rentayenta
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2007
........well they don't really board the Wonder that I know of but wanted to include a rabbi in the title. See this trip is for my son Joshua; it's his bar mitzvah gift and while we're still in the infancy of planning stages I am a total sucker for trip reports. I read a ton, post on many, and write a few. They seriously make me so happy. I truly love reading about and sharing everyone's trips. I'm Jenny and I'm a trip report junkie.
and for reading.
For my current trip report on our trip to WDW in October 2012, click here: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3003243 There is a ToC in the fourth post on the first page.
If you want some holiday/GCV Disneyland fun, this is my trip report from November 2011: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2839173
We love us some Disney parks!
A little history......as I mentioned this trip is DS's (Joshua) bar mitzvah gift. The tradition of getting a huge gift vs the big traditional bat/bar mitzvah party began with our oldest DD Gabby. We were planning on having a big party, similar to a wedding reception, I kid you not, when me, Gab, and DH realized there had to be a better way. At least a better way for our family. The minute the guy at the reception center brought out linens for us to choose from, we were outtie! We're a pretty laid back family as far as pomp and circumstance go. Nothing wrong with being formal but it just doesn't fit us. So we went against the grain, brainstormed, and collectively decided that a trip was feasible instead of a big party. Gabby would still do her service of becoming a bat mitzvah, we'd still host a kiddush luncheon followed by a more intimate dinner the same night but the shin dig was OFF. Best decision we ever made . Gabby chose a week in So Cal with me and her best friend. We flew from SLC, rented a convertible blue Mustang, and enjoyed the heck out of So Cal. Beaches, shopping, and one day at Disney for the girls. It was fantastic!
Rewind to last May when it was time for Chloe's bat mitzvah. She also decided to do a trip but as a budding chef she wanted to go to WDW during the Food and Wine Festival. Because Gab had done a trip, Chloe knew she wanted a trip so we started planning about a year before. Chloe wanted to sleep in a Treehouse and near the animals so we did an 11 night split stay between the THV and AKV savanah view at Disneyworld. Oh and we had to try a night at AoA on arrival night. Chloe also got to bring her best friend but Chloe decided she wanted all 5 of us to go. Who am I to say no? So while Chloe's trip seemed much bigger than Gabby's, it doubled as a family vacation. We enjoyed the F&W Festival as well as MNSSHP. Our good friends also joined us for part of the trip. Again, another excellent bat mitzvah trip was had.
Forward to today.......Joshua's bar mitzvah will be this October. I'm certifiable for doing three in a row. If there are any Jewish mothers out there, you totally know what I'm talking about. For you non Jewish mothers, compare it to planning 3 weddings in a row. Crazy with a bold and capital c!
Joshua asked for either Disneyland over the winter holidays or a Disney Cruise. We were totally leaning towards Disneyland as it would be the whole family but Joshua kept going back to the cruise. I started pricing both and neither looked good even with using our DVC points at the GCV. I'd have to borrow into 2014's UY which isn't a huge issue but it was something to consider. A Disney cruise over the holiday is terribly expensive even for the 3 day cruises which in all honesty didn't appeal to me as it's so expensive to get from SLC to Florida.
I began looking for January cruises. Then I recalled that this October was less than successful in regards to the girls making up school work. Even with emailing before and reminding their teachers up until our trip, it turned into a headache for all involved parties. The girls missing school is no longer a option.
Joshua kept going back to the cruise.....
Privately, DH suggested that I take Joshua on a Disney Cruise. DH is not a cruise fan. At all. I however think it sounds amazing. I worried about how the girls would feel but also knew it was a very viable option.
We went to Joshua to get his input not sure how'd he feel about leaving his dad and older sisters behind. We were met with a HECK YEAH! He has zero issues with it. Love him.
The girls knew we had been tossing around Disneyland Dec 2013 for his trip and were elated.
We sat them down explaining all of the issues in terms they'd grasp and you know what? They were fine with it. I'd be lying if I said they weren't a little disappointed but it didn't last long. I am sure they will be envious once cruise time arrives but for now neither want to miss school and deal with that stress. They're both very grateful for their bat mitzvah trips and realize this is Joshua's trip. Good kids.
Wow, that's a long backstory.....
If you haven't clicked on the links, you're probably ready to put some faces to names.
Joshua last October. He loves his Yeti hat from WDW:
Self portrait of us while waiting for MSEP in WDW:
Joshua waiting for the parade:
Me in Epcot:
Pool party at AKV:
Joshua and I are buddies. He's the kid who's always willing to wait with me for hours to nab that prime parade or fireworks spot, always willing to share a meal with me, and always up for a pool day or two! This cruise is going to be awesome.
and for reading.
For my current trip report on our trip to WDW in October 2012, click here: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3003243 There is a ToC in the fourth post on the first page.
If you want some holiday/GCV Disneyland fun, this is my trip report from November 2011: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2839173
We love us some Disney parks!
A little history......as I mentioned this trip is DS's (Joshua) bar mitzvah gift. The tradition of getting a huge gift vs the big traditional bat/bar mitzvah party began with our oldest DD Gabby. We were planning on having a big party, similar to a wedding reception, I kid you not, when me, Gab, and DH realized there had to be a better way. At least a better way for our family. The minute the guy at the reception center brought out linens for us to choose from, we were outtie! We're a pretty laid back family as far as pomp and circumstance go. Nothing wrong with being formal but it just doesn't fit us. So we went against the grain, brainstormed, and collectively decided that a trip was feasible instead of a big party. Gabby would still do her service of becoming a bat mitzvah, we'd still host a kiddush luncheon followed by a more intimate dinner the same night but the shin dig was OFF. Best decision we ever made . Gabby chose a week in So Cal with me and her best friend. We flew from SLC, rented a convertible blue Mustang, and enjoyed the heck out of So Cal. Beaches, shopping, and one day at Disney for the girls. It was fantastic!
Rewind to last May when it was time for Chloe's bat mitzvah. She also decided to do a trip but as a budding chef she wanted to go to WDW during the Food and Wine Festival. Because Gab had done a trip, Chloe knew she wanted a trip so we started planning about a year before. Chloe wanted to sleep in a Treehouse and near the animals so we did an 11 night split stay between the THV and AKV savanah view at Disneyworld. Oh and we had to try a night at AoA on arrival night. Chloe also got to bring her best friend but Chloe decided she wanted all 5 of us to go. Who am I to say no? So while Chloe's trip seemed much bigger than Gabby's, it doubled as a family vacation. We enjoyed the F&W Festival as well as MNSSHP. Our good friends also joined us for part of the trip. Again, another excellent bat mitzvah trip was had.
Forward to today.......Joshua's bar mitzvah will be this October. I'm certifiable for doing three in a row. If there are any Jewish mothers out there, you totally know what I'm talking about. For you non Jewish mothers, compare it to planning 3 weddings in a row. Crazy with a bold and capital c!
Joshua asked for either Disneyland over the winter holidays or a Disney Cruise. We were totally leaning towards Disneyland as it would be the whole family but Joshua kept going back to the cruise. I started pricing both and neither looked good even with using our DVC points at the GCV. I'd have to borrow into 2014's UY which isn't a huge issue but it was something to consider. A Disney cruise over the holiday is terribly expensive even for the 3 day cruises which in all honesty didn't appeal to me as it's so expensive to get from SLC to Florida.
I began looking for January cruises. Then I recalled that this October was less than successful in regards to the girls making up school work. Even with emailing before and reminding their teachers up until our trip, it turned into a headache for all involved parties. The girls missing school is no longer a option.
Joshua kept going back to the cruise.....
Privately, DH suggested that I take Joshua on a Disney Cruise. DH is not a cruise fan. At all. I however think it sounds amazing. I worried about how the girls would feel but also knew it was a very viable option.
We went to Joshua to get his input not sure how'd he feel about leaving his dad and older sisters behind. We were met with a HECK YEAH! He has zero issues with it. Love him.
The girls knew we had been tossing around Disneyland Dec 2013 for his trip and were elated.
We sat them down explaining all of the issues in terms they'd grasp and you know what? They were fine with it. I'd be lying if I said they weren't a little disappointed but it didn't last long. I am sure they will be envious once cruise time arrives but for now neither want to miss school and deal with that stress. They're both very grateful for their bat mitzvah trips and realize this is Joshua's trip. Good kids.
Wow, that's a long backstory.....
If you haven't clicked on the links, you're probably ready to put some faces to names.
Joshua last October. He loves his Yeti hat from WDW:
Self portrait of us while waiting for MSEP in WDW:
Joshua waiting for the parade:
Me in Epcot:
Pool party at AKV:
Joshua and I are buddies. He's the kid who's always willing to wait with me for hours to nab that prime parade or fireworks spot, always willing to share a meal with me, and always up for a pool day or two! This cruise is going to be awesome.