WOW, A kidLESS week TRIP REPORT with pics! UPDATED 10/20--Finish DAY 3 page 5

[MissMichelle]

OK this was posted last month but will repost it to keep it all in one place:
WOW, A kidLESS week PRE PRE TRIP REPORT with pics!

CAST:
Michelle , ME, lover of all things Disney. I have a fully themed Disney XMAS tree, Disney collars and dishes for the dogs, and even drag the kids in to look (and sometimes buy) in the Disney store each trip to the mall. Celebrating my 26th birthday @ MK on Sept 26th.

TC, 26, not into Disney AT ALL and definitely complains a bit that I picked this spot for my birthday trip. He wanted to do a cruise (but I'll get to that in a bit). He is a hard worker who loves to watch family movies, go for long walks and exercise....wayyy too much.

Let me add in a bit of info before I start. TC and I aren't married but I will refer to him as DH--b/c while not a legal marriage he is my husband, my life and one day we will have a Disney wedding. We have 2 children...only 1 is mine biologically but they are both living fully in our home so I consider Ashley mine also, 3 dogs (2 Boxers and an English Bulldog) and I am both a SAHM, and school bound.
Here is a photo of my kids:

So this trip was completely unexpected. Life has been hectic this year with 3 deaths in the family, buying a new car, my trip this past February to Disney with my son and much more. I was trying to plan a trip BEFORE my last trip even started but no dates were working out for my family. Seemed like life really had no more vacation time this year and I had to deal with it. SO imagine my shock and surprise when TC asked me if I wanted to do a 4 day cruise out of Boston---no kids...YIPPPEEE!!! So I start looking at dates for Sept since it is the cheap time to go and there really wasn't much that would work...OK, I can drive to NYC, so let's see what we can do. Again, nothing...Dates weren't working for us..prices aren't all that....Hmmm...no vacation after all. Plus the kids are in school---who will watch them?

FREE DINING!!! Of course this had to be presented to me via the disboards and who am I to pass up such a good deal? You see, when I booked my February trip it was during last years free dining and I was oh so very jealous. I couldn't imagine actually enjoying paying for the dining, but we did and we loved every second of all that yummy food. (pictured is my mom, my niece , me and my son @ Le Cellier)
Photo:

I quickly got on to the WDW web site and started playing around with dates and packages. TC is, as I said before, into exercise and weight lifting so I HAD to go with a gym, but we really can't be spending deluxe prices....SO CSR it is! The moderate with everything I was looking for! Spa, Gym, Ambience, awesome pools, and of course---the infamous Pepper Market (which I can't wait to try!). We start asking family about the kids and my mom will stay at my house for 3 days, then my sister for 2...then the kids will ship out for 2 to their grandfathers. It is becoming a reality! We have never in the last 10 years of being together been away alone :sob sob:

So I reserve a king bed room, Sept 25-30 (but quickly change that when I get my flight to go home Oct 1st now and get 6 day Park Hopper PLUS passes. Knowing good well TC is a fan of water parks, not getting the added plus feature would have been suicide---for me. Over the last few months I have been calling CRO and dining, putting in requests (I know, I know---not guaranteed) adding my bday to my ressie for Tony's and just plain old bothering them (shhhh I'd never do such a thing!). We started our countdown @ 184 days....now check my siggie to see where I stand---WOOHOO! Time is actually flying!
We have been getting slack from family and friends, "How can we do Disney without our KIDS?" OMG, I am such a bad mommy...............NOT, they have gone 4 times in 3.5 years, and this is where my heart lies I could have taken some all inclusive island trip, but I want to do Disney my way---I have dreamed of that day, and I'll finally get to live the dream very soon! Plus these kids are Disney'd out for now, and have put in their requests of what I am to bring them home that they hate to live without (rice crispie mickey ears LOL).

So on to shop for back to school, get new luggage (WHAT? I NEED new luggage) , pick up some clearance summer clothes (I always need new clothes for vaction) and just try to sit back and relax until then. I hate knowing that I plan so hard for 7 days of vacation and then it is over in the blink of an eye....but this couples only trip will be oh so worth it.

I am a picture taker, and will be posting many pics. So let's start here with a picture from 3 years ago with 2 of our dogs, when were just 23 years old (no recent ones of us) of me and DH.

TO BE CONTINUED with a *PRE TRIP REPORT* Will I change ANYTHING before then? I sure hope not, but being nuerotic isn't always easy!

Pre Trip Report: DONE
Day 1: Started page 3
DAY 1: FINISHED
DAY 2: STARTED
DAY 2: FINISHED
DAY 3: FINISHED

 

[MissMichelle]

PRE TRIP REPORT---WOW, a kidLESS week with pics!

So here it is, just 5 days from departure. I have packed about 99% of my life into luggage and will live off of what I have left in my basically bare drawers and cabinets. This week will entail:

2 soccer practices, 2 soccer games
Major grocery shopping for the babysitters delight (aka Gramma and Auntie)
Print boarding passes
afix luggage tags
Make the kids *to do * lists (without me to remind them it won't get done lol)
Make sure I pay car payment
withdraw a unknown amount of cash (yes I still carry cash lol) for drinks etc

OK so now that I gave you all my hand written list *I have that word for word on my desk* you must know that it won't be easy. I am starting to have small anxiety issues about leaving the kids.
Another small bit of info partially mentioned in PRE PRE report. Ashley, not mine biologically. Her mom bailed when she was 4. She is now 10 and I call her my daughter as if she were my own. Her and I last month:

I haven't been away from her or her brother really ever. They get overnights with their grandparents---but rarely. I am a SAHM (working less then 15 hours some weeks just to get out) who does the whole PTO , soccer mom thing...very involved and while I know we all need a break---it is going to be a reality shock for me. I get TONS of great insight and support from fellow boardies, and also from friends/family but the FEAR! Fear of not being able to kiss the kids goodnight for 6 nights (7 since they'll be sleeping the night we get home) is nerve wracking.

With that said I can honestly say during the day I KNOW I will barely think of them (does the last paragraph make me sound like less of a mean mommy?? LOL). I will be so busy and consumed by the fact that TC and I are ALONE, IN DISNEY, ALONE (yes said twice for extra effect). But night time will be hard I am sure. TC loves his sleep while *I* on the otherhand DESPISE sleep...I don't get much of it. Caffiene takes care of the mid-day sleepies

I will also miss the dogs (some will understand me on this one!!!) and they always have a hard time when I am gone. They are both wonderful rescued boxers who are pretty faithful and loyal to me. They get ill everytime I am gone for vacation and it makes me sad. Wish I could take them with me.

So as I check the accuweather.com 15 day forecast (http://wwwa.accuweather.com/forecast-15day.asp?partner=accuweather&traveler=1&zipcode=32801&metric=0) and see what will probably change a Kabillion times (also said for effect---those dang weather men!) It looks nice....Nice enough for me to take that over http://wwwa.accuweather.com/forecast-15day.asp?partner=accuweather&traveler=1&zipcode=02780&metric=0 60's...ugh---I get cold thinking about 60's (and living in New England doesn't help I know this).

I am sure I'll be posting small crazy things over the next few days (look at me getting to 500 posts before I go!!!) posting about my flight times, love/hate relationship with Logan Airport and the hardhsip I've had trying to find someone to BRING us.

So I will leave here with a photo of my last trip---getting our monorail licenses. One of my favorite "Pixie Dust" things.(Ignore the humidity break-out that happened on my face---I swear it was trick photgraphy.....

​

 

[MissMichelle]

So tonight I finally make it to Home Depot to get my LGMHPC. I can't imagine at this point that I will be brave enough to go up to anyone with one, but you never know----Disney Magic has a way with making you do strange things.

So THE PLAN:
DS soccer game 3:30 pm---get home just after 5...feed kids dinner, finish any laundry, do all dishes etc and the usual clean up stuff---say my goodbyes to the kids (WAHHHH) and put them to bed...Drop eveything I am doing @ 9pm to catch Desperate Housewives Season Premier...10pm get online and stay there until 2:30. Wake DH and make sure I have checked my list 2, 3, ah shoot 10 times......(I am pretty neurotic at times) and pray I remember all documents, license, credit cards, emergency #'s (chime in if you think of something!).

We have asked my dad who lives next door to drive us to the airport since Monday's are his only day off--meaning he gets to come back home and snooze. Boston's Logan Airport is about 55-125 minutes (haha depends on those GREAT tunnel detours!) from here which means leaving about 3:30 to arrive by 5:30 the latest (aiming for 5). We have a 7 am flight on Jetblue--nonstop and will arrive @ 10am if all goes as planned.
We are only bringing 1 carry on with all the security scares and issues---it will contain my documents, bathing suit and camera. Bare minimum ----can't be too bare I say.....Does anyone else pick their flying clothes out far ahead also? I put aside a specific outfit just to FLY. I am sick of the taking of sneakers, removing belts, sweatshirts etc...so I am dressing light. VERY LIGHT. Tank Top (check) cotton shorts (check) sandals (check check). Hope we don't have a cold spell here in Mass where is is 85 one day and 58 the next (haha any New Englanders will know EXACTLY what I mean!).

So all of you @ the World 9/25-10/1 please be sure to say Hello---DH and I will be ready to kill each other by day 2 I am sure (never been alone that long!) and will need outside influence. I would also like to get Focked, and also be a focker....That will really drive DH nuts! After all----It's my Birthday and I'll Fock if I want to, Fock if I want to Fock if I want to....You would Fock to if it happened to yooooooooooouuuuuuuuuu! (in m most sing songy voice to "It's My Party". )

 

[KatGarcia]

Looking forward to your couples only report as my Dh & I are doing a couples only trip this xmas/new years! Have an awesome trip!

 

[MissMichelle]

You had a Disney Honeymoon! THAT someday I hope will happen with us also. I would love to go "where the Magic is" for my honeymoon. Hopefully after this trip DH will agree...As of now, he says that the idea of going to Disney World is really killing him--he'd rather lunge on a tropical beach somewhere. sigh. what does he know?

 

[ocd4disney]

OMG!!! I just read your pre trip report ........I won't even have to write my own now...I'll just link everyone to yours!!
I can also relate to the trip being over before you know it. We wait so long to go and then blink once and you are on your way back home!

Have a great trip.....this is sure to be your best bday ever!

 

[MissMichelle]

OMG!!! I just read your pre trip report ........I won't even have to write my own now...I'll just link everyone to yours!!
I can also relate to the trip being over before you know it. We wait so long to go and then blink once and you are on your way back home!

Have a great trip.....this is sure to be your best bday ever!

LOL thanks! I have talked to many others who seem to be having these fears and anxiety! We can use this thread as a support group lol.

I am sure once we touch land in Orlando all the fears will melt away.

 

[NewOrleansLady]

Wow, Disney with just you and DH...I envy you! Can't wait to hear how your trip went! Have a great time

 

[Sooze]

My DH and I are also doing a couple-only trip in January. We do two trips a year.. one for the kids and one for us.. (DVC membership helps with that!). But I still have to explain to people why I don't feel the least bit of guilt about going without the kids. It's a totally different experience!!

Can't wait to read your TR. Maybe we can get some ideas!

(Don't forget to buy your hidden Mickey book! You can't look for those things with kids in-tow!)

 

[MissMichelle]

Wow, Disney with just you and DH...I envy you! Can't wait to hear how your trip went! Have a great time

Thanks! I am getting so anxious...To the point where I get really giddy (as if Caffiene did mess me up enough) and start to almost get nauseous! I can't believe how nervous I am!

 

[MissMichelle]

My DH and I are also doing a couple-only trip in January. We do two trips a year.. one for the kids and one for us.. (DVC membership helps with that!). But I still have to explain to people why I don't feel the least bit of guilt about going without the kids. It's a totally different experience!!

Can't wait to read your TR. Maybe we can get some ideas!

(Don't forget to buy your hidden Mickey book! You can't look for those things with kids in-tow!)

Thanks for that! I get MANY people criticizing my choice everyday. I get "Go to Cabo, Aruba, Hawaii, the Keys.....*insert "adult type" destinations here*. It drives me crazy..I explain "I have been to Disney 4 times with the kids in just under 2 years---I will now get to do the ADULT things Disney has to offer--GASP! There are such things??? I had NO IDEA! haha.

 

[pumba]

Hope you and dh have a fantastic time.......remember always to make time for yourselves and this is as good as they get.......
Keep records and tell us everywhere you went and where you ate and what you did.....

 

[MissMichelle]

So it is now Thursday and we have just 3 more days of NOTHING until we get to our week long home. The longing I feel is overcome with extreme anxiety. My son wakes up every morning now and says "Mom, 5 more days---Mom, 4 more days---Mom, 3 more days (that one killed me a bit). He informed me he will miss me a lot but can't wait to spend so much time with his baby cousin and then his grandfather. Good thing I get to CALL them as often as possible, my 6 year old has even memorized my cell #! uh-oh!

I have so much now to worry about for next week though as both kids school fundraisers are due next week, picture day is Monday (Pray my DS matches for school and doesn't pull a quick one on Auntie) My son has a book report due next Wednesday that will be mostly done by this weekend---I just hope whatever isn't done will be complete and thorough as if I was here...

I was just looking over my ADR's...I have switched my planned days around a bit and just realized that I am now doing a breakfast buffet the same day I plan to hit MGM. This is sort of bad since DH gets very ill on rides but has agreed that with precautions he will ride RnR and ToT with me~~~~ WOOOPS. Can you say DRAMAMINE??? with a Full belly he may not stand a chance. Don't want to shut him off for EE the end of the week, that's for sure.

So I have been reading TR's...LOTS of them...in fact I start to read one report and then say "HEY, I thought you did that YESTERDAY" and realize that was someone else. I need to start taking notes as I have heard others do. The notes I DO jot down are little helpful hints/tricks and just the NOT miss things. I am pretty bad with faces and names...So hopefully anyone who approaches me either hands me a LGMHPC or starts their report first so I can cheat :blushing: .

My Passporter is so chock full of goodies---tons of print outs, index cards with ADR times and #'s, I even have things circled on the maps (hints like take Rainforest Cafe enterance, use path behind Space Mtn etc).

One more day of work (tomorrow) and then we have a ton of things more to do that I added to my list....I want to clean the kids rooms---100% *yes nuts I know* give dogs baths, do 100% of laundry, dishes, floor washing....finish designing the envelopes for the kids lunch $$ and write them notes. Set to Tivo my shows for next week.Put myself on Digest for many email groups I am on (I always forget this step!) Finish packing *after all laundry gets done*.

So much to do, So little time. and keep on reading

 

[kaysmommie]

Hope you have a fantastic trip and don't miss the kids too much.

 

[MissMichelle]

Hope you have a fantastic trip and don't miss the kids too much.

Thanks...It seems harder then I thought it would be....I think once I step foot off the plane though I'll feel better..How could I not??? The kids will be ok and will be here when I get back...It's not like I am abandoning them right??? lol

 

[outlander]

I really need to be busy getting stuff ready (we'll be there the same time!) but I found your pre-trip report so interesting. Dh and I are taking the 4 kids this trip but we both want to do a kidless trip in the very near future. If only I could get over the guilt of going without them!
I will be looking forward to hearing about how it went. Hope you have a great time!

CHEERS!

 

[MissMichelle]

Pumba: I will be taking PLENTY of notes--I will have much more time without kids around to take things in and just slow DOWN...It will be such a shocking change of pace for me.

Outlander: I hope you get to do a couples only trip someday soon...I wouldn't have even considered it without so much support from some friends and the DIS. People say I will be better for it...Refreshed and ready to get back to life. I heard it put this way: Everyone needs a break. You get one from school, and work---but sometimes to be a better person you also need one from your normal life. It WILL be there when you return home, I promise.

Wish me luck!

 

[jonsmom57]

Thanks! I am getting so anxious...To the point where I get really giddy (as if Caffiene did mess me up enough) and start to almost get nauseous! I can't believe how nervous I am!

Have a great time "neighbor". My next door neighbor is leaving tomorrow moring - I am living vicariously through her!

 

[MissMichelle]

Have a great time "neighbor". My next door neighbor is leaving tomorrow moring - I am living vicariously through her!

WOW! Neighbor is right! lol...I got my lunch today from Coletti's Market

Thanks I am so excited....every evening I start getting more excited...just means I am another night closer to my trip!

 

[Lauralee131]

Oh, MissMichelle - good for you guys taking a kidless trip! I'm so jealous! My little guy is tons of fun, but DH and I could really use some time alone! Especially since we've transferred to a new state...we don't know anyone, so babysitters are pretty much out of the question for now. I hope you have a great time! And for your birthday? Enjoy it - be sure that wear that birthday button proud girl!! Enjoy - look forward to hearing about it when you get back!! Sending some pixie dust your way!!