Two Disney Vacations in One Year... Seriously?!?? - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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PTR: Two Disney Vacations in One Year... Seriously?!??
Hi All!
After reading so many great PTR/TR’s, I’ve decided to try my hand at it too. Since we have two upcoming trips, I pondered on how to go about my PTR. Since one is to DLR (March) and the other is to WDW (OCT), I decided to break them up, and considering the trips are eight months apart, I felt this was the best way to go about it without being too long winded (ya right!).
With that said, both these trips tie in together, so don’t be surprised if I mention WDW in conjunction with DLR. The story will speak for itself!
Let’s start with…..
Introductions:
My name is Karen and I’m a “Domestic Diva”. Due to DH’s work schedule, I have chosen to stay home to tend to the family and spend DH’s hard earned money on vacations, which he has no problems with!
I’m 41, born and raised in Wyoming, and have been married to DH for almost 16 years. We have two fabulous kids, and spend a lot of time camping, boating, and traveling to new places. And with DH’s schedule (28/28 rotation) we are able to do so on a regular basis.
I’m a planning freak just like most of you, and Disney vacations give me the opportunity to plan to my hearts content! DSC01668.jpg
Jason (42) is my amazing hubby who works in the oil/gas industry (25+ years), and for the past five years, he’s been working in Africa. Jason is the most fun person I know and never begrudges me a vacation, especially a Disney themed vacation! Gotta love that man! He has no desire to help with planning as he knows I will take care of it willingly…. He provides the money and I provide the fun! P6230037.jpg
Alex is our 15 year old and a sophomore in high school. He’s 5’10 and weighs about 160 and all muscle! He’s our “serious” child… you know the type… the kid who’s born with the mentality of a 45 yr old and second guesses anything that’s impulsive! When he was six, I took the kids to the pet store to pick out a kitten and he says to me: “I don’t think this is a good idea. What will Dad say?” Even with that staunch attitude, the boy still enjoys Disney fun and told me the other day that he looks forward to taking his kids on Disney vacations…. But please make that MANY years down the road!!! alex and jules.jpg
Julia Rose aka: Rosebud, aka: Jules is 10 (5th grade) and sees life through rose colored glasses. Nothing but rainbows, unicorns, and lollipops for this one! She loves school and wants to join every club and participate in anything I allow. Jules is proficient in sign language and is on her fourth year of piano. In addition, she’s on her third year of student council and a straight A student. Not my child!!! lol Of course, she wants to start her career and college years by working for Disney, which I totally see happening. She brightens everyone’s day with a smile and a positive attitude. What would our lives be without our Rosebud!
Now, there’s one more introduction to make, but allow me to fill you in on our upcoming DLR trip and what led to it.
When Alex was six and Jules one, we took the kids to WDW for their 1st trip (It was a 1st for Jason too, and 2nd for me). We used a TA, stayed at the Poly, didn’t know about ADR’s, and totally flew by the seat of our pants. A learning lesson for me, but a good reason to return and fix our faux pas. Had a great vacation, and knowing we could do better, we decided to make WDW a family tradition.
Living in Wyoming, we are far gone from Florida and flights out of here are not cheap. In addition, being so far away, we felt every other year WDW vacations were perfect for saving and planning. We stuck to that format for three WDW vacations (2004, 2006, & 2008).
February 2009, we broke tradition by taking a Disney cruise with other family, and within a few months, Jason was off to Africa for work. Between the cruise and Jason’s schedule, WDW 2010 was on the back burner for a while.
Spring break 2010 was soon approaching and it was clear Jason wouldn’t be home, and not wanting to sit around in horrid Wyoming winter weather, I decided a quick DLR trip would be the answer. Hey, we needed a Disney fix and DLR is easier to obtain than WDW, so that’s what the kids and I did!
There was a special going on at DLR so I booked a five night stay for the price of three nights, and so we spent an amazing, warm, fun filled, five days at the Grand Californian Resort.
Again, a first for the kids, but a 2nd for me, but it was totally new since the last time I visited DLR was 1984!
Back to present time and to cut to the chase, we are going to Disneyland this March! And now I need to introduce the other party who will be joining us…
A dear friend of mine has a son who is the same age as my son Alex, and these boys have been best friends since the age of two! Even when the family moved away for six years (then moved back to Wyoming), these boys picked up as if not a day passed since they last saw each other. Boys are easy that way!
Anyway, Tres (nickname) is my “adopted red-headed son” and a constant part of our family vacations. He goes to AZ with us, boating with us, camping on the family ranch…. You get the gist. He is our family!
Tres is actually a school year behind Alex (five months difference), and looks like he should be two years younger than Alex! He’s so darn cute! Tres is that quintessential middle child who goes with the flow. His attitude compliments Alex’s staunch take on life, in which Tres actually helps Alex be more carefree. These two are peas in a pod and bring out the best in each other. If only we all could have lifelong friends like this!
And in case you wondered, “Tres” is the name he goes by since his birth name is passed down, and even his parents hate the passed down name! Why then?!?! lol
And as for our plans...
March 9-12 we will be in DLR, and then spend another three days in AZ at my dad’s place, but the details will be in the next post!
Oh, as to why two trips in one year… that too shall be divulged in the next post!
Last edited by wyomom; 01-11-2014 at 06:45 PM..
Reason: forgot to mention this was a PTR
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Thanks Chezp! I love reading your trip reports! Your photos of Hawaii made me want to go back that much sooner! I love flying in and seeing those beautiful waters too!
Quote:
Originally Posted by dutchdisneyfamily
Great start! We are going to DL in December and I have kids the same ages. Can't eat to hear about your plans.
December will be fun for you! Having a 15 yr old boy, I feared he would start to become "anti-Disney", but he's still into it as much as when he was little.
Quote:
Originally Posted by FanOfMickey
Looks like a great trip in the works
Thanks FanOfMickey! I will include our itinerary soon.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mom24Girls
Checking in to you PTRx2! On the edge of my seat... What happened in late October!?
I'm afraid you will be somewhat disappointed... but there's some interesting stuff that leads up to it! I think my PTR to WDW has more drama, so watch for it!
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Ok, so Jason works in Chad, Africa. To be exact, he works in a “camp” for a specific oilfield company in Kome surrounded by retaining walls and armed guards. The guards are there for the employee’s protection since kidnappings are typical in my husband’s field of work. But according to DH, if the guards were being shot at, they would drop their weapons and run!
These oilfield camps are not small as they need to house many offices, sleeping quarters (trailers), tools for the jobs, etc. They have a cafeteria with a rather diverse menu due to the many different nationalities that work there, but it’s still mediocre food. This is a “dry” camp, meaning no alcohol. They have a gym to work out and a TV room which has satellite. That’s it. No bells or whistles. And since these guys are working 12-18 hours a day, most of them hit the sack after dinner, then back at it before the sun comes up.
When Jason travels to work, he leaves Wyoming, to SLC, to Paris, to N’djamena (pronounced: Jah-mena), then onto Kome. It takes about 24 hours of travel time to and from home and it’s only an eight hour difference from home.
N’djamena is considered highly dangerous, but where in Africa isn't? Jason has also worked in Malabo and Angola, to which Kome is considered the least dangerous of those listed, according to DH.
Did you know that in Malabo, you can be arrested for taking pictures? Yep, the government is so corrupt that they forbid picture taking so the outside world doesn’t see how impoverished their country is. Just a little nugget of info in case you were planning your next vacation there!
And I might as well tell you now, the Africa my husband sees is not the Africa you probably envision looking like Animal Kingdom. It is flat and barren land with no giraffes or zebras frolicking about. Look up pictures of N’djamena and you will see what I’m talking about. The most interesting animal in camp was a puff adder, which DH didn’t even see, but the tracks were enough to scare the poo out of the guys!
And no, my husband was neither kidnapped nor shot at in October! The situation that took place was much milder than that. Actually, you will feel let down when I tell you what almost screwed up our vacation! Just thought I would share a bit of insight as to what my husband deals with on a regular basis to support his family…. And he does love his job!
So this is what happened…
The idiot who is in charge of the work visas for hubby’s company messed up big time, and therefore, Jason was home for seven weeks! Seriously, who submits a 30 day visa when a person is home for 25 of those days??? Not complaining about hubby being home, but the fact she messed up the schedule for our much needed Disney fix was enough to make me want to travel to Africa just to give that twit a strongly worded verbal thrashing!
Told you the story would be a disappointment!
In a moment of panic (and during the holidays mind you) I started looking at the calendar trying to come up with another timeframe to visit DLR.
Now, I could have easily decided to have gone to DLR regardless if Jason was home or not…. But he’s the one who’s working so hard and traveling to a dangerous location just so I can spend his hard earned money on these fun vacations. He would have totally understood and encouraged us to go regardless, but I’m not that insensitive!
My options were limited for other calendar dates. After spring break, it gets pretty busy with all the grad parties held at DLR and I didn’t want to go after school was out since the rates would surely start rising, and of course, pulling three kids out of school (one of which isn’t even my kid) was not an option.
Cancelling all together was out of the question! Well, I would have done it, but seriously, “surrender” is NOT in my vocabulary! Besides, the kids were super excited, and of course, Tres has been saving up spending $$$ for his first DLR vacation and I couldn’t break his heart either. Let’s be honest… I would have been the most disappointed!
Where there’s a will, there’s a way!
Being from Mars, Jason fixed the work schedule pronto (pays to be a boss!) and he is right now working a 5 week hitch just so he can be home for Disneyland. I love that man!
Oh, and our anniversary is a week after DLR, but he will be back at work by then so I want to do something special for him. I love ordering room gifts, but I must say the options for DLR are pathetic! Has anyone called Disney Florists and requested something that wasn’t on their website?
Ok, I’m stopping here and next installment will be our agenda and the other mini vacation while on vacation plans!
Ok, you were right, nothing too exciting.... However, I am so happy it wasn't more exciting, considering all the things that "could" have happened! I am glad you are back on track for your trip!
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I, too, am glad it wasn't anything serious and you can still take your vacations. We love Disney so much also, that we visited WDW in November 2013 for 9 days and are booked for a DLR vacation April 1, 2014! I look forward to reading the rest of your posts!!
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Besides, the kids were super excited, and of course, Tres has been saving up spending $$$ for his first DLR vacation and I couldn’t break his heart either. Let’s be honest… I would have been the most disappointed!
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