"What are the dates again?" A June PTR w/ pics!!

[irky416]

Yup. You read that right. June. And not June 2009. June 2008.

More accurately June 2008 in 15 days!

I'm going to attempt a Pre-trip report in 15 days! Better late than never!

This is my first pre-trip report, so bear with me here.

I enjoyed writing my first trip report so much, I thought I would do another one, and this time try my hand at a pre-trip. After all, everyone else I know is tired of hearing me go on about this stuff!

This is partly where my title comes from. DSis and DBF keep asking me “When are we going again?” every time I bring up something about Disney. Ugh! Don’t they know they’re supposed to have a constant countdown going in their heads!? DSis texts me at least once a week and says What dates are Florida again? DBF probably asks me once a week, too.

DSis just asked me yesterday again when we were going.

And since school is out in 2 days, I will have some time on my hands. I’m actually typing this while my students are thoroughly entranced by National Treasure 2. (Note: I don't have access to DIS at school - I guess they want us to teach or something... - so I typed most of this out in Word and am now posting.)

I feel I should warn you though, that I try not to be wordy, but I find it difficult at times.

Introductions before I go on with more background info:

Me: 26. I love Disney! The parks, the movies, the TV shows (although I liked the slightly older shows better. Lizzie McGuire will always hold a dear place in my heart, and Shia LaBeouf will always be Louis to me!), the characters, everything. I also teach middle school and even my students know my love for Disney. This is my third trip to Disney in a little more than a year. This is a small miracle as you will soon see, since I hadn’t been for the past 10 years.

Me and my favorite character!

DBF: 25. He’s a software engineer. He’s a fairly recent Disney “convert.” I put that in quotes because he’s far from obsessed, but just recently decided he liked Disney enough to go 3 times in a year. ;o) This was mostly thanks to the Pirate and Princess Party we went to in February. You can read more about his conversion in my last trip report.

DBF ice-skating: (He used to play hockey)

You can read more about me in the first post of my last trip report if you would like.

This time we have three others joining us as well.

DSis: 18. She’s the reason we’re going on this trip. It’s her high school graduation trip. (I’ll get to the story in a minute…) She's very smart, but very stubborn. She loves Disney at times... Sometimes she won’t care when I go on about something in the parks and other times she’ll jump right on it and obsess just as much as me. I tried to get her into something the other day and she didn’t care and then she picked up the book I made from our P&PP trip and read through it and got very excited and wanted to talk about the trip and know all about everything.

She’s very much a teenager in that she is very moody and can love you or hate you at any given time or go from one to the other back to the first within about a half hour. I suspect this may come into play later. I think I need to find a good exasperated smiley for her! We are very close, though, even though we’re 7 years apart and she hates Stitch!

She also uses Florida and Disney interchangeably and thinks Disney World is just the MK. *sigh* So much to teach her in the next few weeks!

My sister and I at the Kenny Chesney concert last year:

My DBF’s parents: From here on out referred to as BM and BD. (Boyfriend’s mom and Boyfriend’s dad.) Unless, of course, someone can come up with a better way to refer to them…

DBF and I have been dating for 7.5 years, so his parents and I know each other pretty well. This will be our first trip together for more than a long weekend, though, so we’ll see how it goes.

The last time I saw them (they live 4 hours away) they also said, “When are we going to Disney again?” Oy!

If you read my first trip report, you’ll know that when DBF and his family went to Disney two years ago, they actually bought four one day tickets because they didn’t plan anything. This year we got them to buy a three day ticket at least.

I actually don't think I have any pictures of them on my computer and I don't know if they would like their picture posted on the internet.... I will have to find out while looking for a picture of them.

They really don’t know what they want to do. I keep asking DBF so I can plan and he just says, “They’ll do whatever we do. But they probably will only spend the morning in the park.” Ugh. That’s not very useful or helpful. So, I’m a little nervous about this, but we’ll see. I’m staying positive.


Up Next: Background of our trip and more pictures!

 

[RachelNinja]

This sounds like it's going to be an interesting PTR/TR! I think it's always fun to go with someone who doesn't know as much about WDW as you do. I intend on going within the next year or two with my friend (HowWeird, the other "flat" on my thread). He hasn't been since he was an itty-bitty kid, and I can't wait to show him all the stuff I know, while at the same time, discovering new things together! I can't wait to read about your adventures with DSis.

Haha, btw, what's up with not having access to DIS? What's so bad about that?! There's one computer in the lab that remembers the DISboards since I always check it when I have the chance to go there. Why not give teachers access to their chance at some sanity? I love just going there to take a looksee during a prep period ... even though it does take ages for the computers to start up!

Looking forward to reading more! So glad you decided to write again

 

[wdwgirl03]

You're off to a great start! That's so cool that your students know your love for Disney...when I was student teaching we were doing show and tell and one of the kids brought in a couple of his stuffed Mickey Mouses. Well, I was taking attendance (and therefore not paying attention right away) and all of a sudden the kids started shrieking because earlier in the year I had brought in my Mickey Mouse for a writing lesson and they all remembered. It was so cute.

My sister is also graduating high school this year and I'm sure she'd love a trip to Disney as a graduation gift.

 

[irky416]

This sounds like it's going to be an interesting PTR/TR! I think it's always fun to go with someone who doesn't know as much about WDW as you do. I intend on going within the next year or two with my friend (HowWeird, the other "flat" on my thread). He hasn't been since he was an itty-bitty kid, and I can't wait to show him all the stuff I know, while at the same time, discovering new things together! I can't wait to read about your adventures with DSis.

Haha, btw, what's up with not having access to DIS? What's so bad about that?! There's one computer in the lab that remembers the DISboards since I always check it when I have the chance to go there. Why not give teachers access to their chance at some sanity? I love just going there to take a looksee during a prep period ... even though it does take ages for the computers to start up!

Looking forward to reading more! So glad you decided to write again

Thanks for coming back! I'm waiting for DSis and BM&BD to think I'm crazy when I start giving out all my glorious DIS board knowledge!

I would love to see your flats at WDW!!! That means you must go so I can see more pictures of them! Tell HowWeird you have no choice now.

My school is weird and has tons of sites blocked. A lot of times, I can't even read the news from Yahoo because it blocks certain stories. It blocked an email on my Yahoo account from my friend the other day and I have no idea why except it had the word pregnant in it. I hate it. Also, if you visit a site too much, they block that too. They blocked smugmug from me after I was editing picture keyword and captions on my lunch break. I guess they don't think we should ever do anything that's not related to school, even on our lunch. It would be so nice and relaxing sometimes on my lunch to catch up on DIS.

Anyway, I'm so glad you're back!

You're off to a great start! That's so cool that your students know your love for Disney...when I was student teaching we were doing show and tell and one of the kids brought in a couple of his stuffed Mickey Mouses. Well, I was taking attendance (and therefore not paying attention right away) and all of a sudden the kids started shrieking because earlier in the year I had brought in my Mickey Mouse for a writing lesson and they all remembered. It was so cute.

My sister is also graduating high school this year and I'm sure she'd love a trip to Disney as a graduation gift.

Thanks for reading!

Isn't it funny how students remember the smallest, randomest facts about you, but forget who discovered America? Wait until you have your own room all year (hopefully soon!) and you see what they learn about you!

 

[kathleen27]

Yay for 15 days!!!
And for the end of the school year!

We watched NT2 this weekend, Just once was good, 6 times in a row would have been too much!
Jacob loves those end of the year movies. They have watched NT2 (bus back from field trip), Glory(History), and Hairspray(orchestra) this week.

Wow, this trip will be very different! Should be interesting!

I understand the "when are we going again" comments all too well.
Sounds like my husband.
I just e-mailed him all our end of the year activites, and summer schedule so he can get them into his schedule on his computer. It is the only way he will remember. We are two rooms apart in the same house. All this info is also on a calendar in our kitchen.

Can't wait to hear about the trip!!!

 

[irky416]

I understand the "when are we going again" comments all too well.
Sounds like my husband.
I just e-mailed him all our end of the year activites, and summer schedule so he can get them into his schedule on his computer. It is the only way he will remember. We are two rooms apart in the same house. All this info is also on a calendar in our kitchen.

I think it must be a man thing. I've told DBF our plans for this summer no less than 3 times this week and he asked me to go over it again at dinner last night! I think maybe I need to put it all on a calendar like you!

Hahaha. DBF and I IM information sometimes and we're sitting within arm's reach of each other!

 

[irky416]

Now, how this trip came about:

I had promised DSis I would take her on a senior trip when she graduated for a long time. She was allowed to pick where she wanted to go. However, earlier this school year, she decided she didn’t want to go anywhere. So, DBF and I started to make plans to go on a cruise. Then, after I had my heart set on a cruise, she decided she wanted to go somewhere again. So, it had to be somewhere cheap because I was going on the cruise.

She couldn’t make a decision. Finally, she decided she wanted to go to Las Vegas. It worked out, because DBF’s parents had been wanting to go somewhere with us anyway, so we decided to invite them along. They could also get us a good deal on a Timeshare.

However, my sister couldn’t narrow down a date because she couldn’t decide if she was going to camp or not in June. It took her forever to decide and by the time she had mostly decided (notice, not even for sure yet) there were no timeshares left in Vegas for the week we wanted. That meant we’d have to get a hotel and it would end up being fairly expensive.

I was talking to her about all this one day and telling her she needed to decide and pick somewhere. It was probably February at this point and we wanted to go in June. She doesn’t understand flights need booked, and reservations made in a decent amount of time for peak travel season.

Somehow, the subject of Animal Kingdom came up while we were talking. She said she wanted to go there. I jumped on it. I knew we could do Disney for cheaper than Vegas, and I wasn’t thrilled with the idea of going to Vegas again. So, she decided Disney was it. We had been last summer, but only to MK. We’ve never been to Animal Kingdom and she was too little to remember anything about Epcot or MGM (sorry, Hollywood Studios!).

The sister was convinced. Now, I had to convince DBF. We had just returned from a trip to Disney for the P&PP. I knew he had decided he liked Disney, but had he decided enough to make another trip not 6 months later?

I focused on that we’d be going to the OTHER parks, not MK (hahaha… like I could stay away) and that last year we had done Universal and MK and we needed to finish off Orlando and that I really wanted to go to Animal Kingdom since I had never been there.

And he agreed! With almost no argument! (And at this point he’s said more than once – with no encouragement from me – that he wants to meet certain characters and get his picture with them! )

Thank you Disney magic at the P&PP for letting me convince DBF to go back!

His parents were easy. They said they’d go wherever we wanted, they just wanted to go somewhere with us. They didn’t mind that DSis was coming, either. They get along pretty well.

So, it was set! Disney World here we come!!!!!

Up Next: The Hotel Plans and I promise pictures to come shortly!

 

[jmskinner]

Hi! You had subscribed to my PTR, so thought I would check yours out. Sounds like it will be a lot of fun. Don't you hate that people that don't get involved in planning. They act like there is all the time in the world to do everything. OH, and my DH was constantly asking me about dates, but since he filled out his leave paperwork, it finally stuck!

Ok, I have to say this, BM for boyfriends mom sounds funny to me. How about BFM, well now that sounds like best friends mom. Wait, DBM. How's that? Sorry, guess it is because I just had to fill out this medical paperwork on my DS and it asked about his BM's.

Looking forward to more!
Melissa

 

[irky416]

Thanks for stopping by!

LOL. I didn't even think about BM...the other way! I like DBM. I am definitely going to back and change it. Now that you've mentioned it, though, that's all I will be thinking!

 

[irky416]

Here's a couple pictures from our trip last June to tide you over until tomorrow. (Last day at school, so after then I should really be able to get moving with this!)

DBF, Me, DSis and step-bro

Step-bro, DBF, DSis

DBF - apparently the hands are supposed to be "magicking" (whatever that means! )

DBF not happy with me that I made him wear my Mickey ears!

DSis, Me, DBF

My favorite again! (I have this picture on my desk at school and so many kids say, "Why are you wearing shorts!? Teachers don't do that!" Haha!)

Here's a short video of the end of the Pirate Tutorial:
Jack Sparrow and Mack

I have a lot more pictures of us from our last trip, but many of them are from Universal and Islands of Adventure. I don't know if I should post them on this section of the board! (Disclaimer: I loved US and IoA!! They had awesome rides and the theming was amazing, but this is a TR about Disney after all! )

I also found a couple awesome pictures of DSis, but I have to scan them in first. I should have some time after tomorrow.

 

[kathleen27]

That's great that he is requesting character meets!!!
Who does he want to meet?

 

[irky416]

That's great that he is requesting character meets!!!
Who does he want to meet?

The big one is Mushu.

He also wants to meet Mr. Incredible, FroZone, Wall-E if he's out, and Buzz and Woody. I know he said he wants to meet a few more, but I'll have to ask him because I forgot.

 

[irky416]

The Hotel

I really wanted to stay onsite. We stayed at Pop in February and I really liked it. I figured we would be saving money by not having to rent a car and pay for parking. DBF agreed. He liked staying onsite too and DSis and BM and DD had never stayed onsite before. I thought it would be fun, especially to take advantage of EMH!

However, we couldn’t really afford anything other than a Value and after staying at Pop in Feb. I knew we would need at least 2 rooms. I was having trouble even imagining having 3 adults in one room for 6 days.

After looking into it, I came to the conclusion we would have to stay offsite. It would be way cheaper. I was disappointed a little, but it can be nice to stay offsite because you get so much more room.

My goal was to find a place closer than we were last year. BD was looking and was finding places that were either too small or too far away. It was starting to get to the time where I was getting really worried about getting something booked before it got too late. I knew there had to some place I was missing.

Then, I had an idea. The DIS is big and though it seems like it, I knew not everyone could stay onsite. There had to be recommendations for places to stay offsite. I did some searching and found a whole board dedicated to it!

After a quick search, I discovered everyone talking about basically one place. Windsor Hills. It was close, there was a pool, and there were condos and houses of many sizes. Surely, we could find something here.

I spent some time searching the resorts website and narrowed it down to a few. I really wanted a 3 bedroom place. That way everyone would have their own room. I felt bad about making DSis sleep on the sofa bed. The 3 bedroom places were a significant amount more than the 2 bedroom places. Hmmm…. DSis said she’d rather sleep on the sofa than spend a lot. But, I know how much it sucks not having your own space. I was still on the lookout.

Finally, I found it! A two bedroom that had an extra twin bed in the second bedroom. We’d all have our own beds and though we may be on top of each other in the 2nd bedroom, I felt better about this arrangement.

Now, I had to hope it was available. It was perfect. Available only the week we had planned on going. If that isn’t Disney magic at work, I don’t know what is. We booked it.

I’m excited. It’s supposed to be pretty close to Disney and we have what looks to be a huge pool and a kitchen and much more space than we would have had in a hotel.

Here’s some pictures from the website. I will get to take my own in 11 days!

The pool area:

Some pictures of the condo we are getting:

And where it's located in relation to WDW:

I should have more pics of stuff up soon. DSis graduated last night and we had plans to see a movie today and go to dinner later, and a graduation party tomorrow, so I've been busy. But, more pics soon! I have lots of stuff for the trip.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Wow, the hotel looks nice!

Yay for 11 days until your trip!!!

 

[jmskinner]

The hotel looks great. DS would love the slide! I'll have to keep this place in mind.

What movie did you go see?

 

[irky416]

Wow, the hotel looks nice!

Yay for 11 days until your trip!!!

I hope it looks that nice in person!

The hotel looks great. DS would love the slide! I'll have to keep this place in mind.

What movie did you go see?

I'll be sure to let you know how the hotel pans out.

We saw Prince Caspian, even though DBF wanted to see Kung Fu Panda.

 

[PISCESANGEL]

I'm joining in! I came over to read your pre-trippie after you posted on mine, and yours is sounding like it will be alot of fun!

Your sister sounds alot like my DD! She goes through these moods where she couldn't be less interested in our plans, and the next minute, she's making lists!! (what to pack, what to wear, what to do, faves, etc. etc...)

I can't wait to hear more!

 

[smphbear]

Congrats on going back so soon. I am looking forward to hearing about your trip.

Thanks for the Pirate and Princess information. We had a great time there last week.

 

[irky416]

I'm joining in! I came over to read your pre-trippie after you posted on mine, and yours is sounding like it will be alot of fun!

Your sister sounds alot like my DD! She goes through these moods where she couldn't be less interested in our plans, and the next minute, she's making lists!! (what to pack, what to wear, what to do, faves, etc. etc...)

I can't wait to hear more!

Thanks for joining in!

Your DD does sound like my sister!

Congrats on going back so soon. I am looking forward to hearing about your trip.

Thanks for the Pirate and Princess information. We had a great time there last week.

Thanks for reading!

I'm glad you had fun at the party!

 

[roxannensteve]

Hey - Saw your link when you posted on my PTR. Wow, you don't have long of planning - that must be awesome!!

The hotel/condo looks so nice.

Can't wait to read more....