The Disney Drill {2013 Edition)

If you would like to read my first Disney Drill blog, you can find it here:
The Sullins Spot

We just took our fifth visit to Disney World since 2009.  We love our home away from home very much!  We go often, and honestly...plan to continue going often.  People are constantly asking why we visit so much.  My answer is simple...it is the only time I ever get to be a kid with my kids.  I don't stress, worry about food, worry about laundry, worry with what we will wear, if homework is finished, or what we will have for dinner.  Before we leave, everything is prepared for our trip and we pull from the driveway (usually with my special pb and j in hand), and I let it go (just like Elsa) and go with the flow!

In this blog, I plan to answer all of the questions I get constantly!  I love Disney questions.  Let me warn you...I do not know everything about Disney.  I also plan very differently from many of my friends.  You will not agree with everything I say/write and I welcome any helpful tips in the comment section.  However, this is my view on how it works best for our family of 5 (and 6, when Uncle Adam goes too).

Let's start at the very beginning...

1.) When starting the planning...what are you looking for and what cost should I expect?

-I will start with what we look for when planning a trip.  We ALWAYS go during a special vacation package.  We've chosen free dining more than any but we've also went during a room discount time.  We've never paid full price for any package.  To see specials, you will visit DisneyWorld.com and look through their current specials.

-We have all of our emails (a total of 5 in our home) set up to receive Disney alerts.  If a special pin code is released, they typically do this to random email addresses. We have often received two different pin codes for free dining because so many emails are signed up to receive alerts.

-A list of things you need to research:
     ~Where do we want to stay? In resort? Off-site? Value, moderate, deluxe?
     ~Do we want the quick service (fast food) meal plan? Dining (sit-down) meal plan? Deluxe
       Dining (two-sit downs) mean plan?
     ~What restaurants should we choose? When should we make reservations?
      (I will give you a list of all of these recommendations below)

-Your price point with vary on a number of things.  What resort you choose, what meal plan you'd like, how many days you'd like to have tickets for parks, and many other things.  Our family always stays at Port Orleans-Riverside , we typically do the regular dining plan, and we are there for 6-8 days and purchase 4-5 days in park tickets (remember, Downtown Disney does not require a park ticket and can be used for a full day of fun). This plan, under a free-dining offer, typically runs our family between $1800.00-3200.00.  It always depends how long and the time of year we visit.

-To book a Disney trip, you will be required to pay a $200.00 deposit.  You aren't required to pay your trip off until 45 days (30 if you call and ask for an extension) prior to your arrival.  You can make payments as much or as little as you want up until the 45 day mark.  We typically book 8-12 months in advance and pay as we go!  We budget this trip each year as we are making new plans.

On to the next subject...
2.) How do you prepare once you've booked your Disney vacation?

- Our family agrees that matching shirts (not identical, just colors) are best for us.  We see each other easily in a crowd, Disney workers see us together before asking "how many", when walking/eating together people know that we belong together, and it calms my Mommy nerves.  I understand there are several husbands that will say no to this idea.  I just happen to have a very easy man to deal with it and loves this idea as much as me.

-After deciding on our colors, I pack each child's outfit for the day in a ziploc back.  On the front of the bag, I list the date, day, and name of the child the clothes belong to.  I include the shorts/pants, shirt, socks, undies, and any additional accessories (i.e. bows, hairbands, etc.) for that day.  The kids are able to pick up their "Thursday" bag and get dressed without any help from Mom or Dad.


-I pack a backpack for our Disney trip before we leave our home.  This helps me when we arrive.  Once in the resort, I will take my wallet from my purse and place it in the backpack and the purse stays in the vehicle the rest of the trip.

My backpack list:

-chapstick

-sunscreen

-gum

-tic tacs/lifesavers/mints

-autograph books

-pens

-hats for kids and us

-sunglasses for kids and us

-germx

-clorox wipes

-hand wipes

-our Disney ponchos

-our Disney Vacation pack

-wallet/cash/licenses

-MagicBands

-brush

-hairspray

-extra pair of socks for each person (water rides)

-ziplock bags (water rides)

-camera and extra battery/cards

-lanyards and pins (you can also buy these at the resort)

-bandaids

-medicines/inhalers

-phones/ipods (helps when you are waiting in lines)

-We also do a little surprise called the Disney Fairy for our children each night.  There are two reasons we do this.  The first, it's an incentive for the children to behave during the day, at the parks.  The second, they know they will possibly receive something that evening (and yes, there have been a couple times when someone didn't receive their fairy gift because of behavior) and it helps detour them from wanting everything in the park. I know what you're thinking...more money.  I actually am very frugal about the Disney Fairy gifts.  I visit the Dollar Tree and DisneyStore.com before we leave.  You will find very fun and inexpensive things for the fairy gifts.  We've also left Disney gift cards for them on the first day and they've worked hard to save those until they find their favorite thing.

Dinner time...

#3) When should we make dining reservations? Fast pass selections? Order MagicBands?

These are some of the newest questions I am asked because everything is changing at Disney!

-You should make all Dining reservations 180 prior to your arrival.  I will literally be prepared and have my days counted out so that I know the day I should make my first reservation.  I then wait until the next day and make my next one...and so on.  This will help you get every dining experience you want.  Sure, you can wait a little later and do them but you'll be surprised at how many times are already gone.  And I don't know about you, but I don't like to eat my dinner at 9:30 at night.  Trust me, the earlier the better.

-Fast pass selections before you go to the parks is one of the newest things at Disney.  They will send you an email prior to your vacation.  On this email, it will ask you to pick the colors of your magic bands and will also let you make your fast pass selections.  I am not thrilled with this new arrangement because as of now, you can only make one major and two minor choices for fast passes. Meaning, if you are in Epcot, and you LOVE Test Track and Soarin' (because most people do), you will only be able to get a fast pass for ONE of these rides because both are listed as major rides.  It was a very sad day for us.  Fortunately, we had made plans to visit Epcot twice so we just arranged to do one each day.  Just know, you will be waiting in some of the major ride lines with this new arrangement.

-As stated, MagicBands are ordered in the same email that request fast pass selections.  MagicBands will be taking the place of the cards.  I recommend choosing a different color per person in your family (if possible).  Inside of the MagicBand, they will list your name.  The MagicBand is used for EVERYTHING.  Buying, park tickets, meal plans, photo passes, and fast passes.  There are several pros and cons to these cute bands.  Pros, the ease of tapping and going. Cons, the lack of fast passes.  I am sure everyone will eventually love them, I am just a creature of habit.

Headed to the land of sunshine...
4.) Where should we stay? Where should we eat? What parks should we plan to visit?

-We love our "home" resort.  We stay at Port Orleans Riverside (moderate resort) every time we visit.  We've tried a few different resorts on the last day of our stays and we have not found any that we love as much as our home.  Disney also allows tours of their resorts.  We have taken several.  Some other resorts I recommend looking into (if Riverside is not for you) are, Port Orleans-French Quarter (moderate resort), Art of Animation (value resort-family suites), Wilderness Lodge (deluxe resort), Polynesian Resort (deluxe resort), Caribbean Beach Resort (moderate resort).

-Our favorite sit-down locations:
Ohana - Polynesian Resort
Liberty Tree Tavern -Magic Kingdom
Whispering Canyon -Wilderness Lodge
Tutto Italia - Epcot (Italy)
La Hacienda - Epcot (Mexico)
Mama Melrose - Hollywood Studios
Be Our Guest - Magic Kingdom
Chef Mickey's - Contemporary Resort

-Our favorite quick-service dining locations:
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe - Magic Kingdom
Casey's Corner - Magic Kingdom
Restaurantosauraus - Animal Kingdom
Yorkshire County Fish Shop - Epcot
ABC Commissary - Hollywood Studios
Wolfgang Puck Express (Marketplace) - Downtown Disney
Captain Cook's - Polynesian Resort


-Parks to visit would be ALL!  Of course you will have your favorites.  We skipped Epcot our very first trip and it has turned out to be our family favorite.  We call it our relax day.  The kids love the rides and snacks and we love the open park with lots of room to walk.  I highly recommend getting a book with park guides prior to your trip.  Learn the map and see what rides will be suit your family.  Animal Kingdom is our family's least favorite park.  We go, we see, we leave.  It's usually our first day park.  There are about three rides the kids/we love and a few shows.  We go to those the first day (usually getting in the park a little later than normal), we always eat lunch at Restaurantosauraus and then we ride and see, then we head to dinner and never look back.  However, we have close friends that LOVE Animal Kingdom and spend multiple days there.  Make those decisions for your family!

Our typical park schedule:

Animal Kingdom

Magic Kingdom

Epcot

Hollywood Studios

(a repeat of either MK or HS)

Epcot

-We also use Undercover Tourist blogs and iPhone apps to make our park decisions.  This app will tell you which days are the fullest on which days.  I highly recommend this app before planning.  

We're heeeeere!!!

5.) You've arrived and checked in!  Here are my favorite tips for managing your time at the resorts and parks!

-If you are on a vacation package, you will receive a refillable mug.  These are digital now!  Refill this as much as possible!  Get your money's worth.

-Leave a tip each morning for you mousekeeper (housekeeper).  She will probably leave you sweet surprises with the towels that your kids will love!

-Take a few snacks for your bag.  You will get snack credits with your plans but you want to save those for special treats, not just another pretzel or drink.

-Don't use snack credits for waters.  Take water bottles in your backpack each morning.

-Always wear your MagicBands.  Use this as your debit or credit card and they will do just ONE transaction at the end of your trip for everything you purchase on your band.  No worries...you have to verify each purchase you make with a pin code you create at check in.  You can also set it up to have buying rights for parents only!

-Get to parks early!  You will also need to get to your bus stops early.

-Do NOT drive to parks.  Use the transportation provided!!!  This will help you manage your time.

-If you have smaller children, after lunch, take them back for a rest and then head back to the park after.  You would rather be there at open and close for shorter wait times.

-Work the parks in the opposite directions.  For example, when my family goes to Magic Kingdom, everyone heads right into Tomorrowland while my family heads left into Adventureland!  We usually don't hit crowds until we are in Fantasyland around lunch.  

-Get maps in the front lobby the night before you head into a park!  Mark your map and have a game plan in mind.  This will help you as you arrive the next day!

-Pack glow sticks from the Dollar Tree!  You won't regret this when the vendor with $20 glowsticks comes walking by.  You can pull them out and hand them to your kids.  My kids opt for the glow sticks instead, now!

And finally...

Have fun and take LOTS of pictures!  Of course, that's coming from a photographer, but trust me...you don't want to miss a moment of the fun your kids will have! 

Let the Memories Begin!!!

**Feel free to ask any questions in the comment section or you can email me at amysullins@yahoo.com.  Enjoy your magical trip!

The day I turned 32

I am a girl that LOVES her birthday.  However, the older I get the more I realize that it's not because I get presents or everyone sings to me.  In fact, I am not one for being the center of attention.  Surprise, surprise, right?!  I honestly don't enjoy it.  I'd much prefer my kids or husband be in the spotlight with me cheering them on.  As I was saying, I've realized it's not about all of the other birthday stuff as much as it is a day of reflection for me.  How did I grow this year? As a mom? As a wife? As a servant of Christ? In forgiveness? Maturity? Character? Wisdom? Knowledge of scriptures? Business person?

I look back on this... 

And think...wow, she had no clue in 6th grade (yep, the same as my daughter) the ways God would bless her, grow her, and sustain her.  This was when I thought I had the perfect family; Pastor's kid, a little sister, good grades, a Statewide Chorus participant, a Mom that adored me.  I mean, what could be better than that, huh?!  It's amazing how time changes so much, yet God's love never fails.

Then, I look at her!  A freshmen in high school.  A boyfriend on the football team and braces were about to come off.  Little did I know 4 months from this picture, I would re-meet my knight in shining armor.  She was a high school chick on the basketball team.  Life was good, parent's were great, and I still had one of my best friends in most of my classes.  

And now, there is the 16 year old!  In that past year she had dealt with the death of one of her dearest friends, Rebecca.  This death shook her to the core and because of that, she fell in love with her Savior all over again!  

She also re-met this handsome thing!  She started dating him in January of 1997 and by this point, she all but knew he was the one.  She wrote letters and mailed them every day in hopes of getting one back sooner than later.  

On to graduation Amy! Hehe!  She was excited about life!  I look at her smile and think, man...if she only knew how much her life was about to change.  It was the summer after this picture that the handsome man by her side would ask her to be his wife!  She, of course, said YES! 

This next year also brought some heartache.  Her parent's would separate, she would go through an extremely tough experience with her mother, and another tough personal experience.  Through it all, God continued to provide.  He comforted in some of the hardest moments and brought joy in the midst of major turmoil.

Well, as I am sure you know, wedding day Amy was full of joy!  As I said, she had walked through some difficult moments that year, but on this day...HAPPINESS!  She was hopeful of the days to come and she knew that as long as she trusted God and had this man beside her...it would all be ok!

New Mom!  I remember this being one of the most happy and hopeful moments of my life, accompanied by one of the most painful situations of my life.  Growing up as a girl, you dream!  You dream of what your life will be like, what will happen when you have kids and all of the family is gathered around ohhhing and ahhhing over this life you've brought into the world.  You dream of your mom coming to stay with you for a couple weeks to get you settled.  This was not to be for me.  Not only was I dealing with the fact that I wouldn't have that dream, I would cry and beg God to give my child, Rebeckah, that dream.  I prayed over her every minute of every day for several months.  I would rock her and pray.  I would feed her and pray.  I asked God over and over again to grow her into a wise and beautiful young lady that loved Him more than I could ever imagine. (By the way, he has honored that prayer!)  I don't want to tell my whole story here, but I do want to say that I am a better mother because of all the situations God has walked me through.  I love more, I pray more, I teach more, and I am much more willing to let silly things slide that really don't matter.  I want them to look back at me as a woman of faith that loved God more than anything and their Daddy was second to that.  I pray that's what they see!

A mommy to a boy is something I NEVER thought I'd be.  I know it sounds crazy but I always imagined myself with girls.  When this sweet little Caleb came into the world, my heart would never be the same.  When people say boys belong to their mommy, they ain't lying!  This boy changed my heart and my life.  He has challenged me to be a better woman so he will seek a woman that will love and cherish him.  He has also held a tender place in my heart.  He is the child that I know needs my protection and defense more than the others.  My life changed forever because of this boy!

And then this little monster surprised us all!  After doctors told us it was medically impossible to have another child, God gave us a precious and funny miracle.  I grieved after being told I couldn't have another baby.  That was October of 2004.  In February of 2005, I had lost all of my baby weight and moved on, allowing God to fill that void.  Sure enough, Valentine's Day of 2005, we found out we would be having another baby.  We were shocked, scared, and excited.  He has truly brought laughter to our house and my soul.  Everything he does is funny.  We often joke we would be a boring family without our Avery!  He brought laughter back to my heart and I thank God for him everyday!

One of the last things that 6th grade girl never realized, was the ways that he would use her family for his call and purpose.  God has blessed us with amazing church families.  People who continue to love on us from a far away. We have been blessed to serve with such amazing people and to proclaim the great name of Jesus.  I don't think she ever could have dreamt this up for her life or the life of her husband!

Here she stands today.  She is the mom to three of the cutest kids in the world.  They are smart, active, healthy, and fun to be around.  Yes, they drive me crazy sometimes because they most definitely are not perfect.  But, on those days, I just remember...I prayed for these babies and God has granted me what I've asked of him.  It's pure joy to serve them and love them.  

Then, there is the man next to me. I canNOT imagine my life without him beside me.  He is my constant encourager, he loves me unconditionally, he has held me when I've been screaming out to God, he has held me and comforted me through loss, he has taught me to work hard and love others, he has shown me what character in the midst of a trial looks like, he builds me up,  kisses me in front of our children, he holds my hand, and he prays for me along with many, many other things.  Sixth grade Amy could have never imagined a dream for herself this wonderful.  

It's been an extremely difficult road.  There are only a few people that know my complete testimony of how God has redeemed me, saved me, and held me safely in his grip.  Just know this...God will keep his promises!  God will rescue those who seek after him.  God will love you when you feel no one else does.  God will sustain you.  God will teach you.  God will hold you.  God will extend grace to you.  God will save you!  And boy am I thankful!  

I don't ever want to go back, but instead I look forward with peace knowing he will continue to protect my family in the days and years to come!  It's a good day to be 32!

For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.

Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.

But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.” We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

{2 Corinthians 2: 6-18}

First Day of School {2013}

Today is the first day!  We now have a middle school girl, a 5th grade boy, and a 2nd grade boy!

Where is the time going?!  

I've prayed over them three times already and they've only been gone for 30 minutes.  I am praying that today they will see others through the eyes of Christ.  I also pray that their ears will be open to hear lessons, encouragement, and discipline in the light of Jesus!  

I love these babies so much.  It's going to be a great year!

All pictures are property of Amy-Cole Photography, Amy Sullins and should not be copied or saved.

A New Day!

It's been a long time since I've hosted my blog.  There are several reasons why I gave it up, but all of those reasons are null and void when I look back and try to remember the stories about my kids, pictures of them having fun, and adventures we've held together as a family!  If you are interested in my old blog (and happen to find this new one some how) feel free to check it out.

The Sullins Spot {part one}: http://sullinsfamily.wordpress.com


But today...it's a new day!  New lessons to learn, new adventures to unfold, and new lessons from God to remember and journal.  That is where we are today and so, a new blog for a new day!