WHAT DID I JUST DO! A Fundraising Disney Princess Half Challenge!

[stasijane]

Ahoy Mates!! Welcome to my first ever report of any kind! I hope I have at least someone who is interested in my pre trip report and as boring of a writer as I am I hope to at least entertain one person here!
My name is Stacy and this is me

I am not a longtime fan of WDW but I have wasted no time in catching up. My first trip was in 2010, it was actually a last minute trip. The thought came to me out of the blue. One night while my DD and I were relaxed for the night I busted out with the idea, wana go to WDW? I can get a week off and I am bored? and her response was Sure& Spoken like the child I know.
I found the DIS on a search and researched all I could in that time span. Two weeks after that conversation this was us.

And we have been hooked ever since. I have made 7 trips since 2010, 4 of which have been this year alone. I was lucky enough to have had a few months off this summer and I put it to good use. Made one trip with my DD which included a surprise trip by bringing her baby cousin with us.

One solo trip I made where I had my good friend join me for half of the trip,

Then a Surprise trip for my DDs 13th Birthday
and my Solo trip for the Tower of Terror 10 miler and the start of the Food and wine festival! Which I have decided is my favorite time to be at the World!

So let me tell you a bit about myself, I am 32 years old in a long term relationship with this wonderful man,

I have a 13 year old daughter and work hard so I can play!! I also pretend to be a runner at times; I have 2 Run Disney races under my belt with hopes of many more.

I am totally obsessed with Disney Dooney & Bourkes! I never carried a purse until after my first trip when I spotted the bags that WDW had, Ever since I spotted my first one I was hooked and now carry one daily.

I am also beer lover, as in one of my favorite things to do at the world is to drink. I dont overdo it, but I work full time 3rd shift, go to school full time in the afternoon and am the mother of a 13 year old daughter after all that I like to have a good beer which in my life I dont get to do much, Which is why I love having the choice to have a drink most of which are some I will never get the option to have at home or anywhere else I have ever been. There you have it! Now that you know everything about me lets move on to the trip.

Since that first trip me and the DD made in 2010 we decided it was something we wanted to do every year, and as much as I enjoy my adult time at the world nothing compares to the trips we have together. Since I am not much of a planner, I say this loosely because I love to plan but I have no patience. I cant stand the suspense of waiting for the trip which I am starting to learn is one of the best parts!! I am also a value girl, I also say this loosely because when I say value I mean it. I like to stay cheap and shop hard! I have stayed on property twice and have learned I would rather say off property. I know not a lot of people would approve of that& Especially my mother if she were to ever read this but I think the hotels off site are better suited for my personal taste. I also like to drive. I live in Mid-Missouri and it is one LONG drive but both me and my DD love road trips and I like having my car so we can go where ever we want.

Welcome everyone to my mind changing; Never making since tale of a trip that is soon to come!!

 

[stasijane]

One of the hardest things for me is choosing a date. I decided the first full week of May would be a good choice for several reasons. First off is the fact that the Expedition Everest Challenge is during the first weekend and I have always wanted to do that, and it would be something fun for me and my daughter to do together. Another reason is that it is close enought to summer but the crowds are still at a good level. I think I have spoiled myself with the low crowd levels.

 

[rebeccaariel]

Joining in here!

I'm so jealous of how many times you've been able to go! That's awesome! I think the first week of May is an awesome time. I'll be going around then as well - April 27 - May 4. The crowds will be at a really nice level then.

I look forward to learning more about your trip as your planning progresses!

 

[stasijane]

Joining in here!

I'm so jealous of how many times you've been able to go! That's awesome! I think the first week of May is an awesome time. I'll be going around then as well - April 27 - May 4. The crowds will be at a really nice level then.

I look forward to learning more about your trip as your planning progresses!

Thank you! I am really luck about how many times I was able to go this year. I dont see it ever happening again so I had to take advantage of it as much as I could!

That is what I am hoping for about the crowds. We usually go in March so May will be a different treat this next year.

 

[MrsBearcat]

Joining in too!

 

[stasijane]

Joining in too!

Welcome!!

 

[stasijane]

So it is amazing what all can happen in a week. We signed a contract on our dream home yesterday and are waiting to here back that everything is good and it will soon be ours On top of that tonight my fingers took on a life of their own and decided to sign me up for a charity during the Disney Princess Half Marathon. I have no clue what got into these little guys that are stuck to my hand. So now it looks like I have to move my trip up two months and raise money on top of it all!! I am excited about it though, The Ronald McDonald House is a good charity to raise money and run for... SO if anyone is interested in donating please PM me and I can send you the link! lol, I am hoping I didnt go over my head in doing this.

 

[stasijane]

I Have been slacking on my updates, but I have just been so busy these last few weeks. In this time my DD13 decided she wanted to come with me and just do our yearly trip while I am down there instead of waiting till the fall. I am happy and sad about a few things regarding this. One reason I am sad is that I was hoping to show her the fall decorations at WDW. We always go around the Flower and Garden festival so I thought a new season would be nice. Also that means I will have to make the trip just a bit longer as we always stay at least 7 days and I was only going to stay for about 4 for the PHM. This is why It is so hard for me to make plans. They change so much around our house. On a positive note that means she will not be going during the Food and Wine festival with me and my Boyfriend which means more adult time! Anyhow back to the topic at hand, I decdided to go ahead and book the QS package for us. We will stay at the ASMusic since my DD is a music nut. I have stayed onsite when I travel down for races but when we have a longer trip I like to stay off property so this will be her first time staying onsite and both of our first time on the dining plan. So I am excited to try this! I think I will book later this afternoon or tomorrow if I can.

 

[stasijane]

Oh!! I almost forgot, My fundraiser has been going really good. I am less than a fifth away from meeting my minimum fundraising requirment already and I still have two months to raise money! I am feeling really good about this. It has also been great to see how much fun being involved with a team has been and I cant wait to meet everyone!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

OHMYGOSH!!!!!!!!! We have just too much in common, how did I not find you sooner?!!?! (BTW, your link in your signature doesn't work, I had to come searching for you!)

So, I'm a runner too...or I pretend to be too. I just did my first 5K with my 17 year old son in October, it was a long time coming. We've been running together for a couple years, but I had a BAD flare up of plantar fasciitis, it lasted nearly 10 months and I couldn't run (or barely walk!) so it took a while to get back on my feet. literally!

Secondly...I live in Mid Missouri too?!?!?

Thirdly, you have a 13 year old daughter and I have a 12 year old daughter! I'm looking forward not only to seeing your plans, but hearing about previous trips with her! My daughter and I have never been alone and I'm SO looking forward to it!

Ok, enough rambling on YOUR PTR, I'm subbing! Oh and we're staying at a value with CS plan too! PoP! AND we're going in February! Ok, enough with the similarities.

Oh and congrats on the fundraising!

 

[stasijane]

OHMYGOSH!!!!!!!!! We have just too much in common, how did I not find you sooner?!!?! (BTW, your link in your signature doesn't work, I had to come searching for you!)

So, I'm a runner too...or I pretend to be too. I just did my first 5K with my 17 year old son in October, it was a long time coming. We've been running together for a couple years, but I had a BAD flare up of plantar fasciitis, it lasted nearly 10 months and I couldn't run (or barely walk!) so it took a while to get back on my feet. literally!

Secondly...I live in Mid Missouri too?!?!?

Thirdly, you have a 13 year old daughter and I have a 12 year old daughter! I'm looking forward not only to seeing your plans, but hearing about previous trips with her! My daughter and I have never been alone and I'm SO looking forward to it!

Ok, enough rambling on YOUR PTR, I'm subbing! Oh and we're staying at a value with CS plan too! PoP! AND we're going in February! Ok, enough with the similarities.

Oh and congrats on the fundraising!

Welcome! Yeah I didnt realize my link didn't work. I am trying to fix that right now. How Funny about all the similarities! Its really cool to hear about similarities and hear of other peoples trips. It makes you feel like you are there in a way. I think you and your daughter will have a really good time if you go together. My DD and I feel it is our special time and place when we go as we dont get to do to much together.

 

[stasijane]

Holy Moly!! Time sure flies when you are having fun! I have come to realize a few things since the last time I did a update. #1 I need to run alot more, and #2 I really suck at TR's. We have been really busy with getting our new house that I have forgotten about everything else. I had really intended on updating this daily but that didnt really pan out too well.

I am happy to say that While I haven't even started this trip yet I just confirmed a trip with a few of my Dooney friends for a Week at the Boardwalk in June I'e never stayed there so I am really excited to check it out. I was also able to get a new 20th Anniversary Marathon Dooney bag today It' so beautiful and will look good with me on my upcomming trip!