PTR....Universal Adventures of Dreams and an Expanding world. About This Page:

[jenseib]

Hi, I am Jennifer.



For those who don't know me, I am a mother of 3, Michael (23), Paige (19) and Claire (7). Claire is my traveling buddy. My older 2 no longer go with us.
To make a long story short, My son doesn't get along well with my husband and Paige won't go anywhere without her boyfriend these days....

Niether are huge Disney fans either...which is a huge dissappointment. :headache:
Here is Claire. She loves everything Disney and she makes me very proud.



I am married to Skip...and I hate to say it, but I don't really have a good recent picture of him. He was unable to come on our trip last year, and that is when I am usually able to get a picture of him. The last trip we went on as family was in 2009, so it's been awhile. We did do a 1 day trip to Cedar Point last year though.



Skip is what some call a resister...he seems to not want to go on vacations at all anymore.....while I want to do them more often. I do a lot of complaining about him, but he is a good guy... hejust doesn't see why anyone would ever "need" to vacation once a year, let alone a couple of times. This also cramps my style, as I became a travel agent just over a year ago. So now I am planning trips for others and dreaming of Disney daily. Also,.... repeat clients is good for business as well, and he wants me to succeed, right?... so he should see the light!

We have 2 very exciting trips planed this year....When I say we, I mean Claire and I....Skip will be coming on 1 of them, but the other he has chosen not to join, for 2 reasons. 1, he is a dairy farmer and that time of year can be busy, and 2, my family is going on that trip and he doesn't want to spend a week completely with them...
...though I have told him over and over that we can seperate as often as we like. I think he may still be considering it, but it is booked without him at this point in time.

So what are these 2 exciting trips you may ask?
I'll start with trip number 2.
That is the family trip. We booked this back in Oct. and won't be going till Nov 3rd of this year. My husband did give me hassle about this, but end the end he reasoned...happy wife, happy life... oh so true!

We will be cruising on the Disney Dream for 4 nights (nov. 4 ~ 8) and then heading off to Disney World for a few more nights. I know I will be staying 3 nights for sure, but I am thinking of extending it a few days more (again that has been met with grumbles).

Claire and I will have one cabin, My parents will be in an adjoining cabin. My one sister and her DH and 2 girls will have a cabin. My Aunt and Uncle will have an adjoining room to my sisters. Then we have 2 families of cousins along as well.
I have NEVER booked a trip that far in advance for myself.....EVER!

I still have a ton of planning to do for it, but I am not looking too much into it yet, since I haven't made my final decision on how many days we will stay afterwards. I have LOTS of time to plan.
When it comes down to doing more planning on that one, I'll post a new link for it.

Now for trip number 1.
This year we will be married 10 years, and I wanted to do something special, but the resister was fighting me on it. I had traveld twice last year, once with Claire and my Mom, who took Skip's place when he had to cancel last minute, and once by myself to go to a Disney agent education program.

I finally just kind of gave up hope of doing anything and waiting till next year.
Skip then mentioned that we could go to Asheville NC to visit the Biltmore Mansion. This was something I had wanted to do for years. We had it planned that we would drive to a buddy's house and deliver a part, spend a day or 2 there and then drive to NC for a day or 2 and then stopping off at Gatlinburg on the way home. When we actually looked at a map and googled it, the drives were much longer than we thought...or hoped. At least 8 hours for each segment. This wasn't sounding too fantastic to me, but I didn't complain. Skip then came right out and said no way does he want to drive that long.

After looking at a few options over this past week, he came in Thursday night and told me that we might as well go to that "other" Disneyland park....Ok, he gets park names confused all the time, so I asked, "You mean in CA?" and he said, "No, the other one in FL". So I knew he meant Universal
So I started looking up prices of flights. Skip wanted to leave Monday, March 12...Yes that was just a few days away...But the flights were sky high and hotel availibilitly was next to none. I told him we should try for the week Claire was off on Spring break. The flights were less, but still high and I could find several hotels to choose from. The main key being he wanted it cheap.

After doing research and some hem-hawing around (with things like should we stay onsite and pay 1000 more, or just go cheap and get a free breakfast buffet. ...the trip was booked Sunday!

We will be flying into Sanford Airport late March 26th and staying at the Quality Inn and Suites (formaly a Fairfield Inn). We have 3 day park to park tickets and will fly home Friday. March 30th. It's a short trip, but I'm sure we will be busy and have a good time.

I haven't been to Universal since 1999, and both Claire and Skip never have been.
After booking it, Skip almost regretted it and said maybe we should've stuck with Disney after all... UGH!.....go figure. But he just doesn't like to try new things, so I'm sure he'll be OK after we get there. He is still daily doubting this decision. I knwo we will have fun, we just have to convince him he is having a good time.

I am very excited to start planning. I leave in 13 days!!! I have so much research to do. I am super excited about going to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Also it will be fun to be offsite and maybe get a look at other places in Orlando.
I am looking for any tips and suggestions that any of you may have.

Thanks for joining me on my wild and crazy planning adventures!!!!

[abubbles77]

Yea for a new trip. I "followed" along on the trip to disney for the class, and loved it.

[jenseib]

Originally Posted by abubbles77

Yea for a new trip. I "followed" along on the trip to disney for the class, and loved it.

Thanks for joining in! The time is ticking away and I have so much research to do!

[Big Baloo]

So glad to see another TR!!
Looking forward to it!

[NiftySwifty]

Hi! I'm so excited to be joining you for another trip! I loved your Dream report and the TA education trip report, can't wait for this one....

Still trying to get up enough nerve to write one for my upcoming Fantasy trip in April

[cubfancolleen]

Sounds like a couple of great trips coming up!

[rhinohunter]

Sounds great. Hope it all works out that Skip is able to go and with such a short trip, the cows should not get too lonely. My wife and I went down to IOA the year it opened (1999) and then one more time since. My son and I went to the park in 2002 so he could ride the Hulk and Jurassic Park. I really like the coasters but have not had anyone to go with since then. (DW does not do coasters.) I do not remember us staying more than just part of a day at any time. We seem to always head back to Disney. (Can't match the magic of WDW.) With the addition of the Harry Potter themed area, we are adding a visit for our next trip. I look forward to your report and your pix. Your pix are always good so I am looking forward to seeing what it looks like from your point of view. This should help us with our planning.

[chezp]

Great start!

[jenseib]

Originally Posted by Big Baloo

So glad to see another TR!!
Looking forward to it!

Thanks for joining in!

Originally Posted by NiftySwifty

Hi! I'm so excited to be joining you for another trip! I loved your Dream report and the TA education trip report, can't wait for this one....

Still trying to get up enough nerve to write one for my upcoming Fantasy trip in April

I hope you do. I really want to read all about the Fantasy. I really tried to convince Skip to go on it in April, but he said he would be too busy with work at home then.

Originally Posted by cubfancolleen

Sounds like a couple of great trips coming up!

I can't wait. I really need to get researching Universal though. It's been so long since I've been there. Lots has changed since then.

Originally Posted by rhinohunter

Sounds great. Hope it all works out that Skip is able to go and with such a short trip, the cows should not get too lonely. My wife and I went down to IOA the year it opened (1999) and then one more time since. My son and I went to the park in 2002 so he could ride the Hulk and Jurassic Park. I really like the coasters but have not had anyone to go with since then. (DW does not do coasters.) I do not remember us staying more than just part of a day at any time. We seem to always head back to Disney. (Can't match the magic of WDW.) With the addition of the Harry Potter themed area, we are adding a visit for our next trip. I look forward to your report and your pix. Your pix are always good so I am looking forward to seeing what it looks like from your point of view. This should help us with our planning.

Skip will be coming to Universal. I do hope he changes his mind for the fall and comes at least on the cruise. I know he would have a good time, but he is a stubborn resister!
IoA was just finishing up last time I was there, so I'm exciting to see this park for the first time. I'm a Harry Potter fan too, so I plan to take a zillion pictures there.

Originally Posted by chezp

Great start!

Thanks!

[jenseib]

I am going to forewarn you now. Since I have very little time to plan this trip, I'm probably going to post random thoughts and not follow a specific order of any kind.

When booking Allegiant I had to decide if we needed 3 bags or 2.....I always bring 3 when we all go, but this was a shorter trip and no costumes to bring for Claire. WE also usually bring on 3 carryons plus a personal bag each. I thought about throwing everything in our suitcases quickly and just get an idea of how full they would be, but I never got around to doing that before I booked it.

I am not sure if I can add another bag once we booked, though I am sure we probably could, but I just went with old faithful and booked 3 bags. After doing some prepacking the other day, I think we could've easily went with just 2. Oh well. I now have room to bring home more stuff. I am only going to need one carry on as well. I only need that because I have a worry that "what if our bags don't make it?" This way I have a change of clothing for everyone AND I usually put all my charging cords and batteries,etc., in there as well. I also usually put make up and shampoos, etc in there, but I'm living on the wild side this time and going to put it all in the checked bags....wish me luck.


So I now have 3 bags to fill...right? I pulled out Claires summer clothes on Friday evening (as we pretty much knew we were going, just weren't booked yet) and had her try on clothes. I am amazed at how much this girl grows in 1 years time, but we still had plenty to wear that still fit. Some shorts and skirts were a bit on the iffy side, so I did buy a new pair of shorts to go with a shirt I really wanted to bring along.

This also is a little strange for me, as we usually have "themed" clothing and/or costumes. Not this time...how could I possibly get anything for her in this short amount of time.....well....You know me.....


I was happy with the few outfits we had, and pulled out about 6 outfits to bring along, basic sundresses and tops and shorts.

I got a message from one of my fellow Travel Agents on Sunday night. Her name is Jeanne and I just love her to death. We do a lot of chatting and I have learned a lot from her...and she is a bad influence.


She has a slew of kids (I can't remember off hand, but I think she has 6 or 7), most of them girls. She is queen of the outfits. She gets custom made clothes for her younger girls ALL the time. I drool over her pictures, she has some fabulous things. She told me she had a Harry Potter top and skirt, and I was welcomed to borrow it for our trip. YES! Claire looked at the picture and loved it too. So she is going to send it to me this week sometime.


She also told me her kids usually take a pillowcase..or some item for signatures. We did the pillowcase on the cruise last year, and Claire loved it, so now I am on a mission to find one. I have looked and looked, and so far no luck. I would like to have a DR. Seuss themed one and I have asked a friend who does embroidering if she could do one, but she siad she would have to look around, and I haven't hear back yet. If anyone knows of anyone who could whip me up a pillowcase fast with perhaps the Cat in the Hat, one of the Things, or even the Lorax....please let me know.


So after deciding we would have a themed outfit for one day, I did the bad thing...I went to Etsy.... I found several really cute Cat in the Hat themed dresses. The bad thing is, many didn't go to size 10, which is what Claire would have to have. I messaged a few people, and most replied with saying they coudln't do one that big or that fast. I did find one gal who has a really cute pillowcase dress and she is able to get it out to me this week. So now we have 2 themed outfits....


Jeanne also gave me a link to a facebook friend who makes adorable stuff, mostly Disney, but she had some Cute Universal items as well. I found a T that has Thing 1 on it with a themed skirt to go along with it. I emailed her, and she got back with me Monday night. She is able to make it in size 10, but the skirt might have to have different trim, which was fine with me. So outfit number 3 is now order as well. I am a glutton!


But wait..it gets worse! As I was searching for dresses I came across many cute bows. I ordered a red and gold Harry Potter bow to match that outfit. I'm hoping it makes it in time.

I also ordered a Cat in the Hat bow and a Thing bow, those have already shipped!
I think we are all set now, after all, we only have 3 days in the parks. I now have to cut down the other items I packed for Claire, but I will keep a few extra outfits just in case she wants or needs to change.

I'll post some pictures now, but I am not going to post the Harry Potter one, as I'm not sure if Jeanne would want her DD posted here.


Here is the Harry Potter bow.





The Thing outfit, I beleive she may be switching the stripes out for polka dots.




The bow to go with it.





The pillowcase dress.





And bow for that dress





Now I need a game plan!

[kingfamily1129]

Everything looks and sounds great!! I hope Skip comes around enough to enjoy your trip! Can't wait to read more!

[Shell_of_the_South]

Those outfits are darling!! You are not alone - I have three kiddos, but two have pretty much abandoned our Disney obsession - only one true Disneyphile left!

Just go to Universal with an open mind and don't compare it to Disney - it's not the same, but it is still a blast to visit! We love Universal! Have fun!

[jenseib]

Originally Posted by kingfamily1129

Everything looks and sounds great!! I hope Skip comes around enough to enjoy your trip! Can't wait to read more!

I do too...he was quite the Debbie Downer today.
I just don't know how to make him understand that this wil lbe fun, just different.

Originally Posted by Shell_of_the_South

Those outfits are darling!! You are not alone - I have three kiddos, but two have pretty much abandoned our Disney obsession - only one true Disneyphile left!

Just go to Universal with an open mind and don't compare it to Disney - it's not the same, but it is still a blast to visit! We love Universal! Have fun!

Thanks I can't wait to get everything. I know the pillowcase dress shipped today, so that should be here by the end of the week.
I remember liking Universal better then Hollywood Studios back in the 90's so I think we should have a good time.

[jenseib]

WELL...... You know there can't be a Dowling family trip with some sort of kink,change or addition to plans......
I've been trying to research if we need an express pass. It works kind of like Fast Pass, but you have to buy it for each day you want to use it. If you buy one, then you get one use per attraction, if you stay onsite you get to use it unlimited times.
I did the math of buying a 2 day park to park express pass verses a 1 night stay at the Royal Pacific, which would entitle us 2 days worth of unlimited access.....the prices were almost the exact same.

So I presented this idea to Skip. For some reason, he thought it would be $1000 mor to add this or add the resort. I tried to explain it over and over (and it's not like Disney, which he couldn't "get"). He said he read in the book I have (credits to him for actually reading it over) that we could buy it then if needed. I told him yes, but the price goes up as the crowd levels go up. He said he didn't care if we waited in lines for an hour for each ride....Um yeah...I asked him to sign a paper stating that, but he refused. LOL!

Then he asked "Why aren't we going to Disney"....seriously? Because YOU didn't want to. I should've taken it as a sign when he hem-hawed around when I booked this trip.

He went on to say that Claire will be so disappointed if she doesn't see the Princesses. And we MUST see a parade! I told him she was just fine, he's the one being the Debby Downer. I told him we could book a character meal on our last morning, but he decided that wasn't a good idea. I suggested DTD...no thats just shopping......He wants to go to MK. Oh my word. I about killed him. I told him it would cost close to $300 for the 3 of us to go to MK for 1 day.
He said, fine, lets use the express money and just go to MK on one of those nights they have extended hours. Well for one, we'd have to book a room onsite, and 2, MK doesn't have any late hours while we are there.

So he told me to check the hours and I did. Well ...MK right now is only open till 11 on the nights we are going...I was actually surprised. I thought at least midnight should be the norm for a busy time like this...Of course the day we fly in they are open till 1 AM, BUT we don't even arrive in Sanford till around 9:10 and with an hours drive, getting luggage and car, we would maybe have 2 hours at the park.
He decided that we should leave Universal early one day, like around 4 or 5 and then go to MK for the rest of the night. I can't believe my cheapscape ...I mean loving.... husband wants to spend that kind of money for a few hours. We decided that Thursday would be the best day to do this because we leave the next day and would be able to sleep in before setting off to the airport. The park is open till 11, but MSEP is on at 11, so we will be there pretty late still.

We have decided to wait and buy the tickets while there. I actually suggested this. It could all change once we get there. I know he thinks Universal looks small and he still thinks it only has about 7-10 rides total (He thinks we can do both parks in 1 day and be good with it). He may totally change his mind once we get there...maybe he'll actually have fun! Do you think?

I do have the perfect dress for our MK day though, which is now going to be thrown in the suitcase.

[rhinohunter]

You are right, it would not be a Jen trip without changes and challenges. Sounds great. The outfits for Claire are really neat.