So much to do…and so many to do it with! Pre-Trip report

[Mickey'sGirl]

CAST: Me (Jennifer), DH (Brian aka CanadianWDWFan), DS11 (Harry) and DS5 (Euan)

WDW holiday Saturday August 22 to Saturday September 5, 2009 (Pop, Boardwalk, Old Key West)

We’ll be driving from my office in downtown Toronto to WDW in two weeks time. Our goal is to leave downtown at about 2:30pm and go a little further than 1/3 of the way down, which we estimate will get us into South Carolina by about 9 or so. We will then get up early on Saturday morning, and complete our journey to the World – and hope to check into Pop by about 8. Our children are fabulous travelers, especially when they see the prize at the end, so along with some DVD’s , CD’s, Gameboys and books, we anticipate a decent voyage south to the land of the Mouse.

We will be staying only one night at Pop, and are hoping to meet up with some friends who will have checked in there earlier in the day. Our goal is to get up on Sunday, leave our luggage with Bell Services to transfer to the Boardwalk, and head off for some quality time at MK, after picking up our AP’s at Will Call. Later in the day, we will go over to the Boardwalk to check into our 2 Bedroom Villa overlooking the Boardwalk. This is our first ever DVC stay (although we stayed at the BWI a couple of years ago), so we pulled out all the stops! This vacation is a little bittersweet, as our original plan was for my parents to join us for this first part of our stay (hence the 2 bedrooms), but my dear mother passed away at the end of October. However, my dad will still be flying down, and staying with us from Sunday night through to Friday morning. Other than checking into the Boardwalk on Sunday (and picking Dad up from the airport of course), our only other hope for the day is to spend some time with our friends, and to hopefully see Spectromagic!

We have some more friends flying down from Brooklyn on Monday, and they will be staying at the Boardwalk too… and we have other friends who have recently relocated to the Disney area, and we are hoping to spend time with them as well….Lots and lots of giggles and hugs and fun for sure!

During our first week at WDW, Harry and Brian will be doing the AquaSeas tour at Epcot in the Living Seas. This is another first for our family...They will be snorkeling in the fishtank, and they are both quite excited about it! Brian will be doing DiveQuest the following week (Harry is not certified), and although he has done this dive in the past, he is really looking forward to going again, and waving to the boys through the glass!

The boys have a to-do list for their Grampy which is quite simple; Lunch in the Castle, Breakfast at Chef Mickey’s and Dinner at ‘Ohana. They also want to get him on Everest, Rockin’Rollercoaster, Tower of Terror, Splash and Mission Space.

On Friday, my dad heads home, and we will be checking out of the Boardwalk, and transferring over to Old Key West for the balance of our holiday. OKW is another first for us, and we are really looking forward to our stay here. The Florida feel to it is quite appealing in contrast to the hustle and bustle of the parks!

On Saturday , we will be meeting up with all of our friends at the Garden Grill for a farewell dinner. They will be returning to their homes on Sunday, and we will stay on for another week. We love the Garden Grill, but have only done lunch in the past, so this is another first!

We have a couple of new dining reservations during our second week; Olivia’s, Jiko, Chefs de France, and The Wave, as well as a couple of old stand bys; The Brown Derby and Teppan Edo. We will also be attending the first night of Mickey’s Not So Scary Hallowe’en Party on Friday night. Euan is the only one planning on dressing up this year, as Indiana Jones (Harry is 11 and “too cool”, and we aren’t organized enough for it this time). We love the party, and are looking forward to seeing the parade and Hallowishes again! Then on Saturday, it is time to pack up for our return home. We plan on getting home on Sunday, and then we’ll have Labour Day to recuperate before the boys head back to school on the 8th of September.

We haven’t been to WDW since March ’08, and are really Jonesing for this visit. We went to Disneyland last year, which was fun, but we have really missed our time at the World! Just a few more sleepies!

[TiggerD]

I am on board to hear all about the wonderful trip you have planned. We are off to WDW on September 10-19th and staying at POP. I have got to get my pre trip report done, it will be my first. Have a wonderful, safe, and happy trip, looking forward to reading all about it.

[faline]

Can't wait to hear all about your trip! Looks like you have a nice, long trip planned with lots of friends and family joining in the fun!

[offwego]

Jenn, I love all the extra stuff you have booked and can't wait to see pics of so much of it!

The cool thing does get in the way but as long as they come with us its ok right?
I'm waiting to hear all about it!! (Ok and be there for some)

[betteratmk]

We live outside of Buffalo Ny, how will you make it to South Carolina in 6 1/2 hours? Which way are you going?

[merlinmagic4]

I hope you have a wonderful trip! Looking forward to the reports

[CanadianWDWFan]

We live outside of Buffalo Ny, how will you make it to South Carolina in 6 1/2 hours? Which way are you going?

It was a typo, we mean to hit WV before stopping for the night.

We are heading down the I-79/I-77 Route after passing through Buffalo.

[yjgirl32]

Wow lots of friends to visit with and a wonderful time with your dad. I hope all goes well and wish you lots of magic. We too will be at the first MNSSHP- there are nine of us going and we will be dressing up as Snow White, 7 dwarfs and my DS6 will be prince charming. Thanks for sharing. Can't wait to read the reports.

[T-Belle]

Wow! So many great things planned! I can't wait to read all about it.

[Christine]

I'm so excited for your trip!!!!!!

Do tell more about the garden grill farewell dinner- does one hafta be LEAVING in order to attend?

(just kidding)

[Dsnygirl]

Jenn, I'm so excited for you guys!! Your trip sounds awesome, I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back, and see pics of course!! I especially want to hear about the AquaSeas tour, as we're considering it for Julia and I. That sounds SO cool!! I hope you guys have just the BEST time, you deserve it!! (and we'll miss being with you all!! )

[DizNee143]

sounds like its going to be a wonderful vacation!! lots of time at disney and lots of guests to visit and spend time with..i hope you all have a great time..and i cant wait to read all about when you get back!!

[disneydrmr]

Sounds like a great time planned Jenn! If you happen to drive thru Ohio at all and stop at that Timmy's in Monroe.. call me.. I'm only a hop and a skip from there!

[offwego]

It was a typo, we mean to hit WV before stopping for the night.

We are heading down the I-79/I-77 Route after passing through Buffalo.

So does this mean Jenn's not navigating?

[Mickey'sGirl]

So does this mean Jenn's not navigating?

I am. You stay out of it. ... Don't know why I wrote South Carolina....Wishful thinking perhaps?!

Thanks for the well wishes folks!

[vizsla]

Have a great time.

[ElenitaB]

I am so excited for your trip (and ours ). All I can say is: "Is it time yet??"

[offwego]

Ellen wouldn't the correct phrase be "are we there yet?"
Just a thought.

Seriously I'm hoping you have a wonderful vacation you've earned it.

[RedSoxFan]

Have a great time. DH and DS17 (16 at the time) did the Aqua Seas Tour and loved it. DS said he wants to go back just to do that. But he has this thing called school that he needs to go to as he is a senior this year and can't be missing any days for a vacation.

[BluewaterBrad]

Sounds like a Great time!! Have fun!!