing for me! Never had to wait for a bus and was able to hop around with no large waits at all!!!

 

[smidgen21]

Thought I would stop on by!! How exciting your trip is so close!! I cant' wait to hear all about it, you are going to write a Trip Report right!!

Well I hope you and your family have the best time and I can't wait to read more about your trip!!!!

BTW I loved driving on property it was the best thing for me! Never had to wait for a bus and was able to hop around with no large waits at all!!!

Wow! My 1st replier! Thanks! I'm planning to write a TR when we get home. This time next week we'll be there! Have a great day!

 

[smidgen21]

we leave in 5 days
(ignore my ticker...our dates changed slightly).

Friday at work I met a former CM!!! I live in Michigan so the odds are pretty low. She was wearing Tink sweat pants. A coworker told her to be careful or I might steal them Then she told us she loves Tink and used to work at Disney World!!! She was in the college program. I was so excited I wanted to hug her (I resisted the urge b/c I didn't want to scare her!)

When I get home I told DH. He reminded me that his friend Andy did an internship at WDW during college too (his major was computer animation). I can't believe I forgot that. I can't wait until we see him again. I have a 100 questions already!

I just love the little magic moments like that.

I started panicking, I mean packing yesterday. All the laundry is done. Since it's 15 degrees here our shorts etc were all packed away. I washed everything so it is fresh. Plus I washed all our new clothes. I bought 3 sets of matching tshirts from disneystore.com on clearance cheap (Donald Duck for them and Daisy for me, Pluto for the boys/tink for me, and "hot dog" himself for the 4 of us). I was going to wear the MM shirts on one of our MK day, but since I can't wait to meet Tink I think I'm going to wear MM to DHS. We plan to wear Donald/Daisy on our AK day.

Today I'm making tshirt for beaches and cream. We are going to eat the kitchen sink for lunch. DH wanted shirts that says "I drove 1289 miles to eat the kitchen sink". Clink the link to see the Disigns!

I had a dream last night that we forgot our tickets in the safe at home We were 8 hours away already. I had my parents overnight them to the hotel we are staying at. Tickets are now the 1st item on my packing list, in 36 pt and bold underlined red font LOL. I told DH I'm putting a sticky note on the dashboard too. Just about anything else can be replaced once we get there, but I don't have $750 to replace 3 six day park hoppers

 

[smidgen21]

We leave THIS week! Yippee!

Did I already mention things are slow at work so we may be leaving 1/2 a day early? I think I did, but we settle on our "goal" for the 1st day...Dalton GA. That will be about 12 hrs from home.

Last night DH said he doesn't want to take 75 home. He's never been through SC, NC, WV, VA so we are going up 95 to 77 (I think without looking at the map). We plan to stop on the way home in WV somewhere. My dad was born in WV so I always enjoy seeing his "home".

Oh, and last night DH said "I sure hope I'm not dissapointed in Disney World". WHAT?? I've been worrying about making the boys happy and now my 30 year old DH is giving my anxiety attacks b/c I need to keep him happy too. BUt he's right, if this trip is a bust I may never get him back again. OMG. Do you think my physician will give me Xanax for my pre-disney anxiety (JK). I guess I've really put this trip up on a pedestal for myself and I don't want it to come crashing down. Is this normal? After all the months of planning and perfecting, I want it to go so smoothly. There are bound to be bumps, but for the most part I just want my family to love the World as much as me. Maybe I can turn them all into little Disneyholics???

Okay, sorry for the heavy post. The closer it gets, the more I worry, KWIM?

Thanks for "listening" and have a great day!

 

[jenjolt]

Great updates!! I spent too many trips keeping other people happy so I understand your anxiety that is why this last trip was just me and all about me....nothing to worry about and it was glorious!! I'm certain you and your family are going to have a great time!!!!!

Can't wait to hear more...just think this time next week you'll be at DISNEY!!

 

[2BoysMom]

Hi I'll pop on. I'm so excited for you. But you have nothing to worry about, your DH and your kids are all going to love it. I'll bet your DH will start to make plans for the next WDW trip, before you even leave FL.

I popped on over here after seeing your link on another TR. You had made a comment about one of your sons. Will you be getting a GAC for him? Do you know what that is?

I have two boys, and one is autistic. When we first went to WDW we used a GAC, and it helped keep things stress free. He is mostly recovered, so we don't need it now, but it serves a purpose for families who could use a little help.

Good luck and have FUN. (As soon as I saw your link and "Hot Dog" I knew exactly where that came from....Hotdog, hotdog, hotdiggity dog. Now we got ears it's time for cheers...hotdog, hotdog, our problems solved....hotdog, hotdog, hotdiggity dog).

 

[smidgen21]

Great updates!! I spent too many trips keeping other people happy so I understand your anxiety that is why this last trip was just me and all about me....nothing to worry about and it was glorious!! I'm certain you and your family are going to have a great time!!!!!

Can't wait to hear more...just think this time next week you'll be at DISNEY!!

After reading your TR I realized that I could do a solo trip. I'm hoping in the next couple of years I will be solo in the world. Thanks for being an inspiration!

 

[jenjolt]

After reading your TR I realized that I could do a solo trip. I'm hoping in the next couple of years I will be solo in the world. Thanks for being an inspiration!

Oh No prob!! I think if I could grant a wish of every Disney lover it would be to enjoy Disney Solo just once! The ability to do whatever you want and your own pace and never feel the weight of making anyone else but your own trip magical was AMAZING!!

I hope you get your solo trip sometime!!

 

[smidgen21]

Hi I'll pop on. I'm so excited for you. But you have nothing to worry about, your DH and your kids are all going to love it. I'll bet your DH will start to make plans for the next WDW trip, before you even leave FL.

I popped on over here after seeing your link on another TR. You had made a comment about one of your sons. Will you be getting a GAC for him? Do you know what that is?

I have two boys, and one is autistic. When we first went to WDW we used a GAC, and it helped keep things stress free. He is mostly recovered, so we don't need it now, but it serves a purpose for families who could use a little help.

Good luck and have FUN. (As soon as I saw your link and "Hot Dog" I knew exactly where that came from....Hotdog, hotdog, hotdiggity dog. Now we got ears it's time for cheers...hotdog, hotdog, our problems solved....hotdog, hotdog, hotdiggity dog).

I was thinking about getting a GAC and a stroller as a w/c tag. He has some gross motor issues as well so walking, standing for a long time etc is difficult. I'm worried b/c he looks "normal" that we will get "the look" but I guess we have to worry about what is best for us.

How old is your autistic son? What treatments have you used? My GF has a son who is autistic. She has him on a gluten/casein/soy free diet and has seen major improvemnt. I started Matt on omega 3/omega 6 fatty acids and we avoid artificial dyes (causes extremem behavior problems). He started special ed classes last month. I'm amazed at the improvement we've seen already. His agression and frustration levels have dropped greatly. I'm not sure what they do in school but it's working!!!

Thanks for popping into my PTR. It was nice "meeting" you. Have a great night!

 

[2BoysMom]

I was thinking about getting a GAC and a stroller as a w/c tag. He has some gross motor issues as well so walking, standing for a long time etc is difficult. I'm worried b/c he looks "normal" that we will get "the look" but I guess we have to worry about what is best for us.

How old is your autistic son? What treatments have you used? My GF has a son who is autistic. She has him on a gluten/casein/soy free diet and has seen major improvemnt. I started Matt on omega 3/omega 6 fatty acids and we avoid artificial dyes (causes extremem behavior problems). He started special ed classes last month. I'm amazed at the improvement we've seen already. His agression and frustration levels have dropped greatly. I'm not sure what they do in school but it's working!!!

Thanks for popping into my PTR. It was nice "meeting" you. Have a great night!

Oh, I think you should definitely get the GAC and a stroller. My boys are 4 and a half now, and we still do a stroller. The parks are huge and their little legs would just wear out, if they did all that walking. I like to have happy, cheerful boys, not grouchy, exhausted boys.

As a nutritionist, I'm curious as to why you are supplementing with omega 6's. Omega 3's yes, and I would even encourage Cod Liver Oil, so let me know. I'm curious.

My autistic son is pretty much recovered. We did the GF/CF diet strictly for 2 years (and CLO) which I attribute the most to his recovery. He's lost his diagnosis and doesn't have any other supports like ST, or OT, etc. Which is why we don't do the GAC anymore. I did it the first time, before he was completely recovered, and he looks very normal, not an obvious disability, and no one ever gave us a second glance. I've heard stories that occasionally some rude rube says something to someone, but I think those moments are rare. Most people are good and mind their own business, so don't let that be a factor in your decision. You never have to "use" it, if you don't need to, but it's great insurance to have for those moments when your son just might.

It is also very touching to see how helpful the CM's are when you show them the GAC. Plus, Disney as a whole is great about any food concerns you may have with your child. It's pretty easy to stay GF/CF at Disney, they are that helpful.

 

[smidgen21]

Oh, I think you should definitely get the GAC and a stroller. My boys are 4 and a half now, and we still do a stroller. The parks are huge and their little legs would just wear out, if they did all that walking. I like to have happy, cheerful boys, not grouchy, exhausted boys.

As a nutritionist, I'm curious as to why you are supplementing with omega 6's. Omega 3's yes, and I would even encourage Cod Liver Oil, so let me know. I'm curious.

My autistic son is pretty much recovered. We did the GF/CF diet strictly for 2 years (and CLO) which I attribute the most to his recovery. He's lost his diagnosis and doesn't have any other supports like ST, or OT, etc. Which is why we don't do the GAC anymore. I did it the first time, before he was completely recovered, and he looks very normal, not an obvious disability, and no one ever gave us a second glance. I've heard stories that occasionally some rude rube says something to someone, but I think those moments are rare. Most people are good and mind their own business, so don't let that be a factor in your decision. You never have to "use" it, if you don't need to, but it's great insurance to have for those moments when your son just might.

It is also very touching to see how helpful the CM's are when you show them the GAC. Plus, Disney as a whole is great about any food concerns you may have with your child. It's pretty easy to stay GF/CF at Disney, they are that helpful.

His first dx for ADHD. I bought a book (The Bible Cure for ADHD). It's a very natural, preservative free, dye free diet high in Omega3/Omega 6.

We haven't done GF/CF. I have a GF who started her autistic son on GF/CF about a year ago. He's also recently started kelation tx with a DAN Doctor. It will be interesting to see his results. She said she saw a big improvement with the GF/CF diet.

If we get a GAC at our first park, is it good at all the parks or do we have to get a new one at each park?

Thanks for all you advise! It's great to talk with someone who's BTDT.

Have a great day!

Shawn

 

[2BoysMom]

You get it at Guest Services at your first park and carry it with you for your entire vacation.

I know that a while back you had to bring a letter from a Dr. to "prove" your child's dx. But then I've also been, when they didn't want/need to see anything. But I always brought one just in case....

 

[smidgen21]

I can't believe that in less than 48 hrs we will be on our way. It's still undecided if I'm working Friday or not. Normally that would kill me, but I'm trying to be laid back about it. I didn't request Friday off as a vacation day, but since it's slow they were looking for volunteers to stay home. Now we have 2 nurses out sick and 1 covering in another dept so I'm not sure I'll get to have it off yet or not. I'll know tomorrow. It will mean we can leave about 8 hrs earlier if I do get it off.

I didn't see the news b/c I stopped at Kroger after work for some bottled water and snacks for the car, but DH said there were tornados in KY and TN. We'll have to wait and see how bad it is..we may need to adjust our route. Right now we plan on taking 75. I pray that everyone in that area is safe.

Tonight I'm doing some last minute laundry and cleaning. I hate coming home to a messy house. Tomorrow night when the kids go to bed we will load the van.

Our Disney maps came in the mail today! They are very nice.

Also in the mail today the Disney books I ordered from sortfloorbooks.com arrived (check them out! cheap cheap cheap and free s/h). I got the Disney A to Z encyclopedia and two travel guides (Birnbaum's 2008 and Open Road)

Plus I got Matt a Cars magnetic book and a Nemo book about sharks/fish etc. I think I'll save those for the car ride home. Maybe he'll think we bought them there? I know, I'm cheap Don't worry. We will make sure the kids get plenty of actual Disney souvies. Both grandmas gave them $$ for Vday and we plan to let them shop.

Well that's all I can think of for now. Have a great night. I'm hoping to sneak in a little Dis in Orlando after the kiddies are asleep, unless DH hides the laptop. He wasn't thrilled when I told him the hotel had free wireless internet. Of course I was on

 

[2BoysMom]

Wow, I'm so excited for you.

I almost said I wish it was me, and then I realized if it was, I would have to run a Half Marathon the next day! Yikes! Nope, right now I'm just excited for you...!

This will be such a fun and memorable trip with your young ones...

 

[smidgen21]

My goal is to do the 1/2 marathon some day. I might have to settle for a 5K though. I got a treadmill for Christmas. I'm up to 3 miles a day.

 

[smidgen21]

Well I have to work tomorrow Oh well, I told my mom, 8hrs isn't going to stand between me and my favorite mouse. So now we are going back to our original plan of driving straight through. Hopefully I'll get out a few hours early and we can be on the road by 3pm. If all goes as planned we should be in Orlando by 1pm Sat.


Our bags are packed...we're ready to go! DH is going to load the van while I'm at work tomorrow. The kids are going to daycare for 1/2 a day so he can go to the bank etc...last minute stuff.

And I put the tickets in my Disney Binder. I had another nightmare that I forgot them.

I don't think I'll be updating tomorrow before we leave. The plan is to leave as soon as I get home. DH will have Emma Jean (my laptop..hea I have to have at least one other girl in the house) securely packed in the van.

I just hope I can sleep tonight. I'm worried I'll be tossing and turning. But I'm pooped now so hopefully it's nighty night.

I'll start my TR when we get home. If I get lucky DH may allow a few live updates while we are still there

Take care! Thanks for all the support. I love the DIS!

 

[2BoysMom]

YIPPEE!! Yay, I'm so excited for you, have a wonderful time. I can't wait to read your TR.

Drive carefully, now.

 

[smidgen21]

I started my TR tonight:

We traded snowflakes for Snow White