Magicians & Jugglers & a Clown Slide, OH MY! We're going to the BWI... A Nov 2010 PTR

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Hello readers! And welcome to my PTR!

After the kids went off to their first day of school this morning and I wiped away my tears I decided to go ahead and get this PTR going! We will be at Walt Disney World in less than 2 months!!

Here are the boys this morning ~

Some background on us. . . This will be our 6th trip to WDW. We started going in 2005 and fell in love and have been back 4 more times! We are typically a “moderate” family, but this time are going deluxe and are very excited!

My name is Shelly. I am a mom to 2 boys, 11 and almost 9. I have been married to my wonderful DH for 12 ½ years. We live in PA, so we love getting away to the warm sunny state of Florida! After many years of working in banking, in 2005 I decided to call it quits and stay home full time with my boys. I became very involved with their school, PTO, and soccer organization. Last winter I decided that it may be time to get back into the work force, but didn't want anything that would interfere with my volunteer activities, and the kids school schedule. So, I now work as a Teaching Assistant for our school district on an on-call basis. And I love it! The flexibility and being on the boys schedule are wonderful job perks, but I also love working with all the kids. And obviously I am more and more obsessed with Disney each trip and am always busy planning the next trip!

DH loves Disney almost as much as I do! He didn't at first, but I think each trip gets better and better for him. Probably because we take each trip at a more relaxed pace! I recently asked him if he would like to try somewhere else for vacation and he said – Is anywhere else going to pick us up at the airport and have everything we need & want to do right there? Nope, not hardly honey! He is a quality assurance inspector for a large company outside of Pittsburgh. He works a lot of hours and really looks forward to relaxing on vacation. He is a wonderful husband and father and enjoys taking the boys fishing & coaching DS's soccer team.

DS11 is our oldest and a very responsible young man. He is growing up all too fast and started the 6th grade today. Where does the time go? How do I have a 6th grader??? He is an excellent student in school and we are very proud of him. He loves Disney, Star Wars, Pokemon, video games, playing outside, fishing, and riding his 4-wheeler. He played soccer for several years, but decided to give it up last year when he had to move up to travel soccer and it became more like work than fun! He is now running track and loves it! He is hilarious and not in the least bit shy. Those of you who have read my previous TR's know just what I mean! He loves to sing and dance and always be the center of attention.

DS8 (will be 9 in less than a month) is our little guy! He started 3rd grade today. He also does very well at school, but needs to be pushed a little harder to do so! He seems to be lacking ambition or something! He is very laid back. He is used to his older brother doing everything for him and he likes it that way! He has played soccer for the last 4-5 years and loves it and is very good at it! The first game of the fall season is this Sunday and he is very excited! So am I! He loves Star Wars, video games, all sports, and playing outside. He is not quite as outgoing as his brother in the sense that he wouldn't jump in front of the video camera and sing & dance. But he is very outgoing at school and makes friends easily. And he is the first one to stand up to anyone who is mean to him and he is definitely not afraid to speak his mind (probably got that from me )!

Both the boys are picky eaters. So eating at Disney is always an adventure for us. DS11 is doing much better and will try new things. He is just at that in-between stage where he still doesn't care for the choices on the adult menu, but sometimes a kids meal is too small. DS8 has true eating issues. He even used to have a speech therapist, not to teach him to talk, but to teach him to eat. He hated all that was food. He has come a long way, but still has a ways to go. Most times it is torture trying to get him to try something new. So unfortunately it is a lot of chicken & corn dog nuggets for him at WDW. But we make do and he doesn't ever starve. If we are going to eat somewhere that I think there may not be anything for him, I will feed him his favorite – a jelly sandwich (only Smucker's seedless strawberry jam and NO peanut butter) in our resort room before we head out. That way I at least know his belly has something in it! For those of you who may have read my previous TR's or Dining Reviews – DS8 is the kid who ordered a grilled cheese – hold the cheese, at Big River Grille. And ordered a turkey sandwich – hold the turkey, at the Plaza! The kid loves his breads. Thank goodness. And we have since learned that most restaurants will make him some type of pasta even if it's not on the menu. He loves pasta too. No sauce of course. But lots of butter!


Now, back to Disney!

Here we are last November at Disney ~

We all pretty much look the same now, except the kids are a little taller and DS11 has let his hair grow out (as you can see from this mornings picture). I'm not in love with his new look, but hey - he thinks he looks cool! And of course I still think he is adorable!


We will be arriving at WDW on Saturday November 6th and departing on Sunday November 14th and will be staying at the BWI!!

Up Next: How we came to the decision to finally stay at a deluxe and how we chose the Boardwalk Inn!

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*Edited to add links:
Resort Reviews ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38127945&postcount=10
Our Favorite Parks ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38137369&postcount=23
My How the Boys Have Grown ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38140117&postcount=36
Disney Pin Trading ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38153221&postcount=52
Homemade Epcot Passports ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38153514&postcount=53
New Disney Pins ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38179192&postcount=79
Our MK Plans ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38236117&postcount=112
Our Epcot Plans ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38265616&postcount=145
Our DHS Plans ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38320372&postcount=174
Our AK Plans ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38333609&postcount=196
Our DTD Plans ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38358384&postcount=214
Our Disney Restaurant List ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38378381&postcount=233
MK Dining ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38382091&postcount=240
Epcot Dining ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38392632&postcount=258
Food & Wine Festival Menu ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38399366&postcount=274
DHS Dining ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38416716&postcount=302
My Magical Express Booklet came ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38433020&postcount=324
AK Dining ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38444253&postcount=339
DTD Dining ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38465408&postcount=351
Disney Mail ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38475763&postcount=357
MK area Resort Dining ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38485263&postcount=372
Epcot area Resort Dining ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38502265&postcount=393
DTD area Resort Dining ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38546946&postcount=415
Moderate Food Courts ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38546989&postcount=416 http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38547005&postcount=417
Where are we eating this trip? ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38548653&postcount=420
Disney Jewelry & Pressed Pennies ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38576340&postcount=440
The Kids Disney Clothes ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38584897&postcount=458
Shopping ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38587683&postcount=474
More Clothes ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38635214&postcount=516
We're Going to MVMCP ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38656014&postcount=528
Souvenirs ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38671252&postcount=549
Disney Memories ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38693703&postcount=587
Gingerbread House at the GF ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38729398&postcount=623
Top 10 ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38741895&postcount=640
Pick A Pearl Carriage Necklace ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38772922&postcount=675
Happy Halloween ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38784952&postcount=688
Getting Ready for MVMCP ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38808769&postcount=722
BWI Pictures ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38831128&postcount=771
We're back ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38952702&postcount=898
BWI Review ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38969867&postcount=922

**The TR is started ~ http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=39087727&posted=1#post39087727


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[Pluto_fan]

Yea! Another trip for Shelly and family!
I can't wait to hear all about your plans. November will be here before you know it!

 

[Monny2AE]

Great start Shelly! Can't wait to hear all about your plans for this trip!

Your boys are growing so fast.

Happy 60 days!!!!​

 

[T*Bird]

I'm 3rd! (Unless I'm too slow posting this ) Not like me to be so early! First of all, I hope the boys have a wonderful start to the new school year!

I love your title, and this is a great way to kick off your PTR. Cute picture of the boys heading off to school. DS11 is rocking the Justin Bieber look I see. I'm sure he will be a hit with the girls!

I'm looking forward to hearing about all of your plans!

Now I'd better post this before I'm 4th or 5th.

 

[Dancegrl624]

I'm in! Your boys have definately grown up a bit since your trip last year. How do they get so big so fast? I have yet to figure that out.

Can't wait to hear about the Boardwalk!!!

 

[danceintherain]

My youngest brother has let his hair grow out too. I keep trying to get him to at least go somewhere and get it cut into an actual hairstyle.

 

[JoBird]

I'm Heeeeerrrreeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So very excited to see you start this up!
It's been a looooong time coming. Remember when we said it would be the same amount of time as waiting on a baby......?????


Now I have to go back and read it-- I just posted first b/c I was so excited.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

everyone!

Yea! Another trip for Shelly and family!
I can't wait to hear all about your plans. November will be here before you know it!

YAY my first PTR reader!

So glad you're here!

Great start Shelly! Can't wait to hear all about your plans for this trip!

Your boys are growing so fast.

Happy 60 days!!!!​

Hey Kim! Welcome! Yep - the boys are growing up way too fast.

YAY for 60 DAYS!!

I'm 3rd! (Unless I'm too slow posting this ) Not like me to be so early! First of all, I hope the boys have a wonderful start to the new school year!

I love your title, and this is a great way to kick off your PTR. Cute picture of the boys heading off to school. DS11 is rocking the Justin Bieber look I see. I'm sure he will be a hit with the girls!

I'm looking forward to hearing about all of your plans!

Now I'd better post this before I'm 4th or 5th.

Welcome Teri!

Glad you like the title. You know it took me a long time to come up with one!

Yes, DS11 says he doesn't like Justin Bieber, but his hair is sure looking like him!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

WELCOME!!

I'm in! Your boys have definately grown up a bit since your trip last year. How do they get so big so fast? I have yet to figure that out.

Can't wait to hear about the Boardwalk!!!

I can't figure that one out either. DS11 is nearly as tall as me. Which isn't all that tall, but still.

I am very excited to get to the BW and will be taking a ton of pictures!

My youngest brother has let his hair grow out too. I keep trying to get him to at least go somewhere and get it cut into an actual hairstyle.

Apparently no hairstyle is the new hairstyle.

I'm Heeeeerrrreeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So very excited to see you start this up!
It's been a looooong time coming. Remember when we said it would be the same amount of time as waiting on a baby......?????


Now I have to go back and read it-- I just posted first b/c I was so excited.

YAY I knew you'd get here sooner or later JO!!

Yes, I sure do remember when I was way back at 9 months and you said it wasn't that long and I said yes it was, I could have a baby in that amount of time!!

Thank goodness we are way past that and only have 2 months to go!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

So how did we decide on the Boardwalk Inn?

Well, every trip I say - next time we are going deluxe. But we never do. It's always been too hard for me to justify spending that much money on the resort. And the moderates fit us just fine. We did do a split stay with POR and OKW last year, so OKW is the closest we have been to a Disney deluxe. But I'd have to say that I don't really classify OKW as a deluxe. It is very nice and we loved it, but it is pretty similar to a moderate.

When planning our very first WDW trip way back in 2005 I found that the moderates were in our price range and looked to be sufficient for us. I looked over the themes and immediately knew CBR was the one for us! Several trips later and CBR is still our favorite! Always trust your initial gut feeling.


Our home in October 2005. The village of Jamaica at CBR ~

Next up was POFQ in May 2007 ~

Then onto CSR in May 2008 ~

And back to CBR for January 2009, this time in the Aruba village ~

November 2009 brought 2 new resorts for us with a split stay.

POR ~

OKW ~

As I said, we love CBR! Our next favorite (surprising to us) is POR. Followed closely by OKW, then POFQ, and CSR.

We have toured all the Disney deluxe resorts, with the exception of AKL. Many of them several times! I always said when we go deluxe we are going to go to the Poly! Just love it there! The theme, the atmosphere, the pool looks great, the grounds are beautiful, on the monorail, views of the castle, etc. But when the time came to book the resort for this trip I started having second thoughts. Not that I didn't think the Poly would be wonderful, I am sure it is. It's just that we are more of Epcot and DHS people than MK people. So naturally it just makes more sense to stay at one of the Epcot area resorts where we will be within walking distance of our 2 favorite parks. So I started researching the BC, YC, and BWI. I always thought we would go with the BC when staying in this area, but the more research I did the more I realized that the BWI is the one for us! We LOVE the BW area and visit it on every trip. We love the fun atmosphere, the new rooms look awesome, all the food options in the area, the great location, the entertainment, and that very cool pool & slide! And nope - we are not afraid of that clown slide a bit!! Can't wait to go down it actually!



Shortly after we got back from our November 2009 trip I received a pin code for most of 2010. 20% off Values, 30% off Moderates, and 40% off Deluxe resorts! We had an awesome time the second week of November last year, and those dates were included in my pin for 2010, so I knew the time was right. And the BWI was booked clear back in December 2009 for November 2010. That was the furthest out I have ever been booked!! And yes - it has been one long wait.

But, soon enough we will be here ~

Can't wait!!


Up Next: Some of our favorite things at Disney.

 

[ethansmommy]

Looking forward to reading your ptr. My son's first soccer game is this weekend also.

 

[Pakey]

Hi Shelly. I'm never on time for the start of a party but I get there eventually.

Can't wait to hear more about the travel to the clown slide.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Count me in!!! I can't believe how little your boys were that first trip! I gotta go back and start scanning my old photos into my laptop at some point so I can share with ya!! I know you are all excited!!! The boys looked really cute for the first day back!!! I wonder how busy they will keep you this year (the school, I mean)?!!! Oh...i love your title too!!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Welcome new readers!

Looking forward to reading your ptr. My son's first soccer game is this weekend also.

Glad you're here!

I just love watching the kids soccer games, don't you? Soccer was never big when we were kids. It's sure getting popular now!

Hi Shelly. I'm never on time for the start of a party but I get there eventually.

Can't wait to hear more about the travel to the clown slide.

Hey, you made it to the first page!

Count me in!!! I can't believe how little your boys were that first trip! I gotta go back and start scanning my old photos into my laptop at some point so I can share with ya!! I know you are all excited!!! The boys looked really cute for the first day back!!! I wonder how busy they will keep you this year (the school, I mean)?!!! Oh...i love your title too!!!

YAY Shawna's here!! She should be here, as she will likely make it into my TR! She arrives the day before we leave and we are going to have a little meet up!

I know, the boys were so little and cute and now they are all big and hairy! I'll have to show you my Disney timeline. I just recently discovered that I have a picture of them in the same spot from just about each trip, and none of it was on purpose. It's pretty neat to look at.

I don't know how busy the school will keep me this year. I didn't start until the second semester last school year and from about March on I worked A LOT! I kind of doubt the beginning of the school year will be too busy with people calling of, but we'll see. . .

 

[cyndiloveswalt]

Hey Shelly! Well, I see you came up with a great title for your PTR! LOVE it! Can't wait to read on.

 

[disneymom727]

Off to a great start. I can't wait to read more. It sounds like your boys and my DS(8) would get along great!!! I also have an eater with a less than distinguished palette. It makes mealtimes so much fun! I've turned my DH into a Disney lover too. It's always his first choice now when we talk about taking a big trip. Looking forward to more of your PTR! Thanks!

 

[sjs314]

Subscribing love the pics of your DS from years past, they grow up so fast. I seriously at one point thought about staying at BW we have been over there twice now on previous trips to eat and keep saying one of these days , so I am on board for your PTR.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Hey Shelly! Well, I see you came up with a great title for your PTR! LOVE it! Can't wait to read on.

Off to a great start. I can't wait to read more. It sounds like your boys and my DS(8) would get along great!!! I also have an eater with a less than distinguished palette. It makes mealtimes so much fun! I've turned my DH into a Disney lover too. It's always his first choice now when we talk about taking a big trip. Looking forward to more of your PTR! Thanks!

Subscribing love the pics of your DS from years past, they grow up so fast. I seriously at one point thought about staying at BW we have been over there twice now on previous trips to eat and keep saying one of these days , so I am on board for your PTR.

YAY my November buddies are here!! So glad to have you all on board!

disneymom -- less than a distinguished palette!! That really made me laugh!

 

[DisneyBoundinDec]

Joining in on the fun!!!

 

[TiggerFan3590]

Great PTR so far.... You have a wonderful family, your boys are so cute.... Can't wait for more....