what we found when we finally made it back to WDW--FOR MY NEW FRIENDS NEW EDIT #279

[longing2Batdisney]

O.K. I have been lurking for a while ... never really visited pre trip reports until this past week. I have been Dissing since we started to plan our trip...

So, here we go ... let's start from the beginning...

I have been trying to plan a family trip to WDW and Universal since 2005. We normally (or I should say I) try to plan a trip every five years.

But, our plans were altered until now for two very good reasons...


In Sep. 2005 we found out that DH needed a hip replacement; in Nov. we found out we had an unplanned angel addition on the way. DH held out on the hip until May '06 and DS2 came a month early in July'06. With me becoming a STAHM again and DH vacation time used up we decided that short close road trips was our way to go.

So, here we are...
we were originally planning to go the week after Christmas; but, we waited for May for the 4/7 deal; and ended up with the military plan instead

We are very excited...but almost had to cancel again. We just learned DS2 will have surgery (he has a congential heart defect causing trachaelmalasia--it was DX in March after 2.5 yrs of my saying he does not have ASTHMA)on June 8 when we return.
But, we have decided to keep our plans and enjoy our family celebration.

I will post pics in post to come... more tomorrow...

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Let's introduce the cast:

Me,Connie,40 and a major Disney fan. (I would move there if they let me)

DH,Danny, 43 anything to keep me happy and extreme amusement park rider

DD,Gwendolyn, 21 college junior and was accepted to the Disney college program for this past Jan. but had to turn it down; due to full time status and health insurance

DS, Dayne,16 high school junior. Loves the parks but too cool to say so (and I think he was seriously disappointed when we had to delay last planned trip).

DS 2, his first WDW trip and does the happy dance with me every day.--he can't wait to meet Donald Duck & Lighting McQueen (and Pete if he was there)

and, DDBF Joe,22, also, his first trip--retired Marine and very quiet guy. I think he is excited.

pics 2morrow first I have to figure out how...

 

[longing2Batdisney]

DH & me

DH & DS2

DD & DDBF

me & ds2

DS16 & DS2

 

[rosedolph]

We are going to Disney in May, I also have a 2 yr old, and I just started my first pre-trip report! Oh my goodness - we have so much in common! I just know we are going to be great Dis-Buddies!

When in May are you guys going? ~ Melissa

Here is my pre-trip report
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2153658

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Hello! I guess I forgot to list the dates -- (thanks)

Welcome!! can't wait to share.

I will def visit you tomorrow... really need to sign off; just had to figure out how to post pics... just don't like how they are soooo big...

 

[my2disneyboys]

I am here! I love all the photo's! Great Pre Trip Report so far!!

 

[chicagoshannon]

Great start! Can't wait to read more!

 

[wlwilliams9]

Great start! You have a beautiful family!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

first you need to know that my family tolerates me...
I plan EVERYTHING (last big trip (May '07)we took with my extended family was to "Dollywood" and I decided I was going to be too busy w/DS2 who was one at the time so I was not going to be the navigator -- what a disaster--they even had the nerve to blame me for their not being organized and not knowing where to go and how to get there. I was only worried about the nursing stations and diaper stations. Even my parents and sister were aggravated with me--LOL. So, needless to say the "navigator" is back.)

We are driving, going in two cars. We were going to rent a mini van, prices are not bad for 7 days, but they add close to $200 for the added three days.

We now plan to leave on Thursday May 21 (we found out DS16 gets out on the 20th), I have a friend who lives in Tampa so we are going to drive straight through to Clearwater. We plan to leave around 3/3:30 am which will give me time that afternoon to spend time w/my girlfriend. When we were going in Jan she was going to meet us at WDW w/ her 4yr old. But her son 18 graduates on May 30 and she doesn't feel she can afford the added expense.

May 21 drive to Clearwater Beach
May 22 leave early -- go to SOG to purchase our tickets; check in; find our fridge and stroller; visit MK; go to grocery store in the P.M.
May 23 MK
May 24 AK-- we have breakfast reservations at theTusker House w/ Donald Duck and friends
May 25 Epcot
May 26 HS
May 27 Universal
May 28 IOA
May 29 drive home

All the above subject to change w/crowd levels: I have not decided on parades and firework shows as of yet. We do plan to take advantage of the EMH (go to park for rope drop, at peak of day return to resort for pool/naps and return to park in evening) all the above may change I need to sit down w/the calendar. I started to do it two weeks ago and DH told me to wait. He said that I was too EXCITED as it was, to save my planning when I hit my "30" day mark.

It is almost here.

So, I will have an update in I think 2 days. I may start to sneak and start my planning TODAY .

I am also itching to start packing... only problem we need our summer clothes. It is already 80 out.

Update to follow when I read the schedule and hours...

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Welcome to all of you... I hope I do not bore you with my planning...

I need to figure out how to multi quote...

Thank you for the and compliments...

 

[chicagoshannon]

Welcome to all of you... I hope I do not bore you with my planning...

I need to figure out how to multi quote...

Thank you for the and compliments...

to multi quote hit the " button next to the quote button. Hit that on each post you want to quote. When you're done push the quote button on the last post.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Here goes my first draft:
Thur May 21: drive up to Orlando rented 3 bd townhouse; purchase tickets for WDW at SOG and pick up stroller from fellow swapper
Fri May 22: visit Universal
Sat. May 23: visit Island of Adventure ; Bonnie & son will join us at townhouse
Sun May 24: AK-; spend the day, go back to resort for dinner and R&R, check out MK
Wishes and Spectromagic (Bonnie has decided to stay the night with us)
Mon May 25: EP spend day;???
Tue May 26: MK and hop to HS for Fantasmic to close our WDW visit
Wed May 27: HS
Thur May 28: day of hopping and relaxing by the pool
Fri May 29: drive home

We normally do a park a day; but, with DS2 I think we will start in the AM go to the hotel midday, and hop to wherever EMH will be for the evening.

So, this is my pre-plan --too much???
I know the older kids can do it/DS2 will be my concern

 

[wlwilliams9]

Here goes my first draft:
Thur May 21: drive and Clearwater Beach; dinner w/girlfriend, while family
plays on beach
Fri May 22: drive the rest of the way (1.5 - 2 hr drive), purchase tickets
@SOG, check in to hotel, find stroller and fridge, visit MK
Sat. May 23: EMH-HS for rope drop, go back to resort, end the evening w/
Illuminations
Sun May 24: AK-breakfast @Tusker House w/ Donald Duck &friends; spend
the day, go back to resort for dinner and R&R, check out MK
Wishes and Spectromagic
Mon May 25: EP spend day;???
Tue May 26: MK and hop to HS for Fantasmic to close our WDW visit
Wed May 27: universal spend the day 9-6 and visit Pleasure Island
Thur May 28: IOA 9-6 early evening putting things together to go home
Fri May 29: drive home

We normally do a park a day; but, with DS2 I think we will start in the AM go to the hotel midday, and hop to wherever EMH will be for the evening.

So, this is my pre-plan --too much???
I know the older kids can do it/DS2 will be my concern

I think the plan looks great! If DS2 will sleep in a stroller then there is no need to even return to the room during the day! Although, you might need the break!!

 

[leamom2princesses]

Hi Connie! Found your PTR! Looks like you are off to a good start. Your plan looks really good.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Hi Connie! Found your PTR! Looks like you are off to a good start. Your plan looks really good.

Welcome to my PTR!! Thanks!!! It has been fun so far; and I have really enjoyed reading everyone's PTR.

 

[my2disneyboys]

I just saw that you have visit pleasure island. That closed down didnt it? Maybe you meant DTD?

 

[longing2Batdisney]

I just saw that you have visit pleasure island. That closed down didnt it? Maybe you meant DTD?

I will have to check on that... I thought they just redid it by closing the night clubs, and opened more resturants and stores..???? I'm sorry what is DTD, I probably went there in 1996 not sure of what it stand for.

 

[my2disneyboys]

I will have to check on that... I thought they just redid it by closing the night clubs, and opened more resturants and stores..???? I'm sorry what is DTD, I probably went there in 1996 not sure of what it stand for.

I am pretty sure Pleasure Island were the nightclubs that closed- DTD is DownTown Disney- shops and restuarants! I thought maybe you had thought you would be going to some of the nightclubs and didnt want you to be disapointed.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Yeah they closed all the clubs on Pleasure Island but the West side with shops and restaurants is still open. There should even be a new restaurant open by the time you go. Also the Balloons in Flight is up and running now too.

 

[rosedolph]

Connie,

Your DH makes me laugh! Just don't tell him that I have been planning my trip since January (and we go in May)!

I am also the planner in my family - I am just not happy unless there are at least tentative plans. It is good to know I am not the only one!

Your schedule looks good! ~ Melissa