KathyRN137
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2006
Chapter One:
May 2, 2010
Hello, and
to my little conspiracy. Okay, okay... so its actually a pretty BIG conspiracy!
I promise to share all the plotting and planning with you but if you wish to continue reading any further, you must swear an oath of secrecy...
First, place your left hand on your Planning Binder (or PassPorter, or Unofficial Guide, etc.) Now, please raise your right hand and promise that you will, to the best of your ability, endeavor to keep the details of this surprise trip a secret from the OPs husband.
Im Kathy.
You may know me from past trip reports... I usually refer to them as the Adventures in Autism series. Thats because Billy, our autistic DS(12), makes every day an adventure... especially when we visit WDW! Our DD(14) is Tricia
or Trish as she now wants to be called. They are not part of the Cast for this covert trip plan, but I will certainly be referring to them throughout the report.
My DH is Ed.
Although he deserves 100% the credit for introducing me to The Magic, he has not fallen as completely head over heels for Walt Disney World as I have. To him, its a great place to go on vacation. To me, it has practically become an obsession!
Case in point: We were sitting on the couch the other day and something about theme park enthusiasts and Universal Studios came on the television. I sighed and told Ed how much I missed Walt Disney World. His response? You were just there in November!
Yes, but were not going this November! I replied, pitifully. We wont be going back for over a year! He rolled his eyes as I continued, I really hate not having a trip to plan! He just shook his head. Ah well, its much more than that, really. It may be difficult for him to understand, but Im guessing it will be easier for you.
Ive been feeling rather blue lately and have developed a vague sort of emptiness inside. Its a longing... dare I say a need... to return to my Happy Place, even if only for a brief visit. I need something to tide me over, if you will, until our big family vacation that is tentatively planned for June of 2011. Notice that I said tentatively. Thats been a big part of why Ive been feeling so blue lately.
Since we became Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members in 2005, I have become quite spoiled Ive come to expect a trip to WDW every year. Im often reminded of the opening scene in the movie, A Chistmas Story. Humorist Jean Shepherd reminisces about Christmas as the center of the kid year... the event around which all other events revolved.
In essence, thats how Ive come to view our annual family vacation to Walt Disney World as the center of my year. The months leading up to it were spent planning and preparing for it and the months immediately after were spent recounting our adventures through trip reports. Then it would be time to start planning the next trip.
We were blessed and life was good.
Life has a habit of changing, however, and that change is not always for the good. Without getting too caught up in all the details, let me just say that things have been tight for us financially for the past couple of years. Several variables in our lives have joined together to form a perfect storm of additional and unforeseen expenses. By rights I should have cancelled our November, 2009 trip, but I just couldnt bring myself to do it. We were pretty much sucking wind financially for a couple of months after that and Ed declared that we would have to forgo our vacation this November so we could get a chance to catch our breath. We would probably not be returning until 2011. I understood, but was heartbroken.
As the reality of our financial situation set in, I became somewhat depressed. Just before our last trip I had announced that I planned to write a book about our WDW adventures, which grew to include the adventures of other DIS families with kids on the autistic spectrum. I had been very excited about the project and had wild dreams of traveling down to Orlando with some of the families to really get close to my subjects.
Then came reality: No Money = No Travel = No Book.
I have yet to write a single word.
I slipped ever deeper into my Disney Deprivation Depression. I had no energy. I let my housework go. I let myself go and added ten more pounds to my already ample frame. I found it hard to write. (Here it is, May, and Im still trying to finish our Halloween trip report!)
I tried to find a full-time job in my field (dermatology nursing) but have had no luck. Doctors would rather use cheaper labor. Meanwhile, Ed has taken on as much extra work as he possibly can. Between that and him going back to school part-time, I rarely see him anymore. Spring is here and Im in the doldrums.
Something had to be done!
I started toying with the idea of a quick solo trip to perk myself up. Disneys offering a lot of discounts lately perhaps just a few nights at Pop Century and couple of days basking in the magic of the parks would help lift my spirits. But, between Ed and the kids packed schedules, there just didnt seem to be a convenient time for me to take off for a few days. And, of course, there was the obvious guilt-factor... so many other things we could spend the money on, etc.
I took the bull by the horns and declared that we would not be waiting until December, 2011, to take our family vacation... we would move it up six months and go in June. That did make me feel better. Somewhat. June of 2011 is still over a year away and I really, really need my Disney fix!
Slowly and surely, the seeds of my plan were sown. Looking ahead on the 2010 calendar I saw that my birthday this year falls on a Friday a built-in three-day celebration weekend! Just for fun, I started looking at airfares, resorts, park hours, etc. I began planning an imaginary couples trip for Ed and me. I considered options for child-care, park tickets, and ADRs. I gradually dreamed up an entire romantic weekend trip. Surprisingly, just creating the fantasy made me feel a little better.
Over the next few weeks I began squirreling away a little money wherever I could. I increased my vacation club deduction in my paycheck. I was happy when the doctor increased my hours half a day per week. (Every little bit helps.) I bagged the plans we had made for a Memorial Day Weekend Bed & Breakfast trip with the kids... more precious dollars that could be put toward Disney instead
Two weeks ago, I finally took the plunge... I made a DVC reservation for September 30th October 3rd... the first weekend of the Epcot Food & Wine Festival and My Birthday!
It was easy enough... it wasnt as though I needed to put any money down and I can cancel up to a week before check-in without any penalty.
Who knows how this will turn out? Perhaps Ill change my mind and wind up canceling... perhaps Ill have to go solo... perhaps, if all goes well, Ed and I will be able to enjoy a much-deserved weekend getaway... I really cant say for sure! Eventually, Ill have to let him in on my plans but not just yet.
For now, lets just keep it our little secret! Thats why Im not posting a link to this PTR in my signature Ed sometimes pops in to read my current trip report.
Next Up: DVC Resorts and Waitlists... where will we rest our heads?
Kathy
May 2, 2010
Hello, and
to my little conspiracy. Okay, okay... so its actually a pretty BIG conspiracy!I promise to share all the plotting and planning with you but if you wish to continue reading any further, you must swear an oath of secrecy...
First, place your left hand on your Planning Binder (or PassPorter, or Unofficial Guide, etc.) Now, please raise your right hand and promise that you will, to the best of your ability, endeavor to keep the details of this surprise trip a secret from the OPs husband.
Here is The Husband:
And here is the OP (wearing the pink shirt):
And here is the OP (wearing the pink shirt):
Im Kathy.
Tricia and Billy:
My DH is Ed.
Case in point: We were sitting on the couch the other day and something about theme park enthusiasts and Universal Studios came on the television. I sighed and told Ed how much I missed Walt Disney World. His response? You were just there in November!
Yes, but were not going this November! I replied, pitifully. We wont be going back for over a year! He rolled his eyes as I continued, I really hate not having a trip to plan! He just shook his head. Ah well, its much more than that, really. It may be difficult for him to understand, but Im guessing it will be easier for you.
Ive been feeling rather blue lately and have developed a vague sort of emptiness inside. Its a longing... dare I say a need... to return to my Happy Place, even if only for a brief visit. I need something to tide me over, if you will, until our big family vacation that is tentatively planned for June of 2011. Notice that I said tentatively. Thats been a big part of why Ive been feeling so blue lately.
Since we became Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members in 2005, I have become quite spoiled Ive come to expect a trip to WDW every year. Im often reminded of the opening scene in the movie, A Chistmas Story. Humorist Jean Shepherd reminisces about Christmas as the center of the kid year... the event around which all other events revolved.
In essence, thats how Ive come to view our annual family vacation to Walt Disney World as the center of my year. The months leading up to it were spent planning and preparing for it and the months immediately after were spent recounting our adventures through trip reports. Then it would be time to start planning the next trip.
We were blessed and life was good.
Life has a habit of changing, however, and that change is not always for the good. Without getting too caught up in all the details, let me just say that things have been tight for us financially for the past couple of years. Several variables in our lives have joined together to form a perfect storm of additional and unforeseen expenses. By rights I should have cancelled our November, 2009 trip, but I just couldnt bring myself to do it. We were pretty much sucking wind financially for a couple of months after that and Ed declared that we would have to forgo our vacation this November so we could get a chance to catch our breath. We would probably not be returning until 2011. I understood, but was heartbroken.
As the reality of our financial situation set in, I became somewhat depressed. Just before our last trip I had announced that I planned to write a book about our WDW adventures, which grew to include the adventures of other DIS families with kids on the autistic spectrum. I had been very excited about the project and had wild dreams of traveling down to Orlando with some of the families to really get close to my subjects.
Then came reality: No Money = No Travel = No Book.
I have yet to write a single word.
I slipped ever deeper into my Disney Deprivation Depression. I had no energy. I let my housework go. I let myself go and added ten more pounds to my already ample frame. I found it hard to write. (Here it is, May, and Im still trying to finish our Halloween trip report!)
I tried to find a full-time job in my field (dermatology nursing) but have had no luck. Doctors would rather use cheaper labor. Meanwhile, Ed has taken on as much extra work as he possibly can. Between that and him going back to school part-time, I rarely see him anymore. Spring is here and Im in the doldrums.
Something had to be done!
I started toying with the idea of a quick solo trip to perk myself up. Disneys offering a lot of discounts lately perhaps just a few nights at Pop Century and couple of days basking in the magic of the parks would help lift my spirits. But, between Ed and the kids packed schedules, there just didnt seem to be a convenient time for me to take off for a few days. And, of course, there was the obvious guilt-factor... so many other things we could spend the money on, etc.
I took the bull by the horns and declared that we would not be waiting until December, 2011, to take our family vacation... we would move it up six months and go in June. That did make me feel better. Somewhat. June of 2011 is still over a year away and I really, really need my Disney fix!
Slowly and surely, the seeds of my plan were sown. Looking ahead on the 2010 calendar I saw that my birthday this year falls on a Friday a built-in three-day celebration weekend! Just for fun, I started looking at airfares, resorts, park hours, etc. I began planning an imaginary couples trip for Ed and me. I considered options for child-care, park tickets, and ADRs. I gradually dreamed up an entire romantic weekend trip. Surprisingly, just creating the fantasy made me feel a little better.
Over the next few weeks I began squirreling away a little money wherever I could. I increased my vacation club deduction in my paycheck. I was happy when the doctor increased my hours half a day per week. (Every little bit helps.) I bagged the plans we had made for a Memorial Day Weekend Bed & Breakfast trip with the kids... more precious dollars that could be put toward Disney instead
Two weeks ago, I finally took the plunge... I made a DVC reservation for September 30th October 3rd... the first weekend of the Epcot Food & Wine Festival and My Birthday!
It was easy enough... it wasnt as though I needed to put any money down and I can cancel up to a week before check-in without any penalty.Who knows how this will turn out? Perhaps Ill change my mind and wind up canceling... perhaps Ill have to go solo... perhaps, if all goes well, Ed and I will be able to enjoy a much-deserved weekend getaway... I really cant say for sure! Eventually, Ill have to let him in on my plans but not just yet.
For now, lets just keep it our little secret! Thats why Im not posting a link to this PTR in my signature Ed sometimes pops in to read my current trip report.
Next Up: DVC Resorts and Waitlists... where will we rest our heads?
Kathy
This sounds like it would be a wonderful trip! I can't wait to hear more about it - thanks for including me 
