Wishin' & Hopin', Planning & Dreamin': Oct 2013 PTR - 10/20 UPDATE: Link to TR!!

[SAT887]

Joining in from the FB group!! Now time to start reading!

 

[SAT887]

Ok so I read you linked pages, and not the banter in between... hope I didn't miss too much! I am excited to see your ADR's since we will be BLT neighbors!

 

[DMGeurts]

How awesome that you have airfare! Soooo jealous... Airfare is outrageous here rigth now... MSP to MCO is running about $400 r/t p/p. At this rate, it's Grayhound or Bust baby!

Love your binder!!! I used to have a 1" binder like that, then I graduated to the mini-planner.

D~

 

[Bridget816]

Thanks for sharing the link. I am joining from the Oct. FB group. I am glad to see that I am not the only slightly obsessive planner. I must admit... I am a tad bit jealous that you are going kid free. It will be our first trip to WDW and we are thrilled to celebrate our daughters 5th b'day there. We are also bringing our 15 month old son. I am stressed trying to plan ADRs with his nap schedule. Any suggestions?? I also would love to do MNSSHP but don't know if its worth having a grumpy 5 year old the next day. There is SO much adult stuff that has my attention....I guess I will have to start planning another trip after this one.
Bridget

 

[Pixiedust530]

Me too! Just booked mine yesterday. Also flying Southwest. I didn't know they offered 1/2 and 1/2 with AirTran....not around here. I loved AirTran and I was very upset when they merged because our local airport has nothing for options anymore. We have to drive the 2 hours minimum to the next closest.

Congrats on the direct flight down! When it comes to Disney (and giving up all control on my luggage) I will only fly direct. We scored a 7am flight landing at 10:15. And on the return we are leaving MCO at 6:30! I am so excited. You can plan and plan and plan, but it doesn't really feel real until you book the airfare. You can cancel your room anytime, but you can't cancel flights without stiff consequences. Yay! We're going to Disney World!

I had been watching flights pretty closely and the integration with AirTran has just happened in the last few weeks. I fly out of Louisville and AirTran has never flown in or out of there. Lexington used to have AirTran and that was a possibility, but after SW acquired AirTran lexington was one of the cities they discontinued AirTran Service to. BUMMER!

It does feel good to have the airfare booked and be "locked in" to going. Although...I wasn't going to let anything stand in the way of my going. HAHA.

Joining in from the FB group!! Now time to start reading!

Ok so I read you linked pages, and not the banter in between... hope I didn't miss too much! I am excited to see your ADR's since we will be BLT neighbors!

Thanks for joining in. I hope to have another update soon. You should be just fine reading only the linked pages. I was MIA for awhile so there isn't really a ton of banter. Wayne and I have been doing some ADR discussion and I hoe to have some rough plans/ideas for you all soon. Being BKT neighbors will be great...might have to plan a DISmeet if our schedules line up.

How awesome that you have airfare! Soooo jealous... Airfare is outrageous here rigth now... MSP to MCO is running about $400 r/t p/p. At this rate, it's Grayhound or Bust baby!

Love your binder!!! I used to have a 1" binder like that, then I graduated to the mini-planner.

D~

Our airfare was outrageous...not quite $400 R/T but close enough. However...that's the best pricing we will get around here. My brother travels about twice a week and he told me to snatch te SW flights the day they were released as they will just go up in price as time goes on. He said SW will usually lower their prices about 4-6 weeks out if they can't fill a flight, but he said it usually just goes back down to the original release price. I'm just glad we have flights and I got to choose the times/flights that make the most sense for us...not just what was "left".

Good luck on finding cheaper flights for your trip.

Thanks for sharing the link. I am joining from the Oct. FB group. I am glad to see that I am not the only slightly obsessive planner. I must admit... I am a tad bit jealous that you are going kid free. It will be our first trip to WDW and we are thrilled to celebrate our daughters 5th b'day there. We are also bringing our 15 month old son. I am stressed trying to plan ADRs with his nap schedule. Any suggestions?? I also would love to do MNSSHP but don't know if its worth having a grumpy 5 year old the next day. There is SO much adult stuff that has my attention....I guess I will have to start planning another trip after this one.
Bridget

Hello! Welcome aboard. Our last trip in Oct. 2011 was my son's first trip (he was almost 5) and also my boyfriends first trip. It was amazing to share the magic with them both. You will have a fantastic time.

I don't have much suggestion for the 15 month old's nap time and ADR's. However, will he sleep in the stroller? You might be able to plan an ADR just after his nap time...get him to sleep in the stroller prior to entering the restaurant and then enjoy your meal while baby sleeps. My son was a super sound sleeper and would sleep almost ANYWHERE. If we had taken him as a baby that would have been my plan. However...all kids are different. That might not work for you guys.

As for MNSSHP...we did that our last night of the trip as a special treat. We left early the next morning to drive home, so instead of a grumpy kiddo I had a sleepy one. You could also plan to sleep in/have a resort/pool day the day after MNSSHP so you aren't trudging through the parks with a tired grumpy kiddo.

I think we are ALWAYS planning our next trip...so what better thing to do than plan an adult only trip for you and DH!

 

[Chicago Mo]

I think we are ALWAYS planning our next trip..

SO RIGHT!!!!

 

[iupalum]

I love following along and checking out your PTR. I am also a well ahead planner...I finally convinced DH to go to WDW. We will be taking our first ever trip ( I went eons ago when I was a kid) as a family...DH, myself, and DS (who will just have turned 8) in October 2014. I'm already into the pre-planning stages...trying to figure out where to stay, park plans, ADRs, etc. As you can see I love to use 3 periods as well...can't help myself. LOL Looking forward to more of your plans.

 

[Pixiedust530]

I love following along and checking out your PTR. I am also a well ahead planner...I finally convinced DH to go to WDW. We will be taking our first ever trip ( I went eons ago when I was a kid) as a family...DH, myself, and DS (who will just have turned 8) in October 2014. I'm already into the pre-planning stages...trying to figure out where to stay, park plans, ADRs, etc. As you can see I love to use 3 periods as well...can't help myself. LOL Looking forward to more of your plans.

Welcome to the party! Glad to have you along. FIRST trips are SO much fun! You will have a great time...and you're smart to get a head start on the planning now. (It's never too early to start a PTR you know)! I think the worst part for me is that I am ahead of the game, but then I am stuck waiting for flights, park hours, special event schedules, etc. to be released!

I hope to post some tentative plans in the next few days...so stay tuned!

 

[KatMark]

Somehow in trying to catch up on all of my other threads, finish my TR so I can start my PTR, I lost my subscription to your thread.

I'm back. Congratulations on the airfare...that is a huge hurdle when planning our trips...especially with the cost of airfare (we still haven't rented our car because the prices are insane).

 

[Pixiedust530]

Somehow in trying to catch up on all of my other threads, finish my TR so I can start my PTR, I lost my subscription to your thread.

I'm back. Congratulations on the airfare...that is a huge hurdle when planning our trips...especially with the cost of airfare (we still haven't rented our car because the prices are insane).

I have totally done the exact same thing! The most important part is that you found your way back!

I am SOOOOOO relieved to have the airfare booked and behind us. It's more than I really wanted to pay, but I have budgeted PLENTY...just in case. Now that just means that I get to spend my savings on souvenirs...right?!

 

[Pixiedust530]

Well...I thought I would do a quick little update! I am at work...and I am supposed to be working...but I'm JUST.NOT.FEELING.IT!!!

WE INTERRUPT THIS REGULARLY SCHEDULED PTR FOR AN EXCITING UPDATE: Ok...it's not that exciting, but it is for me. This weekend, Wayne and I will be taking a little mini weekend trip to visit his mom and daughter in West Virginia. This may not seem like such a big deal...BUT... for the 3.5 years that Wayne and I have been together I have not met ANY of his family. (To be fair...he doesn't have much family and he only gets home to visit every couple/few years but still...) This is HUGE for me!!! I am so excited to meet them both. Actually, we will be spending the weekend hanging with his mom, his daughter, and his daughter's fiance. (His daughter is 21)

The hopeless romantic in me is hoping that this is just the "next step" to getting this marriage show on the road. You know...meet, start dating, introduce to family, get engaged, tie the knot, live Happily Ever After! Is that really so difficult for men to understand?

Just a little side note...his daughter LOVES all things Disney! I think this weekend will go JUST fine!

 

[KatMark]

Well...I thought I would do a quick little update! I am at work...and I am supposed to be working...but I'm JUST.NOT.FEELING.IT!!!

WE INTERRUPT THIS REGULARLY SCHEDULED PTR FOR AN EXCITING UPDATE: Ok...it's not that exciting, but it is for me. This weekend, Wayne and I will be taking a little mini weekend trip to visit his mom and daughter in West Virginia. This may not seem like such a big deal...BUT... for the 3.5 years that Wayne and I have been together I have not met ANY of his family. (To be fair...he doesn't have much family and he only gets home to visit every couple/few years but still...) This is HUGE for me!!! I am so excited to meet them both. Actually, we will be spending the weekend hanging with his mom, his daughter, and his daughter's fiance. (His daughter is 21)

The hopeless romantic in me is hoping that this is just the "next step" to getting this marriage show on the road. You know...meet, start dating, introduce to family, get engaged, tie the knot, live Happily Ever After! Is that really so difficult for men to understand?

Just a little side note...his daughter LOVES all things Disney! I think this weekend will go JUST fine!

Sounds like a great weekend to me. And major points with the daughter loving Disney...that should make it a smooth "get to know you" for you. I hope you'll come back and tell us all about it. And hoping that Wayne starts moving just a tad faster in that proposal area.

 

[wiigirl]

Joined the FB group.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

That's FANTASTIC!!! I cannot wait to hear all about it, have fun!!!

 

[Chicago Mo]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!​

That's great news!!! can't wait to hear all about it!!!!!

 

[Pixiedust530]

Sounds like a great weekend to me. And major points with the daughter loving Disney...that should make it a smooth "get to know you" for you. I hope you'll come back and tell us all about it. And hoping that Wayne starts moving just a tad faster in that proposal area.

It was a great weekend. I will share the details in another post. I'm wishing Wayne would get that proposal car in gear and moving...but he's a man...what do you expect?

Joined the FB group.

Glad to have you along. Buckle up...it's about to get bumpy!

That's FANTASTIC!!! I cannot wait to hear all about it, have fun!!!

I had a great time. Details forthcoming!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!​

That's great news!!! can't wait to hear all about it!!!!!

Thanks Mo! It was an awesome weekend. Details soon...

 

[Pixiedust530]

Hey there everyone!

I'm finally back! Whew...what a whirlwind, busy past week. I have had so much going on. But I'm sure you are all anxious to hear about our mini-trip to WV for meet to meet Wayne's family... Here goes nothing...

I must first warn you... we were bad bad travelers and had SO MUCH going on that we totally forgot to take pictures...yep...not a single picture. So...to keep from boring you all with a play by play of our entire trip (and no pics to go along with) I will just share the highlights.

We drove to WV on Friday. Arrived about 3:30pm and checked into the hotel. Chilled in the room for a bit after being in the car for 6 hours. Then we headed off to pick up Wayne's daughter Brandi. The 3 of us went to dinner at a small local place called Wings Ole'. His daughter was very sweet, but a little quiet so we didn't talk too much (even though I'm a gabber ). I didn't want to overwhelm her. After dinner we dropped her back at home and went back to the hotel. We did enjoy a glass of wine in the hotel bar before turning in. Romantic!

Saturday morning was SOOOOO busy! We picked up Brandi and her fiance Chris and then Wayne's mom. We had breakfast at Panera, drove through the neighboring county/town where Wayne grew up. He showed me his childhood home, his schools, etc. It was neat! We then went to the local cemetary to visit his grandparent's gravesite. We met up with a couple extended family members (I think Wayne's aunt and uncle) and had lunch at Ruby Tuesday's. Wayne's mom isn't in great health so she was exhausted by then. We dropped her back off at home and then hung out with Brandi and Chris. Brandi opened up and we talked some Disney and other stuff. She took us for froyo at a place called Sweet Frog. Mmmmm....YUMMY! We had dinner at a local place called Black Bear Burritos and then called it a day. We were out from about 9:30am-8:00pm.

After we got back to the hotel, Brandi texted Wayne that she really liked me and had a great day! WOOOHOOO!! This totally made my day. When Wayne talked to his mom the next day she told him that she though I was very sweet and he'd better hang on to me because I was a keeper! That's 2 for 2!!! Now that he has stamped mom and daughter approval hopefully we can get this ball rolling!

We drove back home Sunday (through a snow storm, sleet and freezing rain, and then just plain old rain)! UGH! I was so happy to be home.

Since we've been home Wayne and I have been talking... and it looks like we now have a 2015 WDW trip in the works! My plan is to take Me, Wayne, my son Caden (he would be 8YO then), Brandi and her fiance (possibly husband by then) Chris for a week long trip together! It will be MUCH more expensive than what we are accustomed to but hopefully if we start planning now we can pull it off!

Thanks for reading along with this post. I apologize again for my lack of pictures! I should be strung up by my toes for such behavior... . Now that October hours have been released I am getting our park days set. I should have a trip update in the next couple days!

 

[SAT887]

Hey there everyone!

I'm finally back! Whew...what a whirlwind, busy past week. I have had so much going on. But I'm sure you are all anxious to hear about our mini-trip to WV for meet to meet Wayne's family... Here goes nothing...

I must first warn you... we were bad bad travelers and had SO MUCH going on that we totally forgot to take pictures...yep...not a single picture. So...to keep from boring you all with a play by play of our entire trip (and no pics to go along with) I will just share the highlights.

We drove to WV on Friday. Arrived about 3:30pm and checked into the hotel. Chilled in the room for a bit after being in the car for 6 hours. Then we headed off to pick up Wayne's daughter Brandi. The 3 of us went to dinner at a small local place called Wings Ole'. His daughter was very sweet, but a little quiet so we didn't talk too much (even though I'm a gabber ). I didn't want to overwhelm her. After dinner we dropped her back at home and went back to the hotel. We did enjoy a glass of wine in the hotel bar before turning in. Romantic!

Saturday morning was SOOOOO busy! We picked up Brandi and her fiance Chris and then Wayne's mom. We had breakfast at Panera, drove through the neighboring county/town where Wayne grew up. He showed me his childhood home, his schools, etc. It was neat! We then went to the local cemetary to visit his grandparent's gravesite. We met up with a couple extended family members (I think Wayne's aunt and uncle) and had lunch at Ruby Tuesday's. Wayne's mom isn't in great health so she was exhausted by then. We dropped her back off at home and then hung out with Brandi and Chris. Brandi opened up and we talked some Disney and other stuff. She took us for froyo at a place called Sweet Frog. Mmmmm....YUMMY! We had dinner at a local place called Black Bear Burritos and then called it a day. We were out from about 9:30am-8:00pm.

After we got back to the hotel, Brandi texted Wayne that she really liked me and had a great day! WOOOHOOO!! This totally made my day. When Wayne talked to his mom the next day she told him that she though I was very sweet and he'd better hang on to me because I was a keeper! That's 2 for 2!!! Now that he has stamped mom and daughter approval hopefully we can get this ball rolling!

We drove back home Sunday (through a snow storm, sleet and freezing rain, and then just plain old rain)! UGH! I was so happy to be home.

Since we've been home Wayne and I have been talking... and it looks like we now have a 2015 WDW trip in the works! My plan is to take Me, Wayne, my son Caden (he would be 8YO then), Brandi and her fiance (possibly husband by then) Chris for a week long trip together! It will be MUCH more expensive than what we are accustomed to but hopefully if we start planning now we can pull it off!

Thanks for reading along with this post. I apologize again for my lack of pictures! I should be strung up by my toes for such behavior... . Now that October hours have been released I am getting our park days set. I should have a trip update in the next couple days!

That is great! Knowing his family likes you helps. Especially his daughter a big family 2015 sounds great!! We just got back from a group of 8 in December. While we didn't completely finance it we paid for a lot. Planning way in advance helped though.

 

[solana131]

Sounds like a great weekend. 2 for 2??? You go girl

 

[DMGeurts]

Sounds like you had an amazing trip and how wonderful that you all got along. I had no doubts!

Any yay for a family trip!

D~