The last time we were at Walt Disney World was November of 2005. The last time before that was February of 2002.

After going 9 times in 11 years, we had to slow down as all 3 of our sons went through their high school and (now) college years.

Originally we were going during Thanksgiving of 2007 and would finally meet my dear pen and phone pal Heidi Coomerford. That trip, alas, had to be postponed because the timeframe didn't work around college exams.

We decided that January of 2009 as all three boys would be on Christmas break from college.

So, we finally booked yesterday. Originally we were looking at January 1 but we couldn't get rates or make any bookings for dates where the year ended in "9". I talked Janet into an extra day on the front end so the Pertierras will return to Port Orleans Riverside in force on New Year's Eve.

Can I wait?
Nah but it is only 41 weeks from today!!!

Anyone else going to be down there at that time?

Janet and I got to Disneyland for a day in January in advance of a cruise that we went on and I am writing the quick report on that day. This will be my first trip posting under the new format, so bear with me.

287 days and counting.
Best/Jim

Good To See You Back Jim.i Am Blessed To Live In Jax Fl. So With No Kids , I Am Able To Go 5 To 7 Times A Year. T- 7 Working Days & Counting Port Orleans Riverside, Bob Jackson , Flower & Garden Show & Paul Revere & The Raiders , Pam Brody & The British Invasion . Lets See I Am Sure I Left Something Out!! Oh Yeah "it All Started With A Mouse":~D

Can't wait for that trip report!! I always enjoyed your previous ones. (One request--do it all in one segment, like Sheri's or Heidi's. The broken-up ones get confusing to follow, since there are usually multiple comments after each segment. Not that the comments are bad, but I just really prefer continuity!) Enjoy the anticipation of your trip!

Great news, Jim! What are the dates? As of now, we're scheduled to be there in January 2009 as well with (almost) all of the brood. Our dates are January 10-17. Do we have any overlap?

Jan,
My normal operating mode for writing the trip reports is to write it daily into a word document and then post it when I get back to the (un)real world.

Like you, I find the day to day posts to be choppy. I was raised in the Brian Bennett school of Trip Reports but this will be the first time posting to the current format.

Also, before I forget, thank you for the kind words about the trip reports. I have always had the intention of writing up our 1985, 1987, 1992, 1994 and 1996 reports to close the book on the Pertierra in WDW story, but a lot of the details have vanished. Believe it or not, I still have the receipts from those trips that I was going to use as a memory jogger, but now I think it would take a lot more than that.

Thanks again.
Best/Jim

Steve,
Of course we don't!!!!
We are arriving on December 31 and leaving on the 10th. One of our good friend's daughter is a travel agent in Latham (in training) and she is booking for us. She is on the lookout with Southwest waiting for the window to move. We are hoping to get late afternoon flights back so there might be a narrow window when we will actually be on the property at the same time.

The boys all start back to school on the 12th so we can't prolong the visit much longer (although I would love to try!!!!)

Love the column by the way. I am much more of an Idol fan than you (although listening to the majority of them butcher the Beatles had Janet and me cringing this week).

Hey, give me a call (518-424-3480 (cell)) sometime so we can chat.

Best/Jim

Steve,
Of course we don't!!!!
We are arriving on December 31 and leaving on the 10th. One of our good friend's daughter is a travel agent in Latham (in training) and she is booking for us. She is on the lookout with Southwest waiting for the window to move. We are hoping to get late afternoon flights back so there might be a narrow window when we will actually be on the property at the same time.

The boys all start back to school on the 12th so we can't prolong the visit much longer (although I would love to try!!!!)

Love the column by the way. I am much more of an Idol fan than you (although listening to the majority of them butcher the Beatles had Janet and me cringing this week).

Hey, give me a call (518-424-3480 (cell)) sometime so we can chat.

Best/Jim
You're a trusting man posting your cell # here.

I'm actually watching more Idol than ever (considering I never watched it, that's not saying much) and I agree that most of them butchered the Beatles. I still think it's going to be difficult to draw crowds at DHS but, we'll see.

This is too weird because we'll pass each other on the 10th. When I leave on the 17th, my buddy, Wayne, and his clan arrive.

Jim, this whole thread is one big tease. I saw your name and thought I had something to read on my commute home, only to find out it's a prequel! LOL
Can't wait!
-Kelly

Kelly,
Yikes, I hate to tease. Maybe your note will get me off my butt and get me writing my report for our 1 day in Disneyland nearly two months ago.

Never in my life did I realize that I had fans, let alone fans in California.

Thanks for writing.
Best/Jim

Well, sure! Distance is no matter to Disney fans, you know that. Sorry I missed you at DL. Only one day? That must've been a letdown!

I'll be there just before you. I'm going back in December 2008. It threw me off at first when I saw the trip report say January 2009, lol. :)

Well, sure! Distance is no matter to Disney fans, you know that. Sorry I missed you at DL. Only one day? That must've been a letdown!

Well, we were limited for sure. When we left the East Coast we had no intention of going to Disneyland and, when we got there (we stayed at a friends in La Canada from Thursday to Sunday morning) the only day with ANY sun (and no pouring rain) was on Saturday.

It was the first time back in Disneyland since 1986 and was very nice. We were limited in what we could do because my mother in law was in a wheel chair and we did not want to go on all the thrill rides and leave her sitting in the chair.

One thing for sure, the property sure has changed since 1986!!!

Best/Jim

Sorry I am going to miss you! I will miss you on one end and Steve Russo on the other end.
Best/Jim

We got our two rooms at PO Riverside all set from December 31 to January 10. On the advice of a friend who is a travel agent, we booked our flights already. She said that a VERY educated guess is that Southwest will remain high and that there is no sign that fares will go much lower than they are now.

We booked 8 on United (through Washington DC) to and from. Only bad part is that we will be leaving to come home at 9:30 AM. The good part is that we will be in Orlando at 11 AM on the 31st.

Janet rented a van for the duration so now all we have to do is wait.

By my count, 264 more days!!!

Best/Jim

Well from those posts, you have quite the trip report to write, young man! Looking forward to all the lovely, lovely details.

Tina,
You made my day by calling me "young man"!! I will keep you posted as the day approaches. I don't think I will take serious note until the summer is over but the next milestone is in the vicinity of July 4th when we can start making dining reservations.

While I agree with Steve that having an idea where you are going to eat a half year ahead of time is a tad presumptuous, it is sure fun to be thinking about.

Turns out one of our friends (the Campbells) who normally drive us to the airport (and who's daughter is a travel agent in training) are going to be at the Polynesian at the same time. There is also another family that we know (and our youngest plays varsity baseball with) who is driving down and will be at the Pop Century at the same time we are to Port Orleans.

My laptop will be ready for the 5 AM writing sessions daily at the Old Mill at Port Orleans Riverside. I will not be posting daily but will be sending the whole thing at once.

Okay young lady! <G>

Best/Jim

:eek: holy cow jim it seems you will be arriving @ my favorite resort on one of the busiest days of the year . but will be staying during the least visited after new years. i will be @ the port 5/22-5/26 for gary puckett & the cow sills & flower & garden show
guess that shows i am only a young man in spirit.

I love that screen name!!!

We have had the pleasure of the Flower and Garden show a couple times (the last being 2001) and I love it, especially Canada!!!

Keep POR in one piece for me!

253 more days.
Best/Jim