Pre-Trip A moment of weakness…

Hello all!

You might’ve come here thinking “oh a PTR for her December 2024 trip, how lovely”

Not yet

If you don’t know me from previous TRs, I’m Annie. My Disney crew typically consists of me, my husband Ian and usually our 2.5 year old Nora.

We booked our December 3-11 trip almost a year and a half ago (and have had two trips we snuck in since booking that one LOL). I feel like I’ve been counting down forever.

In short, that trip is STILL happening.

But…

Tomorrow morning Ian is leaving our home in Maine to work in San Diego for 5 long weeks

And our 5 year wedding anniversary falls during that time period.

And I’m going to be solo parenting while working full time with a 2 hour round trip commute to the office every day.

It’s fine, I’m fine.

But tonight I had a full breakdown.

There was only one way to fix it…

We worked with my parents on Nora coverage, and booked an anniversary Disneyland trip just for me and Ian

So.. consider this the official 30 day countdown! When I’m crying daily from stress and missing Ian, I have this to look forward to.

Here we go!

 

[Wicked Sisters]

Have a wonderful weekend and I cannot believe how much Nora has grown. So cute.

 

[cgersic]

Dang Nora sure looks like you!!! Can't wait for this report! Happy Anniversary!

 

[k8einwdw]

I am SO excited. It's been so hard solo parenting, working full time in a NEW demanding job, currently in a doctorate program, etc. etc. I am READY for a fun break.

I’m exhausted just reading that. Go enjoy your well-deserved break, and happy early anniversary!

 

[Zipadeelady]

How dang cute is that outfit on Nora!!

Don't feel bad. Joe and I went on vacation during Zane's first birthday. He doesn't remember us missing it at all. I'm not a bad parent. He had a big party the weekend before and he's our third kid so no biggie. His sisters say he was spoiled the most out of the three of them so he won in the end.

 

[Katiekitten]

I can't believe how big Nora looks!
Have a brilliant trip and I'm looking forward to hearing about it.

 

[lindawdw]

Happy Anniversary! Have a great trip to DL and San Diego! Nora is adorable.

 

[TheMouseFan]

Yay! It's almost here! Have a great weekend and happy anniversary!

 

[annienevells]

This PTR from DL is basically transitioning to my PTR for my December trip because I’m too lazy to make an official PTR

20 days!

Life is weird and hard right now, so prepping for WDW is keeping me sane and bringing pockets of happiness.

This is our first ever Christmas time trip. On our first full day, Wednesday December 4th, we will be at MK and kick off with our usual Crystal Palace breakfast. I just ordered this outfit for Nora:

I’m OBSESSED.

As a New England family, I’m worried about her being too hot but hopefully she can last in this fit through breakfast before changing into something cooler haha

 

[Tiggertoo56]

This TR is basically transitioning to my PTR for my December trip because I’m too lazy to make an official PTR

20 days!

Life is weird and hard right now, so prepping for WDW is keeping me sane and bringing pockets of happiness.

This is our first ever Christmas time trip. On our first full day, Wednesday December 4th, we will be at MK and kick off with our usual Crystal Palace breakfast. I just ordered this outfit for Nora:

View attachment 825344
I’m OBSESSED.

As a New England family, I’m worried about her being too hot but hopefully she can last in this fit through breakfast before changing into something cooler haha

That outfit is so sweet !

 

[lindawdw]

The outfit is adorable! It's cool in the morning so she should be fine in the outfit. I'll be at WDW during that time so I'll be sure to look out for you to say hi!

 

[k8einwdw]

As a New England family, I’m worried about her being too hot but hopefully she can last in this fit through breakfast before changing into something cooler haha

We’ve had mixed weather the week after Thanksgiving the past few years. Some years it’s chilly (for Georgians anyway) in the mornings and evenings, and then mild during the day. Some years it’s a little too warm for our liking - hard to be holly jolly when you’re sweating from every crevice. Like @lindawdw said, you’ll probably be fine having her in that outfit first thing in the morning before it warms up.

 

[annienevells]

That outfit is so sweet !

The outfit is adorable! It's cool in the morning so she should be fine in the outfit. I'll be at WDW during that time so I'll be sure to look out for you to say hi!

We’ve had mixed weather the week after Thanksgiving the past few years. Some years it’s chilly (for Georgians anyway) in the mornings and evenings, and then mild during the day. Some years it’s a little too warm for our liking - hard to be holly jolly when you’re sweating from every crevice. Like @lindawdw said, you’ll probably be fine having her in that outfit first thing in the morning before it warms up.

Thanks all!!

We are a family that sweats in 50 degree weather, so just a little nervous about it definitely packing layers!

 

[MotherofaPrincessLover]

We are a family that sweats in 50 degree weather

I'm glad to know I'm not alone

 

[annienevells]

Two weeks from tomorrow!

I am starting to feel stressed about the 7-day advance LLMP process, but only because there are certain rides and attractions I really want for Nora Also, Nora turns 3 on December 31st, so this is our last ticket free trip for her. Yikes lol. She is JUST about 40 inches tall on a good day, so we will see how she stacks up. She is OBSESSED with roller coasters and thrills.

Here are our first few days of tentative plans:

Tuesday, December 3rd:

- We live in Southern Maine but are flying out of Boston because it is MUCH cheaper. My dad will drop us off as he and my mom will be watching our dog, Gus

Our flight is at 12 PM, and we land around 3:30 PM. Our evening plans just involve getting checked in at AoA, dinner, and a swim if it's warm enough (and for Nora, warm enough is 60 degrees lol)

We went to a local hotel for a swim recently (we live in a tourist town, lots of off season swim options) and despite the fact that it wasn't even heated she swam for HOURS

Wednesday, December 4th plans:

- MK! Here are my hopes for LLMP scheduling next week: Tiana, Pirates and Little Mermaid. The tier system makes this difficult, but hopefully we can get some more of her faves later in the day/week.

- We scheduled a Crystal Palace breakfast for 9:30 that we are SUPER excited about as well.

- if you have read my reports before, you know that Nora does NOT stroller nap. Which is fine, because Ian is also a break person. we always always take a mid-day break. We will return for HEA on this day after our rest!

**** we will NOT be doing any Christmas parties because... she's 3. and I value my sanity lol

Thursday, December 5th plans:

- HS! Nora is DESPERATE to ride Slinky Dog. I soooo hope for her I can make that happen. Tier 2 will be Midway Mania and A.S.S.

We went to Target last night and Ian (my husband) told Nora she could have one toy. Anything she wanted. This was her selection:

- Nora is a big Frozen girly, so the sing-a-long will definitely be in the plans, along with BATB.

- again, another break will happen (excited about the ease of the Skyliner on this day). Then we will return for dinner at Mama Melrose and Fantasmic!

 

[lindawdw]

Your plans sound wonderful! Nora is so cute!!

 

[k8einwdw]

She is JUST about 40 inches tall on a good day, so we will see how she stacks up

Wow, Nora is tall! Or Lincoln is short.

 

[Swissmiss]

Wow, Nora is tall! Or Lincoln is short.

I seem to recall reading something when my daughter was the age of Nora and Lincoln that girls have growth spurts earlier than boys at that age. My daughter was among the taller kids in her kindergarten class (despite being among the youngest) and by junior high that had changed (she was still among the taller girls but no longer taller than most of the boys )

 

[annienevells]

Wow, Nora is tall! Or Lincoln is short.

Nora is definitely tall haha

It’s a struggle sometimes tbh, as adults treat her like she should be behaving like a child much older than two