The Problem with Parades - - Updated 1/21 Day One Part Two About This Page:

[Jillybean]

So . . . it’s Christmas morning. I’m in the kitchen cooking and Thom yells from the family room “The Disney World Christmas Parade is on tv!” I turn the kitchen tv to that channel and watch it off and on all morning. Thom and Mary Devall are watching it in the family room and every so often Thom will venture into the kitchen mumbling “I want to go back to Disney World.” Later that day, I check out our Disneypalooza countdown for June and say excitedly to Mary Devall “Only 155 more days until our trip!” She looks just like Thom when she announces “That’s too long. I want to go now.” [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

It will come as no surprise to you that the wheels started turning in my head. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] Hmm . . . our AP’s were expiring on 1/26 and Mary Devall had MLK day off from school. The next evening I found time to hop on the computer. It was too late to call DVC and I had the sneaking suspicion that they would have no studios left anyway, so I logged on to the AP site. With our DVC membership, we had never taken advantage of the AP rates but I figured it was our only hope this time. I plugged in our proposed dates not holding out much hope for anything when what popped up but AKL at a fantastic rate. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] The only other possibility was GF at nearly triple the price. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] I had not even talked to Thom about the possibility yet - - it was still my own little pipe dream - - so I did my best to contain my excitement and hope that not too many other people were booking AKL for those dates.

Shortly before dinner, he glanced over at the computer screen and asked what I was doing. My reply was “Just playing,” but he knows me too well for that. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] I quickly gave him my idea prefacing everything by saying that he was the one who started the entire thought. When he saw the price we could get, he was pretty impressed but he was still worried about the cost when we had just spent a good bit on Christmas. I then spoke the words that he hates “We could save almost $1000 in airfare if we drive.” Surprisingly, he didn’t moan and groan.

We saved the rest of our conversation until both girls were in bed. I told him that I would call DVC first thing in the morning just to see if anything was available, but in the meantime, we should probably book AKL. Unfortunately, when I tried to pull up our dates again, only the higher priced GF appeared. We were going to take Mary Devall out of school the Friday before MLK weekend, so we figured that it would be best to pick her up after school on Thursday and head out then (I was still amazed at how little convincing it took to sway Thom over to driving). Since we would be arriving that Thursday night (it’s about a 7-hour drive), I plugged in four nights instead of three and AKL magically appeared again (I was beginning to think that this trip was simply meant to be). I quickly booked it and paid the deposit to secure our reservation. Yippee, we were going to Disney! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img]

The next morning, I was back at work, but I had plenty of time to do the important stuff since hardly anyone else was there. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] I immediately called DVC and, sure enough, they didn’t have a studio for all of our dates. I was secretly excited about it because we had never stayed at AKL and I had being dying to! Now that our transportation and accommodations were set, next was the food! I figured that this might be a little tricky, so I tried to move us out of our comfort zones and choose some restaurants that might not be so crowded. For every choice, I had a backup choice. Since we were staying at AKL, we also wanted to try out their restaurants. After the girls had gone to bed, I actually sat in my bed with my Excel spreadsheet and the phone to make that all-important call. As I went through my list with the CM, I simply could not believe that I was getting all of my choices and times! I did not have to make one single change - - incredible![img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img] If possible, I was even more excited now!

Here are our ADR’s:

Friday, January 12

Breakfast Crystal Palace at MK
Dinner Biergarten at Epcot

Saturday, January 13

Breakfast Donald’s Breakfastosaurus at AK
Dinner Jiko

Sunday, January 14

Breakfast ‘Ohana
Dinner Tony’s

Monday, January 15

Breakfast Boma

We’ve pretty much made Donald’s a Koenigs Family tradition, so we had to keep it in the loop. We’ve been to CP and ‘Ohana for breakfast before, but it’s been years. The rest of our choices are new!

To make matters even better, I realized yesterday that Mary Devall had a half day at school one day the week before MLK weekend. I thought it was the 11th and when I double checked the calendar, I saw that it was! We would be able to leave at noon that Thursday! I also ordered a new DDE card yesterday since we wouldn’t be on DDP and would be eating a lot of TS meals. The card should pay for itself on this trip alone! I’ll be able to pick up a temporary card at Epcot guest services.

The funny thing is that I kept thinking all day yesterday that our trip was three weeks away. This morning it suddenly hit me that it was not three, but two weeks away! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] I told Thom that and he said “I know!”

One of the best things about this trip will be the surprise factor. On the way to school one morning about a month ago, Mary Devall said out of the blue “Momma, I want you to wake me up one morning over Christmas and surprise me with a trip to Disney World.” [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] I think I quickly changed the subject knowing that it wouldn’t happen. Well, it won’t be Christmas, but a few weeks later! I simply cannot wait until we pick her up from school in less than two weeks and rock her little world. Remember that I’m good at keeping surprises, but not so good at revealing them! Oh well, Thom and I have 13 days to come up with something [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]!

[DrDolphin]

Woo Hoo!!! This trip was TOTALLY meant to be!!! Can't wait to read all the details - be sure and wave as you drive through Jacksonville!!!

[LizardCop]

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/applause.gif[/img] Have a grand trip!!!

[MontiMouse]

How exciting!! You will love AKL and Jiko. We ate there last week for Macy's birthday and had such a wonderful meal.

I can't wait to hear about Mary Devall's reaction!

[MickeyMAC]

Have a great trip....wish you were there the next weekend. I would love to meet your daughers.....maybe someday.

[WDWfan]

Jill - Sounds like this was meant to be! I can't wait to hear all about your trip. Have fun!

[carters_mom]

You are sooooo lucky!!! Have a great trip! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img]

[statelady01]

Those are the best kind of trips- the ones planned on a whim and ones you don't have to wait too long for! How exciting for you guys!

[ariel14]

That is too exciting!!!!!!!!! I am so happy for you guys and I love your TRs!!!!!

[mattnkatsmum]

That's wonderful, Jill.

You'll have to make hasty start on your trip report, though. I do rely on you for tips on how to spend time with the little ones [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img].

In fact, it's a shame we'll miss you by a week or so. I', sure Kat and Mary Devall would get on famously [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[KrisLuvsDisney]

Oh yes, this trip is definately meant to be! I can't wait to find out her reaction when you pick her up at school!

[disneygramma]

Awesome, this trip sounds destined to be! What fun for you and how terrif that you will get to make a surprise happen for Mary. Can't wait for your trip report. Have a great trip!

[mrsmac2001]

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

[Cam22]

I've gotten excited just reading about your excitement! Congrats on the special trip!

[ilovedisney0_0]

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] this trip was definately meant to be for you guys! Oooh, you are going to have sooo much fun!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img]