Pre-Trip Everybody's got a Laughing Place (and I can't wait to get to mine!)

I have been enjoying reading trip reports so much while counting down my return to Disney World that I decided to give writing my own pre-trip report a try. We have just over three weeks left to go so the excitement is building!

When: August 20-30
Where: Starting out at Universal Studios Sapphire Falls Resort (huge Harry Potter fans in this family), moving over to Disney World on Wednesday the 23rd and staying at the Contemporary, moving again to Beach Club on Saturday the 26th.
This will be my 8th Disney World trip but first time staying at Disney World resorts other than two nights at Port Orleans River Side on one vacation. Really excited to do this!

Who: me (Jo), husband (James), daughter(Maddie, 13), son(Xander,10). Here we are on our last WDW vacation in October 2015.

 

[amjt660]

Sounds like a great trip
10 days should give you some downtime from the heat and humidity

Looking forward to more details

Max

 

[Figaro Family]

I'm obviously new to doing this. Not sure how I posted one of my pictures twice but proud of myself for getting any pictures to upload in the first place.

 

[Figaro Family]

We are the "Figaro family" because of our youngest cat who we decided to give a Disney name to. This is our Figaro.

 

[Figaro Family]

Sounds like a great trip
10 days should give you some downtime from the heat and humidity

Looking forward to more details

Max

Thank you! I saw your pre-trip report about going to Disneyland. We consider that to be our disney "home" since its just a two hour flight for us. Hope you have a great time!

 

[blreinsel]

Bring your shorts and tank tops... it's been rather toasty here in central FL.

 

[littleroo]

Following!!! Your little figaro is adorable!

 

[Go.Nijntje]

Have a great time! I am looking forward to reading about your family's vacation.

 

[Texas2Florida2017]

How Fun! I've always wanted to stay at multiple resorts when we used to go but never did BUT...we are moving right by WDW next month so I guess that makes up for it. I can't wait to hear all about your vaca

 

[PacNWTigger]

Your little Figaro is so adorable! I am definitely following along.

 

[Figaro Family]

Bring your shorts and tank tops... it's been rather toasty here in central FL.

I am trying to get mentally prepared for it! We haven't been to Florida in the summer for a long time. We've had a couple of Disneyland trips in 100 degree weather but that's "dry" heat

 

[Figaro Family]

Following!!! Your little figaro is adorable!

Thank you, Figaro is a bit of a devil cat but we keep him around because he's so darn cute.

 

[kaitertot5249]

Your trip sounds great, 10 days is a nice length for a trip this time of year. You won't feel bad about taking those much needed mid-afternoon breaks to escape the heat

Looking forward to hearing more about your plans!

 

[Figaro Family]

OK, I'm going to try to add to this report but computers and I don't get along very well so hopefully this works.
A little bit of Disney background on our family first. I had been on one Disneyland and two Disney World trips with my parents and sister before my husband and I first met when we were in High School. I was already a huge fan of all things disney but was a little worried that he would not be (it could have been a deal breaker). When he told me that he'd gone to Beauty and the Beast when it first came out in the movie theater with his sister and really liked the movie I was relieved. He had never been to any Disney park but wanted to go. Our first chance came after High School graduation when his sister and brother-in-law invited us along on a Disneyland trip. James was hooked and I started dreaming about a future Disney World wedding and honeymoon. We stayed together through college and got engaged. Then compromised on a wedding in a ballroom that looked a bit like the one from Beauty and the Beast and I got my Disney World honeymoon. Here is a picture from our honeymoon, if you look carefully there is a clue to what year it was

 

[Figaro Family]

We are Oregonians but James decided to go to grad school in Madison, Wisconsin. So after we got back to Oregon from our honeymoon we packed up a moving van and we drove ourselves and our first Disney cat Dinah(Alice in Wonderland) to Wisconsin. While we were living there we took a trip to Disney World in 2002.

 

[Figaro Family]

 

[Figaro Family]

We moved back home to Oregon in 2004 with the PhD and baby Maddie and for the next several years all Disney trips were to Disneyland. The first was in 2005 for the 50th anniversary. That was our last adults only trip. It was the two of us, my sister and brother-in-law and my mom. Other grandparents generously watched our daughter for us. Unfortunately I didn't have a chance to go to disney with my mom again. Sadly she passed away in 2012. This is Me, my sister and wonderful mom.

 

[Figaro Family]

In June 2007 we entered the brave new world of traveling with kids. It's definitely more work but so much fun to see it through their eyes at all the different stages. This is from Maddie's first trip to Disneyland.

 

[Figaro Family]

Then we came back in 2009 so Xander could join in on the Disney family fun.

 

[Figaro Family]

Disneyland again December 2011