Take my word for it – 2 years go by VERY quickly. I still remember that first conversation like it was yesterday. Back in the fall of 2003, I was having dinner with my parents, sis & brother-in-law when I casually mentioned the idea of all going to Walt Disney World together. Well, maybe not so casually.  It was more like jumping up and down, singing Hakuna Matata kind of casual…. but I think they got the point.

My nephews were 2 & 4 at the time and we all figured they were a little young to go to Disney and remember the trip in years to come. Well, let me rephrase that. Everyone BUT me figured it was better to wait a couple years for the boys to get a little older. I would have packed my bags and flown standby that same day, but, alas, I was doomed to wait two years. They never did find out my bags were already packed.

The plan was set for August 2005. Being that trip planning is my obsession (I have yet to find a support group for this particular problem), I felt compelled to get going on this – hopefully – trip of a lifetime. What can you do 2yrs in advance you ask? Book the Hoop Dee Doo! I basically threw darts at my calendar in order to select a day since no one wanted to book a particular week in August yet. My family thought I was more than a little nuts to book something so far in advance, but shouldn’t they be used to me by now?

A lot can happen in two years. There were lots of changes going on in our family including house buying and other financial obligations. As a result, there were occasional threats to postpone our trip to a few years later. I quickly realized I was going to have to jump through some serious hoops to make this trip a reality! After only a few fainting spells over possibly canceling our trip, we made it to Christmas 2004.

Financial obligations were still threatening our 2005 trip but I remained hopeful. More than once I had considered canceling our beloved Hoop Dee Doo reservation, but something inside prevented me from doing so. After opening some gifts with my family on Christmas morning, my father brought out two additional presents: one for my sister and her family and the other was for my husband and me. We were all very surprised since we thought the gift exchange was over…..or so we thought.  It turned out, my parents were generously giving us some financial support to aid us in our upcoming Family Magical Gathering.

Ring the bell, sound the horns……and bring me a tissue. While you’re at it, bring me the whole box.  Do I have the best parents in the world? Sis and I hugged and cried and then we hugged everyone else in the room. I think we even hugged the neighbour’s dog. With absolute resolve, all 8 of us agreed that the August 2005 trip was ON!!! Now let the serious planning begin!!

Throughout the next few months, we booked our hotel, considered what park tickets to buy and went to work on our itinerary. I still managed to earn some strange looks from my family from doing so much planning, so far in advance, but I couldn’t help myself.  Until I find that support group I mentioned, I’m a woman on a mission! It could be worse right? I could be a compulsive cleaner. Excitement was starting to build and I was even getting my nephews in on the fun. Just when things couldn’t get any better, my husband and I talked to our CAA/AAA travel agent.

“What?? Did you say free dining? FREE DINING? No, we must have heard you wrong. There’s no such thing as ‘free’. Would I have to cook dinner and wash dishes while singing It’s a Small World 50 times? What’s the catch?” Our wonderful travel agent insisted that there was no catch. We would need to re-book our trip, but she would make all the dining reservations for us and the price would actually be CHEAPER than our previously booked trip. It took a while, but I was finally convinced. She used the magical “cheaper” word on us and we were sold. The potential of this trip turning into a trip of a lifetime was growing.

Short of standing on my head, dh and I were finally able to convince my family that this deal was legit. Instead of only planning 2 or 3 table service meals, we were now planning table service meals for everyday of the trip. Good-bye daily chicken salad and hello filet mignon and elastic waist pants. Well, not really, but you get the idea.

We were all planning on arriving in Florida on different days due to conflicting schedules. Sis & family and my parents all drove to Florida while dh and I flew. The plan was to spend a week in the All-Star Movies Resort, Toy Story section, while on the dining plan. Life just doesn’t get any better than that folks.

Before I divulge all the juicy details of our trip, I’d better introduce you to our crew!

Goofy Gal (me) – I’m the self proclaimed Disney fanatic and obsessive planner.
I’ve been to Disney too many times to count and it only gets better each trip. Some people think I need a new hobby.

Goofy Guy (my husband) – A Disney fan, but was starting to be able to recite all the words of all the shows and rides. Thanks to the dining plan and our first trip with our little nephews, he suddenly didn’t care that he can recite all the words to the Haunted Mansion!

Dapper Dad (my dad) – He introduced me to Disney when I was 2 and has never looked back! His name is now Dapper Dad since his dream was finally realized on this trip when he joined the Dapper Dans in the Magic Kingdom!

Fanlover (my mom) – Another Disney fan in the family who has now appropriately been named after her obsession during the trip. Yes, she was obsessed with the misty fan. Admittedly, it was hot as heck during our trip but my mom was never without that fan. I think my dad started to feel a bit threatened.

Cocoa BIL (brother-in-law) – He has been to Disney a couple times in his life, but he was in for a rude awakening entering our family! He’s now named Cocoa BIL because no matter how much food he ate each day, he always had room for some hot chocolate at the end of each day. Gotta love those refillable mugs!

ToT SIS (my sister) – She has been to Disney many times, but not in recent years. I fear she may never forgive me for dragging her on Tower of Terror with me during the trip..... Stay tuned for the sad tale.

Splashboy (my nephew) age 6 – This was his first trip to Disney. He’s at such a fun inquisitive age, always full of questions. He overcame some of his fears and went on some of the big people rides. Now, Splash Mountain is his favourite!

Boomer (my nephew) age 4 – This was also his first trip to Disney. His name is self explanatory. He wanted to do everything and anything – just so long he didn't get wet!

Well, that’s our crew. Please join me as I tell the tale of our crazy Magical Gathering. You’ll hear stories of attacking frogs, family members who joined the Dapper Dans and Hoop Dee Doo cast, dining in cars and jumping on strangers laps. Stay tuned!

Day 1...