3 Kids & A 40th at MY Castle Pre Trippie

[Dizneyblonde]

3 Kids and a 40th at My Castle – Pre Trippie

Part 1 - Introduction 447 Days to go.
It’s me again!!!!

After the huge success of my trip report I’m back again to plan the next one with you.
I’m going to do this Blog styly a la Jodie and share all my planning, ideas and new things I find in my research!!!

Let me introduce us all again.

Me – DB – Teresa 40 in November but celebrating early in WDW. Planner, payer and lover of all things Disney since the day I was born.

Robyn – DD – 15 (at time of trip) My angel, my best friend and an absolute star. So sensible but allows herself to be a child when in Disney and loves Tinkerbell.

Jack – DS – 13 (at time of trip) My baby. Typical boy. Always late in and lover of Stitch. Gets the most excited of all of us and loves to help with the planning. Not planning on getting lost this time!


Anyway most of you know us so I’ll get on.

Usually when we return from Disney I am an absolutes wreck, suffering with the Disney blues and am inconsolable for weeks.
However when we returned in 2007 I promised the kids we were going back in 2009 so I knew I had another trip coming and was actually on a high.

We spent weeks uploading all the photos, ordering photopass cd’s, movies, books and putting the 7 hours of tape onto DVD’s. Jack used Windows Movie Maker and added music and transitions and they are fab!!!!

All thoughts of Florida were fading as Christmas approached and the chaos of presents and trees took over. I had something else to be excited about and boy do I get excited about Christmas.

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The kids had more surprises as I’d managed to get them a Wii which I saved until Boxing Day morning. Jack had a new LCD TV for his room (you may remember my bargain from Asda) and Robyn had an Ipod Nano that she was desperate for.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm287/dizneyblonde/Florida200721047.jpg

On New Year’s Eve I promised the kids that in 2008 we would be booking for Disney and thoughts soon returned to planning………..

[Dizneyblonde]

Sorry photos are big but i can't get into photobucket to resize them!

[Dizneyblonde]

Part 2 - How To Pay & When To Go!!!

The 2007 trip had been paid for with money that I’d come out of my divorce with and an insurance payout that was due as well as an interest free credit card courtesy of M&S. We did everything and had everything on the trip and it cost a fortune!!!!!

I knew we would go back in 2009 I just didn’t know how I was going to pay for it!!!!
I’d finished paying of the CC so it was a case of budgeting and borrowing from the kids savings accounts, which I could pay back on our return, any money we couldn’t save before the trip.
We are also going to ask for $ and tickets for Christmas this year.
We toyed with the idea of leaving it until 2010 but celebrated my 41st just wouldn’t have been the same. That’s the year that DD takes her GCSE’s too so we’d want to be at home for the results and by then the kids would have been too old to share a room at 16 and 14.
We talked and talked about what to do but still came back to it being 2009. Having always booked a package before I wanted to give it a go booking DIY this time (in the hope of saving money) and started to look into costs of flights etc.
I popped into our local TA and told them of my plans before Christmas and they said I’d have to wait until April time to be able to book.
I priced up lots of alternatives as a guide for 2008 but was still none the wiser of what it would cost in 2009!!!!

Robyn’s 14th came and went and we were still talking about what to do. I was making myself sick wondering how I would pay for it if I booked again.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm287/dizneyblonde/Florida200721060.jpg

Anyway we went off to Spain for February half term to visit my Uncle and being on a plane got us all excited about Florida again.

On our return I decided to PM Val (Cinder’s Mum) with our plans to see what she could come up with. We had decided a Fly Drive was our best bet as there was no way I could wait until September to book flights only but there was no way I wanted to drive. Plus with the moving around we wanted to do and the free dining we were hoping to get a package was out of the question.

Val came back to me with a price to compare with others that I’d had so I gave her a ring to discuss my options and concerns (and I had a few!!)
We spent nearly 2 hours talking about not picking up the car, free dining, ADR’s, Virgin V Room, transfers, RPR and various dates.
I knew I wanted to go as late as possible in August for 3 weeks but had to be back in time for a day at home before going back to school/work. I couldn’t even find out when this was going to be because County don’t decide on the school holiday dates until June!

We discussed the price difference between 6th-27th and 10th-31st August and the merits of the different things we wanted to do in those dates.
Val knew I was still unsure about committing to booking so she told me to sleep on it and let her know.
I didn’t sleep a wink that night and as soon as I got home from work the next day I rang her again.

I had decided we were definitely going on 10th August but was unsure of the start date for free dining.
We already have our Disney 5 day tickets (due to Virgin cock ups last year) so I also knew we would have to book our Disney hotel through the American site to get DDP as you only have to buy a one day ticket with them.
My main concern was when the free dining would start if I booked through the American site as it is usually later than the British are offered it.


Are you still with me?

We did a bit of research and decided that we would take a chance and book the holiday for 10th -31st August 2009.
9 nights on I-Drive (Hotel undecided)
2 nights RPR
10 nights Disney Moderate hopefully with free dining.

So I paid my deposit and that was that!!!!! All with Virgin’s V Room thrown in for free and a promise that when the main brochure came out the price would not be cheaper so we couldn’t lose!!!

Val was fantastic and very patient with all my indecision and questions, she is such a star.


April arrived and it was time for next year’s free dining to be announced for the American Disney site. Our calculations had been correct and if the dates follow we should have 2 days onsite next year before our free dining kicks in but I can live with that!
Another thing we realised was that I could now get free dining with the US site even if we booked for a Value Resort.
All thoughts of POR were soon forgotten and lots of research into POP Century began saving me about £400-£450 in the process. Result!!!!!

[Dizneyblonde]

Part 3 - Some Planning!

The kids and I had a few planning meetings and decide on what ADR’s we want to do if we are lucky enough to get it and a rough draft of an itinerary was made.

Here’s what we have decided so far – all subject to change a fair few times before we go!!!!

ADR’s (we should get 8 TS credits each)

CRT – Lunch 2 credits
50’s prime Time – Dinner
Coral Reef – Dinner
Crystal Palace – Breakfast OOP
1900 Park Fayre – Dinner
Ohana – Breakfast
Planet Hollywood – Dinner
Le Cellier – Dinner


Rough itinerary

Sun 9th – Travel to Gatwick overnite stay
Mon 10th - Fly to Orlando
Tues 11th - Seaworld
Wed 12th - Kennedy Space Center (?)
Thurs 13th - Aquatica
Fri 14th - Seaworld <-----------------------} Might swap these 2 around
Sat 15th – Shopping/I-Drive/Pool day
Sun 16th - Discovery Cove
Mon 17th - Busch Gardens <----------------}
Tues 18th - Aquatica
Wed 19th - Move to RPR - IOA
Thurs 20th - Universal Studios
Fri 21st - IOA/US again then transfer to Disney unpack then DTD for evening
Sat 22nd - Animal Kingdom
Sun 23rd - Hollywood Studios 50’s Prime Time
Mon 24th - Epcot Coral Reef Illuminations
Tues 25th - Blizzard Beach
Wed 26th - Magic Kingdom Crystal Palace 1900 Park Fare Wishes
Thurs 27th - Typhoon Lagoon Ohana
Fri 28th – Water Park and DTD Planet Hollywood
Sat 29th – AK, Epcot, HS Le Cellier
Sun 30th - Last day so MK CRT
Mon 31st - Fly home
Tues 1st – Arrive home

[Dizneyblonde]

Part 4 - Tickets & More Planning

Tickets

5 Day MYW Disney tickets (already got)
1 Day Disney ticket to qualify for free dining
2 park 7 day Universal ticket
Discovery Cove Ultimate – including SW, Aquatica and BG


Extras we want to do
Grand Floridian Photo Shoot
Dine with Shamu
Kennedy Space Center
Blue Man Group



New things since last visit
Block Party Bash
Toy Story Mania
Haunted Mansion (in rehab last time)
1900 Park Fayre
Le Cellier
Simpsons Ride
Aquatica


Itinerary cards and sheet have been started but all that have been added so far are pictures!!!

Nothing can be booked now until August when we have to decide on the I-Drive hotel and we should be able to book RPR.

So until then i will just share my planning and findings with you all. :)

[Dizneyblonde]

Part 5 - Did You Know?

Was reading the Florida 'bible' last night (A Brit's Guide To Orlando and Disneyworld) and found out a few things we either want to try next year or that we just didn't know.

I didn't know that you could get a boat from MK to Fort Wilderness and have the Trail's End Buffet for $10.99 per adult.
I also didn't know that you can meet Woody and friends at the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon.

We have decided we'd like to try the Tchoup Chop restaurant at RPR during our stay at Universal.
Bahama Breeze on I-Drive
A kitchen sink at Boardwalk (walking through International Gateway at UK pavilion in Epcot - Still never seen it!)

I've also been looking at the Wyndam Orlando Resort for our stay on I-Drive but i think it will work out too expensive as we want to save the pennies for Disney!


Also thought i'd finish each update with a bit of Disney trivia :-

Did you know that there are more than 20,000 different colours of paint used in WDW?

[Dizneyblonde]

Part 6 - Holiday Weight Loss!!!

446 Days to go

Had my gym induction after work tonight.

Before my divorce when i didn't have to work and look after 2 kids and a house on my own i used to go to the gym every day at lunchtime.
Since going back to work i've gone from going every day to not going at all and using every excuse going as to why!!! I was a 10/12 and am now a 16/18 :blush::omg:

I've decided enough is enough and have set myself a target of 38lbs to lose through regular exercise and less rubbish food!!!

I'll keep you informed of my progress.......if you are interested! :D


Did you know that the windows in the Coral Reef restaurant are 18 feet high, 8 inches thick and made of acrylic?

[Dizneyblonde]

Part 7 - First Surprise

441 days to go

Was at Mum and Dad's yesterday for some parantal guidance and a 'Dad' cuddle and for some reason we started talking about Christmas.

Well to cut a long story short i said i didn't want anything for Christmas this year and my Dad said 'yippee'!!!!

I went on to explain that i'd like to take the kids to see ****************** while we are on holiday next year and they have said that they will pay for it for Christmas for us.

I will book it as soon as dates are available for next August and surprise the kids with it on Christmas day!

Did you know that 3,000,000 chocolate Mickey Bar ice creams are sold every year at WDW?

I have one on every day or our Disney visit!!!!!

[Dizneyblonde]

Part 8 - Scrapbooking last years pics

Here's a few pages of my scrap booking album with last years photos...

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[Dizneyblonde]

and a few more....

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http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm287/dizneyblonde/P1030299.jpg


And i'll leave you with....

Did you know that Walt Disney only attended one year of high school?

[Dizneyblonde]

Part 9 - What a find!!!!

Went shopping with Jack yesterday and came across these

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in our local 'cheap shop' for 50p a packet.

There are 8 cards and 8 envelopes and i thought i could use them for mousekeeping envelopes.

We had the last packet yesterday but went back today and they had some more so got another 4 packets!!!!

Did you know the 2 marble doors at the queue entrance of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster are decorated with 3,536 real coloured marbles.Anyone want a game?

[Dizneyblonde]

Part 10 - All Tickets Booked!

Not been a great week.(long story won't bore you) so i decided to book some tickets today as i'd seen that they were available to book for 2009 on another thread.

Already have Disney tickets from Virgin after they messed up last year's booking.

Today i booked us the Discovery Cove Ultimate ticket for 16th August 2009 with 14 days entry to BG,AQ,and SW included.
ATD pricematched Floridatix so i got them for £186 each.
Paid a 20% deposit and pay the rest 6 weeks before we go.
They also have a price promise to match the price if it drops between now and then.

Also went on the Universal website to book our unlimited 7 day tickets for US/IOA.
When i looked a few weeks ago they were $79.99 but have gone up to $89.99 so i thought i'd get them before they go up again.
They send you an e-mail with a pdf file attached so i have printed out my actual tickets to take with me!!!!

So that's it all tickets booked.
All we need is hotels now!!!!

Did you know it would take one person, eating 2 hamburgers at every meal, 4,109 years and 215 days to eat the number of hamburgers served ar WDW each year?!

[Dizneyblonde]

Part 11 - Weight Loss Update

Only a little update but i've lost 7lb on my first week of dieting.

Still a long way to go though!!

Did you know the difference in temperature between the hot and cold rooms in Test Track is 100F!

[Wendy]

CONGRATULATIONS :bravo1: :champers2: on the loss :hug2:

You put your heart and sole into the planning Teresa :hug2:

I take bits and pieces up to them each time I see them to add to their folders I bought them for Christmas. Nothing at all like this.

[Dizneyblonde]

Part 12 - Weight Loss Update

Weight loss is now up to 15lb although the Kitchen Sink weekend and seing off sick this week will probably affect that!!!
I want to lose at least another 2 stone before we go but at least i have plenty of time to do it.

Just getting a bit frustrated i can't book anything else yet!!


Did you know that if you count all the Dalmations in the 101 Dalmations section of All Star Movies Resort(including all the puppies and large Perdita and Pongo) you will get exactly 101?
Anyone want to check?

[Shellyamc]

:smiley4:What an amazing report!!!!

I love it!! Keep them coming.

Oh and congrats on your weight loss! That will be my goal before we go next year :p015:

[Dorothy]

WOW you are organized!! Will you plan my trip down next August too :lol: I guess I had best get Johnie to start looking at prices and stuff because as the Budget Queen she always gets the best deals :D

[Dizneyblonde]

Are you really serious about coming down to see us?

[Dorothy]

Are you really serious about coming down to see us?

I just sent you a PM and yep, sure am :D

[Dizneyblonde]

Woohoo wait til i tell the kids!!!!

[hayleyneeyore]

Great start Teresa!!

Looking forward to some more :D

[Wendy]

Are you really serious about coming down to see us?

If Dorothy says she's coming then she normally comes :D She did the same last year, she new I wasn't looking forward to it and she came down to see me :hug2:

You'll love her Teresa :D

[Dorothy]

Aww Wendy, I love you too :hug2:

[Dizneyblonde]

I already do love her!!!

[Johnie]

:hug2: yeah! a pre trip report!!

We are so going to have to get a new picture, that angle leaves something to be desired :yes:

My dear, we will definately come in August 2009!

[Dizneyblonde]

Part 13 - Disney Buddies

You may remember from last year's trip that we met up with Johnie at 50's Prime Time and Becca and Johnie at Ohana.

We discussed with Dorothy before last year's trip about meeting up with her too but circumstances didn't allow.

Well on next year's trip we are meeting up with all 3!!!!

I'm so excited about meeting up with Johnie and Becca (and hopefully Bayley,Andrew and Alysia) again as we had a blast.The kids can't wait.
Can't wait to meet up with Aunt Dorothy for the first time either.We used to chat so much on yahoo chat through the mic that was so temperemental and it will be great to hug her in person at last.

Hopefully we will all get free dining then we can meet up for a couple of ADR's(as long as we can agree on them!) and we are all hoping to stay at POP too.

I'm so excited and we still have over a year to wait!
We may even get to share a Kitchen Sink!!!!!


and breathe..........

Did you know that Cinderella has her own horse on the Carrousel identified by a gold ribbon on it's tail?

[Johnie]

:p015: we're pretty easy when it comes to food so I'm sure we'll be able to agree!

[Dorothy]

:p015: we're pretty easy when it comes to food so I'm sure we'll be able to agree!

I really just go where Johnie tells me to go, it just so much easier that way :lol: Although, I would really love to try the coral reef for a meal.

[Dizneyblonde]

Great we loved the Coral Reef last year!

The kids chose the ADR's this time as they are either their favourites from last time or they just really want to try them.

[Dorothy]

AND we have to talk Annie and Johnie into going to TL with us too since neither of them is overly fond of playing in the water :paddlingpool:

[Johnie]

:lol: I'm not overly fond of being in a bathing suit in public.....it has nothing to do with the water.

[Dorothy]

:lol: I'm not overly fond of being in a bathing suit in public.....it has nothing to do with the water.

If I can put my tubby little body in a bathing suit then so can you. Besides don't you want to do the lazy river with me and drink girlie drinks all day :D

[Dizneyblonde]

CRT for dinner is my choice for my 40th Birthday meal!

[Dizneyblonde]

We are definitely doing water parks as the kids love them and their Dad would never let them go.

We have a few 'rlaxing' water park days planned!

[Dorothy]

Wed 26th - Magic Kingdom Crystal Palace 1900 Park Fare Wishes
Thurs 27th - Typhoon Lagoon Ohana
Fri 28th – Water Park and DTD Planet Hollywood
Sat 29th – AK, Epcot, HS Le Cellier
Sun 30th - Last day so MK CRT

Rough idea of what I'll do with these same days
Wed 26th - Fly in early and meet up with everyone :D
Thurs - Same as what you're doing :D
Sat - Probably won't do 2 water parks back to back so will do Epcot and meet up with you guys for dinner and fireworks :p015:
Sun - MK and what ever else comes up :D
Mondy - Fly home sometime

[Tinker]

I would LoVe to join in with everyone for your 40th DB . I just missed you by a few days when everyone met up . :(
Johnie ;) Jim and I are planning the DCL/WDW next September if there is still availability with TMFL group rate .
I will come alone in August . I'll have to see if I can find a roomie to cut down on expenses .
Dorothy ~ we finally are going to do TL .

[Beccaberry]

I'm so excited about meeting up with Johnie and Becca (and hopefully Bayley,Andrew and Alysia) again as we had a blast.The kids can't wait.


I do hope you'll realize, your 40th birthday is about the *only* thing that would get me down to Florida in AUGUST!! :gy:

[Dizneyblonde]

LOL you did it last year!!!!!

[Beccaberry]

Because it's YOU!!!

[Dizneyblonde]

Aww my 40th isn't until Noveber but i'm going to celebrate it every day!!

[Dorothy]

I do hope you'll realize, your 40th birthday is about the *only* thing that would get me down to Florida in AUGUST!! :gy:

And that goes double for me!!

[Johnie]

August doesn't bother me! I'll be glad your there though!!

[Beccaberry]

August doesn't bother me! I'll be glad your there though!!

Me too!! We'll both refuse to go to the water park. There's strength in numbers. :wink:

[Johnie]

:yes: Exactly! Though I think we may actually be outnumbered......

[Beccaberry]

True. But I look at this like I do my girlfriend at work (we're the only two who are "married")...when we go out, we make a pact....we'll have TWO drinks and then leave at the same time so none of the "single" girls can batter us into staying longer....and it works...we go out and after FIVE drinks...we leave :wink:

[Johnie]

That sounds like a plan to me!!

[Dorothy]

I have a whole year to work on the two of you :evil:

Annie the lazy river isn't deep, even I can stand up and not drown in it and we all know how short I am :rolleyes008::lol:

[Johnie]

You know you can drown with just a teaspoon of water.......

[Dizneyblonde]

You are both coming to the water parks with us and that is the end of the conversation. :D

Johnie and Becca you'd do it if you loved me ;)

[Disneybumble]

You are both coming to the water parks with us and that is the end of the conversation. :D

Johnie and Becca you'd do it if you loved me ;)

Good girl emotional blackmail. That should do it.:lol:

[Beccaberry]

I have a whole year to work on the two of you :evil:


How can we POSSIBLY be talking about this in TWO threads? Dorothy stop hijacking other people's threads!!



Johnie and Becca you'd do it if you loved me

Ah yes. I remember this one from many of my high school dates...and I'll tell you the same thing I told them...

If you loved me you wouldn't ask. :wink:

[Johnie]

:lol: touche!

[Dorothy]

How can we POSSIBLY be talking about this in TWO threads? Dorothy stop hijacking other people's threads!!

NOPE :evil:


Ah yes. I remember this one from many of my high school dates...and I'll tell you the same thing I told them...

If you loved me you wouldn't ask. :wink:

They asked you to float around a lazy river and drink girly drinks in high school too :shocked025: Man, I went to the wrong school :lol:

And besides, you've loved me for years, so it's time Annie, I won't tell anyone, really I won't :lol:

[Beccaberry]

They asked you to float around a lazy river and drink girly drinks in high school too :shocked025:

Yeah. Something like that. :wink:

And you can promise me anything you want...I don't *do* water!! I've no intention of drowning at Disney World...it would ruin the magic.

[Wendy]

Dorothy hun, you and Teresa can beg all you want to you're not going to get Johnie and Annie to the water parks :lol: there's more important things to do other than sit round in a water park all day, isn't that right girls :D

[Dorothy]

Dorothy hun, you and Teresa can beg all you want to you're not going to get Johnie and Annie to the water parks :lol: there's more important things to do other than sit round in a water park all day, isn't that right girls :D

Wendy you are not helping me here :tongue0011-1:

[Johnie]

Thank you Wendy! Would you like to come have desserts and liquor around the world?

[Beccaberry]

Dorothy hun, you and Teresa can beg all you want to you're not going to get Johnie and Annie to the water parks :lol: there's more important things to do other than sit round in a water park all day, isn't that right girls :D

YES. Lots and LOTS of more important things....like shopping. Or drinking on dry land....or the monorail....

[Dorothy]

Well Fine then be that way, I'll just take Jon and the kids and we'll have fun without you :gy: After that then we ALL can ride around on the monorail drinking and the kids can drive :D

[Wendy]

Wendy you are not helping me here :tongue0011-1:

Sorry, but you know it ain't gonna happen :lol:



Thank you Wendy! Would you like to come have desserts and liquor around the world?


Desserts sound good, you can have my liquor :lol:



YES. Lots and LOTS of more important things....like shopping. Or drinking on dry land....or the monorail....


Everything is more important than water parks :lol:

[Beccaberry]

Well Fine then be that way, I'll just take Jon and the kids and we'll have fun without you :gy: After that then we ALL can ride around on the monorail drinking and the kids can drive :D

Don't threaten me with a good time young lady!!:gy:

[Johnie]

:lol: Jon will come with us if there is booze involved!

[Beccaberry]

Not if we don't tell him right away....let's tell him we're going shopping with Wendy...he'll throw me his wallet and run for his life!

[Dorothy]

Not if we don't tell him right away....let's tell him we're going shopping with Wendy...he'll throw me his wallet and run for his life!

Besides, I need him to take the kids on the wayuphighintheair water slide thingys!!!

[Dorothy]

Don't threaten me with a good time young lady!!:gy:

Not a threat, that's a promise :gy: :hug2:

[Beccaberry]

hehehehe It *IS* just like I'm in high school again....

[Beccaberry]

Besides, I need him to take the kids on the wayuphighintheair water slide thingys!!!

Want him to wear his spongebob boxers?

[Wendy]

Not if we don't tell him right away....let's tell him we're going shopping with Wendy...he'll throw me his wallet and run for his life!

:lol: Shopping I can do, now you're talking. Can we go to the Cheesecake Factory as well :D




Besides, I need him to take the kids on the wayuphighintheair water slide thingys!!!


Oh no Dorothy, if you want to go to the water parks then YOU have to take the kids on the wayuphighintheair water slide thingys :gy:

[Dorothy]

Want him to wear his spongebob boxers?

WOO HOO a man wearing spongebob, be still my heart :D

[Dorothy]

Oh no Dorothy, if you want to go to the water parks then YOU have to take the kids on the wayuphighintheair water slide thingys :gy:


No way :shocked025::shocked025::shocked025:

[Wendy]

No way :shocked025::shocked025::shocked025:

Yes way :lol: but, but, you said you want to go to the water parks :p015:

[Beccaberry]

Muaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahhahahahahahaaaaaaaaaa...... .

[Dorothy]

Yes way :lol: but, but, you said you want to go to the water parks :p015:

I want to play in the wave pool and do the lazy river and NOT do those wayhighupintheair thingys!!! I don't do high things, nope ain't gonna do it, no way, no how, nope. Well, unless Annie comes, I'd do it with Annie :D

[Johnie]

:lol: Shopping I can do, now you're talking. Can we go to the Cheesecake Factory as well :D






Oh no Dorothy, if you want to go to the water parks then YOU have to take the kids on the wayuphighintheair water slide thingys :gy:


Oh yes, we can go to the Cheesecake Factory. The sweet tamale cakes are awesome!

[Beccaberry]

Well, unless Annie comes, I'd do it with Annie :D


Nice try, but no cigar....and no water park either...



I'd do it with Annie :D

Not gonna go there....

To the water parks that is :wink:

[Johnie]

Must...be...good......

[Beccaberry]

Yes. You must. If I must, then you must....otherwise, who's gonna carry the shovel?

[Johnie]

Very good point! Krista won't carry it, she's the lookout!

[Dizneyblonde]

This used to be my pre trippie thread!!!! LOL

Is Wendy going to be there aswell?

At the water parks i mean?

[Britchick]

i wish i was coming:( i was supposed to be there at that time :( stupid air force :(

i need lots of photos and texts!

[Wendy]

This used to be my pre trippie thread!!!! LOL

Is Wendy going to be there aswell?

At the water parks i mean?


Sorry for derailing your thread :lol: you know what these girls are like :lol:

No, I won't be there :( Chris is 50 :eek: next year so he wants to go somewhere else for a change. I couldn't go in August either it would be wayyyyyy tooooo hot for me.

[Dorothy]

It's going to be wayyyyy tooo hot for me too :tongue1: but I'm going. Besides we need you to help keep the girls in line, they don't listen to me when I tell them to behave for some reason :shrug:

[Dizneyblonde]

Well i'm not behaving for anyone.

This vacation is costing far too much money for me not to enjoy it and do what i want to do.

It will be our last one for a long while and you only turn 40 once!!! ;)

[Keith]

Well i'm not behaving for anyone.

This vacation is costing far too much money for me not to enjoy it and do what i want to do.

It will be our last one for a long while and you only turn 40 once!!! ;)

Too right! You have a GREAT time and live it up!

[Johnie]

Well i'm not behaving for anyone.

This vacation is costing far too much money for me not to enjoy it and do what i want to do.

It will be our last one for a long while and you only turn 40 once!!! ;)

Exactly....and it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission ;)

[Dorothy]

Well then I'm not going to behave either :HamsterDance::birdie:

[SleepinCatz]

LOL great pre tip...It sounds like you all are going to have a fantastic time! One day we are going to get to meet up :)

[Dizneyblonde]

Yay permission from Breeze to misbehave!!!

Wouldn't it be great if Secrets could take over Disney!

[Keith]

Yay permission from Breeze to misbehave!!!

Wouldn't it be great if Secrets could take over Disney!

Yeah! :D

[Dorothy]

Yay permission from Breeze to misbehave!!

I didn't say you could misbehave, I just said that I was going to misbehave :gy:


Wouldn't it be great if Secrets could take over Disney!

Yep, and Keith you can start by planning on meeting us there next August :D :D:D

[Wendy]

Yep, and Keith you can start by planning on meeting us there next August :D :D:D



:lol: something else that's just not going to happen :lol:

Dorothy, when have you ever needed permission to misbehave :D

[Dizneyblonde]

Gonna change my countdown to

'Misbehavin' with the Mouse'!!! :D

[Jodie]

One year to go! One year to go! One year to go!

:tongue0011-1:

Jodie

[Dizneyblonde]

One year to go! One year to go! One year to go!

:tongue0011-1:

Jodie


Yay i wish it was like yours and 1 month to go!!!

[Jodie]

Yay i wish it was like yours and 1 month to go!!!

When i'm back without a countdown it'll be my turn to be jealous!

:p015:

Jodie

[Dizneyblonde]

Part 14 - A year to go

Well 10th August came and went without too much enthusiasm.We were going to have a 'year to go' party but the weather put a stop to that.

Next best thing was to ring my travel counsellor and book hotels.

Yesterday i spent 2 hours on the phone to Val talking over various options.
We have booked POP for our 10 night Disney stay and will upgrade to include FDDP if it becomes available on value.If the quick dining is offered we will upgrade to normal dining.
If it's not offered at value we will upgrade to POR to take advantage as the saving in ADR food costs is still more than it will cost to upgrade.Still with me?

Anyway RPR isn't available to book yet and all the rates for the I-Drive hotels also aren't out.

We discussed location and amenities and me and the kids have decided that we are going to stay at the Fairfield Inn just around he back of I-Drive on Canada Avenue as it has a free breakfast,free internet access and is in a good area for eating out.
I could book through Virgin for hotel only at the moment at £261 but i will wait a bit to see if i can get AAA discount when the rates are released.

I have also given Val my request for seat numbers on the plane when the time comes to book in a few weeks.We have gone for either 61A&C and 62A or the equivalent on the other side or the same seats we had last year 37ABC.

I think thats about it for the update.Any comments greatfully received.

Did you know that Walt Disney orginally envisioned a dome over Epcot so that Disney could have complete contrl over the weather?

[Beccaberry]

WOW...you are INCREDIBLY organized, hon...Impressive how you have all your options lined out!!

WOOHOO!!! Downhill slide! :9:

[Val]

woooah, just read this pre trippie straight through, and I have a headache, LOL
Did we really do all that? Wow.

great pre trippie honey, sounds like it is going to be a blast

val
xx

[Dorothy]

AND now we will be hopefully adding another person to our group since Diane wants to come meet everyone too :D

So is that okay with everyone if I bring my 28 year old Disney nut with me who is already to start making some lists for next year :lol:

[Dizneyblonde]

Dorothy that would be fab!!

Tell Diane i can't wait to meet her.X

[Dorothy]

Dorothy that would be fab!!

Tell Diane i can't wait to meet her.X

She's all sorts of excited and wants me to make a reservation like NOW!! :lol: I explained to her about a half dozen times already that if we want free dining we have to wait until spring and she just may not make it until then :rolleyes008::lol:

[Johnie]

You can make a reservation now and then transfer it to free dining if and when it comes out.

[Dorothy]

You can make a reservation now and then transfer it to free dining if and when it comes out.

Now that's an idea and it would give her something to obsess about. I'm not kidding either. You guys think I'm bad, it ain't nothing compared to her :lol:

Although, if they don't do free dining then I don't think either of us can afford to do this either :(

She said to tell you again Johnie, that's she's sorry she didn't get to see you at all. I told her that I was sure that you would forgive her :p015:

[Dorothy]

After looking at the price difference between a moderate and value, it looks like we'll be staying at POP for this trip :D

[Dizneyblonde]

We could well be doing the same yet hun.

The more i think about it and the more i hear the less i am bothered about the free dining.

We would have to upgrade to moderate,upgrade the dining from quick and pay gratuities.
We had far too much to eat last time and would be eating some meals for the sake of it.
As it will be our last one for a while i think i'd rather spend my time with the kids running round the parks like a lunatic than sitting in a restaurant for hours.

We might be lucky and have the quick dining at the values then i would consider upgrading but i will have to have a serious think and work out if we would actually spend the amount it would cost to upgrade on eating counter service and doing a couple of ADR's.

[Dizneyblonde]

Part 15 - Decisions,Decisions 337 days to go

Following on from Dorothy's thoughts on having to upgrade to moderate to qualify for free dining then upgrading from quick to full i decided to do a bit of costing for next year.

Value
POP $82X10 - $820
Couple of ADR's kids want to do:-
Ohana(breakfast buffet)-$60 + $12(grat)
Dinosaur - $80 + $16(grat)
1900 Park Fare - $90 + £18(grat)
CS for 3 X 10 days $400

All prices approximate
Total $1496

Approx $1500

Moderate
POR $149 X 10 - $1490
Upgrade from quick to full $8ppX3X10 - $240
10 X ADR Gratuities approx $200
Extra tickets to qualify for DDP - $250

Again all apprx
Total $2180

Approx $2200

I haven't added tax for rooms yet as that would be added to both booking anyway.
Hope i haven't forgotten anything.I'm sure someone will tell me if i have.

So the difference is $700.

For that we would get 10 TS meals instead of 3
All CS paid for and snacks
6 park days instead of 5
Moderate hotel instead of Value.


So is it worth it?

Did you know it would take 4,000 CDs to fill the Jukebox at All Star Music which is enough to play for 135 days without hearing the same CD twice?

[lisaw]

You like us don't spend a lot of time at the resort so I wouldn't think it would be worth it for you to pay the extra for the upgrade of resort alone.

Dining - only you know how important that is to you. It is a very important part of our holiday, but then we are at disney for 21 days so can afford the time in restaurants, if I only had 5 or 6 days at disney I wouldn't want to and would be quite happy grabbing and going. :D

The extra day at Disney - as you have been in August before do you think you will get everything you want to done in 5 days as opposed to 6?

Sorry probably not a ot of help there! :lol:

[Dizneyblonde]

Of course the ideal scenario would be that the US are offered quick service at Value and we upgrade to full dining while staying at POP :D

[lisaw]

Are you able to book room only now and then add on free dining afterwards then?

We will be booking 3 nights at POR in a couple of weeks, would we be able to upgrade to free dining if it was added later?

Seems a bit too good to be true. :unsure:

[Dizneyblonde]

You like us don't spend a lot of time at the resort so I wouldn't think it would be worth it for you to pay the extra for the upgrade of resort alone.
No and the kids are desparate to stay at POP

Dining - only you know how important that is to you. It is a very important part of our holiday, but then we are at disney for 21 days so can afford the time in restaurants, if I only had 5 or 6 days at disney I wouldn't want to and would be quite happy grabbing and going. :D
We loved the free dining last year and would really make the most of it being free ;) Upgrading would also mean an extra park day and a lot of our ADR choices are not in park so we would have a bit more flexibility.And at least i wouldn't have to worry what the kids were ordering off the menus and worrying about how much the bill would be.

The extra day at Disney - as you have been in August before do you think you will get everything you want to done in 5 days as opposed to 6?
An extra day is an extra day!We could get it done in 5 days but 6 days would be better.My estimate of $400 for CS may not be right either and i would have to pay for breakfast,lunch and dinner as well as snacks on some days.Last year a CS,TS and snack were quite filling and we didn't always eat it all but if we just stuck to CS it might not be enough for 2 growing kids.
Not sure who i'm tring to convince here.I suppose it will all depend what options are offered next April.

Sorry probably not a ot of help there! :lol:

LOL thanks Lisa :D

[Dizneyblonde]

Are you able to book room only now and then add on free dining afterwards then?

We will be booking 3 nights at POR in a couple of weeks, would we be able to upgrade to free dining if it was added later?

Seems a bit too good to be true. :unsure:

We already have 10 nights booked at POP and have paid a deposit of 1 night's stay.

When the free dining is announced Val will either change our booking at POP to include it and upgrade the dining or will move us to POR so we get the quick service and upgrade that.

[lisaw]

OK thanks - so we may be able to get free dining for 3 nights :)

[Dizneyblonde]

You will have to book at least 1 days park pass for everyone to qualify though.

[lisaw]

Oh yeah I had forgotten about that little fact :lol:

[Dorothy]

As soon as I get my paycheck next Friday I am going to have Johnie who is now a TA (way to go Johnie) book POP from Wednesday Aug 26th leaving on Monday Aug 31st for Diane and I. I wish I could do the whole week, but doing 5 days is better than none :D

I think for us that the free dining is the way to go and as soon as it's annouced in the spring then Johnie will call and add it on to our reservation.

As for where we are going to eat when, I was thinking that when it got closer we could all get together and decide and then let Johnie make all the ADRs for the group since we're looking at 12 people right now without anyone else being added in.

[Dizneyblonde]

Part 16 - On the case!!

In the past we have always taken cases which was ok when the luggae allowance was 32kg.

Now it has been dropped to 23kg i decided we would take wheeled holdalls on next year's trip.

When we were in Plymouth a cuple of weeks ago i spotted a bargain in Priceless shoes but we forgot to go back to the shop before we came home.
Yesterday we went back to see if they still had them and came home with a blue one for Jack and pink for Robyn.At £10 each i think they will do just fine!They are quite big too so may even go back and get one for myself.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm287/dizneyblonde/P1030639-1.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm287/dizneyblonde/P1030640-1.jpg

[Dizneyblonde]

Part 17 - I-Drive Hotel

We have looked at so many hotels and have changed our minds so many times but we had our hearts set on the Fairfield or the Hampton until i found out that they have no in room safe.
Our 3rd choice was the Metropolitan Express which we stayed at in 2001 when it was the Holiday Inn Express and we loved it.

We have decided that this is definitely where we want to stay and i've found a price of £219 on Alpha Rooms and Travel Republic.If i book through Quidco i can save even more too.


Has anyone booked through these companies before?

[Disneybumble]

Hun i have used Travel Republic and they were great. To the point that our flight times were changed and they called at the time of change and the day before we went, Just to make sure we were aware.

[Dizneyblonde]

Great thanks for that hun.

Just waiting to hear if Val can get it any cheaper then i will book.

price has gone up since last week i assume due to the exchamge rate so the sooner i book the better.

[Britchick]

Lisa, thats what i did last year, the CM was absolutely fine about it.

[Dorothy]

I'm going to have Johnie make our reservation for sure when she's there next week AND my best friend of almost 40 years (yes, we are old) has decided that free dining, Disney, and lots of booze sounds good to her so she's coming with as well :D

Your birthday celebration is turning into one heck of a grand gathering honey :hug2::hug2::bounce009::smiley4::sigs-cartoon-005::sigs-tv-010:

[Dizneyblonde]

OMG i can't wait.

We will definitely have to make use of the things Disney are offering for next year's celebrations and order a cake or 3 :D

[Dorothy]

Of course we'll have a cake or 3 and presents and all sorts of stuff :hug2:

[Dizneyblonde]

Now they've changed my op date to January the only thing to keep me going will be Disney.

[mumof2]

Now they've changed my op date to January the only thing to keep me going will be Disney.


that's terrible DB :(

[Tinker]

I got excited just reading your pre trippie DB . I'm still planning on coming . Hoping to share a room with someone . As to stay alone its the same price but if I have no alternative ... I will stay alone as wild horses couldn't keep me from attending . Unless I'm dead ! :lol: I can't wait to see everyone . I missed seeing Johnie & Becca this year . I have separation anxiety . And I owe an outing to TL with someone special . For her to be coming to WDW in August is a shock I have to be there for .
Your children are absolutely beautiful . Robyn looks alot like you Teresa . Very Pretty !

[tb2830]

i still dont know wether im coming yet hun , thou u know me i'll change my mind a million times before i decide.

if i can get a travelling buddy to join me then i will be there :yes:

[Tinker]

can't travel with you , but we could share a room . I promise I will bring Snore Right strips as someone has told me that I snore . *hmph*

[tb2830]

can't travel with you , but we could share a room . I promise I will bring Snore Right strips as someone has told me that I snore . *hmph*

your more than welcome to share my room if i do come as i have a suite booked that sleeps six :yes:

[Tinker]

sniff ... sniff ... I feel loved !!! Thank You Sweetie , I will more than certainly pay my share . And I INSIST !!! I hope you can come, too . I just found out next years pin event is in June rather than September . That said, I will be able to stay longer . My plan was to stay a few nights , drive to a friends home in Cocoa until DH arrived in September and then drive to the airport to fetch him and back to WDW . Now, I don't have to fret . I'm coming alone and will I ever enjoy myself . Good Times... Good Friends ! You have kids :yes: I love to spoil kids... ask Becca . Her Baleigh and I are good pals .

[tb2830]

sniff ... sniff ... I feel loved !!! Thank You Sweetie , I will more than certainly pay my share . And I INSIST !!! I hope you can come, too . I just found out next years pin event is in June rather than September . That said, I will be able to stay longer . My plan was to stay a few nights , drive to a friends home in Cocoa until DH arrived in September and then drive to the airport to fetch him and back to WDW . Now, I don't have to fret . I'm coming alone and will I ever enjoy myself . Good Times... Good Friends ! You have kids :yes: I love to spoil kids... ask Becca . Her Baleigh and I are good pals .


awwwwwwwww :hug2: i do have kids but my trip next august is without the kids :yes:

[Dorothy]

And I owe an outing to TL with someone special

Deb, Diane doesn't want to do a water park so doing TL is now a *maybe* but I will be there with bells on with daughter and BFF in tow :D:D:D:D:D


For her to be coming to WDW in August is a shock I have to be there for

DB's birthday celebration just can't be missed so even though I'm gonna :sun1::sun1: I will be there :excited001::champers1::thanks2::champers3:

[Dizneyblonde]

It was great to talk to you hun.XXX

[Tinker]

awwwwwwwww :hug2: i do have kids but my trip next august is without the kids :yes: No kids :( ... moms need breaks too . :hug2: But why a suite that sleeps 6 for possibly two . :lol: I take it ... it is off property . :yes: If so, no worries ... if you can come :fingers: I will rent a car and try to find you . Worse case scenario ... I can sleep in the car . :lol:

Dorothy ... I can't wait to meet Diane . She is bringing Zachary, right ? :fingers: I can't wait . This is going to be a Great Celebration . I'm excited already .

[tb2830]

No kids :( ... moms need breaks too . :hug2: But why a suite that sleeps 6 for possibly two . :lol: I take it ... it is off property . :yes: If so, no worries ... if you can come :fingers: I will rent a car and try to find you . Worse case scenario ... I can sleep in the car . :lol:

Dorothy ... I can't wait to meet Diane . She is bringing Zachary, right ? :fingers: I can't wait . This is going to be a Great Celebration . I'm excited already .


we booked the suite as my friend is also stopping at the same place and u wouldnt need to rent a car either as i have one booked :yes:

[Dorothy]

Dorothy ... I can't wait to meet Diane . She is bringing Zachary, right ? I can't wait . This is going to be a Great Celebration . I'm excited already .

No she isn't bringing Zach, this is a mommy needs a break trip :p015: We're going to be getting up early and staying out late which so would not work with a 3½ year old!!


It was great to talk to you hun.XXX

It was so much fun to talk to you and kids and now that we've figured it out we can talk all the time :D:D

[Dizneyblonde]

We're going to be getting up early and staying out late

I'm liking the sound of that :D

[Tinker]

works for me, too .

[Dizneyblonde]

Part 18 - Long Time No Update 286 days to go

It seems like forever since i updated this pre trippie but nothing has happened to update it with!

The $ has dropped dramatically so it's not worth booking anything just yet.

The dates and prices still aren't out for all the hotels and neither are the prices for Gatwick coach and stay.

The only thing that has been done is booking our seats on the plane.
We have booked 37 HJK on the way out and the way back.
Val had prebooked the back of the plane for us as requested but could only get 2 seats in one row and 1 in the other so i have been on the VA site and changed them so we can sit together.

I have also entered my API except the hotel name so that's another job done.

Val has emailed the ESTA forms to me so i will get on with that today too.

Did you know that the estimated weight of Spaceship Earth is 16 million pounds?

[Jodie]

It is frustrating then your at the in-between stage and nothing can be done yet! I bet watching the $$ fall isn't boogie inspiring either!

[caz1712]

Nice to see a small update Teresa! I am gutted about how much the $ has dropped over the last week!

I really need to update my pre-trippie but just don't seem to have enough time these days!

xxx

[Dorothy]

I'm just bumping this up because I wanted to :donald:

Just remember DB we get to start planning soon :thumbsup:

[mInNiE]

Yay! Any more news on the planning front?:unsure:

If I remember right you go the day after our wedding so there are now 253 days to go (ish)
:jawdrop:

[Dizneyblonde]

I am doing loads of planning in my head but with the $ being as it is i can't book anything.

I promise there will be loads to tell you after Christmas. ;)

[Jodie]

Promises Smomises!

[Dizneyblonde]

LOL if i tell you all now the kids will read it!

I promise i'll tell you next weekend but you know most of it anyway!

[nannav]

hoping to pop in fri but we are of to my sis in shropshire dont know when im leaving so will do my best if i dont see you all have a fantastic weekend hugs to you all:hug2::wiggle:

[Dizneyblonde]

Really hope we do get to see you hun.X

This time next week....

[Dizneyblonde]

Part 19 - Off sick and bored 250 days to go


So as not to be told off again i thought i'd do a bit of an update.
With the $ being so bad at the moment i can't book a thing.Spoke to Val yesterday and she agreed that there is no point doing anything at the moment.

Only have £700 left to pay on the flights and i've paid the balance of the DC Ultimate tickets today so all i need to sort is hotels.
We have the 1 night stay booked at POP so i juts hope they will be offering some free DDP there even if it is just basic so we can upgrade.
No point even looking at prices for I-Drive or Universal yet so we just need to hope the $ picks up again.

I have managed to put a few £ away for a few extras but can't tell you about them until after Christmas.Unless you PM me!(i have a few ideas up my sleeve!)

So that's it.Flights almost paid and all tickets paid for in full.
Will book the overnight Gatwick stay as soon as the prices are released.

The next definite thing i can do is make some ADR's but that's not until Frbruary so we have loads of time to think about it.Then it will be April time for the free dining offer if there is one.

Did you know you can hear the sound of tap shoes if you listen outside the 'Dance Studio' on Main Street,USA?

[lisaw]

:fingers: for that $ rate.

[Jodie]

$ rate sucks! Fingers crossed for an improvement soon

[Ilovesnowwhitej]

There was something on the BBC World news today (its the only english chanel i can get) saying the pound is clawing its way back against the $. Sounds promising.
xx

[Chaffey]

DB just wondering if you are doing Chef Mickeys or CRT as I have been told they are accepting bookings 250 days in advance due to there system updates.
How true it is I don't know but if considering these two it might be worth a quick call

[Dizneyblonde]

OMG we want to do CRT for my Birthday but didn't know they were accepting ADR's this early.

Will have to check when our 250days arriving on site is and give my travel counsellor a ring.

Be interesting to know if anyone knows any more about this.

[Dorothy]

Before you make a ressie DB, we need to get a for sure head count since there is going to be a lot of us there :bounce:

[Dizneyblonde]

Need to speak to Val and see if it's possible first too unless one of my US friends is willing to ring to save my phone bill?

I wanted to do CRT for dinner on our last night which is 31st August(i think)

[ukwdwnut]

Need to speak to Val and see if it's possible first too unless one of my US friends is willing to ring to save my phone bill?

I wanted to do CRT for dinner on our last night which is 31st August(i think)

hey you get free calls to the states with tiscali soppy :D

[Dorothy]

Just adding that cotton candy martini to my *must do* list for our trip :D

[Tinker]

Yes, it is a definite for me . Due to Jim's health and Kim expecting we are canceling our big trip in June . That said, Jim and I both are coming for a week after the babys born .

[Beccaberry]

We're in for the August trip!! When's the date of your actual birthday lovie?

I don't mind ringing them and asking them if they take ressies 250 days out for those places....

I can do it tomorrow!

[Dorothy]

We're in for the August trip!! When's the date of your actual birthday lovie?

I don't mind ringing them and asking them if they take ressies 250 days out for those places....

I can do it tomorrow!

I don't think her real birthday happens while we are all there Becca, we're just celebrating early before her kids go back to school.

I'm sure she'll let us know for sure soon :D I've never done CRT so I'd love to do it too :thumbsup:

[Dizneyblonde]

My 40th is 21st November but i haven't a hope of going then so i'm celebrating early.

Would really like to do CRT for our last night so it's our last memory of the holiday and we can watch Wishes with everyone after.

Our last night is 30th August.Can i pretend i'm a real princess?

[Britchick]

Can i pretend i'm a real princess?

what do you mean pretend?

[Dorothy]

My 40th is 21st November but i haven't a hope of going then so i'm celebrating early.

Would really like to do CRT for our last night so it's our last memory of the holiday and we can watch Wishes with everyone after.

Our last night is 30th August.Can i pretend i'm a real princess?

We're not leaving until Monday the 31st so Sunday works for us :thumbsup:

[Johnie]

Well I am definately in! Count us as 3 just in case.

[Dizneyblonde]

We leave on Monday 31st too so it should be a perfect last night :D

[Beccaberry]

Let me check my dates, but I think that works for us as well....

[Dorothy]

Did we know that CRT is 2 dining credits :unsure:

[Johnie]

I did.

[Dizneyblonde]

Yes me too.

[Tinker]

I was aware of it too .

[Dorothy]

Okay so then I'm the only one who hasn't got a clue :lol:

[Johnie]

Yeah, CRT also requires full payment when you book if you don't have the DDP.

[Dorothy]

Yeah, CRT also requires full payment when you book if you don't have the DDP.

Are we going to pay or use DDP credits :unsure:

Is this where I just tell you to tell me what I'm doing and I do it :lol:

[Johnie]

I'm probably using DDP credits

[Dizneyblonde]

I was intending using DDP credits but i won't know if we've got them until after we've booked the table!

[Tinker]

I'm sorry Teresa , but I will not be able to join you in August . :hug2:
I know you are all sad .:taunt:
Since the baby is due the 17th of August, my feet will be planted here in NJ .

[Dizneyblonde]

Oh no what a shame hun :(

But hey you have far more important things to do and there will be a next time :)

I have loads to update on this thread after the Christmas surprises but no tim to go into it all.
I will try over the weekend before i get a call from the hospital.

[Tinker]

I know, I really wanted to meet you, too . Everyone else , I know . :laugh:
As you said, definitely next time and maybe I can bring my grandbaby .

[tb2830]

i wont be there now either :donald: but your only down the m5 :yes:

[Dorothy]

I'm sorry Teresa , but I will not be able to join you in August . :hug2:
I know you are all sad .:taunt:
Since the baby is due the 17th of August, my feet will be planted here in NJ .

I wouldn't leave either with the first grandbaby due!!! We'll try to give you a call so you can at least say hi to Teresa and the kidlets :D

[Tinker]

That would be great, Dorothy. Thank You :hug2:

[Jodie]

Teresa, come on, dish the suprises!

[Dizneyblonde]

Part 20 - A quick update while i'm at work! 209 days to go

Got a few minutes at work so i thought i'd update you on the surprises the kids had for Christmas.I made them a certificate to tell them about each thiong we are going to do.

1.I am going to book them on The Shark Dive at Seaworld
I rolled up their certificate and put it inside the mouth of an Action Man shark in a cage that Jack had when he was younger.
They guessed straight away what it was!

2.A helicopter trip over the park and I-Drive
I put their certificate ina box with a tiny helicopter that Jack had from his Thomas the Tank Engine days!

3.Dine with Shamu

4.The Jungala Tour at Busch Gardens

5.The Predators Tour at Seaworld.

None of these have been booked yet as the $ is so low but i might just book 1 each month before we go so that i know we have definitely got a place and they don't sell out!

I have another couple of ideas up my sleeve which i will mention at a later date.

Unfortunately since deciding on these experiences Seaworld have stopped doing the Predators tour so that one is now crossed off the list.

Also today the overnight Gatwick hotel prices have been released so i am now trying to decide between the Sofitel and the Hilton.

Will let the kids decide tonight!

[Ilovesnowwhitej]

Hi hun

I bet your guys were soo excited when they opened their prezzies; finding out what you have planned for the holiday.
xx

[Tinker]

That sounds very exciting, Teresa ! I'm so happy for you all .

[lisaw]

Sounds great Teresa - shame about the Predators Tour though.

[Dizneyblonde]

Part 21 - These trip reports are like buses!

I don't do an update for ages then there's 2 in a row!

Anyway after yesterday's thread about airport hotels and the kids deciding on the Hilton i gave the lovely Val a ring tonight and we are now booked into the Hilton for the night of 9th August with return coach travel all for the bargain price of £138.

As Val and i can never have a quick phonecall we got talking about I-Drive hotels and we have now booked the first 9 nights stay for our holiday at the Orlando Metropolitan Express which was the kids first choice.
We know that area so well and have stayed there before when it was the Holiday Inn Express in 2001 and we also have breakfast included for the cost of £290.

All that is left to do now is book RPR (which i forgot about on the phone) and confirm the Disney hotel and book ADR's when and if the free dining offer is announced.

We needed something to cheer us up tonight and what better to do it than holiday planning!

[Britchick]

that's a pretty good rate!!!

[Dorothy]

It's all starting to come together isn't it :hug2:


confirm the Disney hotel and book ADR's when and if the free dining offer is announced.

Once you get that done then we can start discussing where we're gonna do what when

:panda: :parrot: :flowerdance: :elefant: :critterbounce: :penguinscarf: :HamsterDance:

[Dizneyblonde]

that's a pretty good rate!!!


Which one Julie?

[Britchick]

all of them actually- but i was thinking really the one in orlando for 9 nights

[Dizneyblonde]

I was really pleased with it as most other quotes were coming out at over £100 more and some of them over twice as much!
We have the breakfast to save us money too and an in room safe to keep the kids happy.
We loved it when we stayed there before and it was all refurbished in 2007 so it should be ok.

Can't beat the Hilton price either!
Even driving and paying for extra weeks's parking didn't come in cheaper.

[Britchick]

the rooms in that orlando hotel look nice:thumbsup:

[Dizneyblonde]

Let's hope they are like that when we get there!

Knowing my luck...

[Disneybumble]

Great updates Teresa, When should or is free dining usually announced.

[Dizneyblonde]

We have to book it through the American site as we already have Disney tickets and it should be end of March beginning of April if they are going to offer it for this year.

[Jodie]

A shame about the Predators tour but everything else is coming together very nicely.

XxX

[ukwdwnut]

fantastic report teresa :)

[Dizneyblonde]

Thanks hun we are getting quite excited now and can't believe it's this year!

[Dorothy]

Thanks hun we are getting quite excited now and can't believe it's this year!

I sooo can't wait :bounce:

[Tinker]

I so wish I could be with you all . Next Time !!!
But I'll still :bounce: with you .

[Dizneyblonde]

Part 22 - On the sofa planning! 180 days to go

Having the next 3 months off recovering is going to mean that i have LOADS of time for planning.

Jack and i sat on the sofa last night and had a little planning session.
We came up with another rough itinerary.We consulted the planning guides for busy days (although some busy days we just can't avoid!) and had a look at menus to try and decide on ADRs.
It is all very dependant on park hours (not that they should make much difference) and if we actually get the free dining offered.If we don't have free dining we will only be able to do a couple of table service meals.

This is what we have pencilled in so far
10th Fly!
11th Seaworld - Dine with Shamu
12th Busch Gardens - Jungala tour
13th Aquatica
14th I Drive day - Helicopter/Titanic/Magic Show/Ripleys
15th Shopping
16th DC
17th Seaworld - Shark dive for kids
18th Aquatica
19th RPR for US
20th IOA
21st US/IOA transfer to POP Ohana for dinner
22nd DHS - 50's Prime Time (?)
23rd AK - Boma dinner (?)
24th Epcot - Le Cellier (?)
25th Blizzard Beach - 1900 Park Fare (?)
26th Magic Kingdom - Crystal Palace breakfast
27th Typhoon Lagoon - Cape May Buffet(?)
28th Water Park & DTD (?) - Ohana breakfast (?)
T-Rex dinner
29th AK/DHS/Epcot - ? dinner/lunch
30th MK - CRT dinner
31st Home

[Dorothy]

Looks good, but just so you know Diane's classes at the university start on the 31st and she has to leave on Sunday. So, I'm thinking that I may call Disney and back our trip up one day. So instead of coming in on Wed. we'd fly in on Tuesday and leave Sunday instead of Monday.

Which means that we'd miss CRT for your birthday :( Can we switch your birthday celebration maybe :unsure:

[Dizneyblonde]

The only reason i chose to do CRT on the Sunday was i wanted to finish off our holiday with fireworks at MK.

However as we have park hopper tickets and the day before is a park hop day there is no reason why we can't end up at MK on the 29th for CRT and fireworks and still do MK on our last day.
We would get 2 lots of Wishes then on Saturday and Sunday and can choose somewhere else in MK to have our last meal.
None of the plans for 29th were definite anyway and we hadn't chosen a TS restaurant so a little change would work.
As long as i spend my last day at MK and see Wishes i don't care!

The problem we are going to have with booking CRT is the paying up front for a large group.How does it work if you have free dining?

[Dorothy]

The problem we are going to have with booking CRT is the paying up front for a large group.How does it work if you have free dining?

We need Johnie or Val to answer that one :thumbsup:

I wish they would hurry up and announce free dining for the UK so that we'd all know for sure what you are doing when.

I'm so looking forward to this trip :D:D:D

[Dizneyblonde]

It's the US free dining i am waiting for hun as we already have our park tickets.
If i book through the UK i have to buy length of stay tickets but with the US only a 1 day base ticket.

[Dorothy]

It's the US free dining i am waiting for hun as we already have our park tickets.
If i book through the UK i have to buy length of stay tickets but with the US only a 1 day base ticket.

Now I get it :thumbsup: Well then have Johnie tell them to hurry up and offer it already :thumbsup:

[Johnie]

With the prepaid meals, you just tell them you are on the dining plan and they are ok with it. You do have to give your credit card info in case you don't show up or cancel within the appropriate amount of time.

[Dizneyblonde]

Thanks Johnie.
We only have 90 days to work out when to book for and who will be there!

[Dizneyblonde]

Part 23 - A Dilemma!

Have been browsing and playing with dates to book RPR for our stay and have come across a dilemma.

We have already booked our I-Drive hotel for 9 nights for £290.
We are then going to RPR for 2 nights.The cost at the moment is $438 plus tax.Roughly £310 at exchange rate of 1.5

Have just been on netflights.com and played with dates to find that we could book 7 nights for £332!

Do i :-
A)Book it and just not stay on I-Drive for the other 5 nights we have booked.
B)Stop being gredy and hope that we get a good rate for the 2 nights
C)Hope that we can reduce the hotel from 9 to 4 nights or cancel and rebook.

However if we have to pay a fee to cancel or amend it will cost more.
I'm thinking it's a bit of a no brainer as it's only costing a few £ more for an extra 5 nights.Shame we already have I-Drive booked.

Will ring Val tomorrow and see what she says but wanted your opinions too.
Has anyone ever booked with netflights.com before?

[lisaw]

For £50 more for 5 more nights I would jus book and hope I could cancel I-Drive if I couldn't then no real big deal.


If you book with net flights do you get an actual confirmation from the hotel?

[Dizneyblonde]

Not sure Lisa that's why i'm a bit hesitant.

Loads of people on another site seem to have booked tonight as the price is so good.

[Dizneyblonde]

They are ABTA and ATOL bonded so if i book with a CC should be ok.

[lisaw]

:thumbsup: that makes it more reassuring :yes:

[Dizneyblonde]

I need to speak to Val first as i have everything else booked with her.
The offer is on for a while so should still be there in the morning!

[Britchick]

that sounds like a brilliant deal - have you got passes for universal for all that time?

[Dizneyblonde]

We got a 7 day 2 park pass each when it was on offer for $79.99 last year!

The day we would have to transfer is a day we had pencilled in for a pool day so it's perfect.

Then we can go in to the parks as and when we want even if just for a couple of hours.

[Britchick]

fingers crossed you can cancel the other one :thumbsup:

[Dizneyblonde]

Part 24 - I did it! 179 days to go

I've been playing with dates and itinerary all day and got myself quite stressed.
I've had a friend here and we've been going through all the options.

I couldn't decide whether to book RPR from 14th - 21st checking out the day were oringinally going to and just not use the I-Drive hotel for the last few night or

Check in to RPR a day or 2 later so as to get more out of the I-Drive hotel which we have already paid for but which meant losing a couple of Disney nights and having to mess about with the itinerary.However this would have meany paying 2 nights less hotal at Disney but meant that we would have to cram everything into a shorter time.

Or did i just stick to the original plan as i was intending to pay about £300 for just the 2 nights at RPR anyway!!!

What did i do......?

I booked RPR for 14th - 21st August.
It fits into our existing itinerary as the day we check in there was an I-Drive/relax day anyway.We just follow the 'programme' from RPR instead of I-Drive.
We can then use our 7 day US pass to go in for a couple of hours in the evening if we want to.
We will stop on I-drive to eat on the way back from parks as we would have done anyway but get the benefits of a 5* hotel and extra time in US/IOA.

I'm so excited but i can't jump up and down.:lol:

I know it is a shame to waste the room we have paid for on I-Drive but as i have got 7 nights at RPR for not much more than the cost i was going to be paying for 2 nights i don't think we have really lost out.:)

[lisaw]

Yay!!

That is great news - I think you have done it the best way :yes:

[Dizneyblonde]

I hope so!

The kids are soooo excited!

I didn't really want to lose any Disney days as it would have meant changing plans we had already made.

At least this way we still do what the itinerary says just from a different hotel!

I paid the fee for my credit card too so i'm covered just in case!

[Jodie]

Sounds wicked!

[Dizneyblonde]

Jodie how are you?

Long time no speak.X

[Jodie]

Jodie how are you?
Long time no speak.X

Am fine, just getting over the last dregs of a cough and cold i've had since mid Dec!

XxX

[Britchick]

sweeeeeeeeeeeeet!

[Ilovesnowwhitej]

Teresa

WOW what a good deal you got, I to would have changed my plans like you say 5 star hotel.

We are planning to stay at HRH when we go in sep of to checkout that site.

[Wendy]

Brilliant deal Teresa, you've definitely made the right decision :D

[Dizneyblonde]

Not an update but just thought i'd share mine and Jack's latest efforts at scrapbooking our last trip.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm287/dizneyblonde/DSCF0608.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm287/dizneyblonde/DSCF0609.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm287/dizneyblonde/DSCF0610.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm287/dizneyblonde/DSCF0611.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm287/dizneyblonde/DSCF0612.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm287/dizneyblonde/DSCF0613.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm287/dizneyblonde/DSCF0614.jpg

[mrsc]

very good mrs !!!!!!

il show you my little creations later on msn xx

[Britchick]

they're great T



very good mrs !!!!!!

il show you my little creations later on msn xx

you don't get away with it like that my dear, it's show and tell :yes::tongue:

[Dizneyblonde]

Thanks Julie i'm getting better and a little more imaginitive.No where near as good as Claire's or yours though.

Can't wait to use all my new stuff for this year's trip.

[lisaw]

They are great Teresa! :yes: I love the Stitch page :D

[Disneybumble]

:thumbsup:
They look great Teresa. You and Jack should be proud.

[mrsc]

they're great T




you don't get away with it like that my dear, it's show and tell :yes::tongue:

:taunt::taunt:

lots of mine still need tweaking, i do my scrapbooks in like a diary sort of format so that they tell a the story of events!!

so maybe when i have more done il show you all!!
i have a deadline when my 08 album needs to be finished so i am working on it everyday.

where do i go to see some of your layouts as i love looking at other peoples too!!

[Britchick]

when i look back at mine i don't like the early ones and i was tempted to rip the photos out and start again but i havent because it shows your progression. I think they look great Teresa - particularly like the last 3, don't do yourself down

[Ilovesnowwhitej]

O M Goodness Teresa/Jack
Your scrap book is brilliant :wiggle: did you pick the mickey heads with the Initials and the stitch flowers up in DTD?

I am soo going to do one of these this year, you guys have inspired me :yes:

how are you feeling hun? noticed you and Robyn are doing the run/walk for life, i tried to sponcer you but i am havng trouble so i will try again later.

take care.
xx

[Dizneyblonde]

Thanks hun all sponsors gratefully received.

The Mickey head pictures actually came from a kids art book i picked up at the Disney store.
They were meant to be stencils but i cut them out carefully and stuck shiny silver card behind them.

The red Stitch flowers are actually from our leis we got at Ohana on our last trip.
It was Jack's idea to take one apart and use the flowers.Really finishes it off!

[Britchick]

i think you and Jack got it Teresa, thinking about and using imaginative things is great and it helps to put momentos on the page too:thumbsup:

[Dizneyblonde]

I'm a nightmare now for keeping stuff to 'scrap'.

Just tonight i was throwing away the bag that my Hotel Chocolat chocs came in and saw that the handles were made of pink cord so i ripped it off and stuck it in my box!

[Britchick]

I'm a nightmare now for keeping stuff to 'scrap'.

Just tonight i was throwing away the bag that my Hotel Chocolat chocs came in and saw that the handles were made of pink cord so i ripped it off and stuck it in my box!

you are my apprentice, i have a room with wall to wall cuboards/drawers with such things in!! You turn into a womble of sorts, i'm so glad you're really getting into it!

[Dizneyblonde]

I just need somewhere to keep it all!

I wish i had a spare room.
Need Jack to hurry up and join the Navy!

[Britchick]

I just need somewhere to keep it all!

I wish i had a spare room.
Need Jack to hurry up and join the Navy!

is that what he's going to do?

[Dizneyblonde]

No i doubt it but it's the first thing i can sign him up for where he has to move out!

[Britchick]

No i doubt it but it's the first thing i can sign him up for where he has to move out!

lol, sadly i think Dan is going to join the RAF

[Jodie]

Scrap book looks wicked!

[Beccaberry]

Well done you!!!! They are coming along nicely!

[Dorothy]

Just so I don't forget to tell everyone I've changed my dates for August. We are now coming in on Tuesday Aug. 25th (instead of Wed) and leaving on Sunday Aug. 30th (instead of on Mon).

That way I don't have to leave my car at the airport and Bob can pick me up on Sunday :D

[Johnie]

Thank you for reminding me Dorothy, I need to call and change my dates too.

[Beccaberry]

Are we all changing our dates then? :unsure:

Or is this some elaborate way of standing me up? :nono: