Birthday Bash Pre-Trip Countdown Polynesian Style

[Travel Guru]

Hubby and I have been back and forth about a Disney trip for months now. I'd cajole that our daughter is 4 and at the perfect age and our sons 9 & 15 would love to go back. Hubby's never been, and doesn't quite get the whole idea.:o We were kicking around a family trip in January, and he was making noises about taking our high school son out of school, and how much would this cost, with the economy being what it is.:eek: While chatting about it one night, the lightbulb went on in my head. If we travel in October, the rates would be less if we traveled before DS9's birthday. Lightbulb went on in hubby's head, "If you go in October, it's hunting season and I can stay home!" 15 yo says "I've been twice, I can stay home too." :confused: I hate to admit this to all of the other fun loving Disney fans, but hey, I get to travel with 2 enthusiastic little kids. Before Hubby can change his mind, I check out airfare and availability for Monorail resorts. I figure if I'm going solo with 2 kids I'd be smart to stay in easily accessible hotels, right? With a little flexibility in my dates, I find great rates on Air Tran out of White Plains, NY and lucky us, rooms at the Polynesian, my happy place!! Even better, the trip overlaps the children's birthdays, so now there is real planning to take place. I wish I was one of those people that can keep a surprise, and tell the kids the day we're leaving, but no, once the reservations are made I can hardly contain myself. It's been 5 years since my last trip and I want to share the excitement. DS 9 was easy.....He saw me digging out my old travel books. :read: Poor DD has been waiting quite a while to make the trip of her dreams. At about 3yo, she saw a Disney commercial on tv. She asked "Can I go to Disney?" I told her sure, but little girls have to be potty trained in order to go. Bless her little heart, she went up to her room, put on underpants and never looked back! To reward her, and stall the big trip awhile, I told her Mickey Mouse has shut down Disney World and is taking the characters on the road. We went to see Disney on Ice. :whistle:(I know, these aren't the best parenting tips but they worked.) DD and DS have b'days on 10/15 and 17, so we tell them "Guess what, Mickey Mouse has invited you to Disney World to celebrate your birthdays!!!":happybirthday: They are so excited, they are dancing around and hugging each other when the surprisingly unthinkable happens....DD says "oh, no. I'm so excited I just had an accident. Will Mickey Mouse still let me go?" Of course......... Next post - 2 months to make ADRs and other fun stuff!