Goals for this trip!

It's been 5 years since our last trip to Disney. So I'm challenging myself to experience a few new things (after all we have been 5 times)! So here is a list that I'm starting (hope to update as I go) to keep track of my goals.

At the top of the list is to get photos of things I never have before. Since I have always scrapped my Disney trips I would really like to get some cool shots of never before seen views, characters, etc. A few years ago we brought a Pentax SLR camera which I love. I'm itching to take photos with it at WDW! I'm also on the look out for a small point and shoot camera to take on the trip for those quick shots.

Epcot is my favorite park and on the last trip I made a decision to buy at least one souvenir each visit from one of the countries around the world. I picked up a blanket from the Mexican pavilion that we still use today on our bed. Not sure what I wil pick up this time but I will know it when I see it!

I went back in fourth on what to wear to the parks each day. Disney is the one place you can get away with wearing Disney tops and not look like a dork! I'm hoping to find a theme shirt for each park day before we leave. If I don't then hopefully we will find some bargains at the Disney outlet stores when we get to Florida. At least I hope they stil have the outlets! May have to do research on that one. We use to know where every Disney outlet in Orlando was and made several trips there each visit!

I'm on the lookout at home for a comfortable pair of walking shoes, and a hip pack (thank goodness I gave up the fanny packs) a few years ago. Not sure what I was thinking on that one! SMH

On the character front I am hoping to get a photo with Princess Tiana. And Stitch and Lilo. I have this character album that I really need to update! LOL

If we make it to Tampa I am determined to see the Gulf of Mexico! That would be a first for sure!

I'm sure this list will increase in the months ahead, but this is all I have right now.

Disney Plans

Just thought I would update with some of our plans (which may change depending on how things go).

Depart on Sunday evening and spend the night in Savanna , GA.

Depart for Orlando Monday morning. Check into Pop Century, then spend the evening hanging out with friends.

Tuesday will be a park day, with dinner at Ohana.

Wednesday will be a full park day.

Thursday will be another full park day. The girls and I have reservations that evening for dinner at 1900 Park Fare.

Friday will be our last day in the park.

Saturday we have reservations for breakfast at Cape May Cafe, then we will probably spend the afternoon shopping, checking out DTD and we are off to see our niece participate in the Miss. Outstanding Teen pageant.

Update: Our family has been going through some major financial stresses the last few weeks but we seem to be on the back end of that now. Unfortunately this has changed our budget for the trip and since we don't want to completely cancel vacation (which we actually need by this point) we are having to cancel a few things including seeing our niece in the pageant! Unless someone drops some major cash in our pockets in the next few weeks (or we make a killing at a garage sale we plan to have) I don't see it happening. As of right now we are not ready to cancel one of our special dinner reservations but we will have to see.

Sunday we check out of Pop Century and may travel to Tampa to visit some ministry friends before departing for home.

Disney Pre-planning

OMG! I have not done this in forever! I'm soo excited. LOL

Cast of Characters " Hubby (48 year old Pastor, communications specialist), Me (47 year old retired SAHM mom, disney planner), DD (26 year old Preschool teacher and lover of pooh), and DD (25 yr old Mass Communications major and lover of all things princess related).

We are using Dreams Unlimited for our reservations. Beth has been our Disney travel expert for over 7 years! We are booked at the Pop Century Resort (which is one of our favorite Value resorts). So far we have dinner reservations for our beloved Ohana's and my DD Nick's favorite dining spot 1900 Park Fare. We were unable to get Chef Mickeys for breakfast (or dinner) for the day we wanted so the family with have to go back to the drawing board on that one. We plan to purchase a 4 day hopper pass to the parks (either at the park or our local Disney Store...yes we still have one in the area). I know we will spend one day at DTD and at the local outlets shopping (originally we had planned to fly out to Orlando....so glad we are driving now because it will allow us to get around more freely). And one day is set aside to hang with friends who will be there at the same time. Then on the day of our return we may travel to Tampa to check in on some ministry friends!

Update: We are trying the Cape May Cafe for the first time. The girls are excited to have breakfast with Minnie, Goofy and Donald. Guess we will just catch Mickey in the parks! LOL

That's all I have so far! Will continue to update as the plans unfold! I have soo much to catch up on after 5 yrs away (this will mark our 6th trip to Disney)! LOL

Well Its Official!

Well after much back and forth....we have finally landed on a vacation destination! WDW here we come after nearly 6 yrs! We were really leaning towards a cruise to the Bahamas but in the end Disney won out. Tonight it hit me that its been 6 years and I'm behind in my planning...not to mention....what the heck am I going to wear? LOL! So I will be busy over the next few weeks. I have to say I'm just a little bit excited! So let the planning begin!!!!

Nashville TN, Union Station Hotel

I knew I was not in Virginia anymore when I saw this!

We made a brief stop at the Welcome Center so that we could collect brochures for all of the places I never got a chance to see!

The Union Station Hotel! This place got a bad review from people on the web, but I have to say I enjoyed my stay and would stay there again in a heartbeat!

I loved the room! If I could have I would have brought every piece of furniture, every curtain home with me! It was soo me. LOL

The lobby was gorgeous!

This is the ceiling! Can we say breathtaking? 

They had all of these neat spaces that you could sit in the lobby and just relax! 

Cool lightning!

I really thought I would get a chance to see more of Nashville (although I did make it to one outlet mall to get a Nashville t-shirt on my way back home), but it really was a working trip so I am making plans to go back again. I did get to have dinner at JAlexanders the first night there. If you ever get a chance to eat there you have to try the carrot cake! OMG....it's to die for! LOL

Guess Who's Heading to Nashville?

In my wildest imagination I never thought those words would come out of my mouth. But this soo not a country girl is heading to Nashville in May as part of the Leading and Loving It Team for our first ever Pastors Wives Retreat. I promise to take some time out and grab a few shots of the old town while I am there. Watch out Nashville, here I come!

And just in case you all think I have abandoned my first love....Marc may be officiating at a friends wedding in August at my favorite place in the whole wide world! Its been five years since we were in Florida! If this happens I am going to be one happy princess!

Have you noticed that all of my traveling lately has taken place in the summer? What's up with that? Its not as if we have small kids anymore! I may be headed back to Washington DC again this year, but our Alabama trip may be put on hold because today my girlfriend called and said they are heading our way for spring break. My youngest daughter has been trying to get me to go on a New York trip with her. Only time will tell if that one pans out. And my mom has been hinting at wanting me to research a girls getaway to Amish County, PA. Looks like 2011 may be just as interesting as 2010 for this ole traveling soul!

Washington DC

Last week I went to DC along with my daughters for a Women of Faith Conference. We spent part of the trip checking out some of the sites of DC. Since my Disney site has turned into the akatravelchannel sort of, figured I might as well share some pics from the weekend!