What's This? I can't believe my eyes, we're seeing Disney at Christmas time

[pixiedustmomma]

And so the planning began
Although it won’t be easy
Sometimes you can’t help
Getting excited for Disney

One child too young
The other giddy with glee
But neither of them know
What exactly they will see

Going to Grandma’s last wish
Her very favorite place
We all wish she could be there
To see the excitement on their face

The colors will be intense
For our little one year old
The other will be four
For the Princesses, she’s sold!

Tiaras a plenty
We’ll have to think quickly
Let’s have some breakfast
With Mickey

It’s a small world
Will get sung
Over and over again
Will we ever get it out of our heads

O, we are dreaming
Of our Christmas Trip
Excitement over flowing
In a slow steady drip

French Quarter we’ll stay
That’s where we’ll lay our heads
If we ever get to where
We actually go to bed

We’ll see daddy’s first
Rollercoaster ride
Even when it rains
We refuse to be inside

The fireworks at night
Tinkerbell flying through the air
Mommy’s favorite moment
She couldn’t move if she was dared.

The time will be precious
A week won’t be long enough
Kids will be screaming
For us, it’s just as tough


~From my DH

 

[pixiedustmomma]

This my very first PTR! I am very excited to be writing this. Hopefully you will be just as excited to hear about our plans.

Who will be going?

Me! Courtney, 27. I am the Disney obsessed in the family and doing my best to brainwash the rest of them. It is easy when it comes to the little ones. I grew up going to Disney yearly, sometimes twice a year. I call Walt Disney World my home away from home. I lived behind the Magic Kingdom for three years and worked at Virgin Megastore. Sadly Virgin is no longer part of DTD. I love every character but my favorite is TINKERBELL ! When it comes to my favorite evil Disney character, that honor goes to Maleficent.

Carl, my hubby, is also 27. He is the one that is slowly being brain washed. But he is all too willing. He went to Disney World once when he was growing up and only got to go to the MK. For a Disney fan like me, I find that crazy. I took him his second time. He loved all the parks. His favorite character are Jack Skellington, Wall-E and Mater. He loves Disney movies and if you can believe it even Beauty and the Beast, Tangled and Princess Frog. He is also giddy about our first trip.

DD, Trinity, four years old. She is our little princess . Everything is about Princesses. Her room is covered in Princesses and she even has a Princess bicycle. She loves to sing and dance. She knows we are going to Disney and is excited to see all the Princesses.

DD, Penny, our one year old. She enjoys her sisters Disney dolls and stuffed animals. Dances along with Disney music and will watch parts of Disney movies. (one year olds never sit still for long) I am sure she will love Disney just as much as we do.


Hope you’ll join us for the ride !

 

[pixiedustmomma]

So how did this vacation come together?

I’ve been planning this vacation for about three years now. Ok, more like since I found out I was pregnant with Trinity. Only problem was, Carl wanted to wait till Trinity was three. Well when I found out I was pregnant with Penny I had to wait till she was one.

I’ve been away from my second home for almost five years ! So I’ve been planning for the last two. For the most part I know Disney like the back of my hand, but things have changed and I have never been with little kids before. So that meant I had to do a little research, which lead me to the disboards.

We cannot wait for our Magical Walt Disney World trip. To see the look on the girls faces when they step foot into the Magic Kingdom for the first time.

 

[pixiedustmomma]

Well…. Port Orleans French Quarter, of course!

We picked the French Quarter because it is a smaller resort but has queen size beds. I have heard many great things about when you have small children. Oh and let’s not forget about the beignets. My husband was sold and practically begged to stay there. (hehe)


The Dates:
November 27, 2011 – December 3, 2011

We picked these dates so we could see all the Christmas Decorations and also be there when the weather wasn't so hot.

Other package details:
5 day park hopper and Deluxe Dinning Plan

 

[pixiedustmomma]

Well I'm back at it today. I am recovering from surgery so I am supposed to be relaxing. It is a hard thing to do when I see a million other things I could be doing around the house or playing with the girls.

So I didn't mention it before but I suck at grammar. Really, I do. So I'm sorry about that.

I was kinda hoping I wouldn't be just talking to myself on here. I'm only a little crushed but I understand. I tend to lurk on the boards too.

So coming up:
How we are getting there
ADRs
Itinerary
Some surprises
Awesome savings
MVMCP

Maybe not in that order and I'm sure there will also be some more rambling going on. Maybe I might hear from some of you too and we can ramble together

 

[pixiedustmomma]

DRIVING!!!

Yes, we are driving from Cleveland Ohio to Orlando Florida.

Are we CRAZY?!?!? Kinda.

I love flying but it cost so much for the week after Thanksgiving. It is actually cheaper to drive. So I talked to a friend of mine that hates to fly and has drove down with four kids under three. She told me they drive through the night so the kids sleep the whole time.

According to AAA the trip will take the estimated drive time is 15 hours and 15 minutes. Total distance is 1037.7 miles. Seems like a lot. But driving through the night it won’t be so terrible. The way home will probably be a little worse because we will be driving through the day.

Not to worry I have a couple things to keep the Trinity busy at least. She received a Mobigo for her birthday, has the Leapfrog pen reader, Color wonder and some Disney dvds. We also have extra Mobigo games and Leapfrog books for a gift before we leave.

Now I’m not so sure about Penny. She is still rear facing in the car. Sure she enjoys movies for a little while. She loves music but there isn’t a lot of activities she can do in the car. I’m not sure if she will be ready for coloring just yet. I also need to find a way to keep her from throwing her cup over the side of her car seat.

We also plan to make stops on the way home so the kids can get out and move around for a little bit. I don’t think anybody likes to be cooped up in a car all day long. If it gets to be too much I am sure we will stop somewhere and stay the night and finish the drive the next day. But I’d rather not.

Does anyone have any ideas how to entertain Penny on the trip? I don’t want to forward face her just yet. I know she would probably be happier if we did but I feel better with her rear facing for another year or more. I wish I would have done that with Trinity.

Thanks for any help

 

[Melora]

Howdy!

I love road trips! Sometimes it's easier when they are tiny because they sleep so much. I guess I would turn my little one around around to make it easier to talk to and play with. But thats just me.

I've got older ones and they can drive you crazy too (Are we there yet?)

My trip is a year away but the best things comes to those who wait!

Look forward to hearing your plans. I have stayed once at the POFQ and liked it. I'm afraid I'm a die hard Old Key West lover though and have a hard time staying anywhere else.

Keep writing!!!

 

[pixiedustmomma]

Howdy!

I love road trips! Sometimes it's easier when they are tiny because they sleep so much. I guess I would turn my little one around around to make it easier to talk to and play with. But thats just me.

I've got older ones and they can drive you crazy too (Are we there yet?)

My trip is a year away but the best things comes to those who wait!

Look forward to hearing your plans. I have stayed once at the POFQ and liked it. I'm afraid I'm a die hard Old Key West lover though and have a hard time staying anywhere else.

Keep writing!!!

Hey!

Thanks for reading! I am hoping they will sleep most of the time. I have thought about turning her around for the trip. This is the one time I wish I had a van so I could sit in the back with them.

My four year old likes to play 20 questions. The problem is that it is usually the same questions over and over again. I hope she doesn't learn 'are we there yet' before we go.

I hope that saying is true! It has been four years!

I love Old Key West too! When my parents where are of DVC that was their home resort. It is beautiful there.

 

[pixiedustmomma]

Oh yes, we saved on dining. I didn’t know I would be able to just pay the difference but you can! So with still going with the deluxe dining plan we save $623.82! I almost fell over and that savings made the deluxe plan that much better.

I have read a lot of people who dislike the deluxe plan and then the people who love it. For us it was just about making sure we could do character dining and that we wouldn’t have to worry about food money. We are the type that we would worry so much we would only feed the kids.

I will let you know how the deluxe plan goes for us in my Trip Report.

So that is my unexpected savings on this trip. It had me bouncing off the walls for two weeks. I just wish I could have talked the DH into an extra day.

 

[pixiedustmomma]

ADRs are an exciting and stressful time! 180 days before your wonderful trip you get to make them and they sort of set the plan for your whole trip. Unless you are not doing a lot of sit down restaurants.

I don’t really remember my parents making reservations this early. From what I can remember they would make them when we got there. Also, a lot of what I remember is going as a teen and my sister and I would go off on our own. As a kid you aren’t really involved with all the planning. So this is all new to me.


Sunday
1900 Park Fare – Character Dinner – 5:10 pm

Monday
The Crystal Palace – Character Breakfast – 8:20am
The Plaza Restaurant – Dinner – 5:20pm

Tuesday
Cape May Café – Character Breakfast – 8:55am
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall – Character Dinner – 5:20pm

Wednesday
Tusker House – Character Breakfast – 8:15am
Cinderella’s Royal Table – Character Dinner – 5:40pm

Thursday
Hollywood & Vine – Character Breakfast – 8:15am
Whispering Canyon Café – Dinner – 5:00pm

Friday
Chef Mickey's – Character Breakfast – 8:25am
50’s Prime Time Café – Dinner – 5:50pm

I know that seems like a lot of sit down and character meals. But I just think with two kids under five that it will be nice. They enjoy the characters and it gives us some nice time to relax. We left lunch open too quick service meals. We will probably eat at our resort before our little breaks in the middle of the day.

Cinderella’s Royal Table came as a surprise as we would have an extra credit to use per person. At first we kept saying no to it but finally DH and I both caved. Trinity would like nothing more to have dinner at Cinderella’s Castle. The one thing she talks about seeing the most is the castle. So that is something special we will be doing.

For the most part I got all the ADR times I wanted . Except I wanted to have dinner at Chef Mickey’s instead of Breakfast. But we can just do that another time. I also wasn’t too sure about Hollywood and Vine. I hope it is good because I can’t remember ever eating there.

All these sit down meals is really why we decided to go with the Deluxe Dining plan. It helps us to know that everything is paid for. I wouldn’t do Cinderella’s Royal Table paying out of pocket. I was quoted at $160!! That is just crazy. I’ve heard it is beautiful but I still think it is crazy to pay that much. But with the Deluxe plan it fit in. And saving the $623.82 made it an even sweeter deal!

 

[pixiedustmomma]

Well there are three surprises we will be doing on this trip for the girls. They all happen on the same day too!

First Trinity will be doing Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. She doesn’t know all of what she will be getting done but she knows she will be able to dress like a Princess. After asking on the family board many agreed four is a good age to do this. My daughter loves to dress up in the Princess gowns so hopefully she will also enjoy them doing her hair and nails. I also love that the CMs will call her Princess for the rest of the day. Penny is not old enough to do this.

The second surprise of the day is dinner at Cinderella’s Royal Table. I thought it would be cool to be dressed like a Princess while eating in the castle. Trinity is going to love it!

This is also the day we will be doing MVMCP!!! I am so Excited! I think the girls will love the Christmas Parade and all the other fun Christmas activities they have going on. I can’t wait to see it all and the looks on their little faces.

So this will be one busy but fun day for us! I was a little scared at first that we had so much planned but when I thought about it this will actual turn into a great day! Crossing my fingers the girls will feel the same way.

 

[pixiedustmomma]

Things have been a little busy around here, keeping me away from updating. No fun! Our DD(4) starts preschool tomorrow. She is so excited.

I'm hoping today I will be able to post what our week at Disney will look like. I am also trying to put a countdown together for the house. Only 82 days!!! I can't wait!!!

Well, off to work on posting more and laundry.

 

[pixiedustmomma]

As I mentioned earlier we are driving to Disney. We live near Cleveland Ohio. AAA has the trip to be around 15hours and 15minutes. Now with two kids you can probably add on another two or three hours. But our trip down there we are going to drive through the night. My husband is really good at sleeping all day and staying up all night. (hehe)

We will be leaving November 26 around 5pm.This way the girls will sleep most of the trip. DH and I will take turns driving. We also plan to stop and have breakfast somewhere, let the girls run around and get them dressed for the day. I Believe we should get there around noon on November 27.

When we arrive we plan to check in, our room probably won't be ready. So we have planned this to be our Downtown Disney day. I love DTD. With the drive down we didn't want to go into a park when we first got there. So DTD will be a nice place to relax and stretch our legs out.

That night we have reservations at 1900 Park Fare to have dinner with Cinderella. I know DD (4) will love it! I really thought that would be a great way to celebrate our first night in Disney.

So that is our first day. I am getting really extra excited while writing this.

 

[pixiedustmomma]

Shopping around for outfits for the trip I found a lot of cute shirts! Disney had a great sale a couple weeks ago and Target had some really cute Disney shirts too.

I LOVE this shirt. At first I bought it for our DD(1) and then I had to go hunt it down at another Target for our DD(4). I wish they made it in adult sizes too!!

This is for our DD(1). I love Tinkerbell and she is going to look so cute in it!

Another Minnie for our DD(4). She will have four Minnie shirts for the trip. Some might be backups if the others get dirty.

More for our DD(4). The Jesse and Tangled shirts are long sleeve. Being the end of November we might need some long sleeve items. If not, she has some cute shirts for a great price!

Those are just some of things I have bought for our trip so far. It is hard to find things for DD(1). I wish the Disney Store sold more clothes in her size. I'm still on the hunt. I am also thinking of having a dress made for them from etsy. Which I will need to order soon.

 

[pixiedustmomma]

Thing have been busy around here so I haven't been able to post. Not that things are really slowing down but our Magical Trip is almost here!

Surgery, physical therapy, DD4 in preschool and DD1 running around every where have kept me very busy. Finding time for myself is hard and when I do I don't really feel like being in front of a computer.

At the moment the kids are being quite and the laundry is folded while I have a load in the washer and dryer. This is the perfect time to do some updating!

I can not believe that the vacation is less then 4 weeks away! Time just took off and our departure day will be here before I know it! I have already started to pack. People think I am crazy but I bought a lot of things for the girls to wear on the trip and wasn't going to let them wear them before, I just know they would get a stain in them. (hehe) So I kinda had to start packing.

With our vacation just weeks away I have been having nightmares that we get there and do nothing and that I forget all our bags at home. Is that normal? I keep writing out list for packing. What I need to pack in the bags and then what needs to be put in the car.

I would love to make little gift bags or baskets for my girls. A while ago when the Disney Store was having sales on their plush toys I bought each girl two for our trip. I have also picked up a couple different things for the trip there and back. Because we are driving I have different things for them to do in the car. I'm just trying to figure out how to give them the things we bought. We are leaving the 26 and driving down through the night. So the girls will be sleeping most of the way down. I was thinking that I have something put together for when they wake up and then also have something for when we drive home. Our drive home will be during the day, so the girls will need more things to do. I'm sure I will also be hunting for little gifts while we are at Disney for the drive back.

Now I will post about our days and how they will hopefully turn out.

 

[jamiesmom07]

HI! I just wanted to stop in and say hi. We are going to be at wdw at the same time you guys are!! We leave home (nw pa) on the 24th, we are driving down and checking in at POFQ on the 25th leaving on 12/3. Today marks 21 days until we leave! I am getting so excited, I can hardly stand it! Can't wait to hear more on the tr!

 

[pixiedustmomma]

HI! I just wanted to stop in and say hi. We are going to be at wdw at the same time you guys are!! We leave home (nw pa) on the 24th, we are driving down and checking in at POFQ on the 25th leaving on 12/3. Today marks 21 days until we leave! I am getting so excited, I can hardly stand it! Can't wait to hear more on the tr!

Hey! Thanks for stopping by. I am so excited too! I'm jealous you will be there two day more then we will! Is this your first time staying at POFQ?

 

[debrapagliasotti]

We are going at Christmas too...next year. Cant wait to hear more about your plans for your trip

 

[Lfwilliams28]

Please keep us updated! We are going 23-27 Dec would love to hear what it's like

 

[pixiedustmomma]

Monday will be our First Full Day at Disney.

We have decided that our first day will be spent in the Magic Kingdom all day! I already know that DD4 will want to be there the most, so it is only right to have a full day there. I am totally excited for this day! I can not wait to see both my girls eyes when they see the Magic Kingdom for the first time.

We have reservations at The Crystal Palace at 8:20am. Because that is before the park actually opens I am hoping we can get a nice family picture in front of the Castle. I know DD4 is going to be so excited when she sees Cinderella's Castle.

The park opens at 9am and has extra magic hours till 1am. I doubt we stay that late. The first ride we will probably go on will be Dumbo. I have been checking my lines app on my phone and Dumbo always seems to be the longest wait time. Spend time doing the other rides in Fantasyland and see Dream Along with Mickey at 10:35. If we miss the first show there are many other times we can see it. I would just like to try to see it early in the day and have the rest of the day to ride rides.

We will probably take a break around 11:30-Noon. Head back to the resort get some lunch and let DD1 take a nap. While DD4 and DH go swimming, hopefully it will be warm enough. I would like DD4 to nap too but she hasn't done that in years.

I would like to be back at the park before 3pm so we can see that parade. After the parade I am hoping the girls will be okay with riding the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. They have watched them on Youtube and like both rides, but watching them and actually riding them are two different things. But I am still willing to give it a try.

Another ride we will be able to do with DD4 is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. She has said she wanted to ride it and I am willing to take her on it. Hopefully she will love it!

We have dinner reservation at The Plaza Restaurant at 5:20pm. After dinner we will find a spot to watch the parade and fireworks. If the girls are willing to ride more rides after the fireworks then we will. I know there is a good chance they will both be tired. If just DD1 is tired she will sleep in the stroller.

I keep having to remind myself that with kids we are going at their pace, not mine. I have really only scheduled what park we go to and Breakfast and Dinner. Everything else is up in the air. We just have a list of rides and things we would like to do in each park.