Yours, Mine & Ours.....Our blended family visits "The World"

[Vickibean]

So, here goes my first trip report. First our cast:

Me - 32 year-old newly declared disney addict
DH- 31 year-old sweetheart who thinks I'm nuts
DSS(12)- 12 year-old stepson who also thinks I'm nuts.
DSD(10)- 10 year-old stepdaughter who also thinks I'm nuts (and absolutely hates my orange crocs)
DS(6)- 6 year old son from my first marriage. (He loves my orange crocs and wants his own pair next summer)
DSD(5)- 5 year-old stepdaughter who loves princesses
DS(18months)- DH's and my one and only "Ours". A little sweetheart that glues the whole blended family together.

As far as past trips:

Nobody had been to The World until December 2004. DH, DS(then 4) and I(3 months pregnant) took a 4-night cruise on the Disney Wonder and stayed at All-Star Sports 2-nights before. We did one day at MK and I loved it!!!

In November of 2005, We took the whole crew to Orlando and stayed at the Nick Hotel for the week. The trip revolved around Universal because of some great deals on tickets. I did manage to get to MK with both stepdaughters, though, for 1 day.

We started planning our cruise for October 2006 out of Tampa. This was our grown-up trip, but we had to bring along DS(then 16 months) because (1) we really didn't have anyone to watch him and (2) we'd miss the little guy too much. Well, we booked flights 2 days before, staying at Pop. We decided on another 1-day at MK with the little guy.

But, I got an E-mail from United Vacations in August with some great packages at the Dolphin, so we took DS(5 at the time), DSD(10) and DS(14 months at the time) for 3 nights, 1 day at MK and 1 day at EPCOT. I said that our October trip could just be touring resorts and doing Downtown Disney.

But, DS(14 months) absolutely loved Small World so much that we ended up taking him back to MK for 1 day in October and rode Small World 4 times.

Our next trip was planned for August 2007 for a few days before a cruise with everyone including my mother, who has never flown, let alone took a real vacation. Well.....I got an e-mail from United Vacations again and the gears started turning.

 

[Vickibean]

So, I asked DH what he thought about splitting the August trip. His kids have off school the 25-26th of January and my son has the 26th off. We'd only have to take him out of school for 1 day. We had to leave early Thursday morning and come back late Sunday night. There were 2 flight options: Direct flight from an airport about 1 hour away or 1 stop out of our closest airport. That way, we could get 4 days in at the parks. DH is really busy at work right now so he said "yes", probably just to get me to shut up. Well, we both cleared it with our employers and ex-spouses and it's time to book it.

So, I did all my online homework. I called Disney reservations Monday night and put a 24-hour hold on a reservation for 2 rooms at Pop with DDP and 4 day Hoppers + more (Jan-March special). I wanted an ASMu family suite, but there was no availability with the special. I considered a Wilderness cabin, but I thought transportation may be an issue.

Tuesday I booked our flights. I decided on the direct flight. It's a little further from our house (1 1/2 hours without traffic) and more of a headache to fly out of, but I think with 5 kids we need the direct flight. Especially with an 18 month old. He's flown 4 times already, but it's always stressful for us to keep him entertained. Unfortunately, I could only get 2 flights at the lower rate. Tuesday night I called back to Disney reservations to book our Disney part of the trip. He pulled up my confirmation number from the night before and found our reservation for 4 adults and 10 children. Apparently, our reservation had doubled in size. Then, my phone lost the call. Just like the commercial. I waited a few minutes and called back. The woman found our double reservation. She said something about a front system and back system and that it was OK on the back system, which is what matters. She said she would need to have someone fix it and she promised to call back Tuesday night. Yes, Promised.

Fast forward to Wednesday morning. No call from reservations. So, at 6am, I call them. The verdict: Reservation cancelled. So, I go through the whole works of re-booking it. There. Done. So, I look online at our flights and, of course, the price has down. So the good news is that I got 6 flights for $137 each. Bad news is that the difference is in the form if a voucher. Good news is that this means we need to take another trip.

 

[Vickibean]

30 days and counting......

So, I told the kids, but couldn't find the planning DVD. We ended up on the Disney website. DSS is psyched about free dining. DSD(10) is picking up my brochures all around the house and actually reading them. Then this weekend, I don't know how it happened, but I ended up ordering crocs for both stepdaughters. And they want them. DSD(10) saw the Niles and she wanted a pair. Then, I showed DSD(5) the mary jane's and she wants them. If I like the Niles, I'm ordering myself a pair. Plus, I'll have DS(6) try on the Mary Jane's and see how they fit so I can get his Disney Crocs.

One day last week, the mail contained 2 envelopes from Disney. Sure enough......confirmations for both reservations. I called them (again) and they assured me that the first one was cancelled.

I also got my ME bag tags in the mail.

Then, the next day I got my luggage tags and vouchers that were included in the package. I love the mailman.

I've been working overtime on my ADRs. Round 1 was H&V Fantasmic package day 1, Chef Mickey's for dinner day 2, Coral Reef for dinner day 3 and Princess Breakfast in Norway day 4. Round 2 involved cancelling H&V and Akershus, and adding Le Cellier on day 4. Round 3 was the addition of CRT lunch day 2. Round 4 added Coral Reef day 1 and WCC day 3. I still need to cancel one of the Coral Reef days and probably Le Cellier.

 

[OhMari]

I see you are in Wisconsin, where do you live, and when are you actually leaving?

 

[Vickibean]

OhMari- We are in the 'burbs south of Milwaukee. We leave 1/25 from the dreaded O'hare.

Latest updates:

We now have an ADR for Wolfgang Puck Cafe for day 3. For those of you keeping score, that is 3 ADRs day 3 for dinner: Wolfgang Puck, WCC and Coral Reef.

We originally booked DS as a lap child. Since we now have the United credit, I wanted to use some of it to book him a seat. I checked the latest price and it is now $545 . I'll keep watching.

This weekend, we'll be watching the planning DVD (DH found it on the DVD shelf ). I want to plan our parks and narrow down our ADRs. I guess there's not much harm in keeping an extra 1 or 2, just in case. I must see Wishes and Fantasmic, so I need a backup plan in case of rain either of the first 2 nights.

My Bagallini came yesterday. It is smaller than I expected, but I'll load it up and see how it goes.

According to FedEx tracking, DSDs' crocs are currently in Chicago and are scheduled for home delivery tomorrow (Saturday). Does FedEx deliver on Saturday? We'll see!!!!

 

[chip91]

I live further north, think Packer country! GO PACK! But we are flying out of MKE, as the prices are SO much cheaper than GRB, I booked for 204/ticket, which was good enough for me, a direct flight on Midwest, loved their service the 1st time, hoping it's all good in October, talks of mergers scared the bejesus out of me!

Have fun Vickibean, your blended family sounds sweet! Glad the dsd's are giving the crocs a try, I plan to get them for our trip!

Chip

 

[Vickibean]

Chip-We are actually hoping the merger goes through. We have been on 3 Midwest flights and each of them have been at least 1/2 hour late. Never had that problem with AirTran.

So....for the weekend......we ran some errands Saturday. DSD(10) wore my orange crocs. Yes, the girl who hated them and called them every name in the pre-teen book wore orange crocs. Late Saturday, the FedEx man brought hers and her sister's. The little purple mary jane's are cute, and we had my 6-year old DS try them on for sizing purposes(didn't he look pretty). Then we ordered his. As far as DSD(10)'s, we both tried the Niles on and ended up each wearing 1 orange cayman and 1 blue nile all night. I want another pair before our trip and was trying to decide which one I wanted before the free shipping offer on Crocs.com expired. Well, I couldn't make up my mind and the weather here will prevent me from wearing the niles for 8-9 months of the year so....I decided I want the white Disney crocs. Problem is that Shoebuy doesn't have them (gotta love the $10 off codes out there) and I'm not paying $35 for them. I guess I'll wait a week or two to see if they get some in.

Sunday was planning day. We all watched the DVD and I drove everyone crazy, pausing after each park to ask what everyone wanted to do. So...our parks are planned and, of course, I have changed ADRs again. Everyone wants Wolfgang Puck, so I now have ADRs for CM's, WP and Coral Reef. And I have backup ADRs in case our plane arrives late and we miss Coral Reef the first day. I got rid of all the rest (except Cindy's lunch). On a postive note, DH's first words to me on Sunday morning were "25 days to go".

Since we leave on the 25th, I got an advent calendar for DS (a chocolate one) to count down.

I'm also thinking of booking a refundable park/sleep/fly package, just in case it looks like snow the morning we leave. Nothing like trying to make a flight in the wee hours of the morning with 5 kids, a 1-hour drive with no traffic or weather problems.

 

[Vickibean]

I almost forgot. On Saturday one of our errands was a stop at the fabric store for a pattern and fabric for DSD(5)'s princess dress. She chose Cinderella. I started on it Monday. She doesn't know about our lunch at Cindy's. I may surprise her. Just split off from the group and ride the teacups (her favorite) then stop at the castle and give our name. Wouldn't she be impressed?

 

[Vickibean]

21 days to go!!!!

Well, I have now ordered my disney rewards card with a whopping $52 on it. ($50 for opening it and $2 for purchases)

I have taken all my reservations and menus, 3-hole punched them and put them in a ring binder.

Still no luck on a seat for the little man. It looks like the flight must be getting pretty full.

The lastest obstacle we may need to overcome is the stomach flu. DS(6) is home with it today. The school says he is #7 in his class of 19 today.

We'll be starting to pack our misc. things this weekend. To soon for clothes, though.

 

[Vickibean]

Are we there yet?

I can't wait. We have 17 days to go. I think I'm really excited this morning, because a co-worker is going to be back after 9 days at DW on DDP. I can't wait for the info. She's also bringing me back all kinds of info.

As far as our trip, we were supposed to start packing all kinds of extra stuff this weekend (sippy cups, diapers, snacks, etc.), but both stepdaughters got sent home to their mother's house early with the stomach flu. It's become an epidemic. DH didn't want to start packing without them. They are my little helpers.

DS(6)'s Mickey crocs came Friday. He loves them.

I upgraded our tickets. Bumped them all up to 10-day non-expiration. It cost a little over $1,000, but they will probably be good for our next 3 trips. It was an especially good deal, since they already have the hopper and water park options (for free ).

As far as a seat on the plane for DS(1), I think I'm going to try to get a one-way for him on the way there. The way back seems pretty full. Baby steps.

I have a new touring plan. Here goes:

Arrive at Pop around 12:45, check in. If the weather is a little warmer than average (72 degrees), we may go to Blizzard Beach. Otherwise, we'll head straight to Downtown Disney for Disney Quest. We'll either split CS at Pop's food court or Earl of Sandwich. Dinner reservations are made for Wolfgang Puck Cafe. Then back to Disney Quest and shopping at DD. Since I added the no-expiration option, we don't have to use a park day on the first day.

Day 2: MK. DS(1)'s first haircut, CRT lunch for DSD(5) and I, then dinner for all at Chef Mickey's, then back for Wishes.

Day 3: MGM AM EMH, a snack for lunch, then maybe a kitchen sink on our way to Epcot. Dinner is at Coral Reef, then we hop back to MGM for Fantasmic.

Day 4: Pack Check bags with ME, then on to AK. If we finish AK early, we may hop somewhere else, but probably not.