I'm thankful for...MICKEY!!! My Thanksgiving '08 TR!: TR Update, Last Day!

[SwansLoveDisney]

Here are some links to help you follow along! I'm starting the links at the beginning of the TR.

Arrival Day Part One! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=29094389&postcount=1543

Arrival Day Part Two: We have arrived! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=30691041&postcount=1593

Arrival Day Part Three: Thanksgiving Dinner! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=30691891&postcount=1596

Arrival Day Part Four: Our First Park! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=30726161&postcount=1609

Arrival Day Part Five: Suitcase Surprise http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=30745996&postcount=1623

Day 2, Part One: Getting Ready for Magic Kingdom Rope Drop! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=30877579&postcount=1646

Day 2, Part 2: Magic Kingdom Opening Ceremonies! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=30946232&postcount=1654

Day 2, Part 3: All Aboard!http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31025934&postcount=1673

Day 2, Part 4: Crystal Palace!http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31538035&postcount=1696

Day 2, Part 5: A Scary Encounter! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31559780&postcount=1710


I got lazy with the links for a while, but I'm going to finish up with them

Day 5, Part 2: Candlelight Processional http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33583494&postcount=1992


Hi!

I tried to wait, really I did, but I can resist no longer. I'm starting my pre-trip and I'm thrilled to have you along for the ride!

Let's start with the cast...

Me, Julie, 28 years old. I'm a pediatric physical therapist. I play with kids all day and I love it! I am a Disney lover and lover of travel in general.

Next is my husband, I'll call him Gaston (can I help it if I like the bad boys?), 30 years old. He's an engineer. He is a Disney hater and a lover of travel. Gaston would argue and say that he likes Disney but does not see the need to go every year.

Here are Gaston and me:

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P6180204.jpg

A little history on me and Gaston...we met in Chicago in 2003, went to Disney World together in 2004 (his first trip), and got married at Yosemite National Park in 2005. We honeymooned in Italy, then moved to Arizona a month later. We have been happily living in the desert ever since. Has Gaston been back to Disney since that first trip? Heck to the no! I've been 3 times since then :woohoo:, without him :sad1: . Somehow, and I'm not quite sure how, I have convinced Gaston that go to to see the mouse again!!!

We have two additions to our family:

Roxy, 2 years old, the sweetest dog in creation. I would swear she is my biological daughter if the DNA matched. She's the big, white one:

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P7020022.jpg

And Indy, 10 months old, one of the craziest dogs in creation. Most definitely not my biological son, but I love him just the same:

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P7220100.jpg

The pooches will not accompany us on this trip, but we will need to figure out where they will stay during this magical time.

On with the rest of the cast:

My mom, a lover of Disney, who is very excited to go back.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/PA070099.jpg

If we can get her out of jail, she'll come with us! :rotfl:

My dad, a liker of Disney, who is also excited to head back.

Mom and Dad together:

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4170107.jpg

Gaston's mom, a lover of Disney, who grew up in L.A., with Disneyland in her back yard. She's never been to Disney World and I can't wait to show her around.

Gaston and his mom:

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/PB220016.jpg

And we have some possible additions...

My brother and his new wife:

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/PC280061.jpg

Before I leave you for now, here's a pic of Lady and the Tramp:

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P7260111.jpg

Up next: The plans so far!

[Native NYer]

Joining in! Can't wait to read more!

[SwansLoveDisney]

Joining in! Can't wait to read more!

Yay!!! My first reader!!! :banana:

:welcome:

[JoanieS]

I'm in!!

[lisalonglash]

I'm in! If you can convince your dh that WDW isn't a big honkin' waste of time and money, then maybe I can do the same with my dh! If so, I'll be in your debt BIG-TIME :worship:

We're going in October. We being my family (me, dh, ds#1 & ds#2) and a whole whack of my in-laws.

My dh is insisting (and yes, I mean insisting) that he will go to WDW, but is ONLY going to sit by the hotel pool and read. Yep, I gave him what-for, but he's sticking to his guns :sad2:

So, I'll be reading your PTR anxiously, looking for inspiration (and ammunition) :lmao:

[mkluvsmickey]

Yay! Glad you are writing a PTR - I enjoyed your last report lots!

I too have a husband who doesn't like Disney and am anxiously waiting how this all turns out....popcorn::

Your dogs are just adorable! What kind of dog is Indy? I have 3 dogs/2 cats and the hardest part about going to Disney is arranging the pet sitter and leaving them. :sad2:

Can't wait to read more! :)

[krismom]

Great start! I love being able to "see" the action- :thumbsup2
I am hoping you have some tips for converting non-believers (wow:eek: that sounds cult-like!) My husband thinks Disney is "manufactured fun"- which is just how I like mine!
:yay:

[SwansLoveDisney]

I'm in!!

Yay! THanks for joining me!

I'm in! If you can convince your dh that WDW isn't a big honkin' waste of time and money, then maybe I can do the same with my dh! If so, I'll be in your debt BIG-TIME :worship:

We're going in October. We being my family (me, dh, ds#1 & ds#2) and a whole whack of my in-laws.

My dh is insisting (and yes, I mean insisting) that he will go to WDW, but is ONLY going to sit by the hotel pool and read. Yep, I gave him what-for, but he's sticking to his guns :sad2:

So, I'll be reading your PTR anxiously, looking for inspiration (and ammunition) :lmao:

I don't think I'll EVER convince my DH that WDW isn't a big waste of money, but I'm hoping to convince him that it's fun enough to have to go back every year!

Sitting at the pool and reading?!? :scared1: Oh no! Will he really?!?

I'll share my secrets soon!

Yay! Glad you are writing a PTR - I enjoyed your last report lots!

I too have a husband who doesn't like Disney and am anxiously waiting how this all turns out....popcorn::

Your dogs are just adorable! What kind of dog is Indy? I have 3 dogs/2 cats and the hardest part about going to Disney is arranging the pet sitter and leaving them. :sad2:

Can't wait to read more! :)

Yay! Thanks for coming along for another one!

I am amazed that DH agreed to come! I keep thinking something will happen...

Indy is the product of a chihuahua father and a lab-cocker spaniel mother. :confused3 Weird combo, but so cute!

I HATE leaving the dogs! I always wish they could talk so I would be able to hear how they're doing when we're gone.

Great start! I love being able to "see" the action- :thumbsup2
I am hoping you have some tips for converting non-believers (wow:eek: that sounds cult-like!) My husband thinks Disney is "manufactured fun"- which is just how I like mine!
:yay:

I will share my secrets conversion tips soon! (it does sound like a cult...:rotfl: )

I like the fun to be manufactured too! You're guaranteed of a good time that way!

My DH would MUCH rather visit a national park than go to WDW. I love me some nature, i love Disney more!

[SwansLoveDisney]

Let me tell you how this trip came to be...In October of last year, some friends and I went to Disney and stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge. We hit up Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party.

We were the characters from the board game "Clue."

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P1030136.jpg

I was Mrs. White.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P1030183.jpg

We had an amazingly fun time and I started planning the next trip before that trip was even over!

When I got home from Disney World, I called my mom and asked if she would like to go. She was very happy to oblige! She said she and my dad were in!

I asked Gaston if he would like to go. All I got was "the look."

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P8270002-1.jpg

I like going to Disney World with or without Gaston. But it's so much fun when he comes. WDW is so much more romantic with him. So I was sad to get the answer I expected.

Then I did a very tricky thing...when my mother-in-law was in town for Thanksgiving last year, I mentioned that we (even though Gaston hadn't committed yet) would be going to Disney World for Thanksgiving of 2008. And I asked my mother-in-law to come with, knowing she is a Disney lover.

I had two points on my side
1. My parents and I were going...how could Gaston spend a major holiday apart from me?
2. Gaston's mom was seriously considering going with us. There is NO WAY he could say no if his mom was going!

So throughout Thanksgiving weekend last year, I talked to my MIL here and there about Disney World and how huge it is and how great it is (she has only been to DL). And by then end of the weekend, she was in!

Then the most amazing thing happened...without ever admitting that he was in, Gaston said something about how he has enough Southwest rewards for all three of us to use one to fly to Orlando!!! Sounds like a yes to me! I felt like I should pinch myself, because I must be dreaming! :cloud9:

It was definitely the sneaky invitations to others that convinced Gaston to go to Disney World. Of course, here and there, Gaston complains about how much money it will cost and how much vacation time he has to take from work for this trip. (only 3 vacation days! 3 measly days...and he has 4 weeks of vacation). I think he just feels that he has to maintain his Disney grumpiness. I don't mind, though! I'll listen to as much griping as he can dish out...HE'S GOING TO DISNEY WORLD WITH ME!!!!!!!!!! :banana: :cool1: :yay: :woohoo:

Up next: our plans so far (for real this time)

[mkluvsmickey]

Great job convincing your husband to come along - I am taking notes....;) Except I don't think I could handle taking my mother-in-law! :laughing:

[lisalonglash]

Great installment! Yes, that's sort of how dh was kinda sorta literally forced into coming to WDW :rotfl2: This trip was started by my mother-in-law, my sister-in-law and her family, and my other sister-in-law. My mother-in-law called me one day and basically bribed me into agreeing to the trip (she promised at least one evening of babysitting my boys so that dh & I could go out alone LOL). The guilt of "I'd love for you guys to come because then it would really be a family vacation and who knows if I'll ever get to have a trip with all of you again". Yeah, I know, but it worked on me! Can't help it if I love my MIL :love: Once I was convinced and took the time to look into all the stuff available at WDW, I was hooked and excited! :cool1: However, dh is quite another story :sad2:

Can't wait for more of your story! :banana:

[jordanyosh]

Joanne...I'm here again.......

Must...remember.....you're....real...name.....;)

[SwansLoveDisney]

Great job convincing your husband to come along - I am taking notes....;) Except I don't think I could handle taking my mother-in-law! :laughing:

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I hit the mother-in-law jackpot. She's awesome! So adventurous and fun to hang out with.

Great installment! Yes, that's sort of how dh was kinda sorta literally forced into coming to WDW :rotfl2: This trip was started by my mother-in-law, my sister-in-law and her family, and my other sister-in-law. My mother-in-law called me one day and basically bribed me into agreeing to the trip (she promised at least one evening of babysitting my boys so that dh & I could go out alone LOL). The guilt of "I'd love for you guys to come because then it would really be a family vacation and who knows if I'll ever get to have a trip with all of you again". Yeah, I know, but it worked on me! Can't help it if I love my MIL :love: Once I was convinced and took the time to look into all the stuff available at WDW, I was hooked and excited! :cool1: However, dh is quite another story :sad2:

Can't wait for more of your story! :banana:

You had to be bribed into going on a trip?!? Well, good thing she bribed you because now you know what a magical place it is!

I love my MIL too! So nice to be able to say that.

Joanne...I'm here again.......

Must...remember.....you're....real...name.....;)

Hey Josh! So nice to see you here!

:welcome:

How was San Diego?

[scottny]

:wave:

I am here. Off to a good start. can't wait for more. :thumbsup2

I remember your last tr, I remember the "Clue" costumes. :lmao: very clever.

[SwansLoveDisney]

:wave:

I am here. Off to a good start. can't wait for more. :thumbsup2

I remember your last tr, I remember the "Clue" costumes. :lmao: very clever.

Yay! Thanks for stopping by!

:welcome:

Glad to have you along for another one!

[Lease]

We had an amazingly fun time and I started planning the next trip before that trip was even over!


That's the best part of WDW vacations :)

Off to a good start so far, can't wait to see how the trip goes.

We went September last year, and the return trip was being planned by day 3. We went in January and we're already planning another trip this September :woohoo:

Lease

[SwansLoveDisney]

That's the best part of WDW vacations :)

Off to a good start so far, can't wait to see how the trip goes.

We went September last year, and the return trip was being planned by day 3. We went in January and we're already planning another trip this September :woohoo:

Lease

Thanks for joining me!

:welcome:

Some would say it's a sickness this Disney thing. But if it's a sickness, then I don't want to be well!!!:rotfl:

[jordanyosh]

San Diego was nice. I ate dinner with a friend in Old Town called Zocalo Grill. Upscale mexican...good, but expensive.

[Brenle]

Let me tell you how this trip came to be...In October of last year, some friends and I went to Disney and stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge. We hit up Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party.

We were the characters from the board game "Clue."

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P1030136.jpg

I was Mrs. White.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P1030183.jpg



Okay, because of your great "Clue" photos, I'm subscribing, and also stealing that costume idea for this year.

[SwansLoveDisney]

San Diego was nice. I ate dinner with a friend in Old Town called Zocalo Grill. Upscale mexican...good, but expensive.

DH and I are planning to go to San Diego for my birthday in August. I've been to SD only once.

Maybe we'll have to check out Zocalo Grill! I'm going to write that down right now.

Okay, because of your great "Clue" photos, I'm subscribing, and also stealing that costume idea for this year.

:rotfl:

:welcome:

[jordanyosh]

Old Town has some great restaurants....Old Town Mexican Cafe is pretty good. There's a good hole in the wall restaurant that's an institution in SD called El Indio..they have a great Chicken/Cheese burrito. It's off of Washington blvd exit off the 5 just south of Old Town.

One of my favorite hotels-the Catamaran...

[SwansLoveDisney]

Well, DH is a sickie right now...he's got strep and I feel so bad for him! :sick:

So we're staying in for the night and you know what that means...DISing all night!

I'll be back soon with our plans!

[jordanyosh]

Well, DH is a sickie right now...he's got strep and I feel so bad for him! :sick:

So we're staying in for the night and you know what that means...DISing all night!

I'll be back soon with our plans!

Tell the hater to get well soon....

[SwansLoveDisney]

I booked our hotel last week! :woohoo:

We're all set up for SIX NIGHTS at POP Century! This will be my longest Disney trip ever!!! :banana: I know to some of you, that's a short jaunt! :rotfl:

We will call POP home from November 27, 2008 to December 3, 2008.

We (I) chose POP because I know Gaston will be happy with the price! He and I stayed there on his only Disney trip, and we both liked it. Also, my friends and I stayed at AKL last trip and I felt so guilty the whole time because we didn't spend enough time at the hotel. It was such an amazing place and we didn't take the time to enjoy it. So value it is!

Gaston, his mom, and I will be flying on Southwest rapid reward credits, so we can't fly the day before Thanksgiving (blackout date). That means we'll be flying on Thanksgiving day. I think there's only one non-stop flight from Phoenix to Orlando each day, and that has us arriving at 4 or 5. Unfortunately, the Southwest flight schedule only goes till August right now, so we can't book the flights yet. I will be so happy when we can book those!!!

My parents will be flying from Chicago, so they'll have lots of options for flights. I miss those short flights from Chicago to Orlando!

We'll all be using Magical Express for the first time. I'm not sure how I feel about that. I'm nervous about them getting my luggage! Also, I like that the limos will stop at the grocery store on the way. But in the name of a less expensive trip, ME it is!

I can't make ADRs yet, but I'm already planning them! (I can't believe I started my PTR before I could make ADRs!)

Of course, we need to have a Thanksgiving dinner somewhere! Does anyone have any ideas where we should eat for Thanksgiving dinner? Oh, we won't have park hoppers for the first day, so it has to be somewhere not in a park.

As for plans for the dogs, we have yet to discuss where they'll stay. One thing I know for sure is that Roxy will have new things to add to her Disney collection after this trip!

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/PC250244.jpg

And so will Indy!

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/PB070230.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/PB070226.jpg

That's it so far!

[SwansLoveDisney]

Old Town has some great restaurants....Old Town Mexican Cafe is pretty good. There's a good hole in the wall restaurant that's an institution in SD called El Indio..they have a great Chicken/Cheese burrito. It's off of Washington blvd exit off the 5 just south of Old Town.

One of my favorite hotels-the Catamaran...

We're using reward points for the hotel...I think we might stay at the W. Know anything about that?

I'm going to write down all these recommendations! Thank you! I love Mexican food!

[SwansLoveDisney]

Tell the hater to get well soon....

I am praying that he gets well soon! He's a sad case right now!

[Native NYer]

I love your costumes. How clever!!!

Your dogs are just too cute!!!

And your plans look great :)

[scottny]

I could not wait till I could book the plane. The ME I have used twice and loved both times.

Hope he feels better soon. I hate strep.

[kathleen27]

Saw your title and had to come read your trip report.

My husband doesn't like disney trips at all. I have gone without him the last two times, but am thinking of dragging him back in a couple of years. Though I'll continue to go without him until then. Looking forward to your ideas for the trip.

Your dogs are so Cute! And the Halloween trip sounds fun.

Yep Southwest on sale thru Aug 22nd. Already checked today. Is there any way to know when it will change???

Happy Planning! Hope your husband feels better:sick:

Kathy

[mkluvsmickey]

I've never stayed longer than 4 nights at once so I think 6 is fantastic!

I am reading a report by Sara (mom2mek) and they went this past Thanksgiving. They had thanksgiving dinner at Ft. Wilderness. That will actually be her next post in her TR so you should check it out. :)

Love Roxy and Indy's Disney stuff!

Hope hubby feels better!

[babieemelly]

Hi Julie! I'm sooooo excited to get to follow along with another one of your trips, your last report was one of my absolute favorites! And even I'M shocked that DH is going along after hearing so much about he hates it in your last report... go you and your powers of Disney persuasion! :woohoo: :woohoo: :lmao: It'll be great getting a whole big portion of your family down there and all getting to enjoy the parks (and Thanksgiving) together. Keep us updated on your plans!

[lisalonglash]

You had to be bribed into going on a trip?!? Well, good thing she bribed you because now you know what a magical place it is!

Yes, it's true - I had to be bribed INITIALLY :rotfl2: But, in my defense, I didn't know anything about WDW and therefore I can claim ignorance of what I was missing :lmao: We've been to Disneyland Resort Paris, but only for the day so it doesn't really count :laughing:

As it turned out, my youngest SIL and I have turned into the co-planners/organizers of this trip - good thing I love my sisters-in-law too :woohoo:

Loving your installments, can't wait for the next one popcorn::

[SwansLoveDisney]

Completely off topic, but

I ran 13 miles today!!!!!

:cool1: :banana: :woohoo: :yay: :cheer2:

Of course, I now feel like I need a knee replacement, but I am so thrilled that I did it and lived to tell about it. That means I will be able to finish the race in May!!! Yay!!!!

[SwansLoveDisney]

I love your costumes. How clever!!!

Your dogs are just too cute!!!

And your plans look great :)

Thanks!

Thanks!

and Thanks! :goodvibes

I could not wait till I could book the plane. The ME I have used twice and loved both times.

Hope he feels better soon. I hate strep.

Oh, I can't wait to book the flights!

I've never heard any complaints about ME, so I should just trust Disney on this one!

Yeah, strep stinks.

Saw your title and had to come read your trip report.

My husband doesn't like disney trips at all. I have gone without him the last two times, but am thinking of dragging him back in a couple of years. Though I'll continue to go without him until then. Looking forward to your ideas for the trip.

Your dogs are so Cute! And the Halloween trip sounds fun.

Yep Southwest on sale thru Aug 22nd. Already checked today. Is there any way to know when it will change???

Happy Planning! Hope your husband feels better:sick:

Kathy

I completely agree...if the husbands won't go to Disney, you can't let that hold you back!!! I see at as more money for me to spend on shopping while there! I guess we just have to give them breaks here and there!

I don't know how to tell when it will change for the Southwest flights. I think we have a while though. I know we flew to Chicago for Thanksgiving a couple years ago, and we bought the tix as soon as we were able. But I can't remember when that was!

I've never stayed longer than 4 nights at once so I think 6 is fantastic!

I am reading a report by Sara (mom2mek) and they went this past Thanksgiving. They had thanksgiving dinner at Ft. Wilderness. That will actually be her next post in her TR so you should check it out. :)

Love Roxy and Indy's Disney stuff!

Hope hubby feels better!

I agree...6 nights is a dream come true!

I'll check out that Thanksgiving report. Ft. Wilderness sounds like it would be fun for Tgiving dinner! Thanks for the heads up!

DH is in the crabby stage of his illness right now...I'm just trying to stay away from him right now!

[SwansLoveDisney]

Hi Julie! I'm sooooo excited to get to follow along with another one of your trips, your last report was one of my absolute favorites! And even I'M shocked that DH is going along after hearing so much about he hates it in your last report... go you and your powers of Disney persuasion! :woohoo: :woohoo: :lmao: It'll be great getting a whole big portion of your family down there and all getting to enjoy the parks (and Thanksgiving) together. Keep us updated on your plans!

Thanks for joining me! You're so sweet!

I know...I keep feeling like I should pinch myself to make sure that I didn't dream up the idea that DH is coming along!

I am SO excited about going with so many family members! The more the merrier, I always say!

Yes, it's true - I had to be bribed INITIALLY :rotfl2: But, in my defense, I didn't know anything about WDW and therefore I can claim ignorance of what I was missing :lmao: We've been to Disneyland Resort Paris, but only for the day so it doesn't really count :laughing:

As it turned out, my youngest SIL and I have turned into the co-planners/organizers of this trip - good thing I love my sisters-in-law too :woohoo:

Loving your installments, can't wait for the next one popcorn::

Okay, I'll forgive you for having to be bribed initially!:rotfl:

Good in-laws rock!

Thanks for reading! :goodvibes

[mkluvsmickey]

Completely off topic, but

I ran 13 miles today!!!!!

:cool1: :banana: :woohoo: :yay: :cheer2:

Of course, I now feel like I need a knee replacement, but I am so thrilled that I did it and lived to tell about it. That means I will be able to finish the race in May!!! Yay!!!!

That is great! You should be very proud! :)

[jordanyosh]

Congrats on running 13 miles.....!!!!!

What's running anyway?;)

[mrsksomeday]

I am so in on this PTR!!! It sounds like you are going to have great fun!! We will be a Pop a couple of weeks before you are. I can't wait to read more!!

[SwansLoveDisney]

Congrats on running 13 miles.....!!!!!

What's running anyway?;)

Thanks!

:laughing:

Have you seen Anchorman? I usually call it "yogging".

[SwansLoveDisney]

I am so in on this PTR!!! It sounds like you are going to have great fun!! We will be a Pop a couple of weeks before you are. I can't wait to read more!!

Hey!

Thanks for joining me! So glad to see you here!

You and Bill can get POP all ready for my arrival! :rotfl:

[Native NYer]

Completely off topic, but

I ran 13 miles today!!!!!

:cool1: :banana: :woohoo: :yay: :cheer2:

Of course, I now feel like I need a knee replacement, but I am so thrilled that I did it and lived to tell about it. That means I will be able to finish the race in May!!! Yay!!!!

Congrats!!!!! That's amazing :)

[SwansLoveDisney]

Congrats!!!!! That's amazing :)

Thank you! :goodvibes

I was pretty amazed myself!

[SwansLoveDisney]

I talked to my brother, J, today, and he said he and his wife are seriously considering coming to WDW with us!

They were pretty worried about money, but my mom said she would help them with the cost in place of Christmas gifts. She will be relieved because my bro is a very hard person to shop for!

I am SO happy that J and S (his wife) are probably coming!

J is tons of fun. He and I enjoy all the same stuff at WDW.

I was so excited after I talked to J that I joined Tour Guide Mike! It served us so well on our Halloween trip that I must do it again.

The sad thing about TGM is that it told me that we have 242 days till our trip. When it's said like that, it seems like forever away!

Here's a pic of J from our trip to the Grand Canyon last year

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4200180.jpg


And a pic of me and the pooches at our neighborhood dog show today. Although I didn't enter them in the dog show, I know in my heart that they tie for the cutest ever.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P3290201.jpg

It was quite tricky getting up from that squatting position today because my legs were killing me after my run!

[MeMom]

I was just about to post an update on out TR, and one of the things I was going to do was to welcome you back to the boards after a hiatus of sorts. Lo and behold, what caught my eye but a new pre-trip by Swans!!! So, I dashed over here to check out who was hating and all.

I will look forward to reading along with you, and we will make it work for us to meet up that week sometime. We'll be at Pop in June/July, but at All Star Music at Thanksgiving. We always visit Pop, even if we don't stay there, so we could meet up there or in one of the parks or DTD or whatever works for you. We'll talk about that closer in. 200+ days does feel far off though, doesn't it?
We got really spoiled this year wearing out those APs.
Now we'll have to get back to more normal visiting habits - maybe twice a year.
Three if we can swing it somehow.
One if our checkbooks start squealing too much.

The Grand Canyon picture is beautiful. I would love to go and see it for myself. Trent has been, when his basketball team was playing in an Arizona tournament in high school. He says you just have to see it in person to really grasp it.

Anyway, we will look forward to hearing all this trip planning with you. Do you have your ADR wish list going? I didn't read everything yet, so you may have already said. I just scrolled through quickly to respond. We're hoping to have Thanksgiving dinner with the colonial Micky, Minnie, etc. at Liberty Tree Tavern, if we can get a coveted ADR. I'll be on the phone bright and early on May 26th to try to snag that!

[scottny]

Completely off topic, but

I ran 13 miles today!!!!!

:cool1: :banana: :woohoo: :yay: :cheer2:

Of course, I now feel like I need a knee replacement, but I am so thrilled that I did it and lived to tell about it. That means I will be able to finish the race in May!!! Yay!!!!

why?? :confused3 Why??? :rotfl2:

no really congrats. That is great. My friends do marathons and love it.

[SwansLoveDisney]

I was just about to post an update on out TR, and one of the things I was going to do was to welcome you back to the boards after a hiatus of sorts. Lo and behold, what caught my eye but a new pre-trip by Swans!!! So, I dashed over here to check out who was hating and all.

I will look forward to reading along with you, and we will make it work for us to meet up that week sometime. We'll be at Pop in June/July, but at All Star Music at Thanksgiving. We always visit Pop, even if we don't stay there, so we could meet up there or in one of the parks or DTD or whatever works for you. We'll talk about that closer in. 200+ days does feel far off though, doesn't it?
We got really spoiled this year wearing out those APs.
Now we'll have to get back to more normal visiting habits - maybe twice a year.
Three if we can swing it somehow.
One if our checkbooks start squealing too much.

The Grand Canyon picture is beautiful. I would love to go and see it for myself. Trent has been, when his basketball team was playing in an Arizona tournament in high school. He says you just have to see it in person to really grasp it.

Anyway, we will look forward to hearing all this trip planning with you. Do you have your ADR wish list going? I didn't read everything yet, so you may have already said. I just scrolled through quickly to respond. We're hoping to have Thanksgiving dinner with the colonial Micky, Minnie, etc. at Liberty Tree Tavern, if we can get a coveted ADR. I'll be on the phone bright and early on May 26th to try to snag that!

It would be so much fun to meet! We'll have to figure out our schedules as the trips get closer!

The Grand Canyon is indescribable. Truly breathtaking.

Oh, I'm glad you said May 26th. I gotta write that down for when we can make ADRs for Thanksgiving! I think we'll try to do Liberty Tree Tavern later in the trip.

Thanks for joining me here! :goodvibes



why?? :confused3 Why??? :rotfl2:

no really congrats. That is great. My friends do marathons and love it.

:rotfl:

I won't go so far as to say I love it, but it's definitely a sense of accomplishment!

[scottny]

It would be so much fun to meet! We'll have to figure out our schedules as the trips get closer!

The Grand Canyon is indescribable. Truly breathtaking.

Oh, I'm glad you said May 26th. I gotta write that down for when we can make ADRs for Thanksgiving! I think we'll try to do Liberty Tree Tavern later in the trip.

Thanks for joining me here! :goodvibes





:rotfl:

I won't go so far as to say I love it, but it's definitely a sense of accomplishment!

my friends love it. U saw them in my July report. E & M. they r married and he is Biff's nephew and now they r training for a triathalon.

[MousekaMaddi]

fun report, Im along for the ride...........gentlemen...start your engines!:surfweb: :woohoo: :yay:

[Nicole786]

I'm here!! so awesome about DH joining you! EEEE!!! Cant wait to keep reading -- 6 days is a long time!!

[SwansLoveDisney]

my friends love it. U saw them in my July report. E & M. they r married and he is Biff's nephew and now they r training for a triathalon.

I know there are so many people who love running...I wish I were one of those people.

A triathlon sounds awesome. The swimming alone would kill me!

[SwansLoveDisney]

fun report, Im along for the ride...........gentlemen...start your engines!:surfweb: :woohoo: :yay:

Thanks for joining me!

:welcome:

I'm here!! so awesome about DH joining you! EEEE!!! Cant wait to keep reading -- 6 days is a long time!!

Hi Nicole!

Thanks for coming over here!

:welcome:

[SwansLoveDisney]

This morning, I woke up to a 40% off any book coupon for Borders in my email.

So after my first few patients, I stopped at Borders with the intention of buying the Unofficial Guide. HOWEVER...they actually had Passporters. Usually, the bookstores around here don't have Passporters. I've never owned a Passporter before, but I'm very curious about them.

After about 15 minutes of debating, I purchased the Passporter. I'm so excited to start looking at it!

I WAS going to buy the Unofficial Guide and use for a month and then hand it over to my bro and his wife when I see them in May. Oops!

I'm off to look at my Passporter!

[scottny]

This morning, I woke up to a 40% off any book coupon for Borders in my email.

So after my first few patients, I stopped at Borders with the intention of buying the Unofficial Guide. HOWEVER...they actually had Passporters. Usually, the bookstores around here don't have Passporters. I've never owned a Passporter before, but I'm very curious about them.

After about 15 minutes of debating, I purchased the Passporter. I'm so excited to start looking at it!

I WAS going to buy the Unofficial Guide and use for a month and then hand it over to my bro and his wife when I see them in May. Oops!

I'm off to look at my Passporter!

I love the Passporter.

I get those coupons every other day. it is a little annoying.

[babieemelly]

This morning, I woke up to a 40% off any book coupon for Borders in my email.

So after my first few patients, I stopped at Borders with the intention of buying the Unofficial Guide. HOWEVER...they actually had Passporters. Usually, the bookstores around here don't have Passporters. I've never owned a Passporter before, but I'm very curious about them.

After about 15 minutes of debating, I purchased the Passporter. I'm so excited to start looking at it!

I WAS going to buy the Unofficial Guide and use for a month and then hand it over to my bro and his wife when I see them in May. Oops!

I'm off to look at my Passporter!

How fun, I love the Passporter guides! They're perfect for people like us who are obsessed and OCD about planning trips :lmao: I always get the deluxe version for our trips and I use the Passpockets to plans our days out, and then take each one with us every day to follow our plans and to keep track of our tickets, ADRs, fastpasses and little souvenirs. Have fun looking through it all!

[SwansLoveDisney]

I love the Passporter.

I get those coupons every other day. it is a little annoying.

I love those coupons! I am a book junkie, so they come in very handy for me. I like Amazon's prices, but I hate having to wait for a book to come in the mail!

[SwansLoveDisney]

How fun, I love the Passporter guides! They're perfect for people like us who are obsessed and OCD about planning trips :lmao: I always get the deluxe version for our trips and I use the Passpockets to plans our days out, and then take each one with us every day to follow our plans and to keep track of our tickets, ADRs, fastpasses and little souvenirs. Have fun looking through it all!

The Passporter is SO much fun!

I am having a hard time getting my end of the month paperwork done for work. The Passporter is too tempting!!!!

[babieemelly]

The Passporter is SO much fun!

I am having a hard time getting my end of the month paperwork done for work. The Passporter is too tempting!!!!

:lmao: I'm trying to do a Cognitive Development paper that's due in my psych class tomorrow so I have The Dis and Word open, and I keep saying to myself, "OK, one more paragraph" so I write a few sentences and then get distracted by the boards again :rotfl2:

Good luck getting your work done, that book's pretty addicting!

[scottny]

I love those coupons! I am a book junkie, so they come in very handy for me. I like Amazon's prices, but I hate having to wait for a book to come in the mail!
I hate waiting for them to come to.

:lmao: I'm trying to do a Cognitive Development paper that's due in my psych class tomorrow so I have The Dis and Word open, and I keep saying to myself, "OK, one more paragraph" so I write a few sentences and then get distracted by the boards again :rotfl2:

Good luck getting your work done, that book's pretty addicting!
get to work. no more slacking. :rotfl2:

[Nicole786]

I have a barnes and noble membership, I should look into getting the unofficial guide!

[Native NYer]

This morning, I woke up to a 40% off any book coupon for Borders in my email.

So after my first few patients, I stopped at Borders with the intention of buying the Unofficial Guide. HOWEVER...they actually had Passporters. Usually, the bookstores around here don't have Passporters. I've never owned a Passporter before, but I'm very curious about them.

After about 15 minutes of debating, I purchased the Passporter. I'm so excited to start looking at it!

I WAS going to buy the Unofficial Guide and use for a month and then hand it over to my bro and his wife when I see them in May. Oops!

I'm off to look at my Passporter!

I love the Passporter :thumbsup2

[SwansLoveDisney]

:lmao: I'm trying to do a Cognitive Development paper that's due in my psych class tomorrow so I have The Dis and Word open, and I keep saying to myself, "OK, one more paragraph" so I write a few sentences and then get distracted by the boards again :rotfl2:

Good luck getting your work done, that book's pretty addicting!

Oh, I hope the paper is done and you can devote more time to the DIS! :rotfl: That's exactly how I am when I'm doing work on the computer. I have to make little goals for myself as to how much I need to accomplish before I can return to the boards!

You're right...that book is too addicting. It's taking me forever to get my month-end stuff done!!!

I hate waiting for them to come to.


That's the whole problem with online shopping...I am way too impulsive to handle the wait!


I have a barnes and noble membership, I should look into getting the unofficial guide!

You should definitely check it out! I love that book!

I love the Passporter :thumbsup2

Me too!:lovestruc

[lisalonglash]

(1) Woooooohoooooooooooo on your run - well done! :cheer2:

(2) That's awesome you got that wicked deal at the bookstore! I could spend hours and hours in Chapters (if my boys would let me :rotfl2:)

(3) I have the UG to WDW with Kids - invaluable resource, let me tell you! I should take a look for the Passporter too - do they have one specific to parents bringing children? "Doing WDW" seems to be much different when you factor in loopy munchkins (at least *my* crazy monkeys :rotfl:)

Have a wonderful evening :goodvibes

[k_reile]

I booked our hotel last week! :woohoo:

We're all set up for SIX NIGHTS at POP Century! This will be my longest Disney trip ever!!! :banana: I know to some of you, that's a short jaunt! :rotfl:

We will call POP home from November 27, 2008 to December 3, 2008.

We (I) chose POP because I know Gaston will be happy with the price! He and I stayed there on his only Disney trip, and we both liked it. Also, my friends and I stayed at AKL last trip and I felt so guilty the whole time because we didn't spend enough time at the hotel. It was such an amazing place and we didn't take the time to enjoy it. So value it is!

Gaston, his mom, and I will be flying on Southwest rapid reward credits, so we can't fly the day before Thanksgiving (blackout date). That means we'll be flying on Thanksgiving day. I think there's only one non-stop flight from Phoenix to Orlando each day, and that has us arriving at 4 or 5. Unfortunately, the Southwest flight schedule only goes till August right now, so we can't book the flights yet. I will be so happy when we can book those!!!

My parents will be flying from Chicago, so they'll have lots of options for flights. I miss those short flights from Chicago to Orlando!

We'll all be using Magical Express for the first time. I'm not sure how I feel about that. I'm nervous about them getting my luggage! Also, I like that the limos will stop at the grocery store on the way. But in the name of a less expensive trip, ME it is!

I can't make ADRs yet, but I'm already planning them! (I can't believe I started my PTR before I could make ADRs!)

Of course, we need to have a Thanksgiving dinner somewhere! Does anyone have any ideas where we should eat for Thanksgiving dinner? Oh, we won't have park hoppers for the first day, so it has to be somewhere not in a park.

As for plans for the dogs, we have yet to discuss where they'll stay. One thing I know for sure is that Roxy will have new things to add to her Disney collection after this trip!

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/PC250244.jpg

And so will Indy!

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/PB070230.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/PB070226.jpg

That's it so far!


Love the pic with your dog and his mickey ears. I bought an extra small pair for Rusty when we were there in Sept and was soo disapointed that they were too big. I think I am going to have to have my mother in law see if she can make then fit better by making the strings smaller. He'll have to wear them on our next trip (nothing in the works now) because we will probably be camping at Fort Wilderness with the inlaws and Rusty will get to go "see Mickey" too! And I really wanted a pic with him in the ears for an xmas card too!

[babieemelly]

get to work. no more slacking. :rotfl2:

Oh, I hope the paper is done and you can devote more time to the DIS! :rotfl: That's exactly how I am when I'm doing work on the computer. I have to make little goals for myself as to how much I need to accomplish before I can return to the boards!

:lmao: I got it all done yesterday and then the deadline was changed to Thursday :rolleyes: At least I have it done and I can devote all my computer time to the Dis these next few days :thumbsup2 :rotfl2:

[scottny]

:lmao: I got it all done yesterday and then the deadline was changed to Thursday :rolleyes: At least I have it done and I can devote all my computer time to the Dis these next few days :thumbsup2 :rotfl2:

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

[SwansLoveDisney]

:lmao: I got it all done yesterday and then the deadline was changed to Thursday :rolleyes: At least I have it done and I can devote all my computer time to the Dis these next few days :thumbsup2 :rotfl2:

Good work!!! That's got to be a good feeling, to have it all done.

Let me just say that I do not miss having to do papers!!!!! I have a bachelors in psych and I loved my psych classes, but the papers were just too much!

[babieemelly]

Good work!!! That's got to be a good feeling, to have it all done.

Let me just say that I do not miss having to do papers!!!!! I have a bachelors in psych and I loved my psych classes, but the papers were just too much!

UGH, the paper's are horrible! They ruin the classes :rotfl:

[SwansLoveDisney]

(1) Woooooohoooooooooooo on your run - well done! :cheer2:

(2) That's awesome you got that wicked deal at the bookstore! I could spend hours and hours in Chapters (if my boys would let me :rotfl2:)

(3) I have the UG to WDW with Kids - invaluable resource, let me tell you! I should take a look for the Passporter too - do they have one specific to parents bringing children? "Doing WDW" seems to be much different when you factor in loopy munchkins (at least *my* crazy monkeys :rotfl:)

Have a wonderful evening :goodvibes

1. Thank you...I am finally not sore. Just in time to do 4 miles this evening. :rolleyes:

2. I definitely share your love for bookstores. Luckily, DH and I are both book lovers. Sometimes we go to the bookstore on a Friday or Saturday night. We're so cool. :laughing:

3. I'm not sure about the existence of a passporter with kids. But after having the regular one for 2 days, I have to profess my love for it! I can't even imagine WDW with kids! It's crazy enough with all adults!

Love the pic with your dog and his mickey ears. I bought an extra small pair for Rusty when we were there in Sept and was soo disapointed that they were too big. I think I am going to have to have my mother in law see if she can make then fit better by making the strings smaller. He'll have to wear them on our next trip (nothing in the works now) because we will probably be camping at Fort Wilderness with the inlaws and Rusty will get to go "see Mickey" too! And I really wanted a pic with him in the ears for an xmas card too!

The extra small was too big? Oh no! That is one petite pooch! The dogs can see Mickey at FW?!? I had no idea! That gives me some ideas!:idea:

We tried the dog Christmas card thing, but those dogs just will not pose. They're no Pluto!

[MeMom]

We'll be there the 22nd to the 30th, so sometime during our overlap days, maybe we can meet at Pop. We can see what's going on schedule-wise closer to time. We'll be at Pop in the summer, so since Jill and I both really like Music, we went with that for November. We will go over to Pop, though, at some time during the vist. If we don't meet at Pop, then maybe for a Spectro or something else in a park.

The puppies are very cute in their Disney attire. I know they are so loved. I was watching Animal Planet last night, and on one of the Animal Cop shows they showed a dog who had been abused so badly that he cringed and shook with fear when the behavioralist took him out of the cage. He hung his head, looked only down and to the side, and put his tail between his legs. He immediately went to the closest wall or corner he could find and just stayed tight to it. He had been badly beaten, obviously. It was heartbreaking.

Luckily, after about two weeks of working with him, he began to respond, and he was finally ready for adoption. They showed him happy in his new home, which was wonderful to see. He had come a long way.

I don't think I will ever forget see that little guy shaking and crouching down by the wall in the corner. I didn't see the first part of the show to hear the story, but I am sure glad he was rescued from whatever place he had been in. Every time I see something like that, I go and love on my kitty to let him know he's loved, as well as just to comfort myself. It's hard to believe people can be so cruel.

[SwansLoveDisney]

We'll be there the 22nd to the 30th, so sometime during our overlap days, maybe we can meet at Pop. We can see what's going on schedule-wise closer to time. We'll be at Pop in the summer, so since Jill and I both really like Music, we went with that for November. We will go over to Pop, though, at some time during the vist. If we don't meet at Pop, then maybe for a Spectro or something else in a park.

The puppies are very cute in their Disney attire. I know they are so loved. I was watching Animal Planet last night, and on one of the Animal Cop shows they showed a dog who had been abused so badly that he cringed and shook with fear when the behavioralist took him out of the cage. He hung his head, looked only down and to the side, and put his tail between his legs. He immediately went to the closest wall or corner he could find and just stayed tight to it. He had been badly beaten, obviously. It was heartbreaking.

Luckily, after about two weeks of working with him, he began to respond, and he was finally ready for adoption. They showed him happy in his new home, which was wonderful to see. He had come a long way.

I don't think I will ever forget see that little guy shaking and crouching down by the wall in the corner. I didn't see the first part of the show to hear the story, but I am sure glad he was rescued from whatever place he had been in. Every time I see something like that, I go and love on my kitty to let him know he's loved, as well as just to comfort myself. It's hard to believe people can be so cruel.

Okay, so sometime on the 28th, 29th, or 30th we'll meet up! It will be so fun to meet and have a picture! But that means that you'll have to actually be in a pic (and not behind shark teeth!) I still don't get what you're worried about with your pics, by the way!!!

I can't even watch those animal shows. They make me way too sad. How anyone can hurt a defenseless animal like that is beyond me.

[SwansLoveDisney]

My mom comes in from Chi-town for a visit tomorrow! She's staying for 8 days. :banana: We're going to Vegas this weekend. :cool1: It will be my mom's first time in Vegas and I can't wait for her to see it all! I think Vegas is so much fun and I know she'll love it.

And you know what a visitor means...an intense cleaning frenzy the night before! I'm DISing right now during my cleaning break. Can one's house ever be clean enough for one's mother?

I'll take this opportunity to tell you all about my Disney past!

My first visit was in 1991 when I was 12 years old. The group consisted of my mom, dad, me, and my 3 brothers. It was Thanksgiving time. We stayed at Caribbean Beach for 4 nights and then sailed on the Big Red Boat for 3 nights. That visit was enough to hook me for life. I don't have any pics from that trip...I think my mom has them all!

My next visit wasn't until 2004 when my DH (then boyfriend) went! I had to wait 13 years to go back! We stayed at Pop for 5 nights and we did everything we could jam into those 6 days! We had a blast. Even my DH will admit that he had a great time. He just doesn't understand why I want to go back so often.

Then I convinced my parents to go back for Thanksgiving of 2004. The group was me, my parents, one of my brothers (J), and my best friend, Beth. That was the first time I used any sort of guidebook. It was the Unofficial Guide and it was great. We stayed at POR for 5 nights.

In April 2006, my best friend, Beth, and I went back with her DH (then boyfriend) Jason, and our friend Lisette. We stayed at POFQ. I think I only stayed 3 nights. We jammed so much into those few days, though, and had a blast, of course!

Here are some pics!

Beth and me on our way to the first park. (Jason had rented a convertible to impress Beth. I guess it worked cuz they're married now!)
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4280013_0012.jpg

Beth on the tea cups
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4280003_0003.jpg

Jason and me demonstrating how tough we are for living through Mission Space. Jason promptly lost his lunch in the bathroom after the pic!
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4280019_0018.jpg

Beth doing dishes at Prime Time
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4290023_0022.jpg

Some super cool kids
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4290033_0032.jpg

3 big nerds
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4290054_0052.jpg

The damage we did in the stores. The trunk was seriously FULL
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4290102_0091.jpg

Up next: A short version of my most recent trip for those who didn't read my last TR!

[stagemomx3]

The damage we did in the stores. The trunk was seriously FULL
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4290102_0091.jpg


Love your pt so far! Sadly my trunk is that full all of the time. DH gets mad and declares I need to clean it out about once a month, but I never do.

[scottny]

how lucky Vegas. I love Vegas.

Nice pics u posted. He lost his lunch after the pic. :rotfl2:

[jordanyosh]

3 big nerds
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4290054_0052.jpg

Up next: A short version of my most recent trip for those who didn't read my last TR!

You know I love that pic.....:rotfl2: It still cracks me up.

I hope you include a pic of you carrying "you know what" into the park....;)

[MeMom]

That's how our car always looks, too! A Disney bag stuffed in every available space. That's one of the sure signs of a successful Disney trip!

Oh how I love to shop!!! :)

[Native NYer]

Love the photos!!

Vegas is the best. Hope you and mom have a great weekend :thumbsup2
Where are you staying?

[SwansLoveDisney]

Love your pt so far! Sadly my trunk is that full all of the time. DH gets mad and declares I need to clean it out about once a month, but I never do.

Thanks for reading! :goodvibes

I can never leave my purchases in the trunk as long as you because that would be proof to DH that I've been shopping too much! (which is always the case)

how lucky Vegas. I love Vegas.

Nice pics u posted. He lost his lunch after the pic. :rotfl2:

I love Vegas too! We're lucky to be so close to it in Phoenix!

Yes, Jason was not so happy with me after I convinced him to go on that ride!

You know I love that pic.....:rotfl2: It still cracks me up.

I hope you include a pic of you carrying "you know what" into the park....;)

I mostly put that pic in there for you, Josh!

I will definitely include that pic now that you mentioned it, Jordan! (assuming that we're thinking of the same "you know what")

That's how our car always looks, too! A Disney bag stuffed in every available space. That's one of the sure signs of a successful Disney trip!

Oh how I love to shop!!! :)

Me too!!!!

[k_reile]

well they can't actually see mickey...but he can go to WDW with us...just can't leave FW unless we would take him to another parks kennel but then we would have to drive to the park. I'd much rather take the bus then drive...they know the area better than i do...unless we get a newbie driver...hahah

I made xmas cards one year with rusty in a santa hat...that was soo hard to get a good pic of him because most of the pics I took were of him trying to take off the hat. In the end when I had the pic I should have taken it to wal-mart and gotten one of those cards made with the photo thing. But I decided to do it scrapbook like and it took forever...soo bad that I bought cards this year.

[SwansLoveDisney]

Love the photos!!

Vegas is the best. Hope you and mom have a great weekend :thumbsup2
Where are you staying?

Thanks!

We're staying at the Hilton...not my favorite, but we got a smokin deal, so we had to take it.

Our package included both round-trip flights from PHoenix to Vegas, the hotel for 2 nights, a free room upgrade, a 25 dollar gaming chip, and round trip airport transfers. All for 379 dollars!!!! Gotta love expedia!

[SwansLoveDisney]

well they can't actually see mickey...but he can go to WDW with us...just can't leave FW unless we would take him to another parks kennel but then we would have to drive to the park. I'd much rather take the bus then drive...they know the area better than i do...unless we get a newbie driver...hahah

I made xmas cards one year with rusty in a santa hat...that was soo hard to get a good pic of him because most of the pics I took were of him trying to take off the hat. In the end when I had the pic I should have taken it to wal-mart and gotten one of those cards made with the photo thing. But I decided to do it scrapbook like and it took forever...soo bad that I bought cards this year.

Oh, I get it! Thank you for explaining!

Have you ever used the kennels at WDW? If so, how are they? For some reason I imagine that they're super fun for the dogs!

Oh my! You put a lot of work into those Christmas cards! I bet they were so cute!

I always think to myself "If I'm this crazy about my dogs, what's going to happen when I have kids?!?" I guess you'll soon find out!

[k_reile]

Oh, I get it! Thank you for explaining!

Have you ever used the kennels at WDW? If so, how are they? For some reason I imagine that they're super fun for the dogs!

Oh my! You put a lot of work into those Christmas cards! I bet they were so cute!

I always think to myself "If I'm this crazy about my dogs, what's going to happen when I have kids?!?" I guess you'll soon find out!

I have never camped there before. MY inlaws went back in 85 but am not sure if they brought the dog then or not. I don't think we will kennel him. He is not kenneled at home and it broke my heart to have to leave him in a kennel one night when DH and I were away as were our normal babysitters my inlaws, so I had no choice. We will camp in the pet area and just come back often to take him out....DH's parents will also bring his grandmas dog that they seemed to have taken into their custody since DH grandma is dating again and her boyfriend does not like the dog. And I think it is soo cute that DH's grandma is dating.
Plus I looked up the prices of camping at FW compared to staying on property....much much cheaper and I can stay longer.

[DisMomAmy]

Hi Julie!! I just found your new PTR. :thumbsup2 I haven't read it all yet but I wanted to subscribe and let you know I'm along for the ride... however long it may be! :rolleyes1

[mkluvsmickey]

Love the mini-update of your Disney past. The trunk full of Disney bags is just great! Have a great weekend with your mom. :)

[SwansLoveDisney]

I have never camped there before. MY inlaws went back in 85 but am not sure if they brought the dog then or not. I don't think we will kennel him. He is not kenneled at home and it broke my heart to have to leave him in a kennel one night when DH and I were away as were our normal babysitters my inlaws, so I had no choice. We will camp in the pet area and just come back often to take him out....DH's parents will also bring his grandmas dog that they seemed to have taken into their custody since DH grandma is dating again and her boyfriend does not like the dog. And I think it is soo cute that DH's grandma is dating.
Plus I looked up the prices of camping at FW compared to staying on property....much much cheaper and I can stay longer.

We have never kenneled our dogs either. We are super fortunate to have awesome friends who take our dogs in no matter how long we're gone. Those friends have 13 cats (they do foster care for rescued cats) and 2 dogs of their own so our dogs come home super stinky. But that's a small price to pay for the love they get there!

So cute about your DH's grandma dating! Hopefully men of that age know how to treat a woman by now!!! :lmao:

Camping is so much cheaper! You're totally right...that could extend the vacation by several days!



Hi Julie!! I just found your new PTR. :thumbsup2 I haven't read it all yet but I wanted to subscribe and let you know I'm along for the ride... however long it may be! :rolleyes1

Hi! Thanks for joining me! :goodvibes

I know I started this super early...I just get way too excited!

Love the mini-update of your Disney past. The trunk full of Disney bags is just great! Have a great weekend with your mom. :)

I'm going to try to do a mini-TR of our Vegas weekend, so I'll have to remember to take lots of pics!

[SwansLoveDisney]

In October of 2007, I went to Disney World with my cousin Sarah, my best friend Beth, Beth's DH Jason, and B and J's baby boy. Jason's mom also came along to be the nanny for the week so B and J could enjoy some baby-free time!

We stayed at AKL for 5 nights. Sarah and I shared a room. I LOVED AKL. The food was great, the animals were awesome, the rooms were fantastic, and I felt like we were in another country! Oh, and the pool and waterslide were fun too! We did the night time animal viewing 2 of the nights. That was super cool. I loved having an animal keeper at our disposal for our billions of questions!

It rained every day of our trip. It felt like almost all day everyday. But we still managed to have a great time.

The highlights of our trip were seeing the Village People perform YMCA in WS!
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P1020872.jpg

Getting to spend lots of time with the baby, whom I NEVER see cuz he lives in Wisconsin
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P1020867-1.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P1020893.jpg

Riding Expedition Everest for the first time
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P1020913.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P1020920.jpg

The Food and Wine Festival. YUM!!!
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/PA260080.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/PA260078.jpg

Boma!
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P1020976.jpg
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P1020970.jpg

Night viewing
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/PA280224.jpg

More coming....

[SwansLoveDisney]

Here's pic from when I asked everyone to pose in the shape of the first letter of their favorite thing from the trip so far:

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/PA290065.jpg

Jason's was an s for world "S"howcase, Beth's was an X for eXpedition Everest, Sarah's was a J for Julie (that's me!).


Then it was time for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party! I was SO excited about this.

As I said before, we dressed as the characters from the boardgame "Clue." I was Mrs. White, Sarah was Mrs. Peacock, Beth was Miss Scarlet, Jason was Col Mustard, and baby was Prof Plum. Prof Plum stayed home, but he was gracious enough to pose for pics!

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P1030136.jpg

We all had home-made weapons, all of which were taken to the parks with us!

On the bus
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/PA300115.jpg

Smuggling weapons into MK!
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P1030158.jpg


On the Pooh ride
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P1030176.jpg

Solving some crimes
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P1030216.jpg

On Space Mountain
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/PA300156.jpg

We had such a blast at the Halloween Party! I would love to go again sometime.

And it was during this trip that I decided that we MUST go again. And that brings us to where we are today...my Pre-Trip!

[scottny]

:yay: for the pre tr.

I remember those pics, they made me laugh then and make me laugh now.

:thumbsup2

[SwansLoveDisney]

:yay: for the pre tr.

I remember those pics, they made me laugh then and make me laugh now.

:thumbsup2

Those pics make me laugh too!

[stagemomx3]

Love the pictures!

[jordanyosh]

:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

[jordanyosh]

:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: It's so fun to relive those moments with you.....I was so inspired by your pictures.



:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

[SwansLoveDisney]

Love the pictures!

Thanks! :goodvibes

:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

Glad you're enjoying them again!

[SwansLoveDisney]

:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: It's so fun to relive those moments with you.....I was so inspired by your pictures.



:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

It's so fun to have people to relive them with! Cuz my real life friends and family get pretty sick of me talking about Disney!

[kathleen27]

Those pictures are great! :rotfl:
Looks like you had so much fun!

[babieemelly]

Aw, I loved reliving all those trip memories of yours. Your last trip was so much fun! I still can't get over those glasses... :lmao:

[Native NYer]

Great photos! I love the costumes.

[MeMom]

On the Pooh ride
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P1030176.jpg




I might possibly be afraid to get on a dark ride with you guys looking like this. I might offer for a few families to go in front of me and let you get waaaaay ahead of me!

[SwansLoveDisney]

Those pictures are great! :rotfl:
Looks like you had so much fun!

Thanks! :goodvibes

We did have so much fun. How could we not?!?

Aw, I loved reliving all those trip memories of yours. Your last trip was so much fun! I still can't get over those glasses... :lmao:

Thanks for reliving them with me! It's so fun to think about that trip!

Great photos! I love the costumes.

Thanks!


I might possibly be afraid to get on a dark ride with you guys looking like this. I might offer for a few families to go in front of me and let you get waaaaay ahead of me!

I know...I was a little worried at some points about our "weapons" being scary. But it rained so much that they were mostly covered by our ponchos when we were out in public view!

[SwansLoveDisney]

I'm in a packing frenzy right now for my Vegas trip with my mom this weekend!

I had to take a break. And that means DISing!

I am ashamed to admit that I started my Disney shopping today. And I still have 7 months till my trip! :rolleyes: At this rate, I'll have an entire new wardrobe for the trip!

What I bought was a new bag for the parks. We'll see if I still like it in 7 months when the trip rolls around! At the very least, I will use it for our trip to Greece. So if I find another one by the time Disney rolls around, so be it!

I'm so excited about our trip this weekend. We're seeing a Cirque du Soleil show for the first time ever! :woohoo:

[babieemelly]

Have fun! UGH, I'm so jealous of how much you travel :lmao: Make sure to take lots of pictures so you can post a mini-report when you get back!

[lisalonglash]

I'm in a packing frenzy right now for my Vegas trip with my mom this weekend!

Have a wonderful time! :thumbsup2

I am ashamed to admit that I started my Disney shopping today. And I still have 7 months till my trip! :rolleyes: At this rate, I'll have an entire new wardrobe for the trip!

Oh, I remember the olden days - when I could shop for me instead of short people :lmao: Of course, it would also help if disneyshoppingl.com shipped to Canada without charging a bloody fortune for it :mad:

What I bought was a new bag for the parks. We'll see if I still like it in 7 months when the trip rolls around! At the very least, I will use it for our trip to Greece. So if I find another one by the time Disney rolls around, so be it!

I hope you like your new bag :goodvibes Where are you going in Greece? My best friend and I vacationed in Greece "back in the day" LOL Athens was wonderfully historic and architecturally diverse, Santorini was gorgeous (except for the black sand beaches - ouchies on the feet!) and Mykonos was party-central :cool1: The food was great and the locals were incredibly friendly and welcoming :goodvibes I hope you like cats though - they are absolutely everywhere!

I'm so excited about our trip this weekend. We're seeing a Cirque du Soleil show for the first time ever! :woohoo:

Wow, I'm sure that'll be an incredible show - enjoy! :banana:

[jordanyosh]

I'm in a packing frenzy right now for my Vegas trip with my mom this weekend!

I had to take a break. And that means DISing!

I am ashamed to admit that I started my Disney shopping today. And I still have 7 months till my trip! :rolleyes: At this rate, I'll have an entire new wardrobe for the trip!

What I bought was a new bag for the parks. We'll see if I still like it in 7 months when the trip rolls around! At the very least, I will use it for our trip to Greece. So if I find another one by the time Disney rolls around, so be it!

I'm so excited about our trip this weekend. We're seeing a Cirque du Soleil show for the first time ever! :woohoo:

Take a few pix in Vegas.....

No shame in shopping 7 months early. I already have stuff stashed for my next WDW trip....which isn't even planned yet...:rolleyes1

[JaxJags08]

Hi! Looks like I'm a little late, but I'm subbing in! Though, is it considered late if the trip isn't until November?:rotfl: I really enjoyed your last TR, and just found this one. Your October TR is actually the very first TR I ever read!

Our dates are overlapping yours! I think we'll be at POP from 11/30-12/4, but we haven't booked yet. I also have a non-Disney DH! I'm actually not allowed to talk to him about WDW until our trip gets closer or if there is REALLY important info that he needs to know (like when I book the hotel)! I was driving him crazy talking about it every day! :confused3

Have fun in Vegas!

[scottny]

Have fun in Vegas.

[Native NYer]

Have a great trip!!

I've seen a few of the Cirque shows in Las Vegas and they're all great. Zoomanity scared me a little :lmao:

Where in Greece are you going? We're planning a trip to the Greek Isles next year. Love to hear about your trip.

[jordanyosh]

How was vegas?

[SwansLoveDisney]

Have fun! UGH, I'm so jealous of how much you travel :lmao: Make sure to take lots of pictures so you can post a mini-report when you get back!

I am very fortunate to travel as much as I do...that's where we spend a lot of our money. You should see our icky college apartment furniture! Someday we'll have to stop traveling and buy adult furniture!

Have a wonderful time! :thumbsup2



Oh, I remember the olden days - when I could shop for me instead of short people :lmao: Of course, it would also help if disneyshoppingl.com shipped to Canada without charging a bloody fortune for it :mad:



I hope you like your new bag :goodvibes Where are you going in Greece? My best friend and I vacationed in Greece "back in the day" LOL Athens was wonderfully historic and architecturally diverse, Santorini was gorgeous (except for the black sand beaches - ouchies on the feet!) and Mykonos was party-central :cool1: The food was great and the locals were incredibly friendly and welcoming :goodvibes I hope you like cats though - they are absolutely everywhere!



Wow, I'm sure that'll be an incredible show - enjoy! :banana:

We're going to Crete, Santorini, and Athens in Greece. Are there any must-sees or must-dos that you can tell me about?

I can't wait for the Greek food! Yum!

Cats? Yikes! :scared1: I've heard about dogs everywhere, but not cats!

The beaches were rocky in Italy too. We did not expect that! Kinda hard to relax and chill out on rocks! But once we rented their 15 dollar an hour beach chairs, we were fine. :rolleyes:





Take a few pix in Vegas.....

No shame in shopping 7 months early. I already have stuff stashed for my next WDW trip....which isn't even planned yet...:rolleyes1

You already have stuff for your trip? Okay, that makes me feel better! If a man is shopping already for a trip that isn't even planned, I'm okay shopping 7 months early!

Hi! Looks like I'm a little late, but I'm subbing in! Though, is it considered late if the trip isn't until November?:rotfl: I really enjoyed your last TR, and just found this one. Your October TR is actually the very first TR I ever read!

Our dates are overlapping yours! I think we'll be at POP from 11/30-12/4, but we haven't booked yet. I also have a non-Disney DH! I'm actually not allowed to talk to him about WDW until our trip gets closer or if there is REALLY important info that he needs to know (like when I book the hotel)! I was driving him crazy talking about it every day! :confused3

Have fun in Vegas!

You're not late at all! You're early in fact! 7 months early!

Very cool that our dates are overlapping! We'll see you there!

I have to choose my Disney conversations carefully with my DH. I can't talk about it too much, so I have to choose the things that I REALLY want to talk about!

Have fun in Vegas.

Thanks! We had a blast!

Have a great trip!!

I've seen a few of the Cirque shows in Las Vegas and they're all great. Zoomanity scared me a little :lmao:

Where in Greece are you going? We're planning a trip to the Greek Isles next year. Love to hear about your trip.

Yeah, Zumanity seems a little too much for me! Mystere was awesome!

We're going to Santorini, Athens, and Crete. I can't wait! So exciting that you're going too! I'll give you all the pointers I can after the trip!

[SwansLoveDisney]

How was vegas?

It was fun! I'll post pics in a bit!

[SwansLoveDisney]

We're back from Vegas. My mom and I went to Vegas for the weekend. We had tons of fun, lost a little money, ate too much great food, and saw an incredible Cirque du Soleil show.

My mom met a few (wax) celebrities:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4040206-1.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4040208-1.jpg

We hung out with a (wax) blue man!
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4040212-1.jpg

Watched the gondolas float along the canal in Venice
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4040213-1.jpg


Saw some beautiful flowers in front of Caesar's Palace. They smelled SO good!
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4040225-1.jpg

Saw the Eiffel Tower
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4040232-1.jpg

Saw some cool stuff
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4040228-1.jpg

Watched the water show in front of the Bellagio (the song for this one was Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman (?)) It was awesome.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4040236-1.jpg

Saw two beautiful lions at the MGM Grand
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4050240-1.jpg

And saw the zookeepers playing ball with them!
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4050248-1.jpg

Me in front of New York!
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4050254-1.jpg

The Statue of Liberty. This is the closest I've gotten to the real thing!
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4050259-1.jpg

M & Ms world!
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4050261-1.jpg

There's more coming later!

[scottny]

looks like a good trip so far. :thumbsup2

[mkluvsmickey]

Looks like a fun Vegas weekend - can't wait for more pics! :)

[Native NYer]

Great pics :thumbsup2

Hope you won!!!

Now I'm getting excited about my Vegas trip at the end of August!!!

[SwansLoveDisney]

looks like a good trip so far. :thumbsup2

It was great!

Looks like a fun Vegas weekend - can't wait for more pics! :)

We did have a wonderful time! We saw so much. I'll post more pics with more story later!

Great pics :thumbsup2

Hope you won!!!

Now I'm getting excited about my Vegas trip at the end of August!!!

I did win quite a bit. But then I promptly gave it back. I just don't know when to quit!

Oh, where are you staying in August?

[SwansLoveDisney]

I received some fun Disney mail today!

It was the mail with the info about our resort and special resort benefits and all that.

So when my DH asked me for a backrub. And here's where I became evil. I said "I will give you a backrub only if you read all of this to me while I do it." So DH read every word to me! Of course, he changed around some of the words.

Then, at dinner, we talked all about Disney. My mom is still here, and she's a big Disney fan too. We all talked about our favorite things at Disney. And DH actually answered the questions!!! What a great night!

[Nicole786]

looks like fun!

[jordanyosh]

Great pix in Vegas, but strangely you seem sober......;)

I guess you were with your mom......

[Native NYer]

I received some fun Disney mail today!

It was the mail with the info about our resort and special resort benefits and all that.

So when my DH asked me for a backrub. And here's where I became evil. I said "I will give you a backrub only if you read all of this to me while I do it." So DH read every word to me! Of course, he changed around some of the words.

Then, at dinner, we talked all about Disney. My mom is still here, and she's a big Disney fan too. We all talked about our favorite things at Disney. And DH actually answered the questions!!! What a great night!


Disney mail is the best mail! And your DH was smart. He got a massage and you got your Disney fix.

I'm staying at the Flamingo Hilton in August. I bought a package at our school's auction. It's for a two bedroom suite. I usually stay at the MGM Grand, so I hope I won't be disappointed.

[SwansLoveDisney]

looks like fun!

It was tons of fun!

Great pix in Vegas, but strangely you seem sober......;)

I guess you were with your mom......

I stayed away from the booze this time. I've gotten myself into some trouble in Vegas with the help of some drinks...

Disney mail is the best mail! And your DH was smart. He got a massage and you got your Disney fix.

I'm staying at the Flamingo Hilton in August. I bought a package at our school's auction. It's for a two bedroom suite. I usually stay at the MGM Grand, so I hope I won't be disappointed.

Is the Flamingo Hilton the one right on the strip? If so, that's a great location as the monorail is right there.

The MGM Grand looks like a great place to stay though.

[SwansLoveDisney]

I'll start with some commentary from our first day to add to the pics I posted.

My mom and I flew from Phoenix to Vegas Friday morning. My mom drives me a little crazy when we travel because she worries way too much. She gets all worried about getting through security. I always tell her "you don't have anything bad in your luggage so you're fine." But she still worries.

Wouldn't you know that they stopped her and searched her carry-on after it went through the x-ray. She was fretting so much and saying to the TSA people "it's just shoes in there. Really, it's just shoes." I told her not to worry, but she was freaking out! It turns out there was a big ol' pair of scissors in her carry-on. Oops! Who put that in there? Um, it was me. I
have a travel first-aid kit that I take everywhere. I have scissors in there with which to cut my moleskin. I forgot about the scissors and put the kit in her carry-on! After they measured the scissors and confirmed that the "blades" were less than 4 inches, we were good to go.

The flight was only an hour long. We arrived in Vegas and went to our hotel, the Las Vegas Hilton.

We were given a 25 dollar gaming chip upon check-in, so we put it on black on the roulette table. And we won! Then we put that money all back into the roulette table. Well, all but 7 dollars, which my mom wanted to use on slots.

Then we checked out some of the hotels and casinos, stopping at various slot machines along the way.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4050268-1.jpg

We had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. Not very exciting, but my mom's stomach was bothering her and she knew the food there would be predictable.

Sidenote: I wore Teva Mush flip flops while we were there and they were AWESOME! Loved them! I'm excited to have shoes aside from Crocs that will be good Disney shoes! Sidenote over.

I can't tell you how many times my mom said "Oh, this is just like Disney" about so many things in Vegas! The theming of all the casinos, the streets of Paris, the water show at the Bellagio (compared to Fantasmic 1,000 times.) It cracked me up!

I did some shopping in the Forum shops at Caesar's Palace. Can't stop the shop!

We called it a night at about midnight. It was a good first day.

Saturday, we woke up at our leisure and had breakfast at our hotel. Then we headed out to check out some more sights. My mom wanted to stop at EVERY slot machine group we walked past. I had to explain to her that you only stop at the machines that "call" to you.

After seeing lots of sights, we had dinner at Le Village Buffet at Paris.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4050262-1.jpg

It was incredible. For anyone with a Vegas trip coming up, I highly recommend Le Village!

Here are my plates from the Buffet. Some of it is French food, which I find to be delicious!

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4050263-1.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4050264-1.jpg

And dessert: mousse au chocolat and a cannoli. Yum!!!!!

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4050266-1.jpg

Even the inside of the restaurant was beautiful!

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4050265-1.jpg

After dinner, we headed over to Treasure Island for Cirque du Soleil!

We saw these guys on our way (Sigfried and Roy)

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4050267-1.jpg

The Cirque show we saw was Mystere. And it was amazing!

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4050269-1.jpg

Here's what Gordon and I looked like after I won all my money in Vegas.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4050270-1.jpg

[SwansLoveDisney]

We tried to call it a night after Cirque, but my mom had to play some more slots! While I was waiting for her to finish up, I dumped 40 dollars into the roulette wheel. Oops! Good thing I was winning on the slots!

Oh, and I just have to comment on the fact that men in Vegas are very bold. Not only are they oblivious to wedding rings, but they would come and try to chat me up with my mother standing/sitting next to me. So weird!

Sunday morning, we went to mass at the Guardian Angel Cathedral. Kinda strange to take a cab to church, but it worked!

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4050272-1.jpg

Funny story about that...last time I was in Vegas, I was with my best friend, Beth (from my last Disney trip) and her brother. We went to mass Saturday evening while we were there. When we got into the cab, all three of us 20-somethings, and told the cabbie where we were headed, he looked at us like we were CRAZY! He asked us several times if we were serious. I guess it really is the city of sin cuz apparently, no one else goes to mass there!

After church, we went to the Bellagio, my favorite!

Here are some pics of the Bellagio!

The blown glass ceiling in the lobby
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4060276-1.jpg

A flower lady bug in the garden section

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4060283-1.jpg

A snail made of flowers
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4060288-1.jpg

A delicious crepe from the bakery in the Bellagio!
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4060307-1.jpg

The king of Rock n Roll outside our hotel.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4060320-1.jpg

Apparently, he had just had a beer.

Then it was time to go home. I was sad to leave, but happy to come home to DH! And a little bit relieved to be finished traveling with my mom who worries too much!

Our flight home was only 45 minutes. So quick!

My mom is still here...she leaves Thursday. I'll be sad to see her go, but a little relieved to get back to life as normal!

[scottny]

sounds like a fun time.

church in Sin City, seems appropriate. :lmao:

great pics.

[Native NYer]

The Flamingo Hilton is on the strip.

I saw the Commodores at the Las Vegas Hilton :lmao:

I love your pics, especially your food porn. Vegas is definitely the place for that.

Mystere is a great show.

The gardens in the Bellagio are so beautiful and that glass sculpture on the ceiling is amazing!!!

And love the pic of Elvis with the beer :rotfl2:

[MeMom]

Very nice pictures! It looks like you had a good time. I've never been there, and most likely, I never will, so it's good to be able to see it through your pictures. The canal picture was interesting, the topiaries were cute, and that ceiling was very unique. And, of course, the food pictures were good!

Enjoy your last couple of days with your mom. I know she treasures spending this time with you.

[SwansLoveDisney]

sounds like a fun time.

church in Sin City, seems appropriate. :lmao:

great pics.

While we were at church, I was looking around a little bit, wondering how many people were in there praying to win some of their money back!

The Flamingo Hilton is on the strip.

I saw the Commodores at the Las Vegas Hilton :lmao:

I love your pics, especially your food porn. Vegas is definitely the place for that.

Mystere is a great show.

The gardens in the Bellagio are so beautiful and that glass sculpture on the ceiling is amazing!!!

And love the pic of Elvis with the beer :rotfl2:

Right now at the Las Vegas Hilton, they have Barry Manilow and the Star Trek Experience. I'm not really into either! The Barry Manilow store cracks me up. They have Barry Manilow bottled water! Anything to make a buck.

Very nice pictures! It looks like you had a good time. I've never been there, and most likely, I never will, so it's good to be able to see it through your pictures. The canal picture was interesting, the topiaries were cute, and that ceiling was very unique. And, of course, the food pictures were good!

Enjoy your last couple of days with your mom. I know she treasures spending this time with you.

I'm trying to limit my DIS time while my mom is here...but it's hard!

Vegas is great, but Disney is better!

[JaxJags08]

Le Village Buffet is my absolute favorite place to eat in Vegas! The desserts are SO good. Though, that crepe from Bellagio looked fantastic! :thumbsup2

I think that cathedral is where my parents went to mass last time they were in Vegas. They said that the priest was pretty funny and joked that he was giving everyone a blessing to win big in Vegas! :rotfl:

[lisalonglash]

I'm glad you and your mom had such a good time! Wonderful pictures too - and food porn! Doesn't get any better than food porn! :thumbsup2

I hope Elvis enjoyed his brewskie :laughing: I've never been to Vegas, not sure why as it's quite a cheap vacation package from Vancouver, but it sure looks fun! :goodvibes

[mkluvsmickey]

Sound like a great weekend in Vegas - thanks for sharing!

Love the deal you made with your husband with the backrub and Disney stuff! :lmao:

[Native NYer]

Right now at the Las Vegas Hilton, they have Barry Manilow and the Star Trek Experience. I'm not really into either! The Barry Manilow store cracks me up. They have Barry Manilow bottled water! Anything to make a buck.

Barry Manilow water? :lmao: I need to visit the Manilow store just for a good laugh.

[lisalonglash]

Barry Manilow water? :lmao: I need to visit the Manilow store just for a good laugh.

Shhhh.... don't tell anyone, but I'm a closet Manilow-enjoyer :banana: It'll be our little secret :thumbsup2

[SwansLoveDisney]

Le Village Buffet is my absolute favorite place to eat in Vegas! The desserts are SO good. Though, that crepe from Bellagio looked fantastic! :thumbsup2

I think that cathedral is where my parents went to mass last time they were in Vegas. They said that the priest was pretty funny and joked that he was giving everyone a blessing to win big in Vegas! :rotfl:

The priest made a joke at the end of our mass too. He said that all the people that left right after communion were going to lose all day in Vegas. And those of us who stayed for the whole time would have good luck. It was hilarious!

I'm glad you and your mom had such a good time! Wonderful pictures too - and food porn! Doesn't get any better than food porn! :thumbsup2

I hope Elvis enjoyed his brewskie :laughing: I've never been to Vegas, not sure why as it's quite a cheap vacation package from Vancouver, but it sure looks fun! :goodvibes

You should totally go to Vegas! It's so much fun!

Sound like a great weekend in Vegas - thanks for sharing!

Love the deal you made with your husband with the backrub and Disney stuff! :lmao:

I have to sneak in the Disney talk any way I can with my DH!

Barry Manilow water? :lmao: I need to visit the Manilow store just for a good laugh.

Definitely visit the Barry Manilow store. It's unbelievable. They had Barry Manilow lip balm also!

Shhhh.... don't tell anyone, but I'm a closet Manilow-enjoyer :banana: It'll be our little secret :thumbsup2

Okay, I won't tell a soul! ;)

That's even more reason for you to go to Vegas! That Manilow store was out of control! Barry wine, Barry lip balm, Barry bottled water, shirts, playing cards, you name it!

Oh, and our room key cards had Barry on them! You'd love it!:love:

[Native NYer]

Definitely visit the Barry Manilow store. It's unbelievable. They had Barry Manilow lip balm also!

That's marketing to the extreme!

Please tell me there were not Barry Manilow underwear :scared1:

[SwansLoveDisney]

That's marketing to the extreme!

Please tell me there were not Barry Manilow underwear :scared1:

I did not notice them, but I would not be one bit surprised to see Barry Manilow underwear in that store.

[SwansLoveDisney]

I've been compiling a list of must-do's for my upcoming trip.

Some of them are restaurants and some of them are attractions which I've never seen/done before.

I have to be very budget-conscious in my planning because my brother and his wife will already be stretching their bank accounts by coming on this trip.

So far, our must-do restaurants are:

-Beaches and Cream for burgers and ice cream (Nicole's TR has me fixated with that place)

-Spoodles (thanks Jordan!)

-Liberty Tree Tavern. For Thanksgiving dinner, but not on Thanksgiving day. We won't have park passes on Thanksgiving day as we'll be arriving pretty late. I think we'll do Downtown Disney for Thanksgiving dinner. I'll decide on our LTT day when Tour Guide Mike tells me which days I should be at which parks!

I hesitate to make too many ADRs (not to mention I can't even make them yet...I started this PTR way too early!). On my last trip, I agonized over ADRs and made a bunch of them and we only kept ONE!

And some things I've never done which I absolutely MUST do this time are:

-Wishes. I can't believe I've never seen it, but it seems that we always spend our evenings at World Showcase.

-Voices of Liberty at Epcot. I saw just the very end of their performance last time because I'm an airhead.

-Festival of the Lion King.

-Tomorrowland Transit Authority

All of these things are written in random spots in my pre-trip notebook. I need to put them all into one nice list!

And I leave you with a pic of Indy graduating from dog school:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P3120184.jpg

[babieemelly]

Hey Julie, I just got all caught up! I LOVE your Vegas pictures, it looks like you and your mom had such a great time! I love the theming, it all looks so... big and exciting. I love it! And your list of must-do's looks great... congrats to Indy! :lmao: That's so cute!

[mkluvsmickey]

And some things I've never done which I absolutely MUST do this time are:

-Wishes. I can't believe I've never seen it, but it seems that we always spend our evenings at World Showcase.

-Voices of Liberty at Epcot. I saw just the very end of their performance last time because I'm an airhead.

-Festival of the Lion King.

-Tomorrowland Transit Authority

All of these things are written in random spots in my pre-trip notebook. I need to put them all into one nice list!

And I leave you with a pic of Indy graduating from dog school:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P3120184.jpg


Love the picture of your doggie's graduation - so cute!

I haven't seen Wishes or Festival of the Lion King either. :sad2: They are both on my list for next trip! :thumbsup2

[SwansLoveDisney]

Hey Julie, I just got all caught up! I LOVE your Vegas pictures, it looks like you and your mom had such a great time! I love the theming, it all looks so... big and exciting. I love it! And your list of must-do's looks great... congrats to Indy! :lmao: That's so cute!

Thanks! We did have a great time!

I was so proud of Indy!

[SwansLoveDisney]

Love the picture of your doggie's graduation - so cute!

I haven't seen Wishes or Festival of the Lion King either. :sad2: They are both on my list for next trip! :thumbsup2

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who hasn't seen Wishes or FOTLK! I felt like a Disney bum!

[DisMomAmy]

Hi Julie! Thanks for sharing your Vegas pictures! They brought back memories for me - I went in October 2006 with two girlfriends - we had a blast. There's just so much to take it. It was my first and only time there so it was pretty overwhelming. We basically wandered around for two 1/2 days in awe. I'd love to go back sometime now that I know what to expect - but it's a bit longer than a 45 minute flight from NH. ;) Amy

[jordanyosh]

I've been compiling a list of must-do's for my upcoming trip.

Some of them are restaurants and some of them are attractions which I've never seen/done before.

I have to be very budget-conscious in my planning because my brother and his wife will already be stretching their bank accounts by coming on this trip.

So far, our must-do restaurants are:

-Beaches and Cream for burgers and ice cream (Nicole's TR has me fixated with that place)

-Spoodles (thanks Jordan!)

-Liberty Tree Tavern. For Thanksgiving dinner, but not on Thanksgiving day. We won't have park passes on Thanksgiving day as we'll be arriving pretty late. I think we'll do Downtown Disney for Thanksgiving dinner. I'll decide on our LTT day when Tour Guide Mike tells me which days I should be at which parks!

I hesitate to make too many ADRs (not to mention I can't even make them yet...I started this PTR way too early!). On my last trip, I agonized over ADRs and made a bunch of them and we only kept ONE!

And some things I've never done which I absolutely MUST do this time are:

-Wishes. I can't believe I've never seen it, but it seems that we always spend our evenings at World Showcase.

-Voices of Liberty at Epcot. I saw just the very end of their performance last time because I'm an airhead.

-Festival of the Lion King.

-Tomorrowland Transit Authority

All of these things are written in random spots in my pre-trip notebook. I need to put them all into one nice list!

And I leave you with a pic of Indy graduating from dog school:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P3120184.jpg

My advice on ADRs. If you aren't on the DDP, then schedule the ones you want. You can always cancel. There's no penalty at most places for cancelling....Better than trying to get an ADR late in the game. Just my 2 cents.

If you're bro and SIL are budget conscious then my favorite CS:

Magic Kingdom:
Cosmic Ray's
Columbia Harbour House

Animal Kingdom:
Flame Tree BBQ
Anadupur Local Cafe
Pizzafari (just for their Hot Italian Style Sandwich, everything else meh)

Epcot:
Seasons at the Land
Tangierine Cafe at Morocco

DHS:

Eat TS....

[jordanyosh]

Good for you church in Vegas and you weren't even getting married...:thumbsup2

Elvis and his beer.....:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

That crepe looked soooo good...

[Native NYer]

The pic of your dog graduating is soooo cute!

I want to try Beaches and Cream.

Tomorrowland Transit Authority is a great ride when you want to sit an rest. We always get popcorn and ride.

[SwansLoveDisney]

Hi Julie! Thanks for sharing your Vegas pictures! They brought back memories for me - I went in October 2006 with two girlfriends - we had a blast. There's just so much to take it. It was my first and only time there so it was pretty overwhelming. We basically wandered around for two 1/2 days in awe. I'd love to go back sometime now that I know what to expect - but it's a bit longer than a 45 minute flight from NH. ;) Amy

It's so much fun to go to Vegas with girlfriends!

And it's such an easy trip for us now that we're in Phoenix. From Chicago, it seemed like a waste to fly all the way there for 2 days.

My advice on ADRs. If you aren't on the DDP, then schedule the ones you want. You can always cancel. There's no penalty at most places for cancelling....Better than trying to get an ADR late in the game. Just my 2 cents.

If you're bro and SIL are budget conscious then my favorite CS:

Magic Kingdom:
Cosmic Ray's
Columbia Harbour House

Animal Kingdom:
Flame Tree BBQ
Anadupur Local Cafe
Pizzafari (just for their Hot Italian Style Sandwich, everything else meh)

Epcot:
Seasons at the Land
Tangierine Cafe at Morocco

DHS:

Eat TS....

You're right...I should make the ADRs anyway. It was no problem to cancel them last time. It'll be nice to have the option again.

As for your CS suggestions...I love Columbia Harbor House, haven't tried Cosmic Rays. It'll be good to have another option aside from CHH!

I LOVE :love: Flame Tree BBQ. Never had Anandapur Local Cafe...what's there?

I absolutely agree with your Epcot CS. Sunshine Seasons is awesome. And Tangierine Cafe is my fave! I love the platter with all the different things on it.

And about DHS...what is up with the lack of good CS food there? It bums me out. We'll have to make an ADR for there.

You are just a wealth of information, Josh!





Good for you church in Vegas and you weren't even getting married...:thumbsup2

Elvis and his beer.....:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

That crepe looked soooo good...

Yep, church every Sunday (or Saturday) no matter where we are!

My mom was pretty upset when I pointed out the beer in front of Elvis in our pics. She adores Elvis and I guess that marred the pic for her. :rotfl:

If only I could have one of those crepes now...:cloud9:

The pic of your dog graduating is soooo cute!

I want to try Beaches and Cream.

Tomorrowland Transit Authority is a great ride when you want to sit an rest. We always get popcorn and ride.

Oh, good idea to get popcorn for TTA. Disney popcorn is the best!

I always eat my microwave popcorn out of my Epcot souvenir popcorn bucket. Not quite Disney popcorn, but it's halfway there!

[SwansLoveDisney]

I was just cleaning out our travel closet. Can you even imagine a more fun Saturday? I surely can't.

Anyways, please, all you readers, remind me when I get closer to my trip not to buy ANY travel toiletries or kleenex or wipes or ponchos. And don't even get me started on the amount of little bags I have to hold the travel toiletries. When will I learn? I could start a little shop out of our travel closet.

We're going to a casino tonight for a friend's birthday. Vegas last weekend, casino this weekend...at this rate, I'll be in gambler's anonymous by next month. :scared1:

[Native NYer]

Oh, good idea to get popcorn for TTA. Disney popcorn is the best!

I always eat my microwave popcorn out of my Epcot souvenir popcorn bucket. Not quite Disney popcorn, but it's halfway there!

I agree about Disney popcorn. I'd love to know what they put on it that makes it taste so much better than other popcorn.

And isn't TourGuideJordan just the best when it comes to WDW info. I think he should start a website and put TGM out of business :lmao:

[jordanyosh]

Anadupur Local Cafe is part of the Yak and Yeti Restaurant Complex. I had Kung Pao..beef? Chicken? It's not bad, not great, but not bad.

[SwansLoveDisney]

I agree about Disney popcorn. I'd love to know what they put on it that makes it taste so much better than other popcorn.

And isn't TourGuideJordan just the best when it comes to WDW info. I think he should start a website and put TGM out of business :lmao:

Yes, TourGuideJordan is great!

I don't think I could keep up with his itineraries, though. Too much cranberry vodkas!

[SwansLoveDisney]

Anadupur Local Cafe is part of the Yak and Yeti Restaurant Complex. I had Kung Pao..beef? Chicken? It's not bad, not great, but not bad.

I think I'll stick with Flame Tree...it's my fave!!!

[jordanyosh]

I think I'll stick with Flame Tree...it's my fave!!!

It's my favorite too.

[Nicole786]

I love the vegas pictures! and your dog is so darn cute!! Ive never had Flame Tree...i may try it this time but David is a picky eater so it gets difficult to shy away from burgers and fries :(

[scottny]

And isn't TourGuideJordan just the best when it comes to WDW info.

:sad2: over here too.

:rotfl2:


The dog graduatiing pic is too cute..

[jordanyosh]

Yes, TourGuideJordan is great!

I don't think I could keep up with his itineraries, though. Too much cranberry vodkas!


:rotfl2: :rotfl2:

[SwansLoveDisney]

I love the vegas pictures! and your dog is so darn cute!! Ive never had Flame Tree...i may try it this time but David is a picky eater so it gets difficult to shy away from burgers and fries :(

Thanks!

And thanks!

If you like BBQ, you'll love flame tree. David too. He can get bbq chicken and fries! My mouth is watering right now. Seriously!

:sad2: over here too.

:rotfl2:


The dog graduatiing pic is too cute..

Hey Tour Guide Scott!

Thanks! I was overwhelmed the other day with my job and I told DH that I'm quitting and becoming a dog walker. I envy your job! Dogs don't give nearly as much attitude as children!

[SwansLoveDisney]

:rotfl2: :rotfl2:

I'm serious!

[Native NYer]

Yes, TourGuideJordan is great!

I don't think I could keep up with his itineraries, though. Too much cranberry vodkas!


I could probably keep up with the vodka/cranberry, but I couldn't promise great photos :confused3

Oh and I must mention TourGuideScott is amazing. He's our East coast liason ;)

[KathyRN137]

Julie!!!!

OMG! (Oh my Gawrsh)

How ???? Did I miss the start of your new PTR???

I'm so glad you contrived to get your DH to agree to the Thanksgiving trip! Hey, what's a little sneakiness when WDW is at stake!!

I loved seeing all your pix again... great memories!! :thumbsup2 And I think I will go check on all our travel/toiletry items right now. Like you, I probably will not have to buy anything with all the leftovers we've got!! :laughing:

Kathy

[SwansLoveDisney]

I could probably keep up with the vodka/cranberry, but I couldn't promise great photos :confused3

Oh and I must mention TourGuideScott is amazing. He's our East coast liason ;)

I also heard that TourGuideScott does an amazing Sexy Dance!

Julie!!!!

OMG! (Oh my Gawrsh)

How ???? Did I miss the start of your new PTR???

I'm so glad you contrived to get your DH to agree to the Thanksgiving trip! Hey, what's a little sneakiness when WDW is at stake!!

I loved seeing all your pix again... great memories!! :thumbsup2 And I think I will go check on all our travel/toiletry items right now. Like you, I probably will not have to buy anything with all the leftovers we've got!! :laughing:

Kathy

Kathy!!!

Thanks for joining me! I'm so happy you're here! :goodvibes

The sneakiness was definitely warranted in this instance.

I just need to keep reminding myself of my surplus of travel toiletry stuff. Don't buy anymore, don't buy anymore. Well, maybe just a couple!

[MeMom]

If you like BBQ, you'll love flame tree. David too. He can get bbq chicken and fries! My mouth is watering right now. Seriously!





I am finding out too many bad things about my Dis friends these days.

First, I find out Swans has never seen Festival of the Lion King. Am I remembering that right? If it's not you, I apologize, because I'm reading several reports. I could be mixed up. Or just old.

Now I'm hearing Nicole say she's never eaten at Flame Tree! Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! I love the smell of Flame Tree! That chicken just falls off the bone, too. It is so goooood! I'd love to be sitting down by the water (with our little duck friends right under the table, as they always are) right now.
And the cornbread. Mmmm!
And those huge plates of fruit. Heaven is what it is!
Is it dinner time yet?

In the words of Mady, on the WDW epsiode of Jon and Kate Plus 8, "I'm going to count to about a hundred, and then I'm going to (she said 'need something to eat' here) need you guys to get those things checked off your lists."

Gotta see Lion King. Gotta eat at Flame Tree. I will want to see pictures as proof, too! :)

[scottny]

Hey Tour Guide Scott!

Thanks! I was overwhelmed the other day with my job and I told DH that I'm quitting and becoming a dog walker. I envy your job! Dogs don't give nearly as much attitude as children!
u want it and I want out of it. :rotfl2:

[SwansLoveDisney]

I am finding out too many bad things about my Dis friends these days.

First, I find out Swans has never seen Festival of the Lion King. Am I remembering that right? If it's not you, I apologize, because I'm reading several reports. I could be mixed up. Or just old.

Now I'm hearing Nicole say she's never eaten at Flame Tree! Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! I love the smell of Flame Tree! That chicken just falls off the bone, too. It is so goooood! I'd love to be sitting down by the water (with our little duck friends right under the table, as they always are) right now.
And the cornbread. Mmmm!
And those huge plates of fruit. Heaven is what it is!
Is it dinner time yet?

In the words of Mady, on the WDW epsiode of Jon and Kate Plus 8, "I'm going to count to about a hundred, and then I'm going to (she said 'need something to eat' here) need you guys to get those things checked off your lists."

Gotta see Lion King. Gotta eat at Flame Tree. I will want to see pictures as proof, too! :)

You're absolutely right, MeMom. I will not leave WDW without seeing FOTLK!

And Nicole must eat at Flame Tree!

I love that cornbread also. I've never had the fruit, but I'm going to get some next time!

u want it and I want out of it. :rotfl2:

Let's trade!

[scottny]

Let's trade!

ok
:thumbsup2

[SwansLoveDisney]

ok
:thumbsup2

That was easy!

[SwansLoveDisney]

I'm watching a wonderful show on the travel channel about Yosemite National Park right now. And of course they're showing commercials for the Disney show that I missed! Go ahead and rub it in, travel channel!

Yosemite just happens to be where DH and I were married! :lovestruc

I thought I would share some pics!

The chapel in which we were wed: :cloud9:

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/Churchpic.jpg

The hotel in which our reception was held. It's the first hotel to have electricity in California.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/IMG_2453.jpg

A pic of DH in the middle of the river. I love this pic because it gives a perspective of how grand Yosemite truly is.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P9160246.jpg

Ah, memories! :lovestruc

[jordanyosh]

Is that the Wawona Lodge?

I LOVE Yosemite......We used to go every year when I was a child.....

[SwansLoveDisney]

Is that the Wawona Lodge?

I LOVE Yosemite......We used to go every year when I was a child.....

Ding, Ding, Ding!!!!

It is the Wawona! I know it was my wedding, but it was the most beautiful setting for a wedding and reception that I could ever imagine.

You are so lucky to have gone there every year as a child. We might go there for Christmas this year with DH's family. I bet the Ahwanee (or however it's spelled) is amazing at Christmas time!

[jordanyosh]

Ding, Ding, Ding!!!!

It is the Wawona! I know it was my wedding, but it was the most beautiful setting for a wedding and reception that I could ever imagine.

You are so lucky to have gone there every year as a child. We might go there for Christmas this year with DH's family. I bet the Ahwanee (or however it's spelled) is amazing at Christmas time!

The Ahwahnee Lodge (I googled the spelling) is one of the inspirations for the Wilderness Lodge...

That's a beautiful resort. I stayed there once with friends....

[scottny]

That was easy!

I usually am.

[stagemomx3]

I usually am.

:lmao:

[Native NYer]

Beautiful wedding pics!

Yosemite is so beautiful.

[SwansLoveDisney]

I usually am.


:rotfl:

[SwansLoveDisney]

Beautiful wedding pics!

Yosemite is so beautiful.

Thanks!

[SwansLoveDisney]

The Ahwahnee Lodge (I googled the spelling) is one of the inspirations for the Wilderness Lodge...

That's a beautiful resort. I stayed there once with friends....

I had no idea that the AhwaHnee (thanks!) was an inspiration for Wilderness Lodge.

Someday, we'll stay at Wilderness Lodge. We go to a national park each year for our anniversary (a whopping 2 so far) and I'm thinking that for one of our anniversaries, we'll call Wilderness Lodge a national park!

[scottny]

:lmao:

:rotfl:

that came out wrong. :blush:

[SwansLoveDisney]

that came out wrong. :blush:

Sure it did! ;)

[SwansLoveDisney]

Has anyone ever rented a fridge at Pop Century?

When do you tell them you want to rent it? Now?

Do they ever run out of fridges?

Thanks in advance for any help that can be offered!

Also, has anyone ever used Garden Grocer? Thoughts?

Thanks again!

[Charleston Princess]

I am so here! popcorn::

Kudos for convincing DH to go back to WDW.

I started reading and couldn't stop until I got to the end.

Love the pics -- especially the Clue costumes and your pictures on the rides in the Clue costumes -- Clue is my fave board game in the whole world!

Vegas looked like a blast -- a great big grown-up WDW! I want to go now. Ditto for Yosemite -- I went once as a 5-year-old and have no memory of it.

Can't wait to read more!

[SwansLoveDisney]

I am so here! popcorn::

Kudos for convincing DH to go back to WDW.

I started reading and couldn't stop until I got to the end.

Love the pics -- especially the Clue costumes and your pictures on the rides in the Clue costumes -- Clue is my fave board game in the whole world!

Vegas looked like a blast -- a great big grown-up WDW! I want to go now. Ditto for Yosemite -- I went once as a 5-year-old and have no memory of it.

Can't wait to read more!

:welcome:

Thanks for stopping by!

I also love Clue...I usually don't win, but I love it nonetheless!

[jordanyosh]

Has anyone ever rented a fridge at Pop Century?

When do you tell them you want to rent it? Now?

Do they ever run out of fridges?

Thanks in advance for any help that can be offered!

Also, has anyone ever used Garden Grocer? Thoughts?

Thanks again!

Your West Coast Liason is here.

I haven't rented a fridge, but I think you let them know before.....

I know there was a fridge swap somewhere on the DIS.......I don't know if it's still going on....

Guess what? We used Garden Grocer this past summer..it worked out well...we way over ordered, but GG did fine. Order there on time and all items there.......it was a great service for us.....

[SwansLoveDisney]

Your West Coast Liason is here.

I haven't rented a fridge, but I think you let them know before.....

I know there was a fridge swap somewhere on the DIS.......I don't know if it's still going on....

Guess what? We used Garden Grocer this past summer..it worked out well...we way over ordered, but GG did fine. Order there on time and all items there.......it was a great service for us.....

Did you get produce from Garden Grocer? If so, how was it? That's my main dietary concern when at WDW...not enough fruits and veggies!

I'm going to call and ask the Disney people about the fridge tomorrow.

Thanks for your assistance, TGJ!

[jordanyosh]

Did you get produce from Garden Grocer? If so, how was it? That's my main dietary concern when at WDW...not enough fruits and veggies!

I'm going to call and ask the Disney people about the fridge tomorrow.

Thanks for your assistance, TGJ!

The fruit was good. We got apples and bananas (green and yellow). we got bagged baby carrots.....

Pop has a great salad...the Greek Salad.....;)

It really is good--just lots of red onions.....

[SwansLoveDisney]

When I got home from work today, I had a walk date with my cousin Sarah (from my Oct trip). Every Monday evening, we talk on the phone (she's in Chicago and I'm in PHoenix) while we walk our dogs for a half hour.

So I rushed in from work, changed my shoes, said hello to DH, who was cleaning the pool in the back yard. He had just fired up the grill to cook us some dinner. Then I made the terrible mistake of locking the Arcadia door behind me when I came back in the house. Then I left the house. For a half hour. With DH still in the back yard with no key and no cell phone to call me and tell me.

DH was a little upset with me when I got back. :mad:

Fortunately, he got over it quickly!

Oops!

I'm such an airhead sometimes!

[jordanyosh]

:eek: :sad2: When I got home from work today, I had a walk date with my cousin Sarah (from my Oct trip). Every Monday evening, we talk on the phone (she's in Chicago and I'm in PHoenix) while we walk our dogs for a half hour.

So I rushed in from work, changed my shoes, said hello to DH, who was cleaning the pool in the back yard. He had just fired up the grill to cook us some dinner. Then I made the terrible mistake of locking the Arcadia door behind me when I came back in the house. Then I left the house. For a half hour. With DH still in the back yard with no key and no cell phone to call me and tell me.

DH was a little upset with me when I got back. :mad:

Fortunately, he got over it quickly!

Oops!

I'm such an airhead sometimes!

:scared1: :scared: :sad1:

[stagemomx3]

With DH still in the back yard with no key and no cell phone to call me and tell me.

DH was a little upset with me when I got back. :mad:

Fortunately, he got over it quickly!

Oops!

I'm such an airhead sometimes!

:laughing: Oops! Glad he got over it quickly.

[SwansLoveDisney]

:eek: :sad2:

:scared1: :scared: :sad1:

Yep, that's exactly how I felt!

[SwansLoveDisney]

:laughing: Oops! Glad he got over it quickly.

Neither of us can stay mad or hold a grudge very long.

That helps me out a lot because I often do things like the lock out!

[Charleston Princess]

Oops about locking DH out of the house! :scared:

Bright side: you were only gone for 30 minutes -- it could have been much longer! :thumbsup2

[Native NYer]

At least it wasn't raining. Glad he got over it quickly.

[SwansLoveDisney]

Oops about locking DH out of the house! :scared:

Bright side: you were only gone for 30 minutes -- it could have been much longer! :thumbsup2

Yep, 30 minutes is a perfect amount of time to get the pool nice and clean! :rotfl:

[SwansLoveDisney]

At least it wasn't raining. Glad he got over it quickly.

Nope, no rain here in the desert. But it was 98 degrees yesterday! :scared1: I'm so not ready for another Phoenix summer!

[Charleston Princess]

Yep, 30 minutes is a perfect amount of time to get the pool nice and clean! :rotfl:

See! It was totally meant to be ;) . He might have been distracted from cleaning the pool if he had been able to go back inside!

[Native NYer]

Nope, no rain here in the desert. But it was 98 degrees yesterday! :scared1: I'm so not ready for another Phoenix summer!

98 degrees :scared1:

Just think, you'll never have to shovel snow.

And you're close to the original house of the Mouse :thumbsup2 How long is the drive to DL?

[SwansLoveDisney]

See! It was totally meant to be ;) . He might have been distracted from cleaning the pool if he had been able to go back inside!

You are so right! I just did us both a favor by locking him out! :laughing:

(Let's hope he doesn't read that!)

[SwansLoveDisney]

98 degrees :scared1:

Just think, you'll never have to shovel snow.

And you're close to the original house of the Mouse :thumbsup2 How long is the drive to DL?

Yep, no snow and beautiful autumns, winters, and springs. (I just have to keep telling myself that all summer!)

We are so close to DL. I think it's a 5 hour drive. And can you believe I have NEVER been there?!? We've been in Phoenix 2.5 years and no DL yet. I was very prejudiced against DL until October, when I went in Walt Disney: One Man's Dream at DHS. After that attraction, I have a whole new respect for DL. I've been on a crusade to get to DL since then. We were SUPPOSED to go in April (DH, two friends, and I), but somehow those plans were changed to going to a waterpark in Texas this summer. :confused3

Okay, I'm done with that rant!

[Native NYer]

Yep, no snow and beautiful autumns, winters, and springs. (I just have to keep telling myself that all summer!)

We are so close to DL. I think it's a 5 hour drive. And can you believe I have NEVER been there?!? We've been in Phoenix 2.5 years and no DL yet. I was very prejudiced against DL until October, when I went in Walt Disney: One Man's Dream at DHS. After that attraction, I have a whole new respect for DL. I've been on a crusade to get to DL since then. We were SUPPOSED to go in April (DH, two friends, and I), but somehow those plans were changed to going to a waterpark in Texas this summer. :confused3

Okay, I'm done with that rant!

You should visit at least once. It's so small and intimate. It's magical, but in a different way than WDW.

[Charleston Princess]

You are so right! I just did us both a favor by locking him out! :laughing:

(Let's hope he doesn't read that!)

:rotfl:

I'm so jealous you have a pool -- DH lived in Arizona for a little bit growing up (his dad's company moved him around quite a bit), and he said that lots of the homes have pools.

I would love to have one! I would totally spend my summer beside it!

[SwansLoveDisney]

You should visit at least once. It's so small and intimate. It's magical, but in a different way than WDW.

Visiting DL is my goal before we move back to Chicago. So that gives me 1.5 years to accomplish the goal. I think I can! I think I can!

[SwansLoveDisney]

:rotfl:

I'm so jealous you have a pool -- DH lived in Arizona for a little bit growing up (his dad's company moved him around quite a bit), and he said that lots of the homes have pools.

I would love to have one! I would totally spend my summer beside it!

That was a condition I put on our move to AZ...when DH was offered the transfer, I said I would only move here if our house had a pool!

So we bought a house without a pool and had one built! I think our house was one of the only houses in the neighborhood that didn't have a pool.

I swim in the pool every day in the summer.

[Native NYer]

Visiting DL is my goal before we move back to Chicago. So that gives me 1.5 years to accomplish the goal. I think I can! I think I can!

You can visit more than once ;)

[jordanyosh]

And just think when you're out here...you can hang out with me...Oh the pictures we could come up with:thumbsup2

I'll be in Phoenix in late August. I'm staying with Wendy and Derek at the Kierland Westin.

When we were there last July 4th it was about 117.

[Charleston Princess]

That was a condition I put on our move to AZ...when DH was offered the transfer, I said I would only move here if our house had a pool!

So we bought a house without a pool and had one built! I think our house was one of the only houses in the neighborhood that didn't have a pool.

I swim in the pool every day in the summer.

Heavenly!

You can visit more than once ;)

You should stay at the Disneyland Hotel while you are there!

[SwansLoveDisney]

And just think when you're out here...you can hang out with me...Oh the pictures we could come up with:thumbsup2

I'll be in Phoenix in late August. I'm staying with Wendy and Derek at the Kierland Westin.

When we were there last July 4th it was about 117.

Do I smell a Phoenix Dis meet?

This may be a dumb question, but is the Kierland Westin at Kierland Commons? I love that place!

I just need to find someone to drag with me to DL and the most fabulous photoshoot in history will commence!

[mkluvsmickey]

I'll be on the lookout for a Disneyland report from you soon! ;)

I'm thinking of taking my daughter next year to either Disneyland or on a Disney Cruise. We did the cruise last year so I am kind of leaning towards DL if I can swing it. :)

[SwansLoveDisney]

You can visit more than once ;)

I wish!

I am so not a solo trip taker, so I can only go to DL if someone comes with me.

I will find someone though!

[SwansLoveDisney]

You should stay at the Disneyland Hotel while you are there!

Someday...:cloud9:

[SwansLoveDisney]

I'll be on the lookout for a Disneyland report from you soon! ;)

I'm thinking of taking my daughter next year to either Disneyland or on a Disney Cruise. We did the cruise last year so I am kind of leaning towards DL if I can swing it. :)

Just stay tuned for the next year and a half and there will definitely be a DL report from me! :rotfl:

[jordanyosh]

Do I smell a Phoenix Dis meet?

This may be a dumb question, but is the Kierland Westin at Kierland Commons? I love that place!

I just need to find someone to drag with me to DL and the most fabulous photoshoot in history will commence!


We can eat at Sweet Tomatoes!!!!!!!!!

Yes right next door to the Commons....we ate at this place called North at the Commons...mmmmmmmmmmmmm...

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc299/jordanyosh/wdwfeb2008066.jpg

[Native NYer]

I wish!

I am so not a solo trip taker, so I can only go to DL if someone comes with me.

I will find someone though!

Who would turn down DL?

You'll definitely find someone.

What's a Sweet Tomatoes??

[SwansLoveDisney]

We can eat at Sweet Tomatoes!!!!!!!!!

Yes right next door to the Commons....we ate at this place called North at the Commons...mmmmmmmmmmmmm...

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc299/jordanyosh/wdwfeb2008066.jpg

Speaking of Sweet Tomatoes, I just received a thank you card from a friend yesterday. And in the thank you card was a Sweet T gift card! :woohoo:

Too bad that will be gone by August!

Is there a Disney store at Kierland Commons? Probably not. There's one at the Scottsdale Fashion Square, though!

What are the dates of your trip? Probably the dates I'll be in San Diego.

[jordanyosh]

Who would turn down DL?

You'll definitely find someone.

What's a Sweet Tomatoes??

Sweet Tomatoes is a upscale soup/salad buffet restaurant....All made from scratch......I worked for them for 12 years. It's called souplantation in California......

[SwansLoveDisney]

Who would turn down DL?

You'll definitely find someone.

What's a Sweet Tomatoes??

You'd be surprised at all the people who've turned down DL! I'm going to have to resort to begging!

Sweet Tomatoes is delicious! It's pretty much a salad bar/buffet place with fabulous soups and incredible desserts. Jordan used to work there. And it's my favorite place to eat.

[jordanyosh]

Speaking of Sweet Tomatoes, I just received a thank you card from a friend yesterday. And in the thank you card was a Sweet T gift card! :woohoo:

Too bad that will be gone by August!

Is there a Disney store at Kierland Commons? Probably not. There's one at the Scottsdale Fashion Square, though!

What are the dates of your trip? Probably the dates I'll be in San Diego.


Very end of august..I think the 26th-31st.

[Native NYer]

Sweet Tomatoes is a upscale soup/salad buffet restaurant....All made from scratch......I worked for them for 12 years. It's called souplantation in California......

Sounds yummy!

You'd be surprised at all the people who've turned down DL! I'm going to have to resort to begging!

Sweet Tomatoes is delicious! It's pretty much a salad bar/buffet place with fabulous soups and incredible desserts. Jordan used to work there. And it's my favorite place to eat.


What's with some people? They don't know what they're missing!

I want to try this Sweet Tomatoes. Hmm where can I find one?

[Charleston Princess]

I want to try this Sweet Tomatoes. Hmm where can I find one?

Atlanta! ;)

[SwansLoveDisney]

Very end of august..I think the 26th-31st.

Uh oh. My birthday is the 24th. And we're going to SD for my birthday. We'll have to chat about this again when DH and I decide on our SD dates!

I will start thinking of innovative poses now!

[SwansLoveDisney]

Atlanta! ;)

Our layover on our way to Greece is in Atlanta...maybe I can sneak out to Sweet Tomatoes! :lmao:

[SwansLoveDisney]

What's with some people? They don't know what they're missing!



They're just people who are afraid to let their inner child live!

[Native NYer]

Atlanta! ;)

Perfect :thumbsup2

They're just people who are afraid to let their inner child live!


So sad :sad2:

[jordanyosh]

Uh oh. My birthday is the 24th. And we're going to SD for my birthday. We'll have to chat about this again when DH and I decide on our SD dates!

I will start thinking of innovative poses now!

Some places to eat in San Diego:

Breakfast: Hash House A Go-Go--near Hillcrest

locals eat at DZ Akins near San Diego State University.

Remember Sweet Tomatoes is called Souplantation. There are several of them in the greater San Diego area. The closest ones to Downtown are Mission Gorge and Pt Loma.....

Mexican: Old Town Mexican Cafe--cheap, good. Zocalo Grille in Old Town--pricey, upscale mexican. El Indio--walk up near Old Town and the airport.

[Charleston Princess]

Our layover on our way to Greece is in Atlanta...maybe I can sneak out to Sweet Tomatoes! :lmao:

DIS Meet at Hartsfield!!!!

How long is your layover?

Some places to eat in San Diego:

Breakfast: Hash House A Go-Go--near Hillcrest

locals eat at DZ Akins near San Diego State University.

Remember Sweet Tomatoes is called Souplantation. There are several of them in the greater San Diego area. The closest ones to Downtown are Mission Gorge and Pt Loma.....

Mexican: Old Town Mexican Cafe--cheap, good. Zocalo Grille in Old Town--pricey, upscale mexican. El Indio--walk up near Old Town and the airport.

Yummy! Makes me want to visit San Diego just for the food!

[SwansLoveDisney]

Some places to eat in San Diego:

Breakfast: Hash House A Go-Go--near Hillcrest

locals eat at DZ Akins near San Diego State University.

Remember Sweet Tomatoes is called Souplantation. There are several of them in the greater San Diego area. The closest ones to Downtown are Mission Gorge and Pt Loma.....

Mexican: Old Town Mexican Cafe--cheap, good. Zocalo Grille in Old Town--pricey, upscale mexican. El Indio--walk up near Old Town and the airport.

Thank you! You're living up to your TourGuideJordan name!

I can be a tour guide for Phoenix. In August, that would be easy. It would entail telling you which pool to stay in all day long! :rotfl:

[Native NYer]

Thank you! You're living up to your TourGuideJordan name!

TGJ is working overtime on here :lmao:

[SwansLoveDisney]

DIS Meet at Hartsfield!!!!

How long is your layover?



Yummy! Makes me want to visit San Diego just for the food!

An airport DIS meet would be awesome!

Unfortunately, we have a dangerously short layover at Hartsfield. It's only 1.5 or 2 hours, which makes me nervous for an international flight! :scared1:

[Charleston Princess]

An airport DIS meet would be awesome!

Unfortunately, we have a dangerously short layover at Hartsfield. It's only 1.5 or 2 hours, which makes me nervous for an international flight! :scared1:

Yikes :scared1: ! At Hartsfield that is scary. Book it as fast as you can. Be the first off the plane if you can and do not stop until you reach your gate. What time are you flying into Hartsfield -- that could also make a difference.

Have you ever flown into Atlanta before?

[SwansLoveDisney]

Yikes :scared1: ! At Hartsfield that is scary. Book it as fast as you can. Be the first off the plane if you can and do not stop until you reach your gate. What time are you flying into Hartsfield -- that could also make a difference.

Have you ever flown into Atlanta before?

I have flown into Atlanta...that's why I'm nervous!

That airport is enormous! I think I've had layovers there three times. Two times, I was delayed a bunch, and one time I nearly missed my connecting flight.

I'll be fresh off of my half-marathon at that point, so it shouldn't be a problem to run through the airport through a herd of people! :laughing:

[scottny]

Uh oh. My birthday is the 24th. And we're going to SD for my birthday. We'll have to chat about this again when DH and I decide on our SD dates!

I will start thinking of innovative poses now!

I loved San Diego. Can't help u with eating, only ate at the zoo and Planet Hollywood.
The most gorgeous city. Loved it. Now I want to go back.

[SwansLoveDisney]

I loved San Diego. Can't help u with eating, only ate at the zoo and Planet Hollywood.
The most gorgeous city. Loved it. Now I want to go back.

I've been to San Diego just once before. I also loved it!

I was with my mom, though, and I kept thinking what a romantic city it was. I'm so happy to be going back with DH this time! :lovestruc

[jordanyosh]

I've been to San Diego just once before. I also loved it!

I was with my mom, though, and I kept thinking what a romantic city it was. I'm so happy to be going back with DH this time! :lovestruc

You'll have fun....

[Charleston Princess]

I have flown into Atlanta...that's why I'm nervous!

That airport is enormous! I think I've had layovers there three times. Two times, I was delayed a bunch, and one time I nearly missed my connecting flight.

I'll be fresh off of my half-marathon at that point, so it shouldn't be a problem to run through the airport through a herd of people! :laughing:

Good, I am glad that you have flown into Atlanta before -- being familiar with the size and layout is half the battle!

You will make it -- just put that marathon training into use! :wizard:

[SwansLoveDisney]

You'll have fun....

Especially with your great restaurant suggestions! :thumbsup2

Good, I am glad that you have flown into Atlanta before -- being familiar with the size and layout is half the battle!

You will make it -- just put that marathon training into use! :wizard:

Even though I've been to the Atlanta airport before, it's still the most intimidating airport to me!

That's right...I'm just going to get in my mental running zone and hope that DH keeps up! :laughing:

[SwansLoveDisney]

I made a trip to office max today to buy some supplies.

Supplies for my 2008 Disney binder! :banana:

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4150014.jpg

Here they are! I was one of the dorky kids who LOVED buying her school supplies as a child. And I still love it! :lovestruc

Now I have to put these wonderful supplies to work.

Oh, and here's DH cuddling with Indy

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4090006-1.jpg

[KathyRN137]

Birth of a Binder!!

Kathy

p.s. I liked buying school supplies, too! :goodvibes

[lisalonglash]

I made a trip to office max today to buy some supplies.

Supplies for my 2008 Disney binder! :banana:

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4150014.jpg

Here they are! I was one of the dorky kids who LOVED buying her school supplies as a child. And I still love it! :lovestruc

Now I have to put these wonderful supplies to work.

Cool! I love office supplies too :goodvibes Surely there's a support group for us somewhere?! :confused3 :lmao:

Oh, and here's DH cuddling with Indy

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4090006-1.jpg

That is ADORABLE! :hug:

[SwansLoveDisney]

Birth of a Binder!!

Kathy

p.s. I liked buying school supplies, too! :goodvibes

I have a feeling that a lot of us DISers not only share the obessive planning trait, but also the love for school/office supplies! I think they go hand in hand!

[SwansLoveDisney]

Cool! I love office supplies too :goodvibes Surely there's a support group for us somewhere?! :confused3 :lmao:



That is ADORABLE! :hug:

Yeah, a support group where we can tell each other about the latest and greatest supplies! :rotfl:

[SwansLoveDisney]

I just sent my brother (the one who's coming to Disney) an email with an assignment. He's a graphic designer by trade, so I gave him the job of designing a cover for my Disney binder.

I gave him a friday deadline, which I think was generous. He'll probably have it done by tonight, though, because he'll be so excited to do something Disney-related. Oh, wait, that's me who gets so excited about Disney!:rotfl:

[scottny]

I have a feeling that a lot of us DISers not only share the obessive planning trait, but also the love for school/office supplies! I think they go hand in hand!

I am more new age and do it on my Treo. I don't like carrying bulky things.

[mkluvsmickey]

I loved getting school supplies too! And now my daughter does. :laughing: Must be in the genes somewhere.

Great pic of hubby with Indy! :love:

[Charleston Princess]

Even though I've been to the Atlanta airport before, it's still the most intimidating airport to me!

That's right...I'm just going to get in my mental running zone and hope that DH keeps up! :laughing:

Maybe he could attach one of those toddler leashes to you so that he can keep up. :rotfl:

I made a trip to office max today to buy some supplies.

Supplies for my 2008 Disney binder! :banana:

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/julieswanster/P4150014.jpg

Here they are! I was one of the dorky kids who LOVED buying her school supplies as a child. And I still love it! :lovestruc


Good selection!!! I love office supplies, also -- it is definitely fun to buy them for Disney binder projects!

I have a feeling that a lot of us DISers not only share the obessive planning trait, but also the love for school/office supplies! I think they go hand in hand!

Definitely!

[lisalonglash]

Can I ask a question for which I'll likely be slapped down for being the WDW-ignorant fool that I am? LOL

I'm with you on the loving office supplies thing, but what exactly would go into a Disney binder?

I have an Excel workbook with park hours, our tentative park schedule, tentative touring plans for each park, etc.

Of course, the rest of the family group going (everyone but my own family of 4) thinks that touring plans are "stupid" and they're "just going to go, see everything and not use a plan" :laughing: So, I'm alone in my planning LMAO

Seriously though, what stuff goes into your binder? I'm genuinely interested :goodvibes

[SwansLoveDisney]

I am more new age and do it on my Treo. I don't like carrying bulky things.

I don't even know what a Treo is!

That's how technologically delayed I am!

[SwansLoveDisney]

I loved getting school supplies too! And now my daughter does. :laughing: Must be in the genes somewhere.

Great pic of hubby with Indy! :love:

That's great that your daughter likes school supplies! Someone to share the love with!

[SwansLoveDisney]

Maybe he could attach one of those toddler leashes to you so that he can keep up. :rotfl:



Good selection!!! I love office supplies, also -- it is definitely fun to buy them for Disney binder projects!


Toddler leashes are an excellent idea! DH will HAVE to keep up if I put him on a leash!

This was just the beginning of my office supply purchases!

I don't have an office...I'm a contract physical therapist and I see kiddos in their homes. So I'm office supply deprived!



Can I ask a question for which I'll likely be slapped down for being the WDW-ignorant fool that I am? LOL

I'm with you on the loving office supplies thing, but what exactly would go into a Disney binder?

I have an Excel workbook with park hours, our tentative park schedule, tentative touring plans for each park, etc.

Of course, the rest of the family group going (everyone but my own family of 4) thinks that touring plans are "stupid" and they're "just going to go, see everything and not use a plan" :laughing: So, I'm alone in my planning LMAO

Seriously though, what stuff goes into your binder? I'm genuinely interested :goodvibes

If I knew how to use Excel, I'd be right there with you! Computers and I don't get along very well...I immediately forgot everything I learned in my computer classes in high school and college!

Right now, the only things in the binder are the disney mail I have received since booking.

Just between you and me, the binder is just an excuse to obsess a little more. It's really not necessary in the least!

I also have a Greece binder going right now. That one is necessary, though, because I need to bring lots of info with me!

[Native NYer]

How exciting!!! Supplies for your trip planning binder.
I love buying school supplies too. But I get my fix every September because I have to order for 24 :lmao:

Indy is a cutie!!

Can't wait to see the binder and cover design.

[lisalonglash]

Just between you and me, the binder is just an excuse to obsess a little more. It's really not necessary in the least!

I also have a Greece binder going right now. That one is necessary, though, because I need to bring lots of info with me!

Disney-obsession is good :rotfl:

Oh boy, you're going to have a wonderful time in Greece! It's gorgeous! We had such fun there - the people were friendly and patient with our sad attempts to speak Greek LOL, the food is fantastic (you'll be scoffing at North American yogurt when you come home, I promise!), the history is absolutely fascinating and the landscapes are stunning!

Oh, I'm so jealous! LOL That's one place I would definitely like to revisit with my dh and my children - culture, history and geography in top form! :thumbsup2

DISCLAIMER: This was true when we went, so that was many moons ago. This may not still be the case, but just in case it is:

I should warn you though, to take tissues with you everywhere (a lot of public washrooms don't have toilet paper :scared1:) and don't be surprised if you see ... ahem ... used toilet paper in a basket beside the toilet. Greece's pipe system is antiquated and flushing toilet paper is discouraged.

[SwansLoveDisney]

How exciting!!! Supplies for your trip planning binder.
I love buying school supplies too. But I get my fix every September because I have to order for 24 :lmao:

Indy is a cutie!!

Can't wait to see the binder and cover design.

You are so lucky to buy so many school supplies every September!

My brother said he's brainstorming...more on that later.

Disney-obsession is good :rotfl:

Oh boy, you're going to have a wonderful time in Greece! It's gorgeous! We had such fun there - the people were friendly and patient with our sad attempts to speak Greek LOL, the food is fantastic (you'll be scoffing at North American yogurt when you come home, I promise!), the history is absolutely fascinating and the landscapes are stunning!

Oh, I'm so jealous! LOL That's one place I would definitely like to revisit with my dh and my children - culture, history and geography in top form! :thumbsup2

DISCLAIMER: This was true when we went, so that was many moons ago. This may not still be the case, but just in case it is:

I should warn you though, to take tissues with you everywhere (a lot of public washrooms don't have toilet paper :scared1:) and don't be surprised if you see ... ahem ... used toilet paper in a basket beside the toilet. Greece's pipe system is antiquated and flushing toilet paper is discouraged.

:lmao:

Can I just tell you that there has been a post-it on my Fodor's Greece book for the past 6 months. This post it says "bring T.P." (T.P. being toilet paper!)

It's one of the things they said in Fodor's and you can bet I'm going to follow those directions! I would HATE to not be able to use toilet paper!!

I'm glad that you said it too, though, because now I know I won't be foolish to bring it with me!!!

[Native NYer]

I do have fun buying supplies, but not putting them away :scared1:

Hmmm I wonder what your brother will come up with popcorn::

[SwansLoveDisney]

I do have fun buying supplies, but not putting them away :scared1:

Hmmm I wonder what your brother will come up with popcorn::

I'll tell you what my brother has come up with so far...(he still can't stop teasing me, even though he's 30!)

I asked him to put my last name and his last name on the binder cover. That way the last names of everyone going on the trip would be on the binder.

Well, my maiden name means "hunter" in German. And my married name is the name of a certain bird (not hard to figure out from my Dis name). So my bro said that so far, he's thought of putting Mickey dressed as a hunter. And guess what the hunter is hunting?

Sick. Demented. Wrong. That's my loving brother!

[Native NYer]

I'll tell you what my brother has come up with so far...(he still can't stop teasing me, even though he's 30!)

I asked him to put my last name and his last name on the binder cover. That way the last names of everyone going on the trip would be on the binder.

Well, my maiden name means "hunter" in German. And my married name is the name of a certain bird (not hard to figure out from my Dis name). So my bro said that so far, he's thought of putting Mickey dressed as a hunter. And guess what the hunter is hunting?

Sick. Demented. Wrong. That's my loving brother!

:lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

It's original. Chances are no one else's trip planning binder will have a cover like that!

[Nicole786]

OMG a huge awwwww for indy and DH!!!!

i used to love getting school supplies and being like "THIS YEAR im going to write really really neatly with my new lisa frank pencil and my notes will be really really good and i'll store them in my lisa frank folder and i won't lose any of my Yikes erasers!"

somehow that was all gone after like the first week of school haha

what do you put in your binder??

[SwansLoveDisney]

:lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

It's original. Chances are no one else's trip planning binder will have a cover like that!

And neither will we! I won't use that one!

OMG a huge awwwww for indy and DH!!!!

i used to love getting school supplies and being like "THIS YEAR im going to write really really neatly with my new lisa frank pencil and my notes will be really really good and i'll store them in my lisa frank folder and i won't lose any of my Yikes erasers!"

somehow that was all gone after like the first week of school haha

what do you put in your binder??

Lisa Frank!!!:rotfl:

Oh, I was always going to be SO organized. Never happened. Still hasn't happened. Oh well!

So far, the binder only has Disney mail in it.

I'm not sure what else will go in there, but I'll find some things!

[SwansLoveDisney]

As I always do before a Disney trip, I'm contemplating getting the Disney Rewards Visa...

Do any of you guys have this? If so, is it worth it?

Thanks!