Reasons Why We Need to go to Disney World in February

or in March.

1. I need somewhere warm to look forward to in order to survive another winter.


2. Liam won't be three yet - free park tickets and he can eat off of our plates for the dining plan


3. Quinn is still asking to eat with the princesses


4. All the t-shirts I got for our last trip still fit the boys


5. 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


6. 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.


7. I don't want to go in the fall of 2010 - Quinn will just be starting kindergarten.


8. 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.)


9. 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.

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'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.

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...

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...

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.

Our Magical Moment

I've mentioned before about how great all the Cast Members were at Disney World. Well - the following story and pictures would not have been such a great memory had it not been for the Cast Member dressed as Woody and the Photopass Photographer who captured the entire event.

So - while Quinn and I were waiting in line to see Woody and Buzz Lightyear Quinn noticed that he only had Buzz on his shirt. "But Mommy, Woody will be sad, because I don't have him on my shirt." Do you want to draw Woody a picture? "Do you think that will make him feel better?" I do. "Okay."

And so Quinn drew Woody a picture - and even signed his name on it!

When we finally made it to the front of the line - Quinn went right up to Woody and gave him the picture. "Here Woody. I drew this for you and signed my name for you!"

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And Woody quickly gave Quinn a hug.

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And brought him in a little closer...

And just that would have been enough. That would have made me happy.
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But then, Woody made such a big deal out of that picture. He showed it off to Buzz. He pretended to hang it up on the wall. He danced around a little. And showed it off to Buzz again. It was perfect. And just that would have been enough.
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And so Quinn asked for Woody's autograph.
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And Woody called Quinn closer to watch what he was writing.

And Woody wrote, "Howdy Cowboy! Thanks a LOT! Your pal, Woody"
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And just that would have been enough. But no. Woody held up that picture for the picture. And then, yes then, is when the really magical part happened. The "character handler" asked Woody, "hey Woody, you want me to hold onto that for you?" And Woody shook his head NO and put that picture right into his holster belt and patted his 'pocket'!

When we got outside to meet up with Mike and Liam Quinn saw Mike and said, "Daddy! I gave Woody a picture and my autograph and he put it in his pocket and is going to keep it FOREVER Daddy! Woody's got my picture in his pocket!"
And then I almost burst into happy tears!