Recreating Memories- Surprise Mother & daughter trip

[catherines_mama]

I'm here! I'm here! Cannot wait to read more.

POP is so much fun! And you HAVE to request the decade that your mom most misses from growing up. I think that'd be fun for her.

Congrats on Free Dining, I'm SO jealous!! But they'll never make it avail for June, that's for sure! LOL

can't wait to hear more planning!

[Lynn5700]

WOO HOO!! YAY for free Dining!!!!!

[princess&her4princes]

Originally Posted by SoonerGirl

I don't know any specifics, I think it's just something Disney has "in the works". I've seen it mentioned a few times on the Restaurants board, although I don't know how it's going to work or when it's going to be up and running. It's something to watch out for though

Thanks for giving me a heads up, I will keep my eyes open for that, sounds great!!!

Originally Posted by Dylan_&_Blake's_mom

Yay on the free dining. Glad that it worked out for you. Sound like you had a lot going on in your head with the different scenarios like I did. Maybe we an relax a little bit more now and plan all the fun details. Can't wait to hear more about it. Congrats on saving the money...that is a huge difference.

Hey Tracy, thanks!!! Yes, you can totally relate to the scenarios you have going on in your head....but it worked out and yes, we can relax some and work on all the fun planning now. Yay!!!!!

Originally Posted by kimmylaj

i too am a disney control freak...about 5 trips ago my dh and i booked a trip to disney (first trip my mom didnt book for me) and i went to a travel agent. we booked port orleans well i had just started my true info seeking obsession online and i saw that it was going to be partially closed for renovations (this was right after 9/11). anyway i said if they are doing construction i dont wan to stay there so i started researching and found out that swan and dolphin offered a teacher/nurse discount. since we are both teachers i called to check the rate and they said 109 a night. now i knew it was not true disney but it was a good deal for boat transportation and e ride nights were good there so i went to travel agent and asked her to change ressie. she insistedc there was no such thing. i asked her to look into it and call me back. she did and said it did not exist. i became annoyed and went in with my internet printouts. she said this was rumor and not true. i insisted she call while i was there. she refused and told me that she could no longer handle my travel plans since i was so controlling ( me controlling haha she should see me now with my disboard knowledge) the thing that was terrible is the airfare was still thru them since we didnt want to cancel and pay rebooking fees so when our tickets came in like 3 days before we were to leave the flight was changed from 7:00 am to noon. that was horrible for an overplanner like me i was ballistic. i drove to the airport that day to fight with the ticket agents and convinced them to change me to a flight the night before and not pay a rebooking fee. sure it cost me an extra hotel night but in fuzzy disney math it was more than worth it for a full day in the park. so the moral of this long and very convuluted story is good for you, those of us that are controlling just do better doing it on our own. sorry for hijacking your thread cant wait to hear more

Hi! Wow, I can't believe that TA treated you like that!!! But you're right, you need to stick to your guns and do what you think is right and we DIS'ers have a lot of info so we're a bit more knowledgable than some TA's think!!! I'm with you, I would have thought that the extra day in Disney was worth the savings, too!!! Good for you!!!!!

Originally Posted by catherines_mama

I'm here! I'm here! Cannot wait to read more.

POP is so much fun! And you HAVE to request the decade that your mom most misses from growing up. I think that'd be fun for her.

Congrats on Free Dining, I'm SO jealous!! But they'll never make it avail for June, that's for sure! LOL

can't wait to hear more planning!

Hi!! Thanks for coming on over!!!That's a great idea about seeing what decade Mom misses most and see if we can request that. She did mention something today about being close to the computer pool (she's doing her research, yay, Mom!!!) so I'll have to check it out when time gets closer. I didn't get a preferred room this time, didn't want to put out the extra money this time since we're all healthy and can walk just fine but not sure where we should request now!!!

Thanks for the congrats on FD! That is huge!!!! I'm so excited I got it!!!!

Originally Posted by Lynn5700

WOO HOO!! YAY for free Dining!!!!!

Yay, free dining is right, thanks Lynn!!!!!!

[princess&her4princes]

Hi everyone!!

It's a dreary day here in MA, pouring down rain and just icky....not sure what happened to the gorgeous Spring like weather we had earlier this week.....my yard is turning into a mud pit!!! Not completely the rains fault, we had 17 trees taken out last week and today they started fencing the backyard in so I can keep my boys in the yard to play. I'm SO excited....slowly but surely, things are coming together!!! It will make my life SO much easier with the fence so they kids can play and if I want to just run into the house fast to throw dinner in the over or whatever I don't have to worry about them. Yay!!!

Anyways, I wanted to let you know it's going to be a few days before I update again, most likely. I'm heading to VA to see a very old and dear friend for the weekend, ALONE!!!! If any of you are stay at home Mom's, I know you will appreciate that!!! I go once a year to see my friend, Maria, and we do all sorts of girly things...lunch, manicures, pedicures, shopping...none of which any of the men in my life enjoy!! So it's wonderful, plus Maria and I have been friends since we were 12 so we have lots to chat about. It's really fun!!! I may have a chance to update a bit tomorrow, but not sure, depends on how the day goes here and I still need to pack!! It's going to be close to 70 there this weekend, a huge difference from the 40 & 50's here!! So I have to dig out some clothes and get that done, too. If I can, I'll do a quick one but in the meantime, I hope you stick around with me and I promise there is more to come and soon!!!

Have a great weekend!!!!! ttys!
Kristen

[ckdsnynt]

Oh my gosh! you and your sister look so much like your mother! Especially comparing how you look today to how she looked in the picture taken back in the 80's! I can't wait to read about your trip! It sounds like so much fun! I only have one daughter but what a fun time it would be to have a girls trip only. Not that I don't enjoy having my DH along!

[Dylan_&_Blake's_mom]

Hey Kristen! I know what you mean about the fence in the backyard. We did that a few years ago and I couldn't be happier about it, especially since I had a daycare at the time. It really does make it so much more relaxing when you are out there. Now that we have Coley I'm loving it even more cause I don't have to worry about him darting off around the house.

Have fun on your trip. I can imagine how much fun that would be. I've never done anything like that. All I've ever really done is a meal out with a friend or like yesterday I went out for lunch w/my mom, her sister (and her daughter), my grandma (and her daughter). It was really nice to have some alone time to catch up with girl talk. We'll be here when you get back.

[A's Princess]

Okay now I have fence and girls weekend envy! LOL! Have a great time!

[LaurenMic]

Hi Kristen! I'm so happy I found your PTR, I'm sorry I am behind but life gets in the way of my Dis addiction lately Your trip sounds like it is going to be so fun! I love the wedding pictures, you are gorgeous!! That is awesome about free dining. Can't wait to hear all about your plans

[princess&her4princes]

Originally Posted by ckdsnynt

Oh my gosh! you and your sister look so much like your mother! Especially comparing how you look today to how she looked in the picture taken back in the 80's! I can't wait to read about your trip! It sounds like so much fun! I only have one daughter but what a fun time it would be to have a girls trip only. Not that I don't enjoy having my DH along!

Hi!! Thanks for joining along!!! I know, it's pretty scarey how much we all look alike, isn't it? People have always said that.....good, bad and indifferent, I"ll know what I'll always look like in 23 years!! LOL!! There is NO mistaken that we're family!!!! As much as I'm looking forward to this trip alone with the girls, I'm seriously feeling guilty about leaving all my boys home, trust me, I"ll get over it the second I get there...but pretty sure I'll have some moments where I'll wish they were with me!!! But what a dream come true....this trip is SO special in so many ways for all of us...it's been years since we've had this much down time together and my Mom is turning 60....10 years from now, she may not be able to make a trip like this, you know? These memories will be priceless for me!!!! I hope you'll get to do something like this with your DD someday....

Originally Posted by Dylan_&_Blake's_mom

Hey Kristen! I know what you mean about the fence in the backyard. We did that a few years ago and I couldn't be happier about it, especially since I had a daycare at the time. It really does make it so much more relaxing when you are out there. Now that we have Coley I'm loving it even more cause I don't have to worry about him darting off around the house.

Have fun on your trip. I can imagine how much fun that would be. I've never done anything like that. All I've ever really done is a meal out with a friend or like yesterday I went out for lunch w/my mom, her sister (and her daughter), my grandma (and her daughter). It was really nice to have some alone time to catch up with girl talk. We'll be here when you get back.

It's almost done, I can't wait for it to be done and then we can have peace of mind. The boys are SO good, but you know when you need to run in to get a tissue or something (or change a diaper!), I hate having to make everyone come in and they don't like it either. It will make a huge difference in my life, my neighborhood is very safe and my street is pretty quiet (minus the teenagers and buses), it's nice to have boundries for these monkeys!!!!

Your lunch sounds great! I'm looking forward to flying off tonight to see my friend, I always have reservations traveling alone without my family (I should say fear!!), I'm always afraid something will happen to me and we won't be all together, so I'm a little nervous. But it's so nice once I get there and have that down time (and girl time, too!!).

Thanks for sticking around...may do a quick update this a.m. We'll see....ttys!!

Originally Posted by A's Princess

Okay now I have fence and girls weekend envy! LOL! Have a great time!

LOL!!! Sorry.....aren't I a lucky girl this week or what!!!? Thanks!!!!!!

Originally Posted by LaurenMic

Hi Kristen! I'm so happy I found your PTR, I'm sorry I am behind but life gets in the way of my Dis addiction lately Your trip sounds like it is going to be so fun! I love the wedding pictures, you are gorgeous!! That is awesome about free dining. Can't wait to hear all about your plans

Yay Lauren! Thanks for finding me!!!!!I hear you, DIS can take up a lot of time in your life....don't worry about it, we're not going anywhere but it's nice to hear from you every once in awhile, too!! I know, yay for FD!!!

Hope to update again this a.m....no promises, the laundry is going , the bills are up to date this a.m. and I just did some cleaning....oh and the boys are playing SO nice....so we'll see.....

Have a great weekend if I dont' get a chance to write.....ttys!!

[princess&her4princes]

So, I stole this idea from my friend (with her permission, of course!!), LL, she did this with her Mom and I thought it was a great idea....so, thanks again, LL!!

I've marked Jodi as "J" and Mom and "M" for the answers, Jodi assures me she is excited but by her comments, by reading them, you would never know that, lol!! She's obviously not as big a talker as I am!! Mom did her research..she may be a DIS'er in making!!!!! Enjoy!!

Are there any attractions that you would like to do for sure?

J:I would love to do the classics in the Magic Kingdom. Anything you can think of... In Epcot there is not one specific thing... I just want to do it all.

M:In the Magic Kingdom, I’d like to see Hall of Presidents, Small World (of course!!) Splash Mountain, Big Thunder, the Haunted Mansion (?), and maybe Peter Pan’s flight -Not really sure, but the book says it’s good.

In Epcot-I’d like to do ‘Soarin', Spaceship Earth, Mission-Space, and I”ve never done the Test Track, and would maybe like to give that a try, though I know it’s very popular. I”d also like to do the Energy pavilion, and some countries-maybe Canada, Norway, and just poke around in some shops, etc.

-In MGM, I would like to do the Tower of Terror, the Great Movie Ride and not sure what else is there that caught my eye, but maybe you guys have some things?? Is that where the Brown Derby is??


Are you interested in fireworks?
J:If we happen to be in the area it would be nice maybe once.

M:As far as fireworks go, I”ve seen them a couple of times, but I’m game if you want to see them again. I’m not sure I have to see Illuminations, and every light show there is, but if you wanted to do that one night, that’s fine.

How late do you want to stay out in the parks??
J: Until we're tired???

M:Not sure how late I want to stay at the parks, guess it depends on what we get covered, right?? I wouldn’t mind also wandering around the Boardwalk one night, or the Grand Floridian, Downtown Disney, etc.- and doing stuff like that early evenings, too

Are you going to want to get up early for rope drop (9AM)?
J: Does rope drop mean when the park opens? If yes, I could care less but I do want to get there not much later than that.

M:Does this mean mass hysteria breaking down the walls?? LOLL I could pass on that, but do want to get our day going so we cover whatever it is is important to each of us, and all of us. 9 a.m. isn’t so bad.

Is there anything else you would like to see/do/avoid?
J:No
M:A couple of things I noted when going through the book (again) Seems if we request a room near the lobby, we are closer to the bus stop to come and go, rather than a building further away. Is that a done deal already? There was also a comment about being nearer the ‘computer’ pool, that it was a bit quieter than other areas with small children and families, so maybe that might also be a consideration for us? As mentioned, I wouldn’t mind wandering around the Boardwalk, maybe taking a Wagon Ride at Fort Wilderness (anyone do this before??), eating at Raglan Road, taking a ferry boat ride across the lagoon, and even just riding around the monorail to see the sights and go have a drink somewhere. I’m easy (I think!!) and just enjoying some balmy nights with my girls, relaxing after a busy day walking around in the heat, something like that might be fun, too??

I've got lots to plan....I've come up with a plan of attack for each day, along with dining....I"ll post that next time, I need some help with it, so will be looking for some good input then!!! Have a great weekend everyone!!!!

[ckdsnynt]

Hey Kristen:
Just checking in to see what you have posted today!
I can imagine how much you will love having your fenced in yard! I have two DGD and when I go seem them in MS I have to drag both of them in the house if I forget to bring something out with us (their swing set and play area is in an 'L shaped" area of the yard protected from the street by their housebut outside their main fenced area because they used to have a large dog in their back yard). You talk about putting up a fuss getting them back in once we start playing - especially if I just need to run in an get a kleenex or a juice box or whatever! Fences provide such peace of mind, don't they!

Don't worry about the boys being left behind! They are young and misssing one trip will not hurt them! besides, it will be a great experience for them and their dad! And he is a trooper, too! My mom passed away a year ago but I have great memories of her taking all five of us kids to DL when we were growing up in Southern California while my dad was overseas (he wasn't much of a fun person).

Here's hoping you guys have a magical time. I know you will! Keep us updated!

[miprender]

Hi following you over from your other trip report.
The weather has just been with all this rain, but it is a great day to be on the disboards.

[Lcaemom]

Hi Kristen

I am LOVING your PTR, so far!!! The pictures of you and your sister and mom are beautiful...and your dad and DH, too...but, you know what I mean!!! LOL! I am so excited for you...for everything...your fence, your girly weekend, and you Disney reservation vs. AAA ressie...I completely agree on that issue...just peace of mind! Well, hope you're enjoying yourself...as I type...talk to you when you get back!!!

[brookelizabeth]

Originally Posted by princess&her4princes

Hi Brook!! Thanks for joining me!!!! Isn't that the truth, when you join a PTR and it doesn't take days to catch up...I always seem to get into those myself, where I'm husing the kids so I can just read one more page!! Only kidding...maybe, sort of, kinda....heehee!!!

Mom was SO excited and kept saying "is this really happening?"....she was beside herself. She hasn't had Jodi & I to herself in 10 years since we've grown up, married, moved away, came back, moved away again, so she is thrilled! And we are, too!!

Thanks for reading along!!!!!!

That is so cute about your Mom! And I LOVE her very educated answers to your survey. Sounds like she is pouring through that book! Does she know about the DIS? I can totally see her getting into it.

And for free dining! I've never used a TA, I don't know how I would handle it...probably not very well. I like to be in control of it too!

I hope you are having a FAB girls weekend!!

[pmama]

Your mother for sure fits in w/ the DISers. I'm also impressed. She seems up for most rides. Impressed she wants to do Big Thunder and Tower of Terror. My mom on the other hand is terrified of any roller coaster and most thrill rides. I'm not even sure if I'll get her on Space Mountain.