Pre-trip Report

[BigRedDad]

I am 51 days out. The only reason I know that is my payment is due on Sunday January 13th (Wendy @ MJ is handling that).

I have done almost nothing to prepare. I know the holidays took a big part of that, my hectic work schedule, DD in school, and just the normal rush of everything. I do little planning for our Disney trips because I don't want to be tied down to anything. We only have 1 reservation for dinner and we will probably cancel it because it is at 8:45 at night.

DD does not enjoy Epcot, so we may not even make it over there this trip. If she wants to do the Perry thing around WS, we may go. If we are there, I may get her on Soain' for the first time.

I kinda feel bad for not being overly excited. I may just be tempering my attitude because it is a surprise trip for DD. Half the time it will be just the 2 of us. The other half, DW will be with us. I expect to spend a lot of time in the new FLE.

[BigRedDad]

I guess I need to start listening to Disney radio stations on Live365.

[faline]

I'll bet the excitement will creep in as the trip nears! Have fun!!

[emerzmom]

It is 51 days for me today too and I am insanely excited! The trip was a Christmas surprise for my D-Mom and my DD. I had to keep it all in for almost 8 weeks so now that they know I am busting with excitement!
I am sure the pixie dust will start to take effect soon.

Julie

[January-2007]

Happy planning!

[BigRedDad]

Happy planning!

Planning is done. I don't plan anything once booked. I just go with what ever is going on. I tried the planning thing for Disney and it drives me nuts. We get there and do what we want when we want. We use to have to plan our fun around meals and that was too much of a pain. If we want a sit down meal, we go to the counter and see if we can be seated. If not, we go else where or just get counter service. I may look at park hours and EMH times, but that will be about it for planning.

[BigRedDad]

Last night in the car, my DD started talking about Disney World. I asked her when she wanted to go. She said "soon", but nothing specific. She said the drive is not too bad and we could go any time. I asked her about flying. She says she doesn't like flying and her response was that it was cheaper to drive and we are looking to save money. She has that idea because we talked about the fiscal cliff as the reason we have to save, not the payment tomorrow to WDW. Her next response was that she doesn't mind flying that bad and if Mickey gave us free plane tickets, she would fly.

All of this from a 7 year old and me having to give stories about saving money, cutting back a little, and start walking more in the neighborhood. This is her first time without a stroller and she has no idea we are going in 7 weeks. I am trying to guess when she will figure out we are going: when we get to the airport or when she sees all the luggage in my wife's SUV. She is going to be one excited young lady. When she realizes it or finds out, she will be thinking Pop Century. I think she is going to flip head over heels at the Royal Princess Room at PORS.

[BigRedDad]

I guess my anticipation is escalating (or maybe retracting after paying off the balance). Here is what I have been looking at over the weekend:

1. Supply of trading pins. I need to get another 50 just to be safe for my pin crazy DW and DD

2. Looking through my supply of Sorcerer cards

3. Realizing I have no Spring clothes for DD. I am hoping Kohl's has their Spring clothes out by mid February.

[IwannabeinNarnia]

Hope the anticipation keeps escalating and I do hope you have a wonderful trip!

[BigRedDad]

Just scored 50 pins for $22. I think that will keep DW and DD occupied with the 75-100 we already have. Yes, they are fanatics.

Also, all stores have their Spring clothes out. This will make life a lot easier if the current weather patterns hold.

[BigRedDad]

OK, I am 23 days out. I am more anxious to go, but not overly. So much is going on that we will be pretty much busy right until we go.

Other than the normal things we need (shampoo, toothpaste, etc), I need to get to the Disney Store to pickup t-shirts for my daughter. I just have to wait for my Disney Visa Rewards to get here. That will cover that purchase. I will also see about a dress for her BBB appt or just get one there.

I am hoping for warm weather. DD was talking about Aquatica over the weekend and how much fun it was to slide with the dolphin. She will love it, but I will have a hard time getting her to swim with the sharks. I will tell her it will be just like swimming in her reef aquarium we just setup. If not she can watch me do it.

[BigRedDad]

As I was going through a few checklists, I saw that I didn't have my DME package yet. I emailed Wendy @ MJ on Saturday to ask. She was at the Post Office mailing it out . It arrived on Monday.

Now, I need to start making my packing lists and keeping an eye on the weather. Praying for low 80s to be able to go to TL.

[emerzmom]

I am watching your countdown because I will be there at the same time. I am hoping we beat the Spring Breakers and have great weather!

Julie

[BigRedDad]

Weather should be fine. I am hoping for more low 80s days than 70s. I really want to get my daughter to Typhoon Lagoon. I can only do that on 4 of the 8 days we are there though.