Yes, there are Wal Mart's in Alabama.... pre/post trip report - pirate style!

[surfergirl602]

I've never done one of these before, but since everyone else is, I figured I would crumble from the peer pressure and do one. It will be a nice little reminder of our trip that almost wasn't... or... isn't, since it hasn't happened yet.... Sooo...... let me introduce us!!!

So this is me and my DH.

I stay at home in Oklahoma with our three princesses, and DH (Dan) is an Army officer. We recently moved from NY (previously Maine before that) and we are homesick!!!! We miss New England more than you could know. We've had a rough year, so when we (meaning I) heard about the amazing military discounts that were being offered, I persuaded DH with the old, "When are we ever going to be able to stay in a deluxe for this price?" trick. Oldest trick in the book, right? WELL.....

We've had to change our dates THREE times due to the Army not wanting us to have any fun. Typical military..... sheesh.....

The ladies in my photopass share group have been wonderful with our dates being changed so many times, so a shout out to them! YEAH!!!!

Soooo... we are currently going to be taking our trip from August 27 through september 8th. WE HOPE.

This trip is a surprise for the kiddos. They don't have a clue we are going, so it will be fantastic when they realize it. So let me introduce the princesses (pirates by night)

JaeJae is 8 and a half
JuJu is 6 and a half
and JoJo is 2 and a half.

Our first stop? Tampa. We'll be staying the night and going to Busch Gardens ('cuz its free). Then we'll drive on over to Orlando and we'll be checking in to All Sta Music for the first three days. Never stayed at a value... any tips I should know? I don't know if I want to get a fridge for those three days, or just wing it for breakfast. We plan on leaving early anyway....

After that, its on to AKL!!!!!! I am sooooooo excited, you have no idea. Ever since we visited here on our very first trip, I've wanted to stay here. It's so beautiful, and the people are so amazing and interesting. And of course, that view!!!

We've had to overcome so much to take this trip. Deaths and sickness in the family, deployment/work/duty calls... its made finances tight for this trip. Its the only reason I agreed to downgrade for the first three days... hey... its one heck of an upgrade!!!

Well, if you've made it this far, stay tuned.... there's lots more to come!! I have to go prepare dinner (chili lime wings!) for the family so they don't starve (a household engineer's job never ends!) but the hubster is gone all next week, so I'll be able to write more!

Up next..... how I made my ADR's and our schedule!!! And the amazing TA I have!

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

I'm very excited to read about this!!! I was a CM for 1.5 years and with my discounts I've stayed at a lot of disney resorts and AKL is a fav of mine. I got to stay there last xmas and loved it. I'm still partial to WL but AKL is a close second. What type of room/view did you get? We had booked a standard but a week before I stopped by and was able to upgrade to Sav. bunkbed view and it was sure worth it!!

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[anewmac]

YEah, glad you started a trippy. I need something to read . And Im ultra jealous that your doing more days at AKL then value days.. makes me wanna switch and do that too LOL. But guess I need to keep it budget friendly darn it LOL

 

[anewmac]

Will have to remember to hit you up for the travel agent info if we ever do another trip LOL. I would have loved to have someone else book my ADR's!

ya packing... oh man still got that to do LOL

 

[surfergirl602]

Hmm... I'm debating when I should start packing. Planning everyone's outfits takes time, you know? I need to coordinate hair bows with skirts, get fabric and the princess outfits together... What about tutus and ribbons? Hmm... Daddy needs to coordinate too, without looking like a fairy. What should we do for him?

I do think that Daddy should dress like Tinkerbell for 1900 Park Fare, what do you think?

 

[anewmac]

Hmm... I'm debating when I should start packing. Planning everyone's outfits takes time, you know? I need to coordinate hair bows with skirts, get fabric and the princess outfits together... What about tutus and ribbons? Hmm... Daddy needs to coordinate too, without looking like a fairy. What should we do for him?

I do think that Daddy should dress like Tinkerbell for 1900 Park Fare, what do you think?

HA, let me know how it goes getting dh to dress like Tinkerbell

I can barely get mine in a disney shirt so having him match will take some work... bribery Im sure Ill have to do!

UMM no its not too early... **confesses I have had a few things packed for a while now... granted its to keep the secret but still its packed and ready LOL**

 

[SunnieRN]

My son in law is in the army and just got home today!!!

He went to WDW for the first time on his R&R in April. I so hear you about the army spoiling fun!! We have booked and cancelled 5 trips, due to the army.

Even his R&R trip was crazy. It was supposed to be in May and 3 1/2 weeks before got changed to April, over Easter. Our 16 day DxDDP trip in a one bedroom, became a 17 day, QSDP trip, in a studio with one week to plan!

Looking forward to more!