What's left to do?
Our last trip, our first trip as a family, I was busy busy busy getting things ready. Things that we probably didn't need, but were fun, either way.
Now? What to do?
Our park tickets arrived, hotel reservations made, dining reservations, what parks/which days figured out, flight arranged, Magical Express is all set up...
I'm not going crazy with matching outfits this time - the boys did get one new shirt each. We've got Mickey hoodies that will fit them just fine. I'm not planning their clothes, really, until it's closer and I can see the weather forecast.
Last time, we did goody bags. Mickey, or one of his friends, would leave a little bag in the room for the boys to open in the morning. As if they needed something else to be excited about, but it was fun. I'm not doing that again. Mickey will send a package (new shirts and a countdown chain) after Christmas with a letter saying how excited he is we're coming back and maybe explaining that goodies are given every day only to those who are there for the first time. But, more importantly Mickey will let Quinn know that Emily will be joining us on this trip. That news, will have Quinn jumping up and down - I promise you.
So... no goody bags, no more t-shirts/shopping... hmmmm...
Monday, December 21, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Mission Accomplished
Last night at dinner, my 2 year old who can barely get out a full sentence, says "I go Disney World?" Be still my heart... I'm raising 2 Disney lovers. What more could a Disney Mom ask for?
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Tickets
So, it's even more official now. I've purchased our airfare and our park tickets through Undercover Tourist. If you're not yet receiving emails from Mouse Savers - sign up. They send a secret link once a month with a great deal on park tickets through the Undercover Tourist. Sweet!
Just 85 more days until we're in a place "where dreams come true!"
Just 85 more days until we're in a place "where dreams come true!"
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Still Trying to Believe This...
Last time we went to WDW we stayed at CBR and felt like we were living it up. We had an ADR at Big River Grille & Brewing Works located at BW. I fell in love with the place and thought, "Wow. We'd never be able to stay there." Now that we're members of the DVC our next trip will be staying at the BWV. After that BLT and then maybe AKL or OKW. Who knows. I'm just still amazed that we're going to be doing this.
Translation for those not familiar with disney speak:
Last time we went to Walt Disney World we stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort and felt like we were living it up. We had an advanced dining reservation at Big River Grille & Brewing Works located at the boardwalk. I fell in love with the place and thought, "Wow. We'd never be able to stay there." Now that we're members of the Disney Vacation Club our next trip will be staying at the Boardwalk Villas. After that Bay Lake Towers and then maybe Animal Kingdom Lodge or Old Key West. Who knows. I'm just still amazed that we're going to be doing this.
116 more days
Sunday, October 11, 2009
meeting these guys... 
and watching this...
Sunday, October 4, 2009
It just made sense...
It was something we had in the back of our minds every since we took our first trip to Disney World together - almost ten years ago for our Honeymoon.
Can we do this every year? How could we ever afford to stay onsite (especially the Contemporary)?
After we got married we rarely took vacations. We went to Las Vegas once. And I think that was it. Yup. Trips up to Wisconsin, but that doesn't really count in my book. We always talked about going to Disney World - especially for Christmas time - but figured we should wait 'til we had kids. We have a difficult time spending money.
Finally, our first family trip - almost a year ago - and we fell in love with it all over again - and this time with a fresh perspective.
And then we started thinking about it again. The Disney Vacation Club. We briefly looked into it a year ago, but since the only people I knew who belonged inherited a large sum of money and that's how they got it. So I figured it wasn't for us.
Then, this past week two families I know, two families, went to DisneyWorld and the urge to join DVC got so much stronger. Not only that, but the Doorway to Dreams store in Woodfield hosted an amazing event.
And so I went. Just to check things out.
And it was amazing. I learned how flexible the DVC can be. I learned how the point system work. I learned how DVC is so very different than other time shares. But most importantly, I figured out, we can afford this. We could have afforded it ten years ago (and would have paid a lot less than today).
So we took the plunge. We joined the DVC and I couldn't be happier.
We already have our first trip planned for February. We're staying in a 2bedroom at the Boardwalk and bringing along our friends, who just happened to be with us for our first family trip.
Not only that, we've got our next two trips after that "sort of" planned out. Mike and I want to go for our 10th anniversary - just a quick weekend trip in January or February of 2011. And then, we'd love to take the grandparents (both sets) to stay with us in 2012. See how that all works - a quick weekend stay in a studio, then we can save our points for the next year and get a 2 bedroom (which is really like a 3 bedroom as far as sleeping arrangements go).
We don't even have to go every year - we can "bank" our points one year and go the following year - we can even "borrow" points from the year after that and stay in a villa at one of the nicest resorts at DisneyWorld. Well, let's face it, they're all nice.
And we can go other places too.
This is going to be good for us. It's going to force us to think about going somewhere and doing something. If we can't afford to fly to Florida - maybe we'll drive down and stay longer - or maybe we'll use our points at one of the resorts in Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, or heck, even Chicago!
Those in the DVC will say they wish they hadn't waited. Those not in the DVC will question our decision. I know. It just keeps happening. And that's okay, because I know this is for us and we will love it.
Can we do this every year? How could we ever afford to stay onsite (especially the Contemporary)?
After we got married we rarely took vacations. We went to Las Vegas once. And I think that was it. Yup. Trips up to Wisconsin, but that doesn't really count in my book. We always talked about going to Disney World - especially for Christmas time - but figured we should wait 'til we had kids. We have a difficult time spending money.
Finally, our first family trip - almost a year ago - and we fell in love with it all over again - and this time with a fresh perspective.
And then we started thinking about it again. The Disney Vacation Club. We briefly looked into it a year ago, but since the only people I knew who belonged inherited a large sum of money and that's how they got it. So I figured it wasn't for us.
Then, this past week two families I know, two families, went to DisneyWorld and the urge to join DVC got so much stronger. Not only that, but the Doorway to Dreams store in Woodfield hosted an amazing event.
And so I went. Just to check things out.
And it was amazing. I learned how flexible the DVC can be. I learned how the point system work. I learned how DVC is so very different than other time shares. But most importantly, I figured out, we can afford this. We could have afforded it ten years ago (and would have paid a lot less than today).
So we took the plunge. We joined the DVC and I couldn't be happier.
We already have our first trip planned for February. We're staying in a 2bedroom at the Boardwalk and bringing along our friends, who just happened to be with us for our first family trip.
Not only that, we've got our next two trips after that "sort of" planned out. Mike and I want to go for our 10th anniversary - just a quick weekend trip in January or February of 2011. And then, we'd love to take the grandparents (both sets) to stay with us in 2012. See how that all works - a quick weekend stay in a studio, then we can save our points for the next year and get a 2 bedroom (which is really like a 3 bedroom as far as sleeping arrangements go).
We don't even have to go every year - we can "bank" our points one year and go the following year - we can even "borrow" points from the year after that and stay in a villa at one of the nicest resorts at DisneyWorld. Well, let's face it, they're all nice.
And we can go other places too.
This is going to be good for us. It's going to force us to think about going somewhere and doing something. If we can't afford to fly to Florida - maybe we'll drive down and stay longer - or maybe we'll use our points at one of the resorts in Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, or heck, even Chicago!
Those in the DVC will say they wish they hadn't waited. Those not in the DVC will question our decision. I know. It just keeps happening. And that's okay, because I know this is for us and we will love it.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Reasons Why We Need to go to Disney World in February
or in March.
- I need somewhere warm to look forward to in order to survive another winter.
- Liam won't be three yet - free park tickets and he can eat off of our plates for the dining plan
- Quinn is still asking to eat with the princesses
- All the t-shirts I got for our last trip still fit the boys
- If we do buy DVC via Disney and not resale - we'll get a bunch of "bonus" points to use in 2010 and be able to stay in a really nice one or two bedroom
- I don't want to go in the summer of 2010 - too hot. And Quinn might have his surgery in the beginning of the summer.
- I don't want to go in the fall of 2010 - Quinn will just be starting kindergarten.
- I would only have to take two days off of work in order for us to go Tuesday-Tuesday. (That's if we go in February - if we went in March - oh help us, we'd go during spring break.)
- I was going to say that Liam will still be small enough for this to happen, but I'm not so sure after looking at this picture!
At EPCOT - during the fireworks show.
One of my most favorite memories.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Disney Vacation Club or Not
So - here I sit, my eyes buggy from reading about all the different opinions and options of the Disney Vacation Club (DVC).
I can't even wrap my mind around it all to come up with a decent post.
Would it make more sense to just save money to vacation? Is it worth the annual dues?
If we didn't do DVC we would probably never stay at those Deluxe Resorts within walking distance to the parks.
If we do DVC - what resort would we want to be our "home"? I'm leaning towards the Boardwalk, because you can walk to both Epcot and Hollywood. Or boat there. Walk to Epcot - hop on the monorail to Magic Kingdom. The only one we'd need a bus for would be Animal Kingdom.
If we do DVC - there is no housekeeping service. No Magical Express from the airport to the resort. So we'd have to rent a car or call a cab.
How, exactly does the trading of points work with RCI? Where can we go?
As a DVC member would we get discounts using cash at other Disney resorts?
Can we use our points at other resorts not within the DVC?
Would we rather use our money to buy a trailer and land up in WI?
If we belonged to DVC it would force us to vacation. We, surprisingly, have a difficult time spending money on big things like vacation. This DVC would force us to use our points at least every other year - and take super nice vacations. Not just Disney. Hilton Head, SC looks beautiful. And over 500 other locations - but I have no idea how those other locations work! ha!
I know exactly where we stand as a couple.
We both want both. DVC and land/trailer.
I want DVC more.
Mike wants land/trailer more.
Why can't we just have it all?
And - I am officially stating that I am willing to give up my Starbucks for this. (and I love my Starbucks)
I can't even wrap my mind around it all to come up with a decent post.
Would it make more sense to just save money to vacation? Is it worth the annual dues?
If we didn't do DVC we would probably never stay at those Deluxe Resorts within walking distance to the parks.
If we do DVC - what resort would we want to be our "home"? I'm leaning towards the Boardwalk, because you can walk to both Epcot and Hollywood. Or boat there. Walk to Epcot - hop on the monorail to Magic Kingdom. The only one we'd need a bus for would be Animal Kingdom.
If we do DVC - there is no housekeeping service. No Magical Express from the airport to the resort. So we'd have to rent a car or call a cab.
How, exactly does the trading of points work with RCI? Where can we go?
As a DVC member would we get discounts using cash at other Disney resorts?
Can we use our points at other resorts not within the DVC?
Would we rather use our money to buy a trailer and land up in WI?
If we belonged to DVC it would force us to vacation. We, surprisingly, have a difficult time spending money on big things like vacation. This DVC would force us to use our points at least every other year - and take super nice vacations. Not just Disney. Hilton Head, SC looks beautiful. And over 500 other locations - but I have no idea how those other locations work! ha!
I know exactly where we stand as a couple.
We both want both. DVC and land/trailer.
I want DVC more.
Mike wants land/trailer more.
Why can't we just have it all?
And - I am officially stating that I am willing to give up my Starbucks for this. (and I love my Starbucks)
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
I'm like a kid...
You know how when you hear about other people going to Disney..then you get all jealous and wish you were going? That's what I'm feeling right now.
And then you hear about people who got back and said it was just too hot, or too crowded, or they would never do a character meal again...and you are thinking "are you crazy?"
That's what I'm thinking right now.
I would go there every year if I could.
And then you hear about people who got back and said it was just too hot, or too crowded, or they would never do a character meal again...and you are thinking "are you crazy?"
That's what I'm thinking right now.
I would go there every year if I could.
Monday, August 10, 2009
One more reason to do Disney
As if I needed one...
A trip to the Wisconsin Dells would be just as expensive as going to Disney for the same period of time on the same dates and that included 2 meals and a snack a day at Disney. Not including airfare!
It's just a little farther...
A trip to the Wisconsin Dells would be just as expensive as going to Disney for the same period of time on the same dates and that included 2 meals and a snack a day at Disney. Not including airfare!
It's just a little farther...
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Maybe a little Disney crazy...
Don't you just sit at home and watch your kids and think... "Gosh, they are the PERFECT age to take to Disney World!"
And then rationalize to your non-Disney obsessed husband, "I know I said that last year, but really Joe would enjoy it so much more now. He knows all the characters names, he watches some of the shows on Disney Channel.... Emily asks about it all the time. We didn't get to spend enough time to relax and visit all the parks. I mean really this would be the best time to go..."
But some how, your non-Disney obsessed husband says "we just went" "it's too expensive" "I want to relax on vacation"
Don't worry, I'm raising 2 Disney obsessed children--soon it will be 3 against one...
And then rationalize to your non-Disney obsessed husband, "I know I said that last year, but really Joe would enjoy it so much more now. He knows all the characters names, he watches some of the shows on Disney Channel.... Emily asks about it all the time. We didn't get to spend enough time to relax and visit all the parks. I mean really this would be the best time to go..."
But some how, your non-Disney obsessed husband says "we just went" "it's too expensive" "I want to relax on vacation"
Don't worry, I'm raising 2 Disney obsessed children--soon it will be 3 against one...
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Planning...the early stages
Before this past trip in October, the last time I was at Disney World was 8 years ago. Now, I want to go again. Right Now.
This winter I seemed to survive a bit better and I think it's because I had a little trip to Arizona planned for February. Something to look forward to after all the cold and dreary days. So it only makes sense, that for my emotional well being, I should plan a trip for next winter to Disney World.
I think park tickets are free if you're under 3 - so we better go before Liam turns 3 next June.
I want to go in one year - in March. I think I'll start visiting the disboards again and watching for discounts.
And then maybe we should go to CA and visit DisneyLand - I've never been there and I have a ton of friends in CA that we could also visit. Then, it wouldn't be a total Disney trip - so that would make Mike happy.
I don't know. But we're going somewhere.
This winter I seemed to survive a bit better and I think it's because I had a little trip to Arizona planned for February. Something to look forward to after all the cold and dreary days. So it only makes sense, that for my emotional well being, I should plan a trip for next winter to Disney World.
I think park tickets are free if you're under 3 - so we better go before Liam turns 3 next June.
I want to go in one year - in March. I think I'll start visiting the disboards again and watching for discounts.
And then maybe we should go to CA and visit DisneyLand - I've never been there and I have a ton of friends in CA that we could also visit. Then, it wouldn't be a total Disney trip - so that would make Mike happy.
I don't know. But we're going somewhere.
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