Magical Memories in the Making ... A Pre-TR! TR LINK UP!

[ariel1025]

A day at sea sounds very relaxing! I think those would be my favorite! I'm excited to see what you end up doing.

They really are. Our first cruise (honeymoon) there wasn't a sea day. Our second cruise (inadvertent babymoon) there was. After that we said we would never cruise again without at least one sea day. For me, it's a day where I can relax without feeling stressed that I'm missing out on something great

LOving your plans. There is nothing better then a Disney Cruise!!

I agree 1,000,000,000%

 

[ariel1025]

Two very important items. 1) We got to make our excursion/meal reservations yesterday I will say, we got everything we wanted, but I'm just going to throw them into the daily plans going forward. Then at the end I will do a short revision for all the changes. 2) We are now in the 80s - only 86 days to go

Nassau Day: The Plans

* Get up early enough to grab some breakfast
* Meet up with parents to head over to excursion meet
* Enjoy the day on the Discover Atlantis excursion
* Possibly do some light shopping in main Nassau
* Head back to ship early enough to get ready for show/dinner
* Order room service while getting ready
* Take James down for pictures in lobby (we are planning to dress him in pirate costume)
* Pirates IN the Caribbean party!
* Long day and late night for all - hit the bed hard

Discover Atlantis: The Excursion

25 minute narrated drive through historic Nassau while making our way over to Paradise Island and the Atlantis resort

45 minute guided tour of the Atlantis aquarium

Followed by time to do as we wish on the Atlantis grounds including casino, shopping, eating and/or returning through the aquarium at our own pace.

We did a version of this excursion last year. Except the one we did included a lunch voucher (complete waste!) and access to the beach (we didn't even use it!) and did not include the tour of the aquarium (which resulted in us not realizing that we missed a lot of it ). So, I'm very excited to try this version instead.

I think that it includes something for everyone. We know we love Paradise Island. James will love the aquarium. My parents will love the casino. It looks like a win/win/win to me

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Your Nassau day sounds so fun! I've stayed at Atlantis twice and it is my favorite hotel - it's up there with Disney in terms of my favorite vacation destinations. The aquarium there is AMAZING! Supposedly the GA Aquarium here is supposed to be one of the best there is, but I don't think it holds a candle to the one at Atlantis. I spent hours in there the last time we went.

I can't wait to see James in his pirate outfit! Those pictures are going to be adorable!

 

[ariel1025]

Your Nassau day sounds so fun! I've stayed at Atlantis twice and it is my favorite hotel - it's up there with Disney in terms of my favorite vacation destinations. The aquarium there is AMAZING! Supposedly the GA Aquarium here is supposed to be one of the best there is, but I don't think it holds a candle to the one at Atlantis. I spent hours in there the last time we went.

I can't wait to see James in his pirate outfit! Those pictures are going to be adorable!

Atlantis truly is such a beautiful resort! It's amazing how once you cross the bridge to get to Paradise Island you feel like you are in a completely different world. I hope to stay there some day

 

[ariel1025]

Scrolling back through I realized I forgot to add in the costs for Key West so I will back up and update since then

Key West Day: The Costs

* Key West Trolley Tour x 2 adults = $58.00
* Key West Trolley Tour x 1 child = FREE!
* Lighthouse entry x 2 adults = $10.00
* Lighthouse entry x 1 child = FREE!
* Margaritaville (drinks/apps/tip) - $50
* Palo dinner (plus tip) - $60
* Flounder's Reef Nursery - $18
* Palo dinner (parent's Christmas gift) - $40

Key West Grand Total: $236.00

Day at Sea: The Costs

* Couple's Massage - $250
* Flounder's Reef Nursery - $18
* Picture purchase - $40
* Bingo money - $40
* Shopping on ship money - $200

Day at Sea Grand Total: $548.00

Nassau Day: The Costs

* Discover Atlantis tour x 2 adults = $78
* Discover Atlantis tour x 1 child = FREE!
* Shopping money - $200
* Lunch money - $50

Nasau Day Grand Total: $328

Grand total (all days): $2,062

 

[ariel1025]

Way back, several months ago, I posted a to do list to get things moving for planning this cruise. I'm super excited to say that I have crossed almost every single one of those things off the list Of course, as the cruise is now much closer, that means many things have now put themselves on the list.

To Do:

1. Purchase Key West trolley tickets
2. Make invitation for mother’s day gift
3. Order supplies to make invitation
4. Book flight home
5. Buy park tickets
6. Make door magnets
7. Make James’ travel day shirt
8. Make James’ cruise day shirt
9. Make my cruise day shirt
10. Make Candi’s cruise day shirt
11. Make Mom’s cruise day shirt
12. Make Dad’s cruise day shirt
13. Find out Mom’s preferred shirt size
14. Find out Dad’s preferred shirt size
15. Buy toiletries
16. Buy clothing
17. Find design for cruise day shirts
18. Find magnet designs
19. Order new suitcase
20. Book shuttle from port to hotel
21. Book shuttle from hotel to airport
22. Book ME from airport to hotel
23. Upgrade to 2 bedroom?
24. Make decision about FE
25. Make tip envelopes
26. Add dining plan to reservation
27. Finalize packing list
28. Finalize budget
29. Make stroller sign
30. Make reservation for barber shop
31. Make must-do checklist
32. See about reservations for Margaritaville

This, of course, doesn't include any of the last minute items like manicure, pedicure, pack etc. But, I have a feeling this will keep me busy right up to that point

 

[ariel1025]

Castaway Cay Day: The Plans

* Up and at 'em bright and early
* Order room service while getting ready
* Hit the family beach to stick James' toes in the sand for the first time
* When the beach gets too crowded hit up the bike rentals

* Yummy, yummy BBQ lunch time!
* Call it a day and head back to the ship
* Big, long, water induced nap
* Laundry time
* Final pictures in the lobby
* Final show
* Final dinner
* See ya Real soon character show in lobby
* Final run through to make sure there aren't any forgotten items/place bags outside door to be picked up

Castaway Cay really is bittersweet for me. It's my favorite stop of the cruise, by far, but it also means it's the final day of the cruise ...

 

[oboedm]

Sounds like you have great plans for your CC day!

 

[ariel1025]

Sounds like you have great plans for your CC day!

Thanks We are beyond excited!

 

[ariel1025]

As sad as we will be to debark the cruise, and we will definitely be sad, it won't be long lived because we have a whole new adventure waiting for us ...

Debarkation Day: The Plans

* Breakfast on the ship
* Debark and clear customs
* Gather up our luggage and board our shuttle to our next destination

No, your eyes are not deceiving you, that is not a Disney hotel

Once, our cruise comes to a close we are leaving our "comfort zone" and heading out to uncharted territory for us. We will be checking into the Homewood Suites on International Drive.

The Plans: Continued

* Check into hotel
* Head outside and grab a shuttle to our destination for the day

EEP, I cannot tell you how excited I am to go here! Don't get me wrong, I love love love Blizzard Beach. But, does BB have this?

Sorry Mickey, but ya don't

I'm also very excited to take my little guy over here

So far, James has proven to be a lover of water, so hopefully this continues as he gets older

* Grab lunch at some point (we have the all day dining pass they offer)

* Leave when park closes and head back to hotel
* Get cleaned up and head out to the I Trolley to partake in some shopping fun!

Where I am most excited to visit

Ok, ok, I cannot lie, I'm pretty excited to also visit

* Hop back aboard the Trolley to the hotel
* Call it a night!

I'm not going to lie, I'm both excited and nervous about venturing off the Disney grounds. I've never gone anywhere else in Florida and since we aren't going to get a rental car, we are relying on shuttles and the trolley to get us everywhere

We are looking into Happy Limo for our shuttle from Port Canaveral to the hotel and then the hotel to the airport. Does anybody have any experience with them? Or recommend a different company?

 

[ariel1025]

Since it's been a while, I thought I would do a quick update on James. Ok, if you count his birthday post it hasn't been that long. But, I know you guys don't mind right

He currently has 6 teeth (2 on the bottom, 4 on the top) and his first molar is being a pesky little thing that keeps breaking the gum and then going back in

He loves the park, and being outdoors in general


First (big boy) swing ride video, click to play


Thinks the sound of me wiping his crumbs off the leather couch is hilarious video, click to play


Refuses to eat unless he can eat like a big boy, complete with a big boy fork (and yes, he knows the difference between that one and his plastic toddler fork ) video, click to play


Starting to repeat everything we say video, click to play


Apparently he can predict the future Did I mention my Sister is pregnant? No? Shame on me! She is 13 weeks this weekend video, click to play

Truly, my best best best buddy!

P.S. Please ignore my high pitched "mommy" voice

P.P.S. (or is it P.S.S. ) Sorry for the video and picture quality, these are all from my iphone which is about the only way I can get a picture these days

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Awww, I love the James update! He is just too cute. How exciting that your sister is pregnant!

Great plans for the last few days of your trip! You are very brave for venturing off-site! The hotel you picked looks very nice! I've never been to Aquatica, but it looks amazing! I can't wait to hear about your time there!

 

[ariel1025]

Awww, I love the James update! He is just too cute. How exciting that your sister is pregnant!

Great plans for the last few days of your trip! You are very brave for venturing off-site! The hotel you picked looks very nice! I've never been to Aquatica, but it looks amazing! I can't wait to hear about your time there!

I'm very excited to go to Aquatica, it looks like a lot of fun But, I'm also slightly heartbroken to not be going back to WDW after the cruise

 

[ariel1025]

After a very long, filling day of new adventures you would think we would take a day to relax right? Not us! This day has us up bright and early to catch a 9:00 a.m. shuttle to the next new adventure for us

That's right, we will be venturing all the way to Tampa to experience Busch Gardens. I've been to the one in Williamsburg - and LOVED it! - but, nobody else has been. I'm not sure how different the two are from each other, but I'm excited nonetheless.

The top 2 things on my list for this day are

Rhino Rally - which sounds like Kilimanjaro Safaris with a different story line and some special effects

This bad boy is definitely calling my name. I am a roller coaster junkie to the extreme and I cannot wait to conquer this monster!

The only part that hurts my heart a little, is that there is so much that James cannot do here (or at Aquatica for that matter). So, we will be doing a lot of switch off with my parents so we can all ride the rides.

It is my goal to make sure James has a great day too, so we will be making a lot of time for kiddie areas (splash zones, kiddie rides, playgrounds) as well as spending time at the animal exhibits.

The other thing that is hard for me, is not having our meals planned out ahead of time. We have the all day dining pass here, but it looks like all the restaurants are "quick service." Now, this does not bother me, I like a good burger as much as the next, but the potential lines stress me out

Since Busch Gardens is so far away from our hotel, this will be the one day where we spend open-close in the park without breaking in the middle of the day. I'm slightly worried with how James will do, but he is a great stroller napper and loves to be outdoors, so I'm sure it will be fine.

The park closes at 6:00 p.m. so we will head back at that point and don't have any further plans. I'm guessing we will all call it an early night, perhaps renting a movie from the front desk and settling in before bed. My hope is that the full day causes James to sleep like a champ and not be so overstimulated that he can't sleep

One other thing to note for this day is that it's mine and Candi's 4 year anniversary

Now, I have to start working on an amazing, but travel capable gift ...

 

[ariel1025]

So, I have some potentially HUGE news to share. I haven't shared it with any of my family etc yet, because there is so much that is still up in the air. But, I'm so excited, nervous, thrilled, scared .... that I had to share it with someone ...























WE ARE (possibly) MOVING TO ARIZONA!!!!!!!!!!

I can't elaborate very much on when or why right now, but I am very excited at this potential. I feel like it has way more benefits for my family than it does disadvantages.

So, if you could all send some pixie dust, magical wishes, prayers, whatever you believe in, we would really really appreciate it

 

[ariel1025]

Today, will bring us to a park that I have always, always wanted to go to

I have been a lover of sea life (especially dolphins) since I was very little. So, visiting Sea World has always been on my "must do" list.

Candi, on the other hand, welllll - he got to visit Sea World (San Diego) when he was younger and is very tainted by the experience. Apparently, his Mom was very into him and his brother matching on vacations and he wasn't very happy about this. Then, she made him wear water shoes all day, which made him even more frustrated. And, the icing on the cake (that he didn't get to eat ) was he wasn't allowed to sit in the splash zone at the Shamu show. For some reason, this is a (not-so-great) memory he hasn't let go of. So, to say that he isn't thrilled would be putting it mildly Hopefully, this experience will change his views ...

I'm super excited to go here because I know there are lots of exhibits for James to enjoy. And, I'm particularly excited about these two items

The dolphin nursery - hopefully there are lots of little babies and it's open to the public that day!

MANTA!!!! Enough said

I know my parents are planning on making this an all day event. I'm not so sure James will make it though, since we are pulling an all day with him at Busch Gardens the day before.

Like the other two parks we have the all day dining pass, and, once again, it's driving me nuts to not be making ADRs

After park closing we will make it a night at the hotel, perhaps with a dip in the pool before bed this time

 

[ariel1025]

Well, the trip had to come to an end at some point and this is that day for us

There aren't any set plans for this day yet, because none of us have purchased our flight tickets home What? You don't dream of being "stuck" in Florida too

Candi and I are looking at a 4:00 p.m. flight out of Orlando so I think we will have time to do a little something before we head over to the airport. I know our park tickets are good for the length of the stay ... so, perhaps we will make a final trip over to Sea World.

Then again, we might just head over to a restaurant nearby after taking a final dip in the pool.

Regardless of what we do I know it will be a very saddening day. Not only will we be saying good-bye to the Sunshine state, but also to my parents who live 600 miles away from us

We will make sure to arrive at the airport with more than enough time to get checked in and go through security before boarding our plane. We are expecting to have a layover (usually Dallas or Houston, but sometimes Phoenix) and arrive to Albuquerque right around James' bedtime.

I'm sure we will all sleep great after such a long and exciting vacation before waking up to the real world the next day ...

 

[ariel1025]

Clearly I've got Disney on the brain today, because I have about 17,000 posts running through my head right now! That, or I just hate the idea of having the last post be about our final day

I kinda feel like the fun posts are over with because now you know all about our days. So, I hope y'all will stick around with me while I get to the fun part on the preparation end. Sure, it's fun to create the vacation and make plans for each day. But, now I get to do things to start preparing for the trip like buy travel stuff and make packing lists. And that makes the trip seem more real

I'm slowly working on getting things crossed off my "To Do" list, in the hopes that it doesn't all get left til the last minute.

We decided to opt out of the FE exchange. It sounds like a ton of fun and we will definitely do it on a future cruise. But, mixing that with chasing a toddler and (somewhat) playing tour guide to my parents made me feel like it would be more stressful than fun this trip.

I also found a design for our T-shirts I want to make for our cruise arrival day. Thanks to Millipie over at the cruise magnet thread I have this awesome little graphic

I'm debating if I want to put it on the back or the front of the shirt. I personally get annoyed with graphics on the front of my shirt for some reason. But, yet, I'm drawn to the idea of them being in the front for pictures and such. Decisions, decisions! Speaking of decisions, I'm also trying to decide if I want to put them on white T-shirts or black. I prefer white personally, but Candi hates wearing white and is voting for black. Hmmmm, maybe I will just let everyone pick their favorite color

And, although not exactly on the to do list, but something that I have been working hard on .... notice anything awesome in my signature? Do ya? Hmmmm?

That's right! I've lost 8 pounds - almost halfway to my goal weight

 

[JennisSilly]

So, I have some potentially HUGE news to share. I haven't shared it with any of my family etc yet, because there is so much that is still up in the air. But, I'm so excited, nervous, thrilled, scared .... that I had to share it with someone ...























WE ARE (possibly) MOVING TO ARIZONA!!!!!!!!!!

I can't elaborate very much on when or why right now, but I am very excited at this potential. I feel like it has way more benefits for my family than it does disadvantages.

So, if you could all send some pixie dust, magical wishes, prayers, whatever you believe in, we would really really appreciate it

Arizona is awesome . I live here haha! I also have a daughter just 2 months younger then James- so if I can help with anything (finding an area, schools, pediatricians, etc) please let me know

 

[ariel1025]

Arizona is awesome . I live here haha! I also have a daughter just 2 months younger then James- so if I can help with anything (finding an area, schools, pediatricians, etc) please let me know

Awesome I will definitely take you up on those recommendations if the move becomes final.

I'm sitting on pins and needles over here waiting to find out ... it's as bad as waiting for a Disney trip