What are you celebrating? Absolutely nothing! TR writing has commenced!

[Villainess]

Prologue

Hello and welcome!

Grab a dole whip, some , or a . Audience participation and are encouraged. FP's are not available at this time and for the safety of the cast, no flash photography!

I invite you, if you dare, to step aboard my pre-trip report; it travels directly to ...




































over-obsessive planning!

 

[Villainess]

... and we can be a bunch of characters!

Me, Danielle, 28: Co-planner of the group, mommy to 2 wonderful children, photographer of the bunch (although learning and have to say a great big thank you to the Dis photographers!). This will be my 30th visit to WDW. I love the Villains (hence, my screenname), especially, Maleficent , Big Bad Wolf, Evil Queen, and Jafar. My favorite attractions include POTC, HM , WS, and Cinderella’s Golden Carousel. MK is my favorite park followed closely by Epcot, then AK and DHS.

DD, 2: My perfect princess and oh does she love it! She loves the princesses and everything about them, from dressing up to blowing kisses, waving and of course, the attention! Let me restate that. She ADORES the princesses, especially Aurora. Everything is Aurora this, Aurora that, and btw, Aurora belongs to her (or so she thinks, :lol Yes, we have fully entered those wonderful terrible 2's and everything is 'mine.' She also loves , and Dopey. This will be her 3rd trip to WDW. Her favorites include Cinderella's Golden Carousel, Mickey's Philharmagic, POTC, and IASW – to name *only* a few!

DS, 1: He’s my “little guy” and . Such a boy-boy! He’s the first boy for our family so both my dad and my grandfather love watching sports, golf (is this really a sport?!) and home improvement shows with him. My dad and DS also frequent Lowe’s and Home Depot together! This will be his 2nd visit. His favorites are clearly , , and Handy Manny. Buzz Lightyear, POTC, and the Tiki Birds mesmerized him.

My mom. Nonna, 54: the overpacker of the group, former TDS ***’t mgr. She’s been to the world 30-something times. Her hands-down favorites are and Cinderella. Favorite attractions include POTC, Philharmagic, and HM.

My dad, Pop Pop, 56: Co-planner, golfer in the group. This was also his 30-something visit. His favorites are and and enjoys POTC, Buzz Lightyear, and HM. His absolute least favorite attraction is Living with the Land (so much so that he won’t go on it and waits for us!)

My sister, Melissa, 25: other photographer in the bunch, loves all things and shares a special bond with DD over this. This is her 20-something visit to WDW. Her favorite attractions are Buzz Lightyear, RNR, and TT. Donald Duck is her favorite; she isn’t into the princess thing, never was.

My BIL, Seth, 34: not too into the character meet n greets but will pose for a few, esp. with DD and DS. I must say that he is a wonderful uncle (and my sister a wonderful aunt) to my kids; he has taught DD to table surf, karate kicks, and walk on the couch. I cannot say for sure if he has a favorite character but he does sport Donald t-shirts. He prefers the thrill rides and opts to skip parades to take advantage of the shorter queue lines.

Supporting Cast

Although they will not officially be on the trip with us, they are with us in spirit (and on the phone – A LOT!) LOL! Due to my great-grandmother’s passing in August, they opted not to go on this trip as originally planned due to the funeral expenses, but have promised they are coming on the next one; I hope so because I have so many fond memories of our WDW vacations with them – and lots of hysterical stories too!

My grandmother, Mom Mom – you will hear her mentioned often, mostly for calling to find out what we're up to and to check on the kids.
**Remind me to tell you the story about Mom Mom on El Rio del Tiempo after a margarita!**

My grandfather, Dee Dad: he doesn’t call as much since Mom Mom takes over the call. He is itching to go back to WDW, and it broke his heart to have to back out of this year's plans.

 

[Villainess]

Yup, you read that right! 19 days including arrival and departure days. (Yes, I'm just a tad bit excited as it is OFFICIAL - airline tickets have been purchased!)

DD, DS, Pop Pop, and I are leaving on 4/21. Melissa and Seth are leaving on 4/21 as well, with their flight TBD; they are currently in Cabo San Lucas so when they come back they will decide if they are taking the same flight or not and they are returning 4/27. Nonna is flying down 4/24 and is staying until 5/9 with DD, DS, Pop Pop and I.


Coming up ... where to sleep, revisiting our last trip, and the countdown calendar!

 

[Villainess]

Some photos from our last trip to get to know us.

The whole gang

 

[starlight_003]

I'll join in. Great start on your prt. Your kids are so cute. We will be at the world the same month as you. I wish the time would go faster.

 

[Villainess]

Hi! Thanks for joining in on the fun! I know what you mean - I want to pack already!

 

[Villainess]

Reliving last year's trip some more: today - AK!

BIL and my sister got home from their mini-vacation, and are looking at flights. I'm hoping they pick the same flight as us.

Pop Pop is figuring out where to stay with our DVC points. It is still between SSR and OKW or split stay between them both. He is hoping to have that settled in the next few days so we can have our "Where to eat?" meeting and can make ADRs as soon as the system is back up and running.

I'm heading out Christmas shopping since I have barely started - I need to buy gifts for 30 people in addition to my 2 children. More pics and updates to come! Happy reading!

 

[Leleluvsdis]

I joining too!!!!

I L-O-V-E the pic of donald and the kids!!! THIS IS PRICELESS!!!!

Can't wait to here more!!! We are going sometime in May, not sure of dates yet.

 

[Villainess]

I joining too!!!!

I L-O-V-E the pic of donald and the kids!!! THIS IS PRICELESS!!!!

Can't wait to here more!!! We are going sometime in May, not sure of dates yet.

Welcome! I love that pic as well! In fact, I made a photo album for gifts for Mom Mom, DeeDad and my parents and used that picture as 'The End'.

 

[Villainess]

How is everyone's Christmas shopping coming?

I did get quite a bit done last night although I have more than I'd like to go! I stumbled upon these great gifts that a woman makes - they are car cases that she has painted racing flags and a road and the child's name, ex Jack's Cars on it. I bought one for all the preschool/toddler boys on my list - and only $12 each! I can buy a matchbox car and still be under budget for each child. I will get my godson an extra gift since he is my godson, probably a transformer of some kind.

I also did my Gymboree shopping for DD and DS - 25% off everything in the store plus a 20% off coupon! I bought this ensemble for DD, possibly as her arriving in WDW outfit, sans the shoes - too early to guess what she will be in April/May.

I have a few dresses I picked up last year on sale that are already in the possible WDW outfits for DD, and a couple of t's for DS as well. I know Nonna has picked up a Lightning McQueen shirt for him as he loves "Vroom Vroom!"

For me, I began Weight Watchers last January and lost 30lbs before our last trip and a total so far of 50lbs, I'd like to lose another 20-25lbs which would put me back at my old competition ballroom dancing and swimming days. I'm not buying anything for spring yet at the chance that it may be too big. Also, I really like the buy 1, get 1 $0.88 sale that JC Penney has in early April - just in time for the trip! I get my basics there, then add in some NY & Co, Limited, GAP, and Banana Republic.

That's it for now ... no news on the flight for DSis and BIL yet, hopefully soon!

Coming up ... DD and DS's suitcases, the start of a packing list (already! ), our travel style, and our countdown calendar.

 

[gellybean]

I'm in!
I love reading about any trips that involve one year olds! I'm trying to learn as much as I can before our trip in January. I've never gone to WDW with an infant so I'm a sponge for anything someone that has taken a one year old can teach me!
Keep it coming!

 

[Villainess]

I'm in!
I love reading about any trips that involve one year olds! I'm trying to learn as much as I can before our trip in January. I've never gone to WDW with an infant so I'm a sponge for anything someone that has taken a one year old can teach me!
Keep it coming!

Welcome!!! I've done WDW w/ DD at 7 mos and again at19 mos, and DS at 6 mos. It is very fun! I don't bring my kids back for naps at the resort - I know, I can hear people gasping! LOL! Actually, they both sleep very well in the stroller and it is easier for them to decide when they are ready then trek back to the resort and "force" a nap on them. Good friends of mine do this and it has backfired on them on their 3 trips. May not work for everyone, but works for my kids.

 

[portocall]

Looking forward to more!

 

[Villainess]

Hi everyone! I hope you all are enjoying the holidays! Santa (or Ho Ho as DD would say) treated everyone very well. Actually, DD tell you that 'Ho Ho' didn't bring the toys, but the reindeer. She didn't like the idea of Santa coming into her house, but the reindeer - they were ok! We even fed them on Christmas Eve. It was great seeing the kids outside in their pj's sprinkling oats and glitter on the front lawn. I took about 45 pictures in 5 minutes.

The debate of where to stay is in full swing! SSR or OKW or a split stay. Nonna and Pop Pop are DVC members w/ points at OKW and SSR. We usually stay at OKW though as it is my mom's favorite. I like the ambiance of it - laidback, quiet, and for us, it is 'home' since we stay here so much. Personally, I wouldn't mind trying somewhere new; I would love to stay at Boardwalk or AKL, even for a few days. (As you can see, neither of those are options for this trip since we are staying for so long and will be renting points from someone for a few of the days.) I've stayed at SSR once, but it was for 3 nights when it just opened so I didn't really experience the resort much. However, we usually stop there once during our trips to eat at the Turf Club. Yummy!!!! It is quiet, a nice view of the canal and DTD, and great food. It is probably my favorite restaurant in WDW - tied with Chefs de France!

So anyway, I thought I would offer a photo tour of both resorts. Where would you prefer to stay? The plan for either resort is to stay in 2 studios, then switch to a 1 bedroom after BIL and Dsis leave.

I will begin with our home away from home: OKW
(All photos from here)
lay of the land

Turtle Krawl

Olivia's

1bdrm kitchen

master bath

master bedrm

living room

balcony

studio

kitchenette/bath

Coming up - SSR photo tour ...

 

[Villainess]

SSR photo tour

lay of the land

Turf Club lounge area

1 bdrm kitchen

living room area

master bedroom

studio kitchenette

playground - I wonder if I could get Pop Pop to build one like this for DD and DS?

Coming up ... DD and DS's luggage, countdown calendar, Christmas pictures, packing lists!

 

[Villainess]

... in the words of DD. Translation: We are heading into the city (NYC) via train to see the tree at Rockafeller Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Times Square and of course World of Disney, among other things! I called today to find out that Pluto and Minnie will be making appearances tomorrow. I'm not sure if we will make it over to Central Park, but I would love to get some pics of the kids at the Bethesda Terrace/fountain.

We certainly will not be around for this, but in previous trips to the city on 12/30 around 10:30-11:30pm, I've watched a practice run of the ball drop in Times Square. Very cool, no camera with me any of the times , and barely a crowd!

OK, so it is 11:42pm as I type this and DD fell asleep 15 minutes ago. No joke. She is just a bit excited about tomorrow and was rather upset when I took her out of the stroller earlier as she thought it was time to go 'bye bye' (in her pink princess nightgown, no less!). I'm taking the new twin Perego Aria stroller I bought for WDW. It will be much easier than the beast Valco I use regularly, as shown below, although ours is black.

We brought this stroller to WDW last year and although I love it - real tires, fantastic steering, roomy for kids - it is heavy - 33lbs and bulky and hard to carry on/off the buses. Given the fact that I would like to have the freedom to take the kids to the parks if my parents choose to sit and relax at the pool, the Aria is the better choice.

Now, I need to choose outfits for the kids and myself for tomorrow, pack the diaper bag, gather all my camera stuff up, and maybe get some sleep. I did a silly thing this afternoon; I took a nap. I never take naps. Why? Well, I usually don't go to bed until rather late on any given night. It is not uncommon for me to get the kids to bed by 8:30pm and work until 3am on my work (I own an invitation design business and a hairbow/tutu/cheer bow business; I'm also toying with venturing into photography in the next 1-2 years which would mesh with the invite design but trim the design aspect down some, possibly). Since I have my own business, I'm able to stay home with my children but this also means that most of my work is done while they sleep/nap or visit with their father. So, back to why I don't take naps. If I take a nap and usually stay up until 3am and get up by 7:30am, with a nap I'm not falling asleep until 5:30-6:30am and getting up at 7:30am. See, silly thing for me to take a nap!

Have a great day tomorrow everyone! Oh, and we decided on where we're staying and have an ADR already! Care to take a guess? Winner gets a box of !

 

[Villainess]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




Working on my next update w/ pics coming soon!

 

[starlight_003]

Happy New Year to you!!!

 

[Villainess]

Old Key West!!!!!

We chose our home away from home again. Actually, the decision ended up being pretty simple. We need to borrow/rent points for the last few days of our trip. We would need to borrow 115 staying at Old Key West, or 195 staying at SSR, so the decision was easy. There we have it! Pop Pop booked 2 studios for the first portion of the trip - one for Dsis and DBIL and the other for the rest of us. When they depart we will be moving into a 1 bedroom for the remainder of our stay. We requested buildings 62 and 45 for the studio stay and buildings 62, 16 or 46 for the 1 bedroom stay, preferably on the 2nd or 3rd floors. We know it isn't guaranteed, but since we can request, we do.

Some photos of OKW I took on our last trip. Funny, we were there for 16 days, I took 5000+ photos, and I barely got any resort photos and none of the room. I really need to remember to take pics of the resort, and more specifically our room - before it gets destroyed, errr that 'lived in' look!

Coming Up - Christmas (photos uploading!), NYC, countdown, packing list, ADRs!

 

[starlight_003]

Hope you & your family had a good holiday!! We had a busy but good Christmas. My son would love that slide. I wish I could stay for 16 days but I don't think my husband would last that long. I am glad I got him to stay for 7 days. Can't wait for your next update.