TexanInTheMidwest
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2018
NOTE: Rather than delete and start all over again, I am just adding to the same trip report with all the new info.
How to begin to tell the story... I guess as all stories begin:
Once upon a time....there was a girl who loved all things Disney. As a little girl, she loved all things Disney. She remembers getting all the classics on LP and listening to hours and hours of Disney Stories on her trusty record player. And since I had the MMC Album, watching the original Mickey Mouse Club with reruns of Annette, Jimmy Dodd and the gang were a joy. (I knew all the songs)
I still think I should have been a Mouseketeer in the NEW Mickey Mouse Club with Julie, Lisa, and the gang ;-)
So, before I go too much further into my tale, I'll introduce you to the CURRENT Me:
A life coach and writer by day. A type-A planner. Empty Nester with two DD who are Flown and Grown.
This is me sitting on the patio at Tony's last year as I waited for DH to join me...and we waited for the parade to go by.
I still love all things Disney
Favorite Park: Magic Kingdom
Favorite Ride: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Favorite Princess: Mulan. or Belle.
Favorite Character: Classic Mickey & Minnie. And Pooh.
Favorite Resort: I love both the Contemporary and GF for different reasons
As our story continues....because she loved Disney so much and her DH loved her, they've gone to Disney 3 times in the last 8 years. Most recent have been the back to back trips in Jan. 2018 (CR) and 2019 (Jan. 2019)
And then, he enjoyed the Royal Palm Club at GF so much, he invited his entire family to join us in Jan. 2020 to celebrate his mom's 90th - as our guests - in the main building of the Grand Floridian. This trip will include his mom, his three sisters, most of their spouses, most of their children, and all of the grandchildren. In total, if everyone goes, there will be 18 of us. I booked 4 rooms back in late January (2019) for the big trip.
Now, to be honest, I enjoy planning. (And research has shown that you can get as much pleasure out of planning and anticipating something as actually doing it).
Yet, to be a little vulnerably honest here among friends, I am not close to any of DH's sisters. Though we are in our 50's and 60's, I think they believed their brother would be a bachelor his whole life. So, when I came along nine years ago, it was a bit of a change in everyone's "role" in the family, so to speak. And though we have had our moments over the last nine years, I'm still on the outside of the circle in many ways.
To say that has put a bit of a damper on my enthusiasm and desire to help everyone have a smooth and stress-free vacation is an understatement. I know how stressful this can be to plan...and since we have 4 generations - especially for the 4 Mama's with kiddos. (There will be 7 under 12 - including two 3-year-olds and a 1-year old)
However, my emails with information about the trip (like how to book dining reservations since our 180 window is upon us) have been met with...shall we say "Bless Her Heart" politeness. (those of you from the South know what I mean )
But let's not digress too much.
Just know that it put the wish in my heart to go to a beloved space without worrying if our guests are having a good time. Or that these people that are so loved by my DH (and by me to be honest) are judging my delight and choices at loving the magical spaces....
DH travels a lot for business (He works for the DoD) And though I often travel with him, this year has been different. He's gone on some last-minute trips that didn't give us much time for me to plan to go with (such as Madrid last Jan/Feb). And places where the State Dept travel advisory isn't "green" (such as an upcoming trip to South America).
His international trips are 14 to 17 days long. And that gets a little isolating and lonely. Both DD's live in other states as does the rest of my family. And since I work from home, when he travels, I tend to work WAY too many hours.
I had mentioned to a girlfriend that I was thinking of running away to Disney when he was on his next trip. I've been halfheartedly stalking reservation availability at CR, GF, and BWI. I have loved the convenience of walking to the parks (or being a quickie boat launch away). AND I still have one more park day on my ticket from January (DH is retired Military so we have Salute Tickets which are good through Dec. 19th)
And then, last week, she emailed me. She is a DVC member and has 100+ points expiring on Oct. 1st that they are not going to use. So, rather than let them just be forfeited, could she gift them to me?
Though my SIL's may not love me, my friends sure do.
I gave her my guidelines - telling her I could travel anytime between Sept. 2nd and Sept. 13th. And then gave her my wish list of where I'd want to stay. And despite it being less then 65 days from check in, she forwarded me my reservation for 4 nights at Bay Lake Tower in a 1BR Villa. Within minutes, I was able to connect the reservation to My Disney Experience profile.
This will be my 7th Trip to WDW. One as a child (1979). Two as a Mama to Littles (1994 & 2000). Three with DH (2012, 2018, 2019).
AND I feel like this:
Full of GIDDY Excitement.
So, come along for the fun as I share my planning....and how I am seizing this wish come true.
How to begin to tell the story... I guess as all stories begin:
Once upon a time....there was a girl who loved all things Disney. As a little girl, she loved all things Disney. She remembers getting all the classics on LP and listening to hours and hours of Disney Stories on her trusty record player. And since I had the MMC Album, watching the original Mickey Mouse Club with reruns of Annette, Jimmy Dodd and the gang were a joy. (I knew all the songs)
I still think I should have been a Mouseketeer in the NEW Mickey Mouse Club with Julie, Lisa, and the gang ;-)
So, before I go too much further into my tale, I'll introduce you to the CURRENT Me:
A life coach and writer by day. A type-A planner. Empty Nester with two DD who are Flown and Grown.
This is me sitting on the patio at Tony's last year as I waited for DH to join me...and we waited for the parade to go by.
I still love all things Disney
Favorite Park: Magic Kingdom
Favorite Ride: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Favorite Princess: Mulan. or Belle.
Favorite Character: Classic Mickey & Minnie. And Pooh.
Favorite Resort: I love both the Contemporary and GF for different reasons
As our story continues....because she loved Disney so much and her DH loved her, they've gone to Disney 3 times in the last 8 years. Most recent have been the back to back trips in Jan. 2018 (CR) and 2019 (Jan. 2019)
And then, he enjoyed the Royal Palm Club at GF so much, he invited his entire family to join us in Jan. 2020 to celebrate his mom's 90th - as our guests - in the main building of the Grand Floridian. This trip will include his mom, his three sisters, most of their spouses, most of their children, and all of the grandchildren. In total, if everyone goes, there will be 18 of us. I booked 4 rooms back in late January (2019) for the big trip.
Now, to be honest, I enjoy planning. (And research has shown that you can get as much pleasure out of planning and anticipating something as actually doing it).
Yet, to be a little vulnerably honest here among friends, I am not close to any of DH's sisters. Though we are in our 50's and 60's, I think they believed their brother would be a bachelor his whole life. So, when I came along nine years ago, it was a bit of a change in everyone's "role" in the family, so to speak. And though we have had our moments over the last nine years, I'm still on the outside of the circle in many ways.
To say that has put a bit of a damper on my enthusiasm and desire to help everyone have a smooth and stress-free vacation is an understatement. I know how stressful this can be to plan...and since we have 4 generations - especially for the 4 Mama's with kiddos. (There will be 7 under 12 - including two 3-year-olds and a 1-year old)
However, my emails with information about the trip (like how to book dining reservations since our 180 window is upon us) have been met with...shall we say "Bless Her Heart" politeness. (those of you from the South know what I mean )
But let's not digress too much.
Just know that it put the wish in my heart to go to a beloved space without worrying if our guests are having a good time. Or that these people that are so loved by my DH (and by me to be honest) are judging my delight and choices at loving the magical spaces....
DH travels a lot for business (He works for the DoD) And though I often travel with him, this year has been different. He's gone on some last-minute trips that didn't give us much time for me to plan to go with (such as Madrid last Jan/Feb). And places where the State Dept travel advisory isn't "green" (such as an upcoming trip to South America).
His international trips are 14 to 17 days long. And that gets a little isolating and lonely. Both DD's live in other states as does the rest of my family. And since I work from home, when he travels, I tend to work WAY too many hours.
I had mentioned to a girlfriend that I was thinking of running away to Disney when he was on his next trip. I've been halfheartedly stalking reservation availability at CR, GF, and BWI. I have loved the convenience of walking to the parks (or being a quickie boat launch away). AND I still have one more park day on my ticket from January (DH is retired Military so we have Salute Tickets which are good through Dec. 19th)
And then, last week, she emailed me. She is a DVC member and has 100+ points expiring on Oct. 1st that they are not going to use. So, rather than let them just be forfeited, could she gift them to me?
Though my SIL's may not love me, my friends sure do.
I gave her my guidelines - telling her I could travel anytime between Sept. 2nd and Sept. 13th. And then gave her my wish list of where I'd want to stay. And despite it being less then 65 days from check in, she forwarded me my reservation for 4 nights at Bay Lake Tower in a 1BR Villa. Within minutes, I was able to connect the reservation to My Disney Experience profile.
This will be my 7th Trip to WDW. One as a child (1979). Two as a Mama to Littles (1994 & 2000). Three with DH (2012, 2018, 2019).
AND I feel like this:
Full of GIDDY Excitement.
So, come along for the fun as I share my planning....and how I am seizing this wish come true.
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