Why am I the ONLY one this excited?! A July 2015 Pre-Trip Report *Updated 6/29*

[DisneyDreamer0610]

Hello everyone! It's very nice to meet you!

Let me introduce myself! I am "KL" in this crazy Disney adventure. This trip takes off in July and I just cannot wait!

I am the wife of a wounded warrior, teacher and mother to 3 beautiful kiddos, 2 princes and one princess. Master "L" is 13, Master "KB" is 11, and Lady "K" is 5. My husband, "S", served in the US Army from 2002-2005. While he was deployed to Iraq from 2004-2005, S was hit by a mortar and was knocked unconscious after being blown into a building. He incurred many other horrific traumas that I won't dampen the mood with, but he is now 100% disabled from PTSD, Migraines, a Traumatic Brain Injury, Back and Knee pain. I am his caregiver and for SOME reason taking care of your husband's medical needs just doesn't pay the bills (according to the government), so I work as a teacher to pay the bills. It is my passion as much as DISNEY!

Needless to say, our life is a bit "drabby" and "depressing" sometimes, so thinking and DREAMING of DISNEY gets us through!

That's my crew and I sure hope you enjoy reading our adventure!

Chapters:

Chapter One- Background: Why am I the ONLY one this excited?!
Chapter Two- Our Itinerary: Why this trip is in July, not June.
Chapter Three- Planning: How I get ready for Disney!
Chapter Four - Touring Plans: Get Your Running Shoes Ready!
Chapter Five- ADRs
Chapter Six - Planning for Disney: Is It Too Early To Start Packing??

 

[DisneyDreamer0610]

Background: Why am I the ONLY one excited?!

I am ADDICTED to Disney! If I could live, breath, and be in Disney year round...I WOULD! I grew up going to Disney World as a kid. We drove, you know, back when families did those things called "Road Trips", like the Griswold's. Back when I was a kid, I HATED the driving, but looking back I WISH I could share the same experiences with my kids, but unfortunately, gas prices have kind of ruined that. Also, my husband can barely handle the flight, let alone an 18 hour car ride! So, the best I can do is fly every chance I get to get my kids and myself back to the one place in the world that everything is perfect and everyone is happy no matter what!

Where did the title of my trip report come from? Well, funny story...short - Being that my husband has PTSD, anxiety is a huge aspect of the disability. He actually is dreading the trip and will stay behind or go home early when we go to Disney. He is going on the trip for the kids, however, he will probably only come in the mornings for a short amount of time before things become "nightmarish and disastrous" for him. Soooo...the kids and I are left. I am on a mission to excite my kids and give them the "butterfly" feelings in their stomach like I get when I think of Disney, because if I don't show them and get them to get the "bug" like me...I will be allllll alone!

My dad and I both are Disney nuts, and I am so blessed that I can share my childhood experiences with my dad, but I want to be able to have that same kind of bond with my kids. This is an experience and a feeling like no other and I hope my kids will have that same feeling. That being said, they aren't excited about this like I am. In fact, they have NO IDEA what is in store for them - really. They know they are going to Disney World, but they really have no idea what that means! I'm just ecstatic and they don't know why!

So with my husband dreading the crowds and people and the flight and pretty much everything but floating in the pool and sleeping in the room and my kids looking at me like, "uhh...mom it really isn't THAT big of a deal." I am left wondering...What am I the ONLY one this excited?! Oh yeah! Because I am a DISNEY NUT!

 

[DisneyDreamer0610]

Our Itinerary: Making a List, Checking it TWICE!

Creating the perfect itinerary is almost like being Santa. I have to make my list and check it twice, three times, TEN times...until I am actually checking it because I am at Disney World DOING IT! It is part of the excitement for me, a part of the magic. I love planning my trip and LOVE talking about it and sharing tips and tricks I have learned a long the way with others as much as I love being there.

Our Itinerary:

July 26 - Arrive at Polynesian Resort around 7 AM
Before we arrive at Disney we will have spent the previous week off property exploring Universal Studios, Sea World, Wet 'n Wild, and Legoland, so we will simply be moving from one resort to a Disney resort. Because we are staying off property before Disney and moving resorts, we have rental cars and do not plan to use them after we arrive; however, we are staying CLUB LEVEL at the Poly and that is my surprise to my family! This will not only be an exciting experience for my kids, but for myself as well. My dad will be staying with us for this leg of the trip and my husband will have flown home the day before. He has given his full support and blessing for me to go crazy with this trip since I promised him this trip would be my last trip to Disney for a long time...(until next year ).
Once we arrive we will drop our luggage off, and head to Animal Kingdom for EMH in the AM. We have fast passes for Kilimanjaro Safari's, Expedition Everest, and the Characters at the Outpost. We will then eat our lunch and go and tour the Magic Kingdom and eat dinner in the Magic Kingdom.

July 27 - Magic Kingdom/ Hollywood Studios
We will start our day at the Magic Kingdom, eat lunch at CRT, and then finish our day at Hollywood Studios at 50's Primetime. Touring plans will come soon.

July 28 - EPCOT/ Magic Kingdom
We will start our day at EPCOT and eat the the Sunshine Seasons, then head to Magic Kingdom after dinner at our resort at Ohana.

July 29 - Hollywood Studios/ EPCOT
We will start our day at Hollywood Studios and eat a quick service meal on the go and then proceed to the Grand Floridian to eat dinner at 1900 Park Fare.

I have not made my lists of rides to seek out for each day, but that will come very soon under the Touring Plans section. I made sure to book reservations at places my family and I have never eaten before. Unlike my husband, I LOVE trying new foods and flavors. My dad is very much like me as well and so I am so happy to be able to share this experience not only with my dad, but also with my kids. This will be my dad's first EVER time to stay on Disney property. I really am trying to do as many bells and whistles as I can afford to for everyone!

How can I afford all this? It's adding up!
Normally I am a pretty good stick in the mud and would NEVER fathom or even entertain the idea of me working summer school, but when my husband entertained the idea that I could go and stay with the kids a few extra days at Disney beyond the time he was willing to be in Florida, I just KNEW I was going to have to do summer school because if he wasn't coming, I wasn't going to hold back and he gave me his blessing! I usually play it safe and don't plan much with him around because he can't handle very much, and "over doing it" or "going overboard" on special things is something that just overwhelms him, so I just don't do it normally. So again, with him not being around...I will claim "temporary insanity" or "I was having an out of body experience" I have no idea what happened! I do know that I am in charge of the finances, so if he even begins to sniff around about expenses of all these extra bells and whistles, I better be able to justify how we were able to afford it...so as I cringe writing this, I also cringe at the thought of having to teach summer school, BUT I am "taking one for the team" so to speak to really have that "over the top" Disney experience my family will only get once. This is how I will accomplish this dream. If there was any other way, I would find it and make that the path I chose, but since there is NO other way AT ALL to afford this trip, so be it. Disney here I come...right after summer school. Hence, why this trip is in July and not in June.

 

[Gracefulskinny]

Joining in! Sounds like you've got some exciting plans!

 

[huggybuff]

Hi! I'll join in your excitement! I know exactly what you mean about the out of body experience...next thing you know you've either upgraded to CL or another whole trip has appeared on your schedule.

I bet your kids will get the bug with how excited you and your dad will be when you get to Disney. You'll show them the magic.

 

[DisneyDreamer0610]

Joining in! Sounds like you've got some exciting plans!

Thank you for following! I am excited to begin planning this out!

Hi! I'll join in your excitement! I know exactly what you mean about the out of body experience...next thing you know you've either upgraded to CL or another whole trip has appeared on your schedule.

I bet your kids will get the bug with how excited you and your dad will be when you get to Disney. You'll show them the magic.

That bug is contagious I tell you! Hopefully my kids will get it and never "get over it"! We are staying at Poly CL in a Garden View room but I am secretly hoping that because of the construction on the quiet pool they upgrade us to the other side...any view! I booked this trip a long time ago before they announced the quiet pool construction but I am not willing to let go of my dream to stay at the Poly in CL so we are going whether our view is ugly or not. We will just have to stay in the lounge more than our room if our room view sucks. But I am *CROSSING MY FINGERS*!

 

[stacy~**]

I'm here to follow along!! And our dates overlap....we are actually staying in the DVC Poly studios July 23-26 before moving to AKL. Maybe we will pass each other in the lobby.

I'm sorry for all your family has to go through because of your husbands service to our country (thank you!). You most definitely deserve some magic! And if that comes with a bit of a financial splurge (sounds like you have a plan to cover it) then I think you should absolutely go for it!

Happy planning! Looking forward to more.

 

[DisneyDreamer0610]

I'm here to follow along!! And our dates overlap....we are actually staying in the DVC Poly studios July 23-26 before moving to AKL. Maybe we will pass each other in the lobby.

I'm sorry for all your family has to go through because of your husbands service to our country (thank you!). You most definitely deserve some magic! And if that comes with a bit of a financial splurge (sounds like you have a plan to cover it) then I think you should absolutely go for it!

Happy planning! Looking forward to more.

So glad to have someone else follow my adventure! Maybe we will see each other in the lobby! I am excited about this trip more than I can bear sometimes! Let me ask everyone, is it a Disney "no-no" to post in your trip report your plans for Universal and non-Disney days? Does anyone really care about those plans? I figured I could, but most are here to read about Disney, not the "dark side", right?

Thank you for following!

 

[DisneyDreamer0610]

Planning: How I get ready for Disney!

I have two requirements for myself before I go on ANY vacation.

1. Get my hair done.
2. Get my nails done.

Aside from that, I feel pretty "ready" to go. We are at 43 days on our countdown and so it is now time for me to start thinking of what I want to get done and how I want to celebrate Disney before I get there with my vacation "makeover". I have such a hard time picking so I will ask you what you think?

For my nails:

I am stuck between getting the traditional Disney nails like this:

OR getting something a little more fun like this:

I really like both designs and I just can't decide!

**UPDATE** How silly of me to forget to actually consider what to paint my toes! Here are some designs I am considering for my toes. Which do you like?

I really like that one! I may end up using this design. The next one I also like though so I am just not sure.

What is your vote? It is so hard to decide!

The next debate is how to cut my hair. I have long hair down to my shoulder blades, past my shoulders and I need to cut it into some kind of style. I cannot decide on a few cut styles. Your thoughts and opinions are greatly appreciated! I know that I will add thin highlights and low lights to give it depth. I may even add a little red in at the tips or something. But the cut is important to me and I want a good style for this vacation and going forward. I just want to feel ANEW. So here are the styles I am stuck with and cannot decide on.

The first I REALLY LIKE but it would be a change because I do not currently have ANY bangs:

The next one is more on the safe side but still fun, and again, there is an element of bangs:

And last, basically how my hair is now...I would just be getting it shaped back to this style. It is my "normal" look:

So what to do? what to do? I cannot decide and am still debating but hopefully I will make up my mind soon. This is definately a treat for me every time I go on vacation and I always have such a hard time making up my mind.

 

[Alyissa]

Ok.. I'm loving this! I'm going in July and will be staying at AKL! I'm super excited.. 41 days till we go!! .. but who's counting??

 

[huggybuff]

Does anyone really care about those plans?

Yeah I'd like to hear about your non-Disney days. I've got a Universal day planned for November and plan to chat about it. Pretty sure it's ok - not verboten.

I vote for both #1 pics, nails and hair. I know what you mean about getting the nails done before the trip...I'm trying to decide on colors now.

 

[mercydisney]

LOL!!! I thought I was the only one who got all dolled up to see Mickey Mouse. But you must understand "The Mouse" only has eyes for me. But seriously I always get dolled up before vacation. I must do nails, hair, and at least try to loose a couple of pounds.

Enjoying your trip report
I also want to thank you and your DH for all he did for our country.

 

[Alyissa]

Loving the nails.. I'm thinking about doing the French Minnie style on my toes.. so cute! Do you do them yourself??

 

[DisneyDreamer0610]

Loving the nails.. I'm thinking about doing the French Minnie style on my toes.. so cute! Do you do them yourself??

Ahh! Thank you for reminding me about my toes! What an airhead I am sometimes! I have updated the post to include my toenail designs I am considering! I cannot decide. I don't do them myself, I go to my local nail salon. The girl that owns the shop competes at beauty shows and competitions on nail art designs and such and the best part is, as talented as she is, she doesn't charge an arm and a leg to get amazing designs done! She is awesome and can do pretty much anything you ask her to do and make it look better than the photo you show her. No one else in town can compete with her level of skill and price! My attitude about it is, she's the best, and I am going on vacation, why in the world would I want to do any more work?! I love getting pampered at the nail salon. It is such a treat, and I hope I am not coming off as a snob, but I NEVER get to get out because of my husband's issues, so getting two hours to do this once every 6 months really is a treat and worth every cent I put into it!

LOL!!! I thought I was the only one who got all dolled up to see Mickey Mouse. But you must understand "The Mouse" only has eyes for me. But seriously I always get dolled up before vacation. I must do nails, hair, and at least try to loose a couple of pounds.

Enjoying your trip report
I also want to thank you and your DH for all he did for our country.

I have to groom myself and peel off the months worth of TIRED to look good for those family vacation photos! I have to look like a million bucks if I am going to be spending that kind of money too, right? I would hate to show up on vacation somewhere, where the cost to be there is so high, looking like I just rolled out of bed.

Funny thing is, most people have a misconception of what teachers are like...or how we operate. I ran across two photos that pretty much sum me up. The first is this misconception of teachers:

LOVE IT! But really...this TRULY is how it is:

Anyways...how do you get from the March thru November little minion? Well actually the middle minion should be labeled at November thru March. But I don't want to look like the middle minion on vacation so I definitely have to go get lookin' all pretty like the last minion for my vacation!

And on a NORMAL year, when school lets out this is how I look, making my way to Disney:

Gotta look good at the mouse, for the mouse!

Ok.. I'm loving this! I'm going in July and will be staying at AKL! I'm super excited.. 41 days till we go!! .. but who's counting??

Oh yay! So excited to be heading there too and thank you for following my report! I can't wait to get there either! I'm counting down and actually have a count down on my phone that ticks down all the way to the seconds and the photos change each day to a new Disney photo to keep me dreaming!

 

[mercydisney]

I am am an at home babysitter so I totally understand how you feel. Every Friday is my escape day. i also understand how when you pamper yourself you feel like a million bucks.
Just remember Mickey is mine. At least the 1st week of Sept. LOL

 

[Alyissa]

Ok.. so I really like the Minnie toes with the black bows! How cute is that!!!! All of the salons near me only do flowers.. and lines. I might have to figure something out!!

Have you received your magic bands?? Are you decorating them????

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Following along and voting for the first pic of fingers, toes and hair...in fact, I might steal that hair!

 

[DisneyDreamer0610]

Ok.. so I really like the Minnie toes with the black bows! How cute is that!!!! All of the salons near me only do flowers.. and lines. I might have to figure something out!!

Have you received your magic bands?? Are you decorating them????

We haven't received our magic bands yet but I am in the process of experimenting on some old ones to see how I like decorating them with temporary tattoos. I am currently working on my touring plans. I did get the first day down. I will post the Disney Day one. I am rethinking where to start this since some have said they wouldn't mind me talking about my plans for the prior week as well. So I may go into a little of those details first. I DID go buy some stuff to decorate our window to our room...not sure if the Poly has a window or not, but if not, I am at LEAST decorating the door and hanging a Tiki sign on it!

Following along and voting for the first pic of fingers, toes and hair...in fact, I might steal that hair!

Thanks for following along on my adventure! I hope I can give you some good laughs, entertainment, and ideas for your own trip! Thanks for your input on the nails and hair. I am leaning towards #1 on each as well. Tough decisions though.

 

[Alyissa]

Oh ya.... Was just thinking .... Have you found someone for Fairy Godmailers for your kids? I haven't seen you mention it.. And I know you seen Disney Crazy like m!! I just came across the idea.. It's So neat!! Just adds a little extra magic for the kiddos!

 

[DisneyDreamer0610]

Oh ya.... Was just thinking .... Have you found someone for Fairy Godmailers for your kids? I haven't seen you mention it.. And I know you seen Disney Crazy like m!! I just came across the idea.. It's So neat!! Just adds a little extra magic for the kiddos!

I've never heard of Fairy Godmailers. What are they? Sounds like something I would love to do! Please explain!