"Official" Disney World trip - The Prologue

My husband and I are no strangers to Disney – although as I have learned through my research we are by far not the most obsessed Disney enthusiasts. We definitely know our way around the World – many a family vacation as kids, taking backstage tours in our youth, traveling the kingdoms on our own, and sharing it as a couple.

We purchased our Disney Vacation Club membership while in Orlando on a deal from another timeshare company. We had been married two years at the time and chose the DVC membership for two special reasons: as traveling enthusiasts and Disney fans we believed the investment was sound for our future enjoyment, and second, it was a special tribute to my mom who died of cancer in 2000. She loved Disney World and growing up she and I planned our treks to WDW together and enjoyed every minute. I felt there was no better gift to give her future grandchildren than wonderful memories at Disney World like she had given me. Thus began our next generation Disney traditions.

We began using our DVC points traveling to different places – Colorado, Miami, Chicago, etc. After three years, I booked our first DVC vacation to Walt Disney World. Two weeks later I found out I was pregnant. Fortunately, I can’t imagine a better vacation spot when pregnant than Disney World. So at four months along, we were headed to Orlando. It was a wonderful trip staying for five nights at the Boardwalk Villas.

We welcomed our baby boy. Then at the age of five months, we took him to meet the Mouse in California. From there we began talking about his “first” trip to Disney World. We started out with age five being the prime target, then thought four would be good, finally we settled on December before his fourth birthday. Having selected the “perfect” time of year in which this trip would be a new adventure for us all (neither of us had been there at Christmas time), we then began doing even more planning. Knowing we would like another child, we discussed the right time for that to avoid my once again traveling to WDW pregnant or trying to take a tiny temperamental infant.

This was in the summer of 2008 when, at the same time, DH was chosen to attend a conference in Orlando. I of course wanted to go and it seemed only right to take our then two and a half year old son – BUT his “first” trip was not supposed to be for another 18 months. So we compromised. Our son and I hung out at Saratoga Springs resort in Disney World while DH attended his conference. Then we spent just a couple of days getting a taste for the parks, but absolutely no visit to the Magic Kingdom. We visited Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom. And a special little seed was planted when we ate dinner at Narcoossee’s and saw the castle -- to be visited on our “official” trip.

Upon our return from Orlando, my hubby and I realized the window to have another child was then. We started trying and were pregnant within a month – not exactly what we had pictured but it worked. This meant the baby should be around seven months old at our time of travel. Once the baby was born, full blown plans for WDW ensued.

Vacation Survived.. and Fun

So we did it: six nights, four grandparents, and two kids at Walt Disney World! The itemized details will follow over time with ratings and reviews of the planning, the actual visit, and of course the food.

For now, I will smile and simply say we survived and I believe most (although probably not all) of our party are ready to go back! In fact, as we boarded the plane my DS3 said, “Bye, Mickey. See you next year!” My hubby, however, had a slightly different take when asked when we were going back: “We will discuss it after we have taken a vacation for ourselves.” I certainly can’t argue that. We are due some hubby and wife time!

All in all I think we monitored and adjusted well to the needs of those around us, like the grandparents who preferred a later start than we had planned or the child who was a zombie by day three and just wanted to go to the room and play or the grandparent who had a head ache and went back to the room for a nap.

We apologize that we were obsessed with getting the most for our money and trying to see everything even if that meant trudging along exhausted. We have to admit to getting tired, too, and needing to slow down; we just don’t like it! At this point and in hindsight, I realize that my planning was a bit ambitious, but we had built this up for two years as Zac’s first trip.

I would like to go on record as saying that once we got rolling I really did try to let Zac call the shots – though going back to the room to play with toys was kept to a minimum; seriously, he can do that at home. On the bright side, he did get to ride the Haunted Mansion ten times (I think we were on a first name basis with the cast members by the end of the night). And I was even crazy enough to take an infant and a 3 year old on HM by myself while daddy rode Splash Mountain!

Looking at the schedule, I’d say we are eighteen months to two years from our next Disney trip, but who knows, only time will tell! Right now, it is time to plan a mommy/daddy trip. Our tenth anniversary is next summer! I better make this one a good one!

Family photos

Apparently I have a little ham on my hands -- and in the spirit of the season he is a little turkey sometimes too -- at least that is how it appeared as we tried to take family photos today. My oldest son started out all smiles and giggles, along with some shouts and a few tirades about Star Wars characters. He followed direction for the most part. He jumped into one shot when his daddy and little brother were playing on the floor which turned out pretty cute. Then just a few shots left to get and he exclaims, "I'm Done!" Well, okay, Mr. Diva, somebody get him to his trailer for sparkling water and cartoons!

Seriously though, not a bad outing. These were technically my baby's seven month photos which turned into a full set of family Thanksgiving photos. Yes, I know the second child gets the short end of the stick. But honestly, I have all the photos of our oldest at every age in three different poses and they just collect dust -- in fact they are not even where anyone can see them. So I went with the family shots, which did include individuals of the baby, because I thought that we could get the most use out of them. Now, I just hope they turn out well. Should get the proofs next week.

Lessons learned:

• Plan on just one outfit when getting photos of four people including two children -- changing an infant tends to make for a grumpy baby.
• Parents, watch the camera and smile. Let the photographer make your kids smile; otherwise, your kids will be smiling while you have some weird expression on your face used to make them smile.
• Plan a reward trip, such as lunch at Burger King, directly after the session for your older child if he/she is good.

The Chronicles of Adventure Begin

So this blog has been a while in the making...
My husband often says that I don't do anything for myself. Amongst my wonderful and loving duties as a mother, wife, and career woman, I don't have much time for hobbies.

For many years I have had a hidden desire to be a travel writer, journalist, and/or reviewer (critic doesn't sound very nice). My husband and I travel frequently, usually taking a variety of weekend trips and two larger trips each year. However, that used to be much easier -- before we started our family. We now have two precious boys, but we still do our best to travel, with and without the boys.

In fact, I have a backlog of articles that detail my planning, preparation and trepidation toward a wonderful upcoming vacation and hope to post them incrementally over the coming months.

So by luck, chance, or an evil twist of fate, you have stumbled across my refuge and hopefully many elements of joy in this blog. Welcome to my Chronicles of Adventure...