We've Bounced Back like Tigger SB09 TR NEW 9/11 CLOSING TIME....

[mousescrapper]

******TR NOTE!

The actual TR for our Spring Break 09 trip begins on page 19 of the combined PTR/TR thread....here is a quick link jump:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2079599&page=19

"WE'VE GOT OUR HEADING...

HERE WE GO!

...FROM THE MAGIC WITHIN OUR HEARTS TO THE ADVENTURE BEYOND THE HORIZON

THERE IS ONLY ONE DISNEY!"​

Get on board, the next MouseScrapper Family Adventure Awaits you....

The DETAILS:

Spring Break 09* March 26th-April 2nd

8 days/7 nights

taking advantage of the 4/3 deal

Flying Southwest*using DME

Staying 2 rooms at the CSR (1st time stay)

7-day MYW base tickets

QSDDP (plus a few OOP TS meals)

WHO'S GOING?

My family of Six * My Parents which technically makes us a 'Grand Gathering'

CAST OF CHARACTERS:​

My family:

all of us w/ Mickey this past June 08


DH (Matt): this will be his 7th trip to WDW * at home he is an IT specialist for a International College Textbook/Bookstore Co. * at Disney he has his musts, but for the most part goes w/ the flow and let's his dear wife steer * his favorite attractions are Dinosaur, SWSA and the never forgotten Mr. Toad's Wild Ride * his favorite characters are the Chesire Cat, the dude from Bald Mountain, Peter Pan and he has a thing for Alice

DS (Michael) age 9: this will be his 3rd trip to WDW * at home he is in 4th grade, Cub Scouts, Battle of the Books Club, and loves to read. He also has ADHD and Aspergers (a form of Autism) * at Disney he likes to be co-navigator, find hidden Mickey's, pressed pennies and the 'secrets' of Disney * his favorite attractions are TLF, BLAB, & TSM * his favorite Characters are Stitch, anyone from any PIXAR movie, especially Buzz & Wall-E

DD (Aldine) age 9: (twin to Michael) this will be her 3rd trip to WDW * at home she is in 4th grade, Orchestra, Pioneer Girls, Choir and loves Horses * at Disney she likes meeting characters, going for the mid-level thrills, and playing in the pool * her favorite attractions are BTMRR, Splash Mt, & TT * her favorite characters are Lilo, Belle, Jasmine & Kim Possible

DD (Mae) age 6: this will be her 3rd trip to WDW * at home she is in Kindergarten, gymnastics, church music class, and loves to sing & dance * at Disney she likes being w/ her family, shopping, meeting the Princesess and swimming * her favorite attractions are the Kodak Labs, IASW, and the Tea-cups * her favorite characters are any Princess especially Aurora, Minnie, and Jessie

DD (Margaret) age 2: this will be her 2nd trip to WDW * at home she likes to keep us all on our toes, go on errnads w/ Mom and play * at Disney she likes to ride in her stroller, eat snacks, watch everything around her * her favorite attractions are Minnie's House and IASW * her favorite characters are (not that she'd go by them) Minnie, Mickey, & the Princesses

ME (Julie) : this will be my 7th trip to WDW * at home I'm a SAHM, volunteer at my church and children's school, love to scrapbook and plan WDW trips when I can * at Disney I'm the Navigator, keeper of the Tour Plans * my favorite attractions are ToT, FotLK, BTMRR, & IASW * my favorite characters are Mickey, Tink, Mulan, Mary Poppins & Cinderella

My Parents:

They will be married 40 years this April. Besides having me as a DD they have a DS Dan (my younger bro) who should be proposing to his girlfriend any day now and my older sis, DD Jen who is married and has 1 son.

DMom or DGMa: this will be her 9th trip to WDW, she's going for her birthday * at home she is a personal banker, avid reader & cross stitcher * at Disney she is a kid at heart * her favorite attractions are TGMR, Soarin & the tea-cups * her favorite characters are Mickey, Minnie and the 3 Fairies from Sleeping Beauty

DDad or Ja-Ja: this will be his 5th trip to WDW * at home he is a recent retiree from the USPS after 40 yrs, helper of grandkids, professional tinker, and garden tender * at Disney he's excited to go back and be w/ his grankids * his favorite attractions are he wants to do KS and TSI for sure * his favorite characters are Goofy & Mickey

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Now if any of you followed my FIRST PTR I started it just a little over 9 months before the actual trip...it was dubbed 'my WDW pregnacy PTR' so this may be uncharted waters for me only starting this PTR less than 2 months away

And I surely did not think the day I finished my first TR, I'd be starting a new PTR so soon. But I am.

So how did it all begin?

Just under 3 weeks ago, I was on the phone chatting w/ my Mom. My children had been home going on 6 days straight w/ missing 2 days of closed school due to sub zero temperatures, the weekend, MLK Jr holiday and a TI day of school. Needless to say in my household we were all a little back to this phone call...the conversation turned to me talking about Disney which came about from chatting about a crop night I just went to w/ friends and the Disney pages I had done plus a upcoming trip in 010...which then turned to Mom asking me if I heard about the 4/3 deal?

of course I so wish we could bounce back, but it just is not in the cards....

Mom starts thinking outloud

"I'm thinking of maybe looking into that and going back in April for Dad & my anniversary"

some more thinkin'

"well when is the kids Spring Break agian?"

Right after your Birthday I reply....

and a little more thinking and me getting

and then before I know she has invited my family to go w/ her and Dad the end of March and celebrate her Birthday. and the bonus:

she's practically paying for everything

HOLY COW!!! boy do I my MOM!!!!!!

I then very giddy-like call my DH at work and tell him, I'm literlly bouncing off the walls he says

"um yeah I'd love to go" (like duh?)

based on a few financial situations for my parents and then he says:

"Are you sure you can plan a trip only 12 weeks away?"

I then sent some PM's to 2 of my special Disboard friends DisMomAmy and MRYPPNS to let them in on my awesome secret!

A few days later it was official and I booked the trip "Grandma's Birthday Gathering" the afternoon of Wednesday Jan 21st.


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Ok then I think this a fun and exciting start to my bounce-back Suprise!

Thanks for reading and come back soon to join in the planning FUN!

Up Next: My Planning Tools

J-

 

[GolfandEat]

I have never posted before - but finished reading your Poly story this afternoon - a busy day here in the office. I really enjoyed it and was compelled to post this message. Hope you have a great time bouncing back - and look forward to lurking on!

 

[lisalonglash]

Excellent! I really enjoyed your last TR and am looking forward to this PTR!

 

[MRYPPNS]

That was a fun PM to get! It was even funner getting to work up some plans <insert evil laugh here>

 

[DisMomAmy]

You started while I wasn't home...

I wanted to be first!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

What a beautiful family! Your screen name caught my eye...I also love to scrapbook! Looking forward to hearing more!

 

[DisMomAmy]

OK now I actually read your post... Thanks for the shout out!!

I think we had already discovered this many moons ago, but I had forgotten... my dad is a fairly recent retiree from the USPS - 35 years! Then he had his midlife crisis, remarried and moved far away and became a shaman. No I'm not kidding...

What constitutes a "Grand Gathering"? 8 people? We'll have 8 people for 3 of our days - do they do anything special for that? One of the CMs I spoke with when I made our ADRs asked me if I had a GG number - I just said no and blew it off. Should I have asked more questions?

 

[mousescrapper]

GolfandEat are you my DFIL? JK a great BIG to you!

I feel so honored you chose me as your first place to make a post
Thanks for saying 'hi' and I hope you enjoy this little PTR of mine!

lisalonglash good to see you over here, I hope we have lot's of fun together

MRYPPNS too bad we can't add sound bites huh? you crack me up girl. the plans will be coming soon....

DisMomAmy I'm sorry....but hey you are the only one to post twice (besides me) so far To anwser your question about Grand Gatherings. Yes if your party(ies) consisit of 8 or more people then you are a GG...we are technically because there is 8 people, but because Margaret is still under 3 we are technically only 7 people...but the CM who set up my ressie sorta I think accidently made us one even though we're not...so yes we have a GG name "Grandma's Birthday Gathering" which my DMom totally get's a kick out of and we have a number. Benefits: you get priorty when they do the ressie room placements (oh and your ressies are linked under this one number), and I think for your ADRs plus there are other Dinning/Activity options you can participate in but I think they are $$$. Anyways w/ all that said, I'd call and ask if it would be helpful...LOL

mommytothreeboys thank you, that was sweet. to a fellow Scrapbooker. I'm currently working on my album from our last trip in June and as soon as it's complete (hopefully this month!) I'm going to post it on the Scrapbooking threads.

 

[mousescrapper]

Ok I'm going to try this:

when I make new posts (not 'Hello's' or 'Replys') I will update this posting space with the new Post # and description and possibly a link...instead of continuing to add to the 1st post...we'll see how it goes: (BTW I obviously will update the title each time on post 1)

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PTR Posts:

#1 start of We're Bouncing Back like Tigger SB09

#9 Post descriptions

#10 My Planning Tools (pg 1)

#27 Disney Mail & My Touring Plans (pg 2)

#35 My Dining Choices (pg 3)

#42 The Suprise is SPRUNG! (pg 3)

#51 Traveling w/ Aspergers & ADHD (pg 4)

#63 The Almost 5 week countdown and Mickey Mail (pg 5)

#73 Week 5 to do list & MK touring plans (pg 5)

#87 Week 4 To do List (pg 6)

#95 My Epcot Touring Plans (pg 7)

#106 Week 4 to do list update (pg 8)

#123 Week 3 to do list and Garden Grocer Debate (pg 9)

#130 I did it (placed a GG order) (pg 9)

#135 My Spending Budget (pg 9)

#145 My DHS Tour Plan and More (pg 10)

#162 10 Days of Disney (pg 11)

#164 not all fun and games...the Final Disney Prep, Pack, & Post (pg 11)

#166 Week 2 To-do List (pg 12)

#167 My 10-day countdown- day 10) till we leave (pg 12)

#175 Day 9) till we leave (pg 12)

#176 Michael's TOP 5 and my wishes (pg 12)

#183 Day 8) till we leave (pg 13)

#193 Day 7) till we leave (pg 13)

#195 My AK Touring Plan (pg 13)

#201 Days 6 and 5 till we leave (pg 14)

#210 Day 4 till we go... (pg 14)

#212 Top 5! FUN (girls, me & DH) (pg 15)

# 213 Day 3 till we go... (pg 15)

#226 1 day till we leave !!!!!!!!!! (pg 16)

# 238 "we're leaving on a jet plane..." (pg 16)

# 248 live on the last day at WDW (pg 17)

#257 Back from the World Hello (pg 18)

 

[mousescrapper]

My Planning Tools:

Ok some of these are new, re-used, updated and borrowed. As any avid WDW trip planner you need to have some tools to help keep you organized and prepared for your upcoming adventure.

Even though I’ve been to the World a previous 6 times, really only the last 2 (and now including this one has been mega-planned). I’m sure the times I went as a young adult we had a game plan for the parks and our days, but nothing in comparison to how I do it now. I think the reasons have to do w/ bringing children…there is a lot more to think about and now that I’m a bit of a ‘vet’ when it comes to planning/going (believe I know there are people out there who have gone double or triple the times as me) I have learned from past successes and failures of our trips.

So for any newbie’s out there please don’t get freaked by my OCD tendencies of trip planning and those who know please feel free to laugh at my insanities or gently tell me when something may need a little red-x-ing.

So what do I use:

The BIG trip Planning Binder we’ll call her PB for short.

(the plain white binder) Now I know what you are thinking, she looks a little plain…I am working on her cover but it needs a few technical fixes, that DH has to help w/. Below is a picture in progress:

Inside PB are 8 sections, divided like so:

Which includes air travel info, DME stuff, etc

Which includes are travel itinerary info from DTC and anything pertinent to our current resort choice-CSR

Which includes suggested packing lists for travel, touring, etc. Plus my personal packing lists including one general one and one for each family member

Which includes DDP info, restaurant menu’s ADR lists, food allergy info, etc

Which includes my touring plans and any info pertinent to the 4 main parks

Then I also have a section for anything in the World that is Extra (likes kid adventures, WP’s, etc); and another section for misc planning things, and finally I section for DisBoard items.

And then in the very front is my “To-Do LIST” for the trip (as some of you recall I love lists)

My trip planning Note-Book:

The little purple notebook is for pre-planning prep and notes. Inside it has 4 sections (Resorts & Travel info, Tickets & Dining, Vacation Itineraries, & Misc packing, Budget, etc)

Here are a couple pictures from inside it:

CSR info

Clothes themes

My Disney Box:

Now I borrowed this idea from my friend MRYPPNS (Heidi) it is not nearly as fancy as hers but it fits its purpose. To HOLD small trip items that I use each trip or new things as bought for each new trip. It’s actually a diaper box covered w/ some WDW maps and then some MM head paint chips for each of our family’s trips (05, 08, & now 09)

Inside the box:

Right now I have my WDW backsack, reusable MM bag, container for quarters & pennies for pressed pennies, a autograph pen, some mini notebooks, pencils and stickers for the kids, glow bracelets, snack container for Margaret, a set of Disney trivia cards, and 1 of my MouseScrapper id tags.

Odds and Ends:

WWW
I’m using UG Touring Plans for my Park touring plans (and Heidi)
Gaining other info from the UG site, the official WDW site, mousesavors and the Disboards of course

BOOKS
08 UG book
08 Passporter Open Pass (for disabilities)
And some other misc ones
I may go to the bookstore to just look over the 09 books as well. But not planning to purchase anything at this time

Tip book:
I also have a small notebook that I write in tips or tricks I learn from the Disboards

Michael's Special Guidebook:
I created a guidebook for my DS Michael who has Aspergers and ADHD on our last trip, and plan to make him another one for this trip.
see the link below to go the thread in the disABILITIES threads to see what I'm talking about:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1774902


I will also create a new Trip/Vacation Journal

And finally I’ll bring a pocket size notebook in the parks for note-taking to report for the TR upon our return.

Ok that is basically it. I will utilize and go into more detail of each thing as the planning continues.

Thanks for reading and please come back for more…

Up NEXT: My Touring Plan

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Woo-Hoo for the Disney binder!! I love your section dividers...very nice!

I am also a list girl and never thought to put a to-do list at the front of my binder. Great idea..thanks for the tip!

I LOVE that I can come on these boards and see that others do the same insane mega-planning that I do!

Cant wait to hear your touring plans!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Oooo... I love the box - I remember seeing Heidi's back in her PTR. I need to make a box too - but where will I hide it from the kids??? I'll have to figure that part out, because I definitely need a box! Right now I have a little pile on the bedroom floor.

 

[MRYPPNS]

Cool....I got 2 shout outs!

 

[KathyRN137]

And I surely did not think the day I finished my first TR, I'd be starting a new PTR so soon. But I am.

Well, doesn't everyone know that a PTR is the very best therapy for End-of-my-TR-Blues???

Okay, going back to finish reading, now....

Kathy

p.s. Any morning sickness in this PTR????

 

[KathyRN137]

I then sent some PM's to 2 of my special Disboard friends DisMomAmy and MRYPPNS to let them in on my awesome secret!

-

Hmmph! So what am I, chopped liver??


Kathy

 

[mom of 2 princesses]

I absolutely love your planning tools. I too am a little OCD when it comes to trips. I would love to know how you made all of the section covers. I am not that talented and I would love to put them in my binder to make it look better. Also, what is the UG site.
I love reading your reports!!!

 

[mousescrapper]

I am also a list girl and never thought to put a to-do list at the front of my binder. Great idea..thanks for the tip!

Your welcome!

I LOVE that I can come on these boards and see that others do the same insane mega-planning that I do!

me too!

Oooo... I love the box - I remember seeing Heidi's back in her PTR. I need to make a box too - but where will I hide it from the kids??? I'll have to figure that part out, because I definitely need a box! Right now I have a little pile on the bedroom floor.

boxes are good, would it fit in your closet or maybe a flatter box to slide under the bed?

Cool....I got 2 shout outs!

more to come...

p.s. Any morning sickness in this PTR????

no not yet...(either for the trip or the baby kind)

Hmmph! So what am I, chopped liver??


Kathy

Don't worry your beautiful name and story are always w/ me

I absolutely love your planning tools. I too am a little OCD when it comes to trips. I would love to know how you made all of the section covers. I am not that talented and I would love to put them in my binder to make it look better. Also, what is the UG site.
I love reading your reports!!!

for the section covers: I google images of things I want, ie restaraunts, castle, rides, etc. I save the image in 'my pictures' then I insert a picture from file using Microsoft publiser, shrink to the size I want arrange, add a text box. You can also download Walt Disney font from online too... and then print, cut and stick on.

Hope that helps!

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Just a quick hello, had to do some other things besides Disney but today I planned out a master packing list and went through the 2T spring/summer clothes bin in my basement for clothes for Margaret...there will be no short wearing yet the end of March in Chi-town, but at Mickey's house oh yeah! anyways pulled out shorts, t's, pj's, swimsuits, etc for the upcoming trip. and then dug thru 3 more bins trying to find a WDW Princess shirt that I bought for Mae at the time in 05 (she was then 2 1/2) she can still wear the larger matching one that was first bought for Aldine. I just knew this shirt was somewhere and Margaret and Mae just HAD to wear them...matchy-matchy you know.

I probably dug for like 20 minutes...where could it be and finally in the bottom of a winter 4T bin it was found. Yay for a little Disney magic!

I'm all OCD when it comes to clothes and I will do a whole fun post all about the cool Clothing themes for this trip...DH just but it's all fun for me. Yes I do have a weeks worth of outfits already semi planned out for a trip still 7 weeks away...come on now no I haven't started packing yet

I'll try and get my Touring Plan up soon!

J-

 

[KathyRN137]

Don't worry your beautiful name and story are always w/ me

Awww, shucks!


Yes I do have a weeks worth of outfits already semi planned out for a trip still 7 weeks away...come on now


I love it!!

Kathy

 

[DisMomAmy]

I have gone clothes digging in the basement too... but I haven't done any outfit planning yet. I'll be doing the outfits in a ziploc bag thing this year, but probably not until April.

 

[Raecheal]

Just wanted to say hi, Your family is beautiful. I love your planning book... as well as the box. Great Ideas!!!

Can't wait to read the next post...