Disney Bound Sept 2009 :)

Ok, so the trip is tentatively planned for Sept 2009. I am not quite sure of the dates yet, I am so hoping for free dining! Being the Disney fan I am, I'd go every year if I could. But my mom is the only one I know who likes Disney too but she doesn't like it THAT much! So every three years will be the cycle. That makes Natalie 2.5, she'll be able to interact a little bit with the attractions, that will make it fun. I know she won't remember it, but I will and that counts :)

The reason for a trip in September is the hope for free dining. It is considered the off season and Disney offers the basic dining package for free to drum up business. You get one counter service (think lunch, fast food type stuff and a drink) a dinner (a NICE dinner like steak, a dessert and drink) and a snack (something under $4) for FREEEEEEEE. If they don't offer it (waaaaaah) then I'll plan the trip with a coupon code before she turns three.

Our trip will be TEN days! Woohhooo Now before you kick me out of the frugal club, let's look at the costs.

POP for 10 nights - $900
2 - 10 day tickets - $450
gas - $150
food - zeeeero
souvies - $100 maybe. I like to shop at the outlets more than the parks
So $1600 for 10 days at Disney for 2 adults and a toddler. Score!

The reason for the length of the trip is because we did a 6 day trip last time and ran ourselves ragged. We felt like we had to see everything. This trip we'll wake early, eat breakfast in the room (hey - that's frugal!) and head out to the parks early in the day. We'll eat lunch right when they open at 11 then head back to the room on a Disney bus to take a nap. Then we'll play at the pool (we didn't do that at all last time) then head back into the park after we eat dinner in a resort restaurant. Anyway, back in the park for the parades and fireworks then back to the room pretty late. With 4 parks and 10 days, I feel like we can spend just 6 or 7 hours a day in the parks instead of 12.

Not to be obsessed with the food, but check out the places we'll eat.
Boma - Flavors of Africa

Chef Mickey's FunTime Buffet

Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner at 1900 Park Fare

Olivia's Cafe

Kona Cafe

Whispering Canyon Cafe

Captain's Grille

Le Cellier Steakhouse

Restaurant Marrakesh

Cap'n Jack's Restaurant

YUM!

I am already planning out goodies for the trip. Natalie will be too little for the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique but she'll still have the outfits (and hair if she'll let me). I want to have three costumes for her (ok, 5 or 6 ha) and this is the first one I have picked out that I am trying to win on Ebay:

She'll be just adorable!

At BBB they put the girls hair up in a bun, attach fake curly hair and put in a little crown. I defiantly want a little tiara for her hair and I've even considered the fake hair lol Can you tell I'm excited to have a little girl? :)

She'd make an awfully cute Snow White and Belle too, those are the costumes I hope to pick up over time. When you add in the dresses (I am trying to keep them under $30), some kind of slipper shoe, tiaras, fake hair (ok, I am starting to sound like a pageant mom now) it can add up. So I am putting a Disney trip planning column into my monthly expenses so I can spread it out a bit.

For our regular clothes I am going to make tie dye Mickey head shirts. Yes you heard that right. And I'm excited about it too! lol

Whew I think that is it for now! I am excited about the trip even though it's so far away. But that gives me plenty of time to save up for it and make it a great trip :)