2013 was a whirlwind. So many changes and so many new beginnings. It started off with awaiting the arrival of my newest Nephew in late Spring. Mixed in with me starting a new job, mix in some birthdays and anniversaries of of course a few Disney Vacations and 2013 was not a bad year :) Of course there were some other adventures as well....Isabella had some major accomplishments including her first all city band concert, her annual dance recital (#3), a part in the Annual ChristmasTime production at the high school and of course.....baby girl turned 10!!! It was an amazing moment for her. Coupled with a little sadness from me in realizing that my baby is no longer a baby but a full fledged young lady. Brings me to the question....Where has the time gone?
But there will be no sulking....no no. 2014 already has the makings of another wonderful year. Planning has begun for Disney World 2014. This time, we're taking no prisoners lol!
Welcome to our Disney Bubble
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Deviating from the next post
I know I should be updating the next entry to my vacation from September, but I figured I would update with a little info on our upcoming May vacation.
We leave in just under 6 weeks and our airfare has been purchased. We got such a great deal on the flights going round trip from Boston to Orlando. Usually we're lucky if we can fly out for under $250 round trip. At five tickets (now that my youngest pays for a seat), we are talking about $1250!!! That's just for flights. Then factor in our hotel room (roughly $800-1000) and park tickets (another $1100 approx), plus costs for food and miscellaneous things, we're looking at almost $3500 if not more for our vacation. I am a active fare watcher for everything so I don't commit until I can find something worthwhile. 99% of the time, it works out in our favor. The ONE and ONLY time we got nervous was when I waited until I was in Orlando to buy our flights for the way home.
So as of right now, we're staying at All Star Music for 6 nights and flying down. We just need to worry about food and park tickets!
We leave in just under 6 weeks and our airfare has been purchased. We got such a great deal on the flights going round trip from Boston to Orlando. Usually we're lucky if we can fly out for under $250 round trip. At five tickets (now that my youngest pays for a seat), we are talking about $1250!!! That's just for flights. Then factor in our hotel room (roughly $800-1000) and park tickets (another $1100 approx), plus costs for food and miscellaneous things, we're looking at almost $3500 if not more for our vacation. I am a active fare watcher for everything so I don't commit until I can find something worthwhile. 99% of the time, it works out in our favor. The ONE and ONLY time we got nervous was when I waited until I was in Orlando to buy our flights for the way home.
So as of right now, we're staying at All Star Music for 6 nights and flying down. We just need to worry about food and park tickets!
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
2013.....a new year and new vacation(s)
So it's March 2013.....again, I know I SUCK. I haven't been able to remember my log in to my blog and trying to reset my password was a nightmare. Now that I'm finally on the ball, I'm trying to catch up and work on my new 2013 vacation.
Disney is the name of the game. This will make my 13th trip to the world. It'll be my daughter's 7th and my son's 4th trip. Our last vacation was great and we did a few new things and learned a lot. Here's a quick overview:
My husband had a GREAT desire to visit during the Food & Wine Festival that is held in Epcot every year. Me personally, I didn't care when we went. The idea for me was just to go and enjoy my time in my Disney bubble. We had arranged our vacation for the end of September 2012. This coincided with my father's 6 week trip out of the country. We were booked for our flights and room as far back as June/July so all we did was wait.....and wait.....and wait. Finally the weekend before came around and we were busy with our last minute arrangements. So the day before my father left for South America, we were packed and prepped and gearing for the trip. That was a Sunday. On Monday, I had to work and do my usual stuff. I left work early, picked up my father and the kids, dropped off my daughter at dance and headed to the airport. After a much heated argument at the JetBlue counter (and I still maintain that had the counter clerks not been so rude, I wouldn't have lost my cool), I bid my father a farewell, told him to be careful and I'd see him November.
My husband was already home with my daughter while my son and I walked slowly back to our car. At 3, he knew that "Papa" was going away but still doesn't fully grasp the concept of time. He was sad that we wouldn't be getting on a plane ourselves, until I told him that we would be back the next day to get on our own plane. We drove the 20 minute drive home in a melancholy type of silence. I arrived home to a wonderful surprise....my husband had packed, cleaned the kitchen AND ordered out dinner lol. It was great not to have to worry about that. We were up until 11pm packing the last of our things, confirming that our ride to the airport was scheduled for the right time (thanks to my little bro for driving us in) and printing out boarding passes, confirmation #'s, etc. I finally fell asleep at midnight but it was a fruitless effort as I woke up every 45 minutes afraid that we were going to oversleep.
I rolled over and checked my phone and finally it read 3:30 am. Our flight was at 6:25am and our ride was coming at 4. We jumped out of bed and since we had all showered/bathed the night before, we put on fresh clothes and combed our hair with relative ease. We let the little guy sleep until it was almost time to go. We managed to get to the airport quickly and without any fuss. We bid goodbye to my brother and headed into the JetBlue terminal. It was literally all of 6 minutes to check us in and get our bags checked (unlike the sh**show the day before). We headed over to security and went through quickly. Normally we have to wait for my father as he is unable to go through the metal dectors due to the ICD he has. This time it was so quick :)
We went to our gate and all around us it was quiet. Sleepy quiet. There were other families there that were more than likely heading to Disney same as us. The sun was not yet up and my son was finally waking up. Poor baby!
After what seemed like a lifetime of people watching (including watching another mom browbeat her husband and barking orders at him.....my apologies to that husband. I could go on a tirade about the behavior of other people we encountered at Disney but really....why go there???) it was finally our turn to board....yippee!!!!
Making our way down the ramp, we finally boarded and found our seats. The two kids and I were seated together with my husband right next to me but across the aisle. I was hoping that the kids would relax and sleep the three hours to Orlando. Sadly what you hope for and what you actually get are almost never in sync lol.
Disney is the name of the game. This will make my 13th trip to the world. It'll be my daughter's 7th and my son's 4th trip. Our last vacation was great and we did a few new things and learned a lot. Here's a quick overview:
My husband had a GREAT desire to visit during the Food & Wine Festival that is held in Epcot every year. Me personally, I didn't care when we went. The idea for me was just to go and enjoy my time in my Disney bubble. We had arranged our vacation for the end of September 2012. This coincided with my father's 6 week trip out of the country. We were booked for our flights and room as far back as June/July so all we did was wait.....and wait.....and wait. Finally the weekend before came around and we were busy with our last minute arrangements. So the day before my father left for South America, we were packed and prepped and gearing for the trip. That was a Sunday. On Monday, I had to work and do my usual stuff. I left work early, picked up my father and the kids, dropped off my daughter at dance and headed to the airport. After a much heated argument at the JetBlue counter (and I still maintain that had the counter clerks not been so rude, I wouldn't have lost my cool), I bid my father a farewell, told him to be careful and I'd see him November.
My husband was already home with my daughter while my son and I walked slowly back to our car. At 3, he knew that "Papa" was going away but still doesn't fully grasp the concept of time. He was sad that we wouldn't be getting on a plane ourselves, until I told him that we would be back the next day to get on our own plane. We drove the 20 minute drive home in a melancholy type of silence. I arrived home to a wonderful surprise....my husband had packed, cleaned the kitchen AND ordered out dinner lol. It was great not to have to worry about that. We were up until 11pm packing the last of our things, confirming that our ride to the airport was scheduled for the right time (thanks to my little bro for driving us in) and printing out boarding passes, confirmation #'s, etc. I finally fell asleep at midnight but it was a fruitless effort as I woke up every 45 minutes afraid that we were going to oversleep.
I rolled over and checked my phone and finally it read 3:30 am. Our flight was at 6:25am and our ride was coming at 4. We jumped out of bed and since we had all showered/bathed the night before, we put on fresh clothes and combed our hair with relative ease. We let the little guy sleep until it was almost time to go. We managed to get to the airport quickly and without any fuss. We bid goodbye to my brother and headed into the JetBlue terminal. It was literally all of 6 minutes to check us in and get our bags checked (unlike the sh**show the day before). We headed over to security and went through quickly. Normally we have to wait for my father as he is unable to go through the metal dectors due to the ICD he has. This time it was so quick :)
We went to our gate and all around us it was quiet. Sleepy quiet. There were other families there that were more than likely heading to Disney same as us. The sun was not yet up and my son was finally waking up. Poor baby!
After what seemed like a lifetime of people watching (including watching another mom browbeat her husband and barking orders at him.....my apologies to that husband. I could go on a tirade about the behavior of other people we encountered at Disney but really....why go there???) it was finally our turn to board....yippee!!!!
The kids and I hamming it up in our seats.
Our flight was uneventful.....that is until we were about 20 minutes from landing and Isabella was visibly upset. I told her to calmly tell me what was wrong. Her ears were bothering her and she didn't feel good. I couldn't understand how it took her over so quickly. But being super mom, I had mints, candy and gum along with medicines all packed in my carry on. I'm prepared for every situation lol. We arrived in Orlando and awaited our shuttle to transport us to the other side to baggage claim. MCO is unlike any airport I've seen in that there is major organization. I love Boston, don't get me wrong....but with all the major changes that Logan has seen over the last 20 years, it leaves a lot to be desired. Sigh.....
This is an obligatory photo that I get of Isabella EVERYTIME we're at Disney. It's amazing to see how she's changed :)
Mommy & Daughter
My baby boy on the shuttle
Up Next: On our way to the Disney Bubble! Thoughts on our hotel and our first theme park visit for this vacation!
Monday, November 5, 2012
Wow....I suck
I have really dropped the ball on this blog lol.....not good.
I guess it goes all the way back to May 2011 when I got laid off. It was about a week before we were scheduled to leave for our Universal vacation and it couldn't have been more poorly timed. But the vacation did happen and we had an incredible time!
Since my last post, I went to Universal in June of 2011, Disney in August of 2011 and we just had an incredible Disney World vacation in September/October of this year. Lots of things learned and lots of things that we'll do again, and of course the things we'll NEVER do again lol.
I'll start posting more frequent updates. The family and I have SO much planned for vacations in 2013. So much to see, so little time!
I guess it goes all the way back to May 2011 when I got laid off. It was about a week before we were scheduled to leave for our Universal vacation and it couldn't have been more poorly timed. But the vacation did happen and we had an incredible time!
Since my last post, I went to Universal in June of 2011, Disney in August of 2011 and we just had an incredible Disney World vacation in September/October of this year. Lots of things learned and lots of things that we'll do again, and of course the things we'll NEVER do again lol.
I'll start posting more frequent updates. The family and I have SO much planned for vacations in 2013. So much to see, so little time!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Disney in August
So much has happened in the last month! I FINALLY booked our package. If figures that I wanted until ALMOST the last minute! I was able to take advantage of the kids stay/play free and in theory, I am the only one paying for the trip since the kids aren't contributing to the cost of the hotel room and their park tickets are free. I did spring for the meal plan and Rick is paying for our Park Hoppers. We'll be staying at Pop Century (naturally!) and we'll be there Tuesday night - Sunday. Not bad really. I'm super excited about this trip. Now it's on to airfare. Trying to debate exactly what would be the best plan of action. Do I pay more for a direct flight, do I pay less for the flight to leave a day early and then have to pay for the bags? Do I have one carry-on bag and only check two bags to save on cost? So many questions and SO fewer answers. Dining reservations have been made. We'll be dining at some old favorites come this trip. 50's Prime Time, 1900 Park Fare, Chef Mickey's, Liberty Tree Tavern, Garden Grill...however all of these resturants will be completely new to Olivia, my daughter's BFF. She's never been to Disney before. So exciting! I'm hoping to schedule a planning day for us three girls so they can get an idea of where we will be on which days. Can't wait!!!
I've given up planning the upcoming (and I use the term EXTREMELY loosely) May vacation to Universal. With only 6 weeks (roughly 42 days) until this pending vacation, it doesn't look like it will happen really and I'm a little sad by it. However, life must go on and while that vacation is on the back burner for now, we must forge ahead with the August Disney trip. The package has been booked and I have purchased an additional Walt Disney World book to maximize all avenues of fun. The Passporter is by all means my FAVORITE of all Disney planning books. It's wealth of information is incredible and is incredibly user friendly in it's layout. Detailed sections for all theme parks, restaurants, and resorts, color pictures and fold up maps make this an incredible buy and worth EVERY penny! As for Birnbaum's Guide to Walt Disney World, this particular one has become almost a given for me to purchase each year. Not exactly a spectacular read, it has basic information for resorts, restaurants and theme park information. The format is much the same as previous Disney editions released by Birnbaum. The only difference is the minor changes in prices and parade/ride changes or updates. What I don't like is the lack of visitor contribution. No reviews, no thoughts or insight from actual visitors. I think that would add to the value of the guidebook. But hey, that's just my opinion. My newest book is the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with kids 2011. I haven't had a chance to sit down and read it as of yet, but as I look over at the book, I am anxious to start. As a proud subscriber to Touring Plans (http://www.touringplans.com/) I felt it was definitely time to give this one a try. We'll see how it goes and I'll be sure to post my thoughts later! ~P
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
63 days until Universal....
And we have NOTHING planned yet! No plane tickets, no hotel reservations...nothing. I was excited several months ago to get this going and I think the lack of enthusiasm from the family has driven me to a complete standstill. It's not that I don't want to go, but Universal is a "foreign" place to me and will take me COMPLETELY out of my Disney bubble. Rick and I have been reading the Universal planning book I bought a few weeks ago and have jotted down some ideas, but that's it. This past weekend we started looking at flights and hotel arrangements so there is a strong possibility that we will pull this off...I guess only time will tell.
~P
~P
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