From Certifiably Insane to Shockingly Lucid: 10/20 - TR Link Posted, We're Back!!!

[annnewjerz]

Welcome! For anyone who read the title and is curious, let me explain.

DH (26) and I (Ann, 24) live in New Jersey. We currently have a fantastic trip booked for 7 days in December (see the link in my signature) and can't wait to go……...







................no seriously, we couldn't wait. So I came up with the brilliant idea to drive down to attend Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party!!!

Since our trip in 2007 when we were exiting the Magic Kingdom as everyone else was entering in costume, I knew it was a party I wanted to go to one way or other. So we are! We are going to drive down from New Jersey straight through (about 17 hours), crash for the night as a cheap hotel and go to the party the next day. After that, we'll crash for another night at a cheap hotel and then drive the 17 hours back.

So yes, I may be certifiably insane, but whether it works our well or is a complete disaster, it'll be a trip we'll never forget!

[annnewjerz]

So, right now there aren't many "details" of this trip, other than the fact that we are going! We're in the early planning phase, but here is what I think the trip will look like:

Thursday - October 8, 09

- Leave the house at 3:00am drive, drive and oh yeah, drive some more.
- At approximately 9:00pm arrive in Orlando, barring any major traffic problems
- Check into very cheap hotel (probably the Fairfield Inn at Marriott Village or something on priceline) and crash.

Friday - October 9, 09: OUR ANNIVERSARY!

- Be up and about by 10:00am or so depending on how late we actually get into Orlando
- Walk or drive to DTD to do a little shopping and get lunch
- Return to our room for maybe a little power nap and to change into our get-ups for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
- Go to MNSSHP from 4:00pm to 12:00am with dinner at The Plaza Restaurant

Saturday - October 10, 09

- Have breakfast and check out by 10:00am or so
- Start driving. I'd like to drive all the way up to a little south of Washington DC (12 hours) and pull off somewhere for the night around 10:00pm

Sunday - October 11, 09

- Have breakfast and get back on the road. If DM is willing to watch the dogs for a littttttle while longer, maybe make a pit stop at the Aquarium in Baltimore, but that's doubtful.
- Return home by 12:00pm or so.
- SLEEP!

[annnewjerz]

The cast is the same as in my Christmas PTR that I currently have going over here, however I am going to introduce us again for any new readers!

Me (Ann) - 24 years old. I'll be one week shy of of the big 2-5 on this crazy trip. I'm getting all of this "what are you nuts?!" stuff out of my system before I hit the bit 2-5 and am officially in my "mid-20's"

Hi



DH (Erik) - 26 years old. He's allowing us to take this trip as an anniversary/birthday present for me. Presently, we are scheduled to be attending MNSSHP on October 9, our 4 year wedding anniversary.

Hi from Erik



My DM will be going on our trip in December, but will not be joining us for this trip. It'll be just the two of us, which is nice since all of our other trips this year have been with additional travelers.

More to come in the next installment. Hopefully I get some readers in this PTR!!

[chicagoshannon]

Great start but you might want to change your dates from May to October in post #2. haha

We'll be there a couple of weeks after you.

[annnewjerz]

Originally Posted by chicagoshannon

Great start but you might want to change your dates from May to October in post #2. haha

We'll be there a couple of weeks after you.

That would be a good idea.

I saw that you will be there the week after for your anniversary. We were considering going that weekend instead for my birthday, but we just couldn't swing it.

[KathyRN137]

Most definitely a case of DIS-Mania!!

So of course, I'm lovin' it!!!


Kathy (from Jersey)

[annnewjerz]

Originally Posted by KathyRN137

Most definitely a case of DIS-Mania!!

So of course, I'm lovin' it!!!


Kathy (from Jersey)

Hi!!

Glad to see someone else popping in. Being that you're from NJ too---you can fully understand just how crazy we are.

DH brought up the idea of flights today. I don't like the way this is going!! This was supposed to be our "adventure" after all. But---if the flights are the same cost as the gas and tolls, I wouldn't be too opposed to flying and having all that extra time in WDW instead

[KathyRN137]

Originally Posted by annnewjerz

Hi!!

Glad to see someone else popping in. Being that you're from NJ too---you can fully understand just how crazy we are.

DH brought up the idea of flights today. I don't like the way this is going!! This was supposed to be our "adventure" after all. But---if the flights are the same cost as the gas and tolls, I wouldn't be too opposed to flying and having all that extra time in WDW instead

We drove for the first time last year and I would prefer flying, hands down. I just felt it wasted so much "Disney time" and we arrived feeling quite tuckered out.

Airfares are fairly low right now, especially if you're open to flying out of NYC. Our flights out of Kennedy this October will be half what they would've been if we flew out of Newark...


Kathy

[annnewjerz]

Originally Posted by KathyRN137

We drove for the first time last year and I would prefer flying, hands down. I just felt it wasted so much "Disney time" and we arrived feeling quite tuckered out.

Airfares are fairly low right now, especially if you're open to flying out of NYC. Our flights out of Kennedy this October will be half what they would've been if we flew out of Newark...


Kathy

Yeah, our flights in December out of PHL were $140 per person round trip (not including the bag fee). It was a steal!!

Yesterday, I found airfare out of Atlantic City on Spirit for $140 also---should have snatched it up since now it's up over $200. My thought is, if I can find anything for $150 or less, I'll probably book it and we'll just fly. If I can't---oh well, we planned to drive anyway so that's what we'll do.

PS: I've been lurking on your "Halloween" PTR and it's really good!! You have so many readers! At this point, I'm glad to have 2.

[KathyRN137]

Originally Posted by annnewjerz

PS: I've been lurking on your "Halloween" PTR and it's really good!! You have so many readers! At this point, I'm glad to have 2.

Ah-Ha!!

Now that I know you're reading, you can lurk no longer!

It's one of my rules!! I will be expecting you to pop in now.....


Kathy

[annnewjerz]

So last night was a big milestone for our October trip, believe it or not! I had assumed that DM would be willing to watch our dogs for a few days. She lives about 10 minutes from us and has offered in the past to watch them if we wanted to go out of state to visit DH's relatives, so why not now??

While we're on the subject, I might as well introduce the dogs---who happen to be the ones who most often make planning fun little getaways like this a headache. Who would have ever thought that dogs would be right up there with kids in terms of responsibilities?

This is Rocky. He is a 2 year old male Chocolate Lab. He's a nut and quite possibility one of the dumbest/sweetest dogs I have ever met. He's just goofy beyond belief which is lucky for him, because if it wasn't for the fact he's so stoooooopid I may have killed him after he chewed our first set of couches.

As a puppy.


All grown up.


This is Mickey. He's a 2 year old male Golden Retriever. He was named as a companion to Rocky (Rocky was named after the movie). My DH is from Philadelphia and loves each Rocky movie more than the last. "Mick" was Rocky's trainer---so that's how Mickey got his name, or so my DH thinks. Really, I named him after the mouse.

As a puppy.


All grown up.



Sooooo....would my Mom agree to watching them?

Last night I gave her a call to tell her we'd be going away for our anniversary and were trying to keep the trip as cheap as possible. She was more than happy to watch the dogs---which was a relief. Now that they are taken care of, as soon as DH gets approved for the time off of work---we can officially start planning this trip!

[MinnieNurse]

Okay, I am here. Reader #3! Woo Hoo!

Now you must check out my PTR in the link below. See I tricked you!

I love dogs, yours are adorable. Have a pic of my new Bloodhound puppy in my PTR. Her name is Scarlett.

I am insanely jealous, I really want to do MNSSHP. Dont think I can con DH into driving from Texas. He flat out refuses to drive when we can fly and get there in 2 hours. I would do it just to go the the Halloween party. I do expect a full review when you get home.

[KathyRN137]

Awww, sweet doggies!

"Rocky" and "Mickey"

Our Aimee is a Lab/Golden Retriever Mix. She's the best dog ever!

She was bred and raised to be a Seeing Eye Dog, but she didn't pass her test. We adopted her (at age 2) because we wanted a special dog for our autistic son. Labs and Goldens are so good with children!


Kathy

[annnewjerz]

Originally Posted by MinnieNurse

Okay, I am here. Reader #3! Woo Hoo!

Now you must check out my PTR in the link below. See I tricked you!

I love dogs, yours are adorable. Have a pic of my new Bloodhound puppy in my PTR. Her name is Scarlett.

I am insanely jealous, I really want to do MNSSHP. Dont think I can con DH into driving from Texas. He flat out refuses to drive when we can fly and get there in 2 hours. I would do it just to go the the Halloween party. I do expect a full review when you get home.

I have indeed begun checking out your PTR, just didn't want to comment until I was all the way through it---but don't worry, count me in!!

My DH is willing to drive, but just informed me yesterday that his preference would be to fly if we can (and we probably can because it's about as cheap as driving). He said it'll give us more Disney time and he won't be a walking zombie for the party like he would be if we drove---but I told him that walking zombie would be so appropriate for MNSSHP!!

Originally Posted by KathyRN137

Awww, sweet doggies!

Labs and Goldens are so good with children!


Kathy

They definitely are! We just got some new neighbors (including a 2 year old little girl) and we took Mickey (the Golden) over there to meet her last night. They can't have dogs because her Mother is allergic, so I know she is going to enjoy horsing around with ours! It was definitely so cute to see them playing.

[annnewjerz]

Considering we just decided last week that we would be taking an anniversary/birthday trip to The World in October---you'd think it'd be a little early to be making changes, right? Or maybe it's not.

Maybe since I never had any definite plans booked, this can't be considered a real change. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!!

Originally we were planning to go Columbus Day weekend, from October 8-10/11, attending MNSSHP for our wedding anniversary on October 9.

Now, because I completely forgot about the "What will you celebrate" and free birthday thing----I think we've decided to push the trip back a week so I can take advantage of the promotion and go to MK for free on my birthday!!

Now, the plan is to fly (if we can find cheap airfare) to WDW on October 17, spend all day at MK free for my birthday, attend MNSSHP on October 18 and then fly home on October 19.

We are also making some possible adaptations to the hotel situation. Originally since we'd be driving we decided to stay off-site somewhere inexpensive like the Fairfield Inn in DTD. Now, if we fly we won't have a car---so we will need to stay on property (which is a-okay with me!) How could I afford flying and staying on-site???



To keep the trip on the cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeap---I think we might camp!!

For two nights at the FW campground it's under $100, less if I can get a AAA discount! We'll be able to use the ME, we'll be able to use WDW transportation and we'll be able to go for under $600 which was the original plan. We can borrow a tent from my DB, an air matress from my DFIL and check one bag with all of our gear.

I'm sure this will change by mid-week, but for now this is the plan. If DH gets approved for his vacation time tomorrow, I may bite the bullet and bite the airfare now. Found a great deal out of Baltimore (2 hours from us) for $150 round trip on Airtran.

Stay tuned!!