This is my first attempt ever at a TR, so bear with me.
Cast of Characters (and we are that, to say the least)
Me, mom, (“that age” as my doctor so kindly likes to point out on a regular basis, aka all of 47 years old) Dedicated frequent Disneyland visitor from the time I was old enough to get myself there (my parents didn't believe in spending money on 'that kind of stuff'
), until we moved out of SoCal in 1997
DH, 49, my high school sweetheart (robbed the cradle he did, when I was the ripe ole age of 16 and he was
18!), true Disney lover, although not quite as nuts as I am
DD11, first trip was -4 months (I was 5 months pregnant) for her brother's Make-a-Wish trip, then yearly (or more) since.
Last but not least, and a surprise for our DD11:
DD21, mostly awesome kid; kind of off track with her schooling, but overall she's great. Left her back in Colorado with her BF.
Why The Three Wagnerteers???
We don't want DD11 to have any clue what's in store, so it seemed better to go with the Three... it's also more traditional... Three Musketeers... Three Mousketeers... Three Wagnerteers... the progression seemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND, or how come we didn't go last year, Mom.
This trip has been in the discussion stages for a long time. Rumors started in 2005, and came to fruition when DH got laid off in October 2005 from HP in a massive layoff; almost 700 folks from his division were laid off in the first round (he was one of those) and I'm not sure how many more over the next 9-12 months also lost their positions. It was VERY sad. We decided with the rumors of the layoffs starting in early 2005, we decided we couldn't go in 2006. That was the first time since we purchased our DVC membership in 1998 that we hadn't gone at least once! He was fortunate enough to not be out of work too long (March 2006), but then it took almost 5 months for our home to sell, and we were paying for two households, which was hugely expensive. Even though his apartment was less than $700 a month, there was still all the incidentals – cable, phone, utilities, setting up another household with dishes, etc. Even though he went cheap, it still cost a fortune, and nearly broke the bank. It was very close.
Then came a bit of stability, with his new job in Oregon, and a little bit of money to buffer us back up a little – the rear-end car accident I had when I flew out to visit and look at houses (I was in real estate agent's car), our tax return (it really does pay to sell and buy a home sometimes), and cash back from the movers for managing to break over $5000 worth of items (we settled for a bit less). Unfortunately the home we bought turned out to have some 'issues' that we didn't realize... nothing dramatic, but a lot of little things that add up... like 24 windows, all of which need replacing, trim in every room that was primed but not painted (we didn't know), carpeting which fell apart, literally, immediately after we had it cleaned, etc., etc., etc.
PLANNING... When to Go?
So all repairs and issues aside, the trip planning began! We booked our reservation at BWV as soon as our 11 month window opened. We'd never really been able to do Christmas at WDW; we were there around that time of year in 1996, but our DS was very ill, and while we went to the MVMCP, we just really weren't into it; I remember our eldest DD ice-skating at DTD – that was very cool! [Note to self... check and see if they still do that!] And some decorations, but not too much. We didn't tour the resorts or anything.
We thought about how long a trip to take, and decided since DH has over 3 weeks vacation currently, and will have more than the number of days allowed by his company by our trip, that we should definitely go for more than a week... and with Thanksgiving giving us 2 additional days, we could go for at least 10. I checked airfares, and low-and-behold, Alaska Air was going to be offering a non-stop from Portland to Orlando, and a red-eye to boot! Yeah! We'd done several of the red-eyes from Denver, and loved it. Gave us an extra day at WDW without having to pay for a hotel night, although there weren't any non-stops from Denver. This was going to be a treat! The flights were cheaper on Tuesday night, so I just
had to have us fly out Tuesday instead of Wednesday nights... oh darn, another day at WDW! Coming home I didn't want to have to catch the 6am nonstop, but was able to find a 6 pm flight, so we'd make the most of our last day too, although it meant a layover and change of planes to a puddlejumper from Seattle to Portland, and not getting home until 1:30 am. Yuk. But it's a trip to Disneyworld!
CHANGES BEGIN
Change 1: Being probably the typical PassPorter type of planner, I constantly check and recheck stuff, particularly my reservation for airlines, after reading about many times folks have had their flights changed and never been notified by the airlines. We'd been changed 5 times (nope, not notified) although they were pretty minor; 10 minutes here, 15 minutes there. It got to the point where we were now not coming in to Portland until almost midnight, and taking the Max train thru downtown at that hour isn't exactly my idea of a fun way to end my trip. Then Alaska Airlines moved their non-stop morning flight to 8 am. Still not my idea of a great time to get going, but it sure beats having to get home at 2 something in the morning, particularly since I don't have to change planes! I called Alaska and explained about the 5 previous changes, specifically that they now had us coming in at nearly midnight! The wonderful guy on the phone cleared it with his supervisor (there must have been way too much availability on the flight, or there's no way they would have done it) so we got to (1) stay another night
and (2) a nonstop so I can sleep (yeah) for 6 hours straight home!
Change 2: BWV is our home, but we
love BCV, specifically because of Stormalong Bay. We've generally gone in winter, and coming from Colorado, it was heaven lying around the pool, sipping adult drinks, and having the kids meal Chicken Strips while our DD plays in the pool, then hopping into the lazy river and going around, and around, and around... I think you get the idea.
Earlier in the planning stages, I had called to confirm that we could have 4 of us on the DDP the first part, then 3 on the second part of the vacation, because there was NO way the three of us could use up all those extra credits. After some problems which had to be resolved by a supervisor, we were able to straighten it out because a marvelous CM snagged a room for us for 11/28-11/30, at BCV. And because it was now 2 reservations, we could have the separate DDP for both parts of the trip, and I got my “happy place” spot too! When I called about availability for December 1st, the CM couldn't believe there was actually a room at BCV for us, so we were now set!
How to surprise DD11
We've struggled with this one for a while. DD21 isn't going to get there until Thursday, Thanksgiving Day at around 3:45. By the time she gets to the park (MK), we figure it's going to be around 6:00-6:30. Our current plan is to be at the Wishing Well at a specific time (we'll be in phone touch with her, to make sure she got to WDW) and have DH have the video going and have DD11 make a wish first. If that isn't for her sister to be there, I'll make the wish, and woosh... DD21 will magically appear! Obviously DD11 knows magic like that doesn't really happen, but then again, this is Disney, right!
We've also toyed around with doing a small bit of a 'treasure hunt' ending up at the wishing well, and having DD21 sneak up in the background of every picture. Figured just 3 or 4 stops, but that would be just too funny. We know DD11 won't notice her, as it's not like we're in an open field with no-one around.
.
Our Plans
We
don't do commando. We don't even do army, unless you consider army crawl a park speed! And I really don't like much in the way of fast rides since my ears became a problem and I almost passed out on BTM – three times. It's my favorite ride of all time, and something about that last double loop makes the world go black every time. Very, very sad for me. But I love to just sit and watch people, so the rest of the family gets to go on all sorts of things. We have 7 day PHPlus, and will be adding on the 3 days when we get there to make it 10. We like heading into the parks just to eat or hang out for just a short visit while we're there.
DD11 has been pretty conservative in what types of rides she's willing to go on, but has already announced she's planning on all sorts of things she hasn't wanted to go on in the past. I am SO excited, particularly since her DD21 will be there; they can head on all those fun things, and I can sit back and enjoy the weather, the people, the shops... ooooh..! DH is pretty brave, too, so it's going to be a lot of fun for everyone concerned.
Getting there, staying there, highlights of what we'll do there...
11/20: Drop DD11 at school and take DH to work in the morning (early), drive home and pack. Hopefully I will have started it before today, but you never know with me. I mean, I already have the pins, tickets, etc., in the bag, but the rest of the stuff.... I mean what am I going to do with myself for 9 hours if I don't have packing to do? The plane leaves at 10:45pm (as of today), so I'll pick up DH at work around 7:00 or so, and either take the Max train (actually ends up IN the airport in Portland!) for a grand total of $3.00
(DH has a yearly pass from his company and DD is only 90 cents); or drive and park (yuk) and have to pay probably $100
for parking for the 12 days. Not a hard choice, is it?
11/21: 6:45am arrival! I sleep very well on planes (thanks to Dramamine), as does DD11 (Dramamine not necessary). DH is another story, but maybe because it's so late and it's a nonstop he'll actually snooze a bit this time? I sure hope so, because he's awfully cranky when he's tired.
Check in at BWV (unless a miracle occurs and our waitlist goes thru for AKV), and head to 1900 Park Fare for breakfast.
I won't bore y'all with all the plans we have daily; just going to cover the special highlights.
11/22:
Surprise day! How will I manage to keep my trap shut all day long??? Wish me luck! I'll be grinning like the Cheshire Cat all day long!!!
11/24: 21st birthday present for DD – Richard Petty's Driving Experience; also probably sending DD11 to the Safari Camp. Hoop Dee Doo for dinner. DD11 has been, but not DD21; should be a VERY fun night!
11/25: Candlelight processional, dinner at Le Cellier (figured dinner deserved mention!)
Our ADR's, or How Many Times Can I Stuff My Face While at WDW?
We are on the dining plan, and have extra TS's because DD21 doesn't arrive till day 2, and we're paying for HDD OOP.
11/21: 1900 Park Fare for breakfast
11/22: CP for dinner; watch fireworks from balcony or inside, as DD11 has hearing issues
11/23: Wolfgang Puck's, although I think we'll change, after reading all the reviews
11/24: Hoop Dee Doo
11/25: Le Cellier for Dinner
11/26: Boma for Dinner
11/27: Kona Cafe for Breakfast (OOP), Spoodles for Dinner
11/28: Boma for Breakfast, Chefs de France for Dinner
11/29: California Grill. Supposed to be for fireworks, but they changed the time, so we'll see.
11/30: Tutto Italiano. Can't wait for this one!
12/1: Our traditional Chef Mickey's meal before we go
So... in a nutshell, albeit a really BIG nutshell, that's it. If anyone has any other ideas or suggestions for how to surprise DD with her sister, please speak up! It's fun thinking of all the ways we can do this!
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