Well, you can probably guess...

Well, everyone, you can probably guess that I was able to get my to do list done, seeing as it's been a month since I posted and the trip has come and gone.  Life got crazy busy both before and after the trip, as life tends to do, so now it's time for me to make amends and finish talking about trip preparations and move on with the trip report!
As of my last post, I had a short list of to-do's, which included getting t-shirts made (didn't do it), prepping the first aid kit (got that one done), putting together pre- & post-entertainment (which I did, but not how I had planned...gotta love downloading episodes of The Power Rangers from YouTube onto the netbook at the last possible second!!), customizing touring plans (didn't do it, but did use what they had a few times on the trip), and picking up the little extras (do Star Wars fruit chews count?).  Needless to say, the things that got done were helpful, and the ones that didn't really didn't matter in the end.
I was packing up until the very last moment when it was time for the hubs to take Payton & I over to my mom's house!  And we were short an outfit, but I figured we would buy some shirts to wear home. 

Hilton website photo

We headed to Mom's on Saturday, March 3rd around 11 a.m., arriving about noon.  After quick goodbye's, Mom, my nephew Ari, Payton & I all loaded up in her vehicle and headed to Marion, IL.  We picked up a few things that we had forgotten and grabbed a quick bite at McAlister's Deli.  Then it was on the interstate for us, heading toward St. Louis.  Mom drove until we got close to St. Louis, then it was my turn to take over.  Now mind you, I'm not a big fan of driving in the big city, but I mentally prepared myself for it and away we went.  Of course, right away we missed the exit that our MapQuest print out had told us to take.  Mom began to panic a bit, but I just kept looking at the signs and saying, "As long as we keep heading for I70 West, we are fine.  It all comes out together eventually."  And it did.  Now finding our hotel was a bit tricky.  We found our exit with no problems whatsoever, but once we turned off the interstate, we couldn't see it.  Well, the Hilton Garden Inn happens to be down in a hole!  That's right, if you don't know exactly where to look, you might miss it, because as big as this hotel is, it appears to be down in a large hole on one side of the road.  We couldn't even see it until we turned the vehicle around!   Once there, we checked in and parked the car.  They have a very nice park and fly option, so the car stayed in their parking lot while we were in Disney. 

The hotel was beautiful, and we had a very nice room.  Unfortunately, it was not what we had requested.  If you ever stay at the Hilton Garden Inn near the St. Louis, MO airport, be sure that they give you what you requested.  We ended up with a room with a queen bed and a pull out sofa.  Now normally I would have gone back up to the front desk to ask about the room change, but the boys were so excited and just wanted to get in the pool, so we let it go.  MISTAKE!  We had thought that the sofa bed would work for the boys, but it was so horribly uncomfortable that there was no way they could sleep in it together.  Figured this out around 11:30 that night. 

So back to the fun parts.  The pool and hot tub area was really nice and we spent a couple of hours there.  Then we ordered room service from the restaurant on-site and had a really great meal.  We tried to get to bed fairly early since we had an early flight out the next morning, but it just wasn't meant to be.  Not only was the sofa bed super uncomfortable, we also had seriously noisy neighbors.  Nothing like trying to get two excited little boys to sleep when there is screaming and fighting next door, and teenagers making a lot of noise in the halls.  Around midnight I actually went into the hallway and asked them to stop, but it didn't help.  I sent Ari to sleep with my mom in the bed and sat in the chair trying to help Payton get to sleep.  He finally crashed around 1 a.m. and in desperation, I pulled out the sofa cushions and made myself a tiny bed in the floor, getting maybe two hours of sleep before the 5 a.m. wake up call. 

Mom and I got everything together before waking up the boys, then we headed to the lobby to catch our shuttle to the airport (which we nearly missed).  On our way out, mom stopped the manager on duty to tell him about our room and our neighbors.  He was very nice and told her he would take care of it.  In the end, they never charged me for that stay.  Probably simply because of that action, I would consider staying at the Hilton Garden Inn again in the future.  But next time, I will demand to have my two queen beds!
Next blog, our flight and our first Disney day!

Wordless Wednesday 2/22

Happy Wednesday Everyone!!

 Since I missed a Wordless Wednesday for Valentine's week, I figured it was time to share a little Disney Romance thanks to Snow White & her handsome Prince!

Two Weeks Til WDW!!! The Countdown Continues...

Hey everyone, I'm back with an update on the Walt Disney World vacation countdown.  In my last blog post I started a list of things that I needed to get accomplished prior to the trip.  Today I'm going to update you on my progress and add more items to that list, so here goes!

The first item on the list was to begin looking at the wardrobe.  Well, I definitely did that!  I started making a list of both mine and Payton's Disney shirts, as well as pulling out our shorts to see if they all still fit.  I also found the swim suits just in case we have time to enjoy that super cool pool area I've seen in the photos of Coronado Springs!  This week, I will be going over to my mom's to compare our clothing options with what she has laid out for herself and for my nephew.  Now this may sound a little over the top to some of you, but I actually tend to plan out what we will wear on each day of the trip, to coordinate with the park we are visiting but also to make sure that we all coordinate with one another.  I think this comes from the photographer in me who wants our photos to actually look like we came to the park together and didn't just bump into each other in front of a Photopass Photographer!  Anyway, thankfully my mom is being a really good sport about it.  :)

My next item was to make some t-shirt designs for the boys.  I can check that off as well!  Now I may still make a few more, but I got busy on Photoshop and put together some designs with their names.  What do you think?

Third, I listed a goal of ordering whatever needed to be ordered.  Luckily for me, I had already made an avon order, so I'm good in that department.  My main concern was having contacts for the trip.  So I called Eye Mart and my contacts have been ordered and paid for.  Hoping those will be in this week.

Fourth, I mentioned the importance of a semi-fresh haircut before vacation.  Well mine has been scheduled, and Payton's will be very soon.  The next big question:  to color or not to color?  :)

Finally, it was time to not only look at the details but get them all together.  Well, a new Disney folder was purchased, just in time to find a home for our Magical Express documents, my print outs of our flight itinerary and our confirmation number for the hotel where we are staying the night before we fly to Orlando.  Mom just got our vacation documents in the mail two days ago, so those will be added to my folder once I visit her and pick them up.

As you can see, I'm sticking with my checklist so far.  So now it's time to add more to it!

• Get those t-shirts made!  This is crucial.  It's time to finalize what shirts need to be made for the boys, pick up the iron-on transfers, and get them printed and on the shirts.
• Put together the first aid kit:  I always feel more secure about a trip when I know I have a little first aid kit ready if we need it.  Band-aids, antibiotic ointment, Tylenol, a thermometer, Pepto tablets, etc.  Most of the time, we never use any of it, but when you are traveling with kids, it's always a good idea to be prepared!
• Prepare for the pre- & post-entertainment:  Although both of the boys will be super excited to be flying down and back, that excitement will only hold out for so long, and then they'll be looking for something to do.  Who am I kidding?  I will be too!  So it's time to download some movies onto the netbook and touchpad, make sure music is up to date on the Zune, and have a new book or two for the Kindle app.  I may even need to invest in headphone splitters so the boys can both watch the same movie but have their own set of headphones.
• Customize our touring plans:  I love the TouringPlans.com website.  I admit it.  I love looking through their touring plans, which can save you so much time in the parks.  But what I didn't realize until recently is that I can save one of their touring plans and then customize it to what our family wants to see and do.  Now granted, I consider myself an excellent park tour guide, but it never hurts to refresh your skills and add new options to your touring plan.  (Oh, and if you don't have their Lines application on your smart phone, get it NOW!)
• Picking up the little extras:  It's now time to start shopping for those little extra things that help to make the vacation more enjoyable, but are generally much cheaper when brought from home.  Things like plastic throw-away ponchos, glow sticks and glow necklaces for the nighttime parades and events, and fun, Disney themed snacks and breakfast foods that we can eat quickly in our room.  Plus, when you pack these things, then use them on the trip, it makes more space for souvenirs on the way home!

Well, another to-do list waiting to be tackled!  I'll check in soon to let you know how my progress is going & to share my excitement as the trip countdown continues!  Oh, and if you have any suggestions on things I need to get done or other things I need to shop for soon, please let me know.  

My new Mickey folder, Magical Express documents, & way in the back is my clothing plan for the trip!

25 Days & Counting - A Checklist!

Well, I'm sitting here at 25 days and counting until being back at Walt Disney World and I've decided, it's time to start tackling the final preparation steps before vacation.  In order to stay on track, and to hopefully give you some good ideas for your next vacation, I'm going to share my next few weeks of prep work with you, and of course, follow it up with a trip report.  So here goes...

When you're planning a Walt Disney World vacation, especially at a year or more out, it seems like you do all the big stuff, then you just sit and wait.  Decide where to stay...check...how many days/nights...check...make that deposit...check...at 180 days, make your dining reservations...check...pay off the balance (at least 45 days in advance)...check.  So now you're in the home stretch.  What's left to do?  Well, that really depends on you and the type of vacationer you are.  Are you an over-the-top uber-planner who wants everyone to wear matching clothes on certain days and plans to bring enough snacks to feed a small army?  Or are you a throw your clothes in the suitcase the night before and don't worry cause you're on vacation kind of person?  Maybe somewhere in between?  I personally tend to plan a lot, but I'm never completely packed until the night before.  So anyway, here's my starting point for the next 25 days:

• Begin looking at the wardrobe:  So for this trip, it will be me, my mom, my son Payton & my nephew, Ari.  We are not going to do a bunch of matching shirts, but I would like for us to look like we coordinate just a little bit.  So I'm going to start looking at Disney shirts that Payton & I have, as well as look for a few for mom and Ari, and see what kind of combinations I can come up with.
• Make some T-shirt designs for the boys:  Now I know the cousins would like some personalized T-shirts for this trip, so I'm going to work on making some iron-on designs for them.  There are so many creative Disney fans out there on the web, so do some searches and see what's out there.  One of my personal favorite past t's was a tie-dye Mickey head shirt I made for my family a few years ago using a bleach pen.  Really easy& affordable, and we got a lot of great comments on the shirts.
• What needs to be ordered?:  There are always some things you need for your vacation that you can't just walk into a Wal-Mart to pick up.  For example, I am running low on replacement contact lenses.  I refuse to go to Disney without a spare pair, so it's time to order more so they'll be ready to pick up well before the trip.  Also, if you use specialty products like Avon or Mary Kay, you might want to make those orders now.  Any prescription medication you might need?  Better refill ahead of time!
• Time for a haircut:  Now some people can get into their hairdresser really quickly, but it might be wise to go ahead and make that appointment now to get the hair trimmed up a few days before leaving on vacation.  Ladies, if you're like me, maybe make it closer to a week before vacation so you have time to get used to the new do.
• Looking at the details:  If you're old-school, like me, you like to have print outs of all of your vacation documents.  Airfare, reservations, dining ressies, etc. are all good things to print out and put in a folder to take with you on vacation.  Or, if you like using a travel app, such as trip it, maybe it's time to update that, or become more familiar with the application you are wanting to test out.

Well, that's just the first few things on my list.  Stay tuned to see what I get accomplished and what gets added to the vacation preparations.  Only 25 days....WOO HOO!!!

Wordless Wednesday 1/18

Ah, to be in Epcot today would be so much better than going to work!!  And I love my job!

Birthday Bucket List - Disney Style

Well, yesterday was my birthday, another year has passed and I'm another year closer to 40.  Thought about posting this yesterday, but hey, it was my birthday!  So instead I enjoyed some chocolate covered cashews and a good book.  Anyway, having a birthday so close to the New Year is really great, because it gives me an opportunity to really look at setting goals for myself, both for the New Year and for life in general.  I'm continuing with my goal of making changes in my life that will help me be healthier and happier.  I also started toying with the idea of a bucket list. 

Now I've primarily heard of the bucket list idea as being all the things you want to do before you die.  Well I'm sorry, but that seems a bit morbid to me.  I don't even like putting that vibe out into the world that I have to hurry up and do some things before I die.  So I look at a bucket list as more of an ultimate wish list.  A wish list that I plan on doing as much as I can to make into an accomplishment list.  Check those babies off!

So I thought I would share with all of you my Birthday Bucket List as it relates to Disney (which works out great since a large portion of my bucket list has to do with Disney anyway...go figure!)  Here we go!

1.  Visit Disneyland (& Disney's California Adventure):  As a true Disney geek, I feel a great pull to go west, to walk where Walt walked, and to see his park.  I've heard so many people say, "oh you won't like it as much as Disney World," or "You'll be underwhelmed, it's not very big you know."  Well, that might be the case for the average visitor, but I guarantee you, it will take all the strength this Disney girl has to not shed tears while looking at Sleeping Beauty castle or Walt's apartment above the fire house. 

                On top of that, there is so much excitement going on at Disneyland these days.  I've heard AMAZING things about World of Color, the newest night-time spectacular.  And DCA is getting Cars-Land!  Woo hoo!  I'm hoping to check this bucket list item off sooner rather than later.

2.  Take a Disney Alaskan Cruise:  I've already marked a Disney cruise off my bucket list, so now it's time to get specific.  Although I have to admit that so far, I prefer my adventures on land rather than sea, this cruise intrigues me.  The photos I've seen are incredible, and it would give me a chance to explore areas of the United States that I would never thought I could visit.  I think it would be a great adventure for my family.

3.  Visit Marceline, Missouri:  This should be an easy one to cross off!  Missouri is right next door to Illinois, and Marceline is about 6 hours from my house.  That's less than half the time it takes to drive to Disney World.  This quaint little town that served as Walt's home for four years and later as one of his models for Main Street USA has so much charm and history that I feel like it's a must do for a true Disney fan.

4.  Take a behind the scenes tour:  This is something I've wanted to do for so long!  Get up close and personal with the magic that goes on in the Walt Disney World parks.  See the backstage areas, walk through the utilidoors under the Magic Kingdom, ride on a segway through World Showcase, I'm game for almost any of them (except the diving...that is NOT going to happen!).  There are so many amazing people who make the magic happen for my family and everyone who visits the parks every day, and I would love to see those folks in action.  I don't think it would take away the magic for me, just help me to appreciate all the little things I miss because I'm so caught up in the Disney fun.

5.  Spend some quality time in a spa:  So this is one that I know I can do at other places and when I'm not on vacation, but I would just love to have some serious pampering at one of the world class spas at Walt Disney World.  Or maybe on a Disney Cruise ship...either would work for me!

6.  Run a half marathon at Walt Disney World...or two...or three:  One of my general bucket list items is to run a half-marathon.  Just a few short years ago, I never in my wildest dreams would have set this as a goal for myself.  Now that I'm into running, I know I'm going to do it.  I want to have this accomplishment under my belt.  And if I'm going to do it, why not do it at Disney?  The Princess Half Marathon, the Food & Wine Half Marathon, the half at the Walt Disney World marathon weekend, any of those would make me happy.  Now while it isn't a half, I also really want to do the Everest Challenge 5K, obstacle course & scavenger hunt too, as well as the Tower of Terror 10 mile run that was just added to the line-up.  I am ready for some serious Disney Running bling!!

7.  Take an Adventures by Disney Vacation:  While vacations in exotic and amazing locations around the world can be done through any travel agency or even planned on your own, there's something to be said for a vacation having the Disney touch.  You know what I mean if you've been spoiled to the way Disney treats you on vacation, then tried to vacation somewhere else.  Other theme parks really aren't all that "themed" and the service doesn't always feel as warm or professional.  I can only imagine how this plays out when Disney is in charge of taking your family on excursions in Europe, Central & South America, Asia, Australia, Africa, or various places in North America.  I've been to England & Scotland in the past, and I would love to take my family to Europe someday.  I've also got to get to Australia, so I'm so glad that they've started this itinerary.  I just hope it's still around when I can afford to go!!

8.  Buy in to Disney Vacation Club:  There's just something about the idea of owning a piece of Disney, and really being able to feel at home when cast members welcome you "home" that appeals to me.  I just want it.  I want it so that I can visit as much as my points will allow.  I want it so that I have a real reason to be an annual pass holder (something else on the list!).  What can I say?  I just want it! 

9.  50th Anniversary Celebration:  Just this past year, the Magic Kingdom celebrated its 40th Anniversary.  That anniversary is really the anniversary of the entire Walt Disney World resort, because it started with the Magic Kingdom.  I want to BE THERE when we celebrate the 50th!  I really hope that Disney is planning something big for that year!

10.  Vow renewal ceremony:  Kendall doesn't know this yet (guess he will when he reads this!), but I'm hoping that someday, we can do a vow renewal ceremony at Walt Disney World.  If you haven't read this somewhere on the blog before, Kendall and I accompanied a friend to Florida to be in a wedding.  While we were there, I insisted that all of us visit Walt Disney World.  It was at Walt Disney World that we started spending more time together, talking more, and he asked me out on our first date.  After we were married, we spent our honeymoon at Walt Disney World.  And of course since then, we've visited Walt Disney World A LOT.  If I had a "do-over," even though I loved our wedding, it would be to actually have gotten married at Walt Disney World.  So I guess I'm secretly hoping that one day, maybe on a special anniversary, we can mark the celebration with a vow renewal at one of our favorite places on Earth!

Well, even though there are definitely more Disney bucket list items, I'm going to stop at 10.  I managed to squeeze an extra or two into the 10 listed above, so they count!

Have you made a bucket list?  What's tops on your list?  Any Disney related items?  Please share in the comments below.  I love hearing from you!

Oh, and I'll definitely keep you posted as I cross items off my list!!

Wordless Wednesday 1/4/12

First Wordless Wednesday of the New Year!

Wishing you a Fantasmic New Year!!